Just Got My CPAP

stuff4tt · Post by **stuff4tt** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:20 am

The tech just left and I am now the proud (well, maybe not proud) Owner/renter of a ResMed S8 Escape with a Mirage Swift nasