First night on CPAP.

[fortomorrow]

I was titrated at 12cm sleeping on my back, but I never sleep on my back at home. I moved it down to 8cm before I got my auto and felt much better. Then after I got my auto I set the pressure starting at 8cm and it rarely goes over 10cm... I tried raising the low-end to 9cm and my AHI doubled.

It's entirely possible your pressure might be too high. Wouldn't hurt to try lowering it once you get your card reader and can keep a weather eye on things.

[Kiralynx]

MY goal is always helping the patient achieve success. But, I guess we all don't see it as more than a JOB. Sorry.

Cat,

Thank you for posting. It's nice to know that there are people in the health care field who do care. So far, I've been fortunate to have helpful techs at the sleep lab (who went to a great deal of trouble to get special sheets for my titration when they found I was allergic to the detergent they usually use), and a respiratory tech with the DME who is working to make sure I get a machine appropriate for my complex apnea.

Regrettably, though, there are many, many "professionals" who aren't suited, by temperament or training, to handle chronic health issues, be it apnea or other problems. They treat the patient as if it is their fault they can't "take two aspirin, and be all better in the morning."

Western medicine today is absolutely top mark when it comes to critical or emergency care. It has a very long way to go before it masters the art of genuinely caring about the chronic patient.

It looks like you are one of those who will help the field grow into what it should be.

[Insomniyak]

Not sure what mask you are using, but I think you said you were getting full-face. As for the pressures, remember to take into account that you have intentional leak rates caused by the exhaust ports. If you look at the lit that came with your mask, you will see the chart with the leak rate at various pressures. You also have 30 days trial on the mask, I would see if they have masks good for side sleeping. Not having used a full-face mask, I am not sure. If you use a nasal, I find the Resmed Activa will stay on through anything. It grabs you like an octopus

[congahands]

I got my reader and software yesterday. The AHI results that were 8.5, 13.5, 6.7, 11.5 are really 9.4, 13.1, 6.5, 12.

One change I made yesterday was to change my c-flex from 2 to 1. To my surprise my AHI was 3.7!!!!

If my numbers stay pretty low for the next couple of nights, I am considering turning off c-flex completely. When I tried to push my RT for an Auto machine by saying that I was concerned about being able to exhale against a pressure of 16, she said, "I'd recommend that you change your c-flex to 2 to start with." Sigh....

Overall, I am relieved that I finally got a good number.

Hopefully I can get started on undoing my sleep debt now.

[gasp]

Excellent! Love the idea of reducing the sleep debt!

[Songbird]

I just got caught up on this thread. Conga, it sure sounds like you have things well in hand. I understand you want better numbers; that's a good thing, and I'm sure you'll get there. My AHI was all over the place at first, too. I started at my Rx pressure of 9 and gradually bumped it up to 12, and since then, my AHI has been nice and stable. So I'm sure the key is to get using your software asap, and I know you're going to do that. Keep up the good work!

More importantly, can you do the "Mawwwage" speech in a really good Peter Cook voice? (I love "The Princess Bride"!! Laugh myself sick every time I watch it.)

Marsha