just got started on cpap July 1,2009

[buggsy54]

Hello everyone, I am A newbie, just got the machine 7/1/09. I have a Res Med H4i. Don't know the brand of the nose piece ( it is 1:50 AM and I don't want to get out the paper work to find out ) .As a newbie, do I get at least one Stupid Question? Well here it is anyway. Has anyone ever died using the cpap? I mean ,as a result of using it,not die of a natural cause while using it. I feel like I am
suffocating . I haven't enjoyed a good nights rest (without a pill ) in years.

[CollegeGirl]

People don't die from using CPAP, they die from NOT using CPAP. Sleep apnea causes strokes, heart attacks, you name it. If you feel like you're not getting enough air, try NOT using your ramp, if you're using it. Otherwise, give us more information so we can help you figure it out - it could be your pressure is too low, or (more likely) you need exhale relief to help you breathe out against the pressure. Until we have more info, we don't know which direction to advise you to go. Welcome.

[socalmonkey]

Welcome!

Your feelings are common for new CPAP users. I felt the same way, but quickly got use to it. Now, I feel like wearing the mask helps get me in the mood to sleep. Give it a little time, and I think you'll find that suffocating or claustrophobic feeling will disappear soon.

Good luck and good rested sleep!

[Julie]

Hi, can you please fill in your "profile" (on your member page) so the names of your equipment ('text', not icons) will appear under all your postings automatically, making it easy for us to know what you're using and therefore how to advise? If you are using the Ramp (which supposedly allows you to slowly get used to the rising pressure) try either starting it off at a higher number than you are now, or just turning it off altogether and letting the machine go straight to your prescribed pressure setting (as most of us do very early on, not being able to breathe at the low settings, like you). If that's not the case, then more information is needed.

[buggsy23]

I did turn the ramp speed down to 5 min. It helped alot. The therapist set the ramp speed to 25 min. It took me a couple of days to figure out how to
control the ramp speed. I just didn't think about controling it during the day and didn't feel like trying to figure it out during the night. The therapist
did go over everything with me, it was just too much to absorb in an hour. But lying in bed with that mask , trying to sleep , your mind starts to wander
about wheather or not you made the right connections, or put the mask on correctly. That is when you decide to remove it just to be on the safe side. I now
know it doesn't matter . I was able to sleep about 3 hrs. with the mask on last night. But not all at once, I removed it and put it back on about 4 times .
That is the best I have done so far.

[Slinky]

Rome wasn't built in a day and very few of us take to CPAP and mask the very first night or two like a duck takes to water. Lets face it, sleeping w/a CPAP and mask is NOT the most natural thing in the world! So it takes some getting used to for most of us. Patience, Perseverence and a Good Sense of Humor go a long way to gaining CPAP therapy success.

The Resmed H4i is the model of integreated humidifier not the model of CPAP you have. Since you have the H4i you obviously have one of the Resmed S8 II xPAPs. But which one? It will say on the top of the xPAP in the navy blue area above the buttons. Escape? Elite? AutoSet?

[buggsy23]

I filled out the profile , now I am all set. Does the cpap make you breath deeper? I seem to be breathing deeper before I go to sleep. But I don't know what happens after I fall asleep. I was wondering if the pressure made you breath deeper . Also , If I wore a full face mask, would I still need the chin strap?

[DyannaK]

Hello and welcome You have a great machine, it's the same one I use... Just make the decision to put the mask on every night.. It gets easier over time. If you have any questions please ask... We have all been where you are now... And no, People dont die from using CPAP.... they die from NOT using it...

Does the cpap make you breath deeper?

I think I do breathe deeper, but I have always breathed deep and slow when I am going to sleep... I have a set pressure of 12 and now that I am used to it I dont even notice the pressure anymore.

Also , If I wore a full face mask, would I still need the chin strap?

no, if you are using a FF mask you wouldnt need a chin strap. Alot of the people here use different things to keep their mouths shut at night. Taping, chin straps etc. I went to the Hybrid mask which is a nose pillows system and a mask part that goes over your mouth so even if I open my mouth at night (which I have been doing) I dont lose my air pressure. Once I got the mask adjusted I havent had any problems with it and I really like it alot.. I never could get past the bridge of my nose being sore from any kind of mask that touched it.

[howkim]

no, if you are using a FF mask you wouldnt need a chin strap.

Sorry, but I have to be a contrarian here. When I use a FF mask, I still need a chin strap. I've awakened myself when my lower lip goes outside of the lower part of the mask. Many may not, but I do.

[DyannaK]

no, if you are using a FF mask you wouldnt need a chin strap.

Sorry, but I have to be a contrarian here. When I use a FF mask, I still need a chin strap. I've awakened myself when my lower lip goes outside of the lower part of the mask. Many may not, but I do.

I should have added.... your mileage may vary

[Pneumonym]

I'm about two weeks ahead of so so take it FWIW ..... My first few nights were marvellous (return of heavy dreaming, no headaches or sweats in the morning), then I started to back slide and got a bit discouraged. I upped the min pressure from 5 to 7 last night (at about midnight, after lying there wondering) and had another multi-REM wonder - ahhh. Also reduced ramp to 5 min. What I'm saying is, expect to have to tweek the machine, be a little patient, keep thinking about what's going on, and have high expectations. Don't settle for less than a really refreshing night's sleep, just realize it may take some work and of course consult your doc. Mine is on vacation and I'm not gonna hang around waiting to do the obvious ..... But I do now wish that I'd agreed with my doc and had the proper sleep titration instead of going straight onto auto set 4-16 (initially).

Don't worry sport, your body isn't going to let you asphyxiate under the mask, not gonna happen. Nothing wrong with your central (brain) responses (if you've got OSA), it's your blasted upper airway that's giving you trouble.

Treat it like a challenging game, one you're going to win and one with a really big prize at the end. Be a champ

[Georgio]

Good Morning,

You're doing an excellent job with your start to therapy. Stick around here to iron out any wrinkles that come up. Most of us take a personal active role in our therapy, and it seems to make a big difference. I will have been on therapy for a year soon, and don't think I would be as successful if not tracking my nightly data. I did it every day for the first few months, and now every few weeks. With the data you can determine if you have a mask leak that will undermine your therapy, or if a pressure adjustment yields you better results. You can't get that level of attention to detail from even the most well meaning physician. Tracking your data is HIGHLY recommended.

I will ask other members to verify if these links are exactly what you need since I have a resperonics.........

Card Reader: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap.html

Soft ware (No longer available in the US?): http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shoppin ... 31305.html

Good luck and record some of your nightly data to help insure your success.

Georgio

Edit: You can get basic data directly off your LCD screen on Resmed models......as a start to evaluate your therapy.

[Pneumonym]

He's right about tracking the data. When I found out how to get the AHI and leak data out of the machine (ridiculous that this isn't preset for everyone), I put all the #s in my PDA every morning and reset to zero. After just 5 days of daily data I'm starting to figure it out a bit - min pressure change, mask/strap adjustment for leaks - and am seeing better results. And I haven't even bought the software to read the card yet ....