Noob here...

[stone_d]

Okay.
Hello to fellow nightowls. Just happened to find this board doing a Google on my CPAP machine. Read some topics and checked it out a bit.
First a little history - I just returned from a nasty visit to the local hospital, where I got the third degree from some health practitioners (not my regular docs) for not using my machine. My life has been kinda messed up lately, with the result being heart attack symptoms. Given my cardiac history and that of my forebears, these are always dealt with seriously, even if most of the time nothing is found. But I am determined to try everything I can to fix things on my end.
That being said, I was first diagnosed with obstructive apnea about 2 yrs ago (after repeatedly falling dead asleep, not just napping, at work) I got put on the machine and it was installed and set up about 18 months ago. I tried regularly to wear it and use it for at least a month. Tried different masks and settings and nothing helped. Only once that I recall did I sleep through the night. Most times I could only tolerate the mask for an hour or so at most. So I gave up.
I am paying the price, as right now my sleep is obtained by forcing myself to stay up til I'm exhausted (2-3 AM) and then throwing myself in bed and sleeping (poorly) til its time to go to work. Literally. I get up with 5 minutes to shower and dress and jump in my car. I'm sure this is familiar to at least a few of you. I'm starting to worry about keeping my job due to this.
So I am going to give this another try. Hopefully with your help I'll succeed. Everyone I've spoken to about this has had the same useless words about how quickly they adapted to wearing the mask. Even the DME guy who claimed to have required a 20 pressure number ("They said I maxed it out, huh, huh, huh") said he got used to it in no time. So save the platitudes and testimonials and the "It was so easy...", I really have no patience for it. I want to hear what problems you have had and how you dealt with them.
I'm sure others out there have had it much worse then me and got through it, and I can, too, if I find the problems and fix them just *so*. After all, there wouldn't be much of a board if everyone just put it on and went right to sleep, now would there? I need to know that I can whip this. You can help.
So, particulars:
I have a REMStar M type CPAP, with C-flex and HH. I have a pressure setting of 9 (quatloos/centon or whatever). I have used both a mask and nasal pillow, don't ask what kind, 'cause I don't know. If need be, I could pick 'em out of a lineup. I sleep (well, try to) face-down preferred (its the only thing that works for me now) or on my side (right). Tried sleeping face up and I can't tolerate it. I don't have a choice of where to put the machine at the moment, so its sits on my dresser (higher than the bed - maybe thats a problem?) I live in New England - cold and dry in the winter, hot and muggy in the summer. No A/C, or asthma. I'm married - my wife used to snore wicked, until she lost ~ 75 lbs. (ask me, shes in a *great* program) I'm on a boatload of meds: heart, BP, Cholesterol, Depression, Diabetes. Specifics available on request.
By all means, send me to the FAQ, but I didn't have the patience to search through 50000 posts...
I apologize for the apparent attitude here, I AM a nice guy, but I've been pushed to my limits lately...as I'm sure many of you can understand. After all, the first tool of mind-control is sleep-deprivation, right?
Sorry to be so long - but I felt I needed to make my case. Hope you all can help...

[Julie]

Hi, and pat yourself on the back for coming back to try again! First, it is REALLY important that you know what mask you're using now, because masks are the #1 reason people stop trying. There are so many different masks now, and there is one that will work for you, but you have to find it. It could even be the one you're using, but without being fitted and talked to about how to wear it, you'll never know. OK, so do list your machine, pressure and mask(s) in your "Profile" and then every time you post, the info. will appear under the post (look at everyone else's) so we all know where you're coming from. Without knowing what you're using now though, it's hard to comment on anything much... so get back fast!

[AuntieNae]

Welcome
As you can see, I am also pretty new here. Today marks my 14th day using CPAP. I too had a rough start. Since I breathe through my mouth, I have to use a full face mask. Let's just say the claustrophobia really got to me the first couple of nights. I recently switched to a hybrid mask .. that made a world of difference. Really, I can already feel the difference of sleep before CPAP and now using the CPAP.

I have learned so much reading the forums here .. hopefully you can too

AuntieNae

[Snoozy Q]

Hi there, Noob.
There's plenty of people here who have overcome a lot of problems and gone through much trial and error and tweaking of equipment to succeed at cpap therapy, so you've definitely come to the right place.

Like Julie said, finding the mask or nasal pillow that works for you is a huge part of the process. Some folks luck out and find that the 1st or 2nd mask they try works well for them, but a lot of people need to try quite a few before find the right interface for their face. An important question to start with : do you breathe through your mouth when you're asleep? Don't guess on this one. Ask your wife. It'll be a major factor in mask choice.

Let us have some more specific info on what mask you're using and what problems you are encountering. For example: is the mask uncomfortable (on which part of your face or head?)? leaky? noisy? do you feel claustrophobic with a mask strapped on? does the inside of your nose feel irritated? etc.

