New here, had my cpap sleep study last night

[mikeb33]

I had an in house sleep study a few weeks ago. My doctor called and said I have a AHI of 57, which is severe. Last night the guy came back and hooked me up again and put a full face mask on me. He tightened it so much to keep it from leaking that the bridge of my nose hurts and is red and swollen. While I was trying to sleep, the mask hurt and when I would move around, it would leak. It would even blow air into my eye.
Anyway I did not get a good night sleep at all. I awoke many times and seemed like the night lasted forever. Can they get usable data from this? Is this the data they will use to recommend my machine and mask?
It seems like the right mask is the important part, but I would think it could take weeks to settle on something, how does the decision process go?

[Autopapdude]

Yes they can get useable data--you'd be surprised how poorly most people sleep for a sleep study. Hopefully, you will have a cooperative doctor and DME, so you have some flexibility in the equipment you end up with. Sleep labs do a good basic job of diagnosing Apnea, and then it takes some tweaking from there. However, it sounds like a great first step for you.

[harry33]

welcome mike

you are doing better than many new users

try wearing mask higher up on face and if theres an adjustment to alter the angle of part that presses against forehead, experiment with it

[jweeks]

He tightened it so much to keep it from leaking that the bridge of my nose hurts and is red and swollen. While I was trying to sleep, the mask hurt and when I would move around, it would leak. It would even blow air into my eye.

Mike,

Congrats on getting this far. Sorry to hear that you are having some issues. This is a complex set of variables, and it takes time to sort it all out. I agree on the eye thing...that drove me absolutely insane until I solved that issue. A too-tight mask is an issue because it can collapse the seal and make the leaks worse. What I suggest is looking at the manual for the mask and seeing if you can start over with setting up and adjusting the headgear. You might be able to go on-line and find a video that shows how to adjust your particular mask. Finally, I'd suggest checking out some of the nasal and pillow masks rather than a full face. If you can breathe through your nose, you might be able to find something more comfortable than a full face mask.

-john-

[mikeb33]

Well this was only a sleep study to see if CPAP was helpful, which is hard to say since I didn't sleep well at all. If my Doctor reads the report and thinks I need one, he will have a CPAP Vendor come out to fit me. I worry because the study guy had 3 to choose from and none of them were good. If I pick one from the vendor, and it turns out to not be comfortable, am I stuck with it? Do you guys own more than one mask?

[ozij]

Do you guys own more than one mask?

Yes Mike, most of us do.

I started out trying 3 nasal masks: Model 1, one size Model 2 size small and medium. None worked.

I was then given another type of mask, this time a nasal pillows mask that worked -- I still own it, it's called Breeze.

About 4 months into therapy I bought the mask which has remained my favorite, the Headrest.

After alternating the Breeze and Headrest for about 2 years, I modified the Headrest (removed the headgear) and it was so comfortable I stopped alternating - I haven't used the Breeze in 2 or more years.

6 months ago I decide to try to Opus 360. It's good, the but for me, the deconstructed (decapitated) Headrest is a hands down favorite.

O.

I tried 3, own another three.

O.

[GumbyCT]

Well this was only a sleep study to see if CPAP was helpful, which is hard to say since I didn't sleep well at all. If my Doctor reads the report and thinks I need one, he will have a CPAP Vendor come out to fit me. I worry because the study guy had 3 to choose from and none of them were good. If I pick one from the vendor, and it turns out to not be comfortable, am I stuck with it? Do you guys own more than one mask?

The mask fitting correctly IS the most critical part of this therapy. When getting fitted ask your DME - most have a 30 day mask exchange policy for this reason. Since they can't sell a used mask and the exchange is funded by the mask makers, most DME's will allow you to keep your ill fitting mask for a spare.

If your mask don't fit right be sure to call them within the 30days.

ps. the in home sleep study is still new and I'm sure has some things to work out. A big one is the advantage of having an experienced RT with you all nite long.

[mikeb33]

My doctor called and the study result are in. Although I didn't seem to sleep well, he said I had a 2.5 hour period where they set my pressure to 11 and my AHI was 4.5. He felt it was successful.
Now he sends an order to the vendor, Sleep RX, for a machine and mask. He said the machine will likely be a Repironics Auto Pap M series with heated humidifier.

How does this sound?

[cflame1]

If that's truely what you're getting than that's a fully data capable machine. If you get the M series, you can get the software to work. If you get the PR System ones... the software hasn't come out yet.

[bcab17]

Sounds like your on the right path. I'm curious about the full face mask you used in your sleep study. Was it chosen because you breath through your mouth at night? I've never used one because I don't have a mouth breathing issue when I sleep. If you don't either, then I would suggest you try just a nasal mask or pillows. I have been a cpap user for over 10 years, and have tried many different masks. It's such a personal thing, but I have never liked masks that had to fit tight to work effectively, so I have had great success (and comfort) with the Resmed Activa (mask), Resmed Activa LT (mask), and Remed Swift LT (pillows) because they seem to really work best when they are NOT worn tightly.

Gumby is correct in that most (if not all) DMEs have a 30-day exchange policy for masks, so you won't be stuck with what they give you.

Best of luck!

[snoregirl]

Get your doctor to give you a copy of the prescription for all that he is ordering. It doesn't expire and can be used again for a backup machine, or if you don't care for the "vendor" your doctor sends, you can buy stuff yourself online or whereever. Get a copy of the results of your sleep study too. They are your records and you may need them for additional equipment if you choose to buy any later without repeating the sleep study...

[mikeb33]

Sounds like your on the right path. I'm curious about the full face mask you used in your sleep study. Was it chosen because you breath through your mouth at night? I've never used one because I don't have a mouth breathing issue when I sleep. If you don't either, then I would suggest you try just a nasal mask or pillows.

I tried a nasal one for a minute and commented how it felt weird to have air coming out of my mouth when I opened it so we went to full face. I do think I would like a nasal type, though. At least I could talk to my wife in bed.
Don't you people with nasal types ever get stuffed up, allergies, colds? You must have both types, right?

[ScrappinMom]

I have pretty much chronic congestion, despite numerous allergy meds, nose sprays, etc. I find I actually breathe much better with my mask than without it. I don't really even feel the stuffiness in my nose with all that air being forced up it!

[jweeks]

I tried a nasal one for a minute and commented how it felt weird to have air coming out of my mouth when I opened it so we went to full face. I do think I would like a nasal type, though. At least I could talk to my wife in bed.

Mike,

I had the same experience. It tried a nasal mask. It felt like I was in a tornado when I opened my mouth. As a result, I was labeled a "mouth breather", and was told that I needed a full face mask. That ended up being a mistake. I messed around with 5 different full face masks before I went back to a nasal mask, and that has made all the difference. The big trick is to never open your mouth, not even a little bit. So, no talking to your wife in bed. If you open your mouth, your therapy doesn't work. I found that I can rest my tongue on the roof of my mouth, and it all but seals my mouth up. Add in a chin-strap, and I am good to go with a nasal pillow mask. It is so light and comfortable that I really don't even feel the pressure any more.

-john-