Made it through the night-3rd night!

[raggedykat]

My third night using cpap and I slept from 9:30 to 4:30! Just a few observations - comment if you like but I will be looking for answers on previous posts also. I have crescent shaped puffy pockets under each eye. My stomach is gurgling like a volcano ready to erupt, I assume this is from swallowing air. And my neck hurts. I am going to get some kind of cpap pillow - not sure which one. And maybe a chin strap. Carbonman, if you read this - after you mutilated the pillow, how did you get a cover for it? My bed partner says I snored. I told him that was impossible that he probably was hearing air leaking but he insists that it was snoring. He thinks the whole thing with sleep apnea is a scam - this from someone who snores and gasps for air all night long and had a heart attack at 51. Oh, and I am dizzy (more than usual) And, when I wake up and take the mask off I feel like I am fighting to breathe. Other than that, I honestly think I feel more alert.

[BlackSpinner]

Other than that, I honestly think I feel more alert.

Not only that but it sounds like your attitude has changed too!

Focus on one problem at the time. And keep the benefits in front of you like a carrot. Don't even consider listening to negative attitudes - It is YOUR body, YOUR therapy.
Get a tape recorder and sleep by your self for a night to get a real "snoring" diagnosis.
Congratulations!

[Pugsy]

When you have time could you please add your equipment details (in text format please) to you user account profile? This way we always know what you are using and don't have to try to sort through old posts.
I believe you noted that you were given a ResMed Elite II. I didn't see a mask noted anywhere but I could have missed it.

You have data available on the machine. You can get the software but it must be ordered from Australia.
I don't use your machine so I can't tell you step by step how to access your data but someone else can. Access to the LED data, which includes AI, HI and AHI as well as leak rate, may or may not have been turned on by the DME.

Here is how to get to your clinical menu to turn that feature on. Just scroll down till you see your machine.
http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130

or for the pdf manual
http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

Your daily data is available until noon I believe.

Can someone familiar with this machine explain how to access the LED data?

For the software you also need the card reader. It may be cheaper here but the software is only available from Australia. Seems like there was another Australia source but I cannot find the link at the moment.
http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shoppin ... 31305.html

If you are indeed snoring it could mean mouth leaks, so need to check your leak rate for sure. Make sure you have the correct setting on your machine for your mask to get optimal details.

Swallowing air? Tough one. What pressure are you using? Using EPR? If you can be more specific someone can have more specific ideas. Put all your questions in one post, like this one so we don't have to go back to old posts. We are lazy, won't do it.

I use the Regenisis Buckwheat pillow. It helps with my neck issues from arthritis but you may be having neck issues from the mask. Again, which mask?

Good luck and congrats on getting this far. The first week for me was a comedy of errors getting things sorted out.
It will get better.

[raggedykat]

I don't think I am using EPR - that would be with an auto machine right? They have me set on 12, my titration study used 10. I will get those manuals printed and I was contacted by someone who can get me the software. I have now listed my equipment.

[Pugsy]

I don't think I am using EPR - that would be with an auto machine right?

EPR or exhalation relief is available on straight CPAP machines as well as the auto units, I believe.

I had a bad case of the air swallowing once when I was trying the full face mask, the Hybrid. I have never had the problem with the nasal pillow masks.

If you aren't using EPR, turning it on might help a bit.

Some people reduce their pressure just a wee bit and it helps with the air swallowing issues. Then they get a handle on things and bump the pressure back up.

Some people say they do better on an auto unit because the machine can stay at a lower pressure till it is needed to rise to take care of events.

Some people can limit the air issue by sleeping in a different position. Some people report relief by taking Gas X prior to going to bed. Lots of ways to try to limit or prevent it.

Some people adapt and quit swallowing the air. If it persists and affects how you sleep or feel, discuss it with your doctor.

[carbonman]

Carbonman, if you read this - after you mutilated the pillow, how did you get a cover for it?

...hey, 'kat, sounds like you're doing fine.
I had many of those same reactions to cpap.
Hang in there, it will get better.
You're doing good!

I'm a slasher not a mutilator.

I just used the original cover that came w/the pillow.
I took the extra material and used saftypins to organize it.
Works like a charm.
It is the best cpap pillow I have found and
I tired almost all of them.
YMMV

You've come a long way in a short time.
You're getting good advice and guidance here.

All the best for your new life.

[PST]

About those bags under the eyes. I get them too, but not every night, just occasionally. (Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that my usual eye bags are dramatically enhanced once in a while since I started on CPAP.) A cold washcloth helps and they seem to go away in an hour or so after the mask is off. I don't know what causes them and I'd like to hear from anyone who does.