There's plenty of help availalbe here if you can give us an idea of where to start.

[rested gal]

Welcome to the board, stone_d.

Ok, let's cut to the chase. What's the full name of your machine? It will be written across the top of the machine. Probably says one of these two names...which?

Respironics REMstar Plus M series

Respironics REMstar Pro M series

If the name has the word "Plus" in it, that machine records only hours of use onto the Smart Card. No useful info. Useful info being...how effectively is your prescribed pressure warding off apneas when you use the machine...is the leak rate staying low or are leaks out of control while you sleep. To get that kind of useful information about how your treatment is going, you need at least the "Pro" M series machine instead of the "Plus."

We'll hope "Pro" is what you come back to say is the name of your machine. If it's a "Plus", then you need to ask the people you got your machine from to swap it for an M series "Pro." Which they probably aren't going to be willing to do, but it doesn't hurt to try. Pleasant surprises do happen sometimes.

If you have a Plus machine and they won't swap, we'll cross that bridge later. You can get equally good treatment with the Plus or the Pro...they are the same machine -- one just gives full data (the Pro) and the other one (the Plus) doesn't. So do go ahead and use the Plus.

Here's why having a machine like the Pro that gives "full data" is important. If you're going to be proactive about your treatment, having a machine that lets you know how many apneas are sneaking through despite the machine's pressure, and that shows whether you're getting excessive leaks that can interfere with the treatment, is the best way to actually SEE (via software) how the machine is treating you.

There is software (Encore Viewer) and a specific card reader (DT3500 by Mako) that will let you download the Smart Card from your machine (if it's an M series Pro) to your computer.

Now the most important thing of all...the mask. Even more so than the machine, the right mask is going to be the #1 key to whether you can actually "sleep" in this crazy new way or not.

Start yourself a notepad file and tuck these links away for future reference:
viewtopic/t17435/ALL-LINKS-by-rested-gal.html
There'll be too much to try to read there, but keep it as a reference to turn to when people start talking about "rainout", various masks, hanging the hose, tape, pantyhose legs, and other stuff that's going to be like Greek for awhile.

"Whats the differences in BIPAP, XPAP, APAP, CFLEX" Link to topic describing types of machines.
viewtopic.php?p=56836

"Learning lexicon of cpap terms" Link to topic listing common abbreviations and definitions.
viewtopic.php?t=14902

There IS a mask that many people who prefer to sleep on their stomachs, facedown ... or in any sleep position, for that matter ... like. It's ridiculous looking in pictures. Looks bulky, heavy, etc., but it's not. Biggest problem is that most DMEs haven't even heard of, much less carry, that mask. Yeah, there's one of those dreaded acronyms -- "Durable Medical Equipment" -- we use "DME" a lot on the message board. Using "DME" to refer to the home health care equipment store where you get your mask/machine, or to the employees of such a store -- "My DME is a really nice girl. She lets me keep swapping masks that don't work for me." We usually mean a bricks and mortar store when we talk about DME, as opposed to online stores (like cpap.com) which usually have much lower prices.

Anyway, back to the mystery mask. The mask to start considering, if you reallllly want to sleep on your stomach (as well as on sides and back) is the "Headrest" nasal pillows mask by Aeiomed:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1717&PAID=215
You'll see constant references to "Twilight NP" in the product writeup...that was an old name for that mask. It's name is "Headrest."

So, do please get back to us with the full name of your machine (written across the top of machine) and the name of the mask(s) you've got (usually written on the plastic or on the back of the headgear of most masks.)

You're gonna get more help than you can imagine from the people on this message board!

[rested gal]

Welcome to you, too, AuntieNae. Glad to hear you found a mask that works well for you so soon. Sure makes a difference.

[Marietjie]

GoodMorning! - This is what happened to me! - Nobody could sleep in the house with me - I moved to another room (my husband sleeps in the main bedroom) and also needed to close the doors! I felt so rejected! Then. one day, I read about sleep apnae and decided to go for a sleep study. I was diagnosed with sleep apnae (mild) bought the machine and mask - in less than a week I was in a terrible emotional state and my husband demanded that I put the cpap high in the cupboard and sleep as before - snoring...snoring....I was so relieved! BUT after two years I got serious heart palputations, tiredness - all day and night THEN I realised that I need to get back on cpap. (Luckily it was just heart palputations and not a HEART ATTACK or a STROKE. I'm serious to win this battle and must say, I'm not so nervous (bedtime) anymore. I also suggest that you read everything they write about sleep, sleep apnae, machines and masks. After reading all about masks, I realised that I used the wrong mask and changed to nasal pillows. The small nasal mask was still to large and hurt my teeth and gums. I'm not 100% happy with the nasal pillows but am working on that. There are a few do's and dont's when using cpap - Try to go to bed the same time every night : make your bed comfortable - (love it!) I put my small neck pillow (u-shaped) behind my back (I'm a left side sleeper) it helps alot seeing that one must tilt your head slightly up in order not to move the nasal pillows AND do not forget your leg pillow. Practice a healthy life style - don't drink and smoke, Sleeping pills are not the answer - be kind to yourself and solve all problems that you might have with friends and family - this all has an effect on your sleep (specially accepting the (very unnatural) mask on your face, or not. IF it is not possible to 'clear the air' give your worries to the Lord.
Don't stop trying - everything will come right. Kind regards to you 'hose heads'. Love from South Africa

[Georgio]

Look at it this way. If you don't use CPAP you probably will lose your job or worse have a heat attack or stroke. You must realize you really have no choice. I'm 4 weeks in, woke up 3 -4 times last night, and I still feel much better than before CPAP.

I had the same failures with CPAP for months, until I arrived here, and these kind knowledgeable folks have been walking me through my issues and difficulties. When I found CPAPtalk.com, I immediatley ordered a new machine and software so I could begin to track my therapy and progress. Also the auto machine makes it feel almost like normal breathing. I get some satisfaction from viewing my data in the morning and seeing my apnea under control. Devote the time to follow the instuctions provided here and keep coming back and soon you will be feeling much better which makes it easier.

Georgio

[plr66]

The mask to start considering, if you reallllly want to sleep on your stomach (as well as on sides and back) is the "Headrest" nasal pillows mask by Aeiomed:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1717&PAID=215

Have any of you tried and compared the Headrest to the ComfortLite2? I would be very interested in hearing details about that comparison.

[stone_d]

thank you, Thank You, THANK you....

...for all the kind responses to my desperate post. I knew I could not be alone.

...for just being here. Just reading the traffic here gave me the courage to dust off the machine and put the gear on last night. I was only able to keep it on a short while, and I'm not sure how much of a difference it made, but a journey of 1000 miles begins with single step, right?

...for starting to help me RIGHT NOW. I am now looking up the EXACT model of my machine and I will also dig out my mask and pillows to compare them online - hopefully I will be able to find you names and numbers. Its been a long time, so I don't have think I have the original information anymore.

OK - Equipment Roll Call:
REMstar PRO M series
Res Med Ultra Mirage II NASAL mask
the Nasal Pillow gear I have been trying to use appears to be the OptiLife
my pressure setting is 9 cm.

As far as breathing through my mouth goes - well, I'll ask, but I'm not sure my wife is going to be able to help me out. SHe goes to sleep before I do, and she usually wakes me when she does get up in the night. Plus she usually sleeps through my difficulties. But I'll ask - she's very concerned about my health. I suspect I do, only because I have to consciously keep my mouth closed and force myself to breathe against the machine, and I can't relax. Its what keeps me from sleeping. Imagine a machine to help you sleep better actually keeps you from sleeping, ironic, yes?

As far as sleeping on my stomach goes - I prefer it usually because it seems to help me to sleep better, not because of any comfort issues.

Thanks again.

[goose]

Hey stone_d,
Good info -- good machine. Try to work on getting the software, Encore Viewer and the card reader so you can start downloading the data. You'll learn to interpret and use the data to your best advantage!!!!
You are to be highly commended for your post and giving this another try!!! Your life depends on not giving up.....

Bear with me here -- I'm one of those that had little problems adjusting -- I don't minimize the difficulty that many have had!!! Sleeping with air forced into you through a mask strapped to your face is not a natural experience!!!!!!
I was very much in the same boat as you are -- sleeping at my desk (not knowing if I'd been noticed or not), napping all the time -- just being bloody tired!!!! I'm convinced the reason I had an easy time of it is that I was so tired of being tired that anything was worth a try.......Enough of the platitudes......sorry.....

I'll tackle part of the last paragraph about mouth breathing. Once again though, I don't mouth breathe, but I tested myself a few times to ensure that my leak rate wasn't due to mouth breathing. There are numerous ways to deal with the problem -- tape, polident strips or a Full Face mask.
If you search the "Collective Wisdom" you'll find all kinds of info about taping and polident strips -- FF masks also.
Having facial hair, I can tell you I did not try the tape option!!!! I don't like trimming by ripping the hair out by the roots, so I did the Polident strips. It did seem to work pretty well for me, but the bottom line was I don't breathe through my mouth.
The facial hair is also a reason I can't really use a FF mask (though I do have one for those times when my nose is non-functional). If I had nasal issues that forced me to use a FF mask, I think I'd be forced to shave the beard and 'stache, but there are guys here that use a FF mask with a full beard.....

Welcome to the board -- congratulations on your decision to work it out!!!! We will help you the best we can!!!!
Good luck!!!
take care
cheers
goose

[AuntieNae]

Thanks for the advice. I have the Plus version .. but will call my Doc tomorrow to make my case to write the prescription for the Pro model. I am still in the 30 day trial window with my DME so there is hope.