I wonder if part of the explanation is the other side of the coin of relief from nocturia. There is a thread today about how dramatically CPAP stops the 4 or 5 trips to the bathroom many of us had to make when we had the symptoms of OSA. Now that we aren't being repeatedly drained during the night, there is more fluid in the body for mild edema of all kinds. At the same time, straps across the face may interfere with the normal drainage of facial tissues through the lymphatic system.

In any event, raggetykat, congratulations on a good third night. By the way, your avatar appears to be my cat Kenny. I'd recognize him anywhere. How'd you get him to wear a bowler? I've never seen him leave the house in anything but a Donegal cap.

[Muse-Inc]

Hey Raggedy...bet ya feel raggedy today too! Congrats on sleeping. My first 4 days I only slept during the 45 mins I'd set my ramp to, the min it went to full pressure I woke up and re-started to get that 45 mins of ramp. Ramp pressure=4, Full=11 my first few weeks (had ramp pressure upped to 8 soon after as I acclimated to CPAP therapy). Fifth night, I slept 9 hrs straight! So, congrats again for sleeping multiple hrs right away.

Wonder if you'd rolled onto your back when you were snoring...positional apnea maybe like so many of us have? Puffy eyes? It happens occasionally; I'm clueless as to why, I'm thinking of getting that caffeine gel you roll on to see if it helps.

[tattooyu]

Congratulations. It will only get better from here on out.

Now that I am up to an effective pressure (13., I do get quite a bit of aerophagia (air swallowing). Sometimes it gets uncomfortable, but really all it does is cause major farts. No biggie for me or my wife. It's very possible now that your digestive system is getting the oxygen it needs, your digestion has actually been kick-started. Just a guess. That's what happened to me.

Your neck could hurt, because you are not used to sleep in one position very long. Experiment with pillows. My next purchase is the Regenesis pillow from Pursleep, but I also sleep on a MedSlant pillow which I had previously for acid reflux, but was also recommended on my PSG report to help keep me from lying flat. BTW, my reflux is a LOT better since starting on CPAP; not gone, but better.

To access the data on the LCD on my machine, which is similar, you hold the left and right arrow buttons down for a few seconds. Use the up/down arrow keys until you see "Results" and press the left arrow key (Enter). Use the up/down arrow keys until you see "Efficiency" and press the left arrow key (Enter). Use the up/down arrow keys to scroll through the data: 95% pressure (if applicable), Leaks, AHI, AI and HI. If you back out of that menu (right arrow key), you can also check "Usage": compliance, # of hours run and duration used in the previous night.

[raggedykat]

bet ya feel raggedy today too

My boss just asked me what I was drinking!

[pitrow]

I don't think I am using EPR - that would be with an auto machine right? They have me set on 12, my titration study used 10. I will get those manuals printed and I was contacted by someone who can get me the software. I have now listed my equipment.

You're using the same machine as me, and it does have EPR, though it may not have been setup for you. If it has been, you should have an option on your menu system for changing it. If not you'll have to access the clinical menu and turn the feature on. You can access the clinical menu by holding the down arrow and right button down together for three seconds. Then under settings you should find the EPR settings and the option for turning on the EPR in the patient menu.

[raggedykat]

I love it! The technician gave me that smug little smile and told me that I could use the machine for nothing more than pumping air when I started asking questions and mentioning changing things myself. Only doctors or technicians are able to read or use any of the data. Thanks guys!

[don331]

I see you're using a full-face mask. A good question is was that what they used at the sleep center to do your titration? If they did your titration on a nasal mask, the pressures may be wrong for a full-face mask if you have some pathway issues in the sinus.

A little Preparation H CREAM works great keeping the puffy eyes away!

[redbear]

4th night for me....
much better, woke up only once. My mask pushes my nose up and not only wake up with bags under my eyes but my nose is very puffy.
I was guessing this is due to the pressure of the mask pushing my nose up and therefore a little bit towards my lower eyelids. I'm trying different size nose cushions but they all push up. That's why I want to try the oce360 that I hear does not do that but the headgear is not as good as the one I have. Aside those minor issues, I wake up feeling much better, a lot better! And my overall face does not look puffy as it did prior to CPAP. With bags and all my face and complexion appear healthier.

Stomach growling!!! Yes, I have that. That was the first thing I noticed since day 1. I heard the growling during the night too. I thought it was my metabolism working better. Anyone other explanation for this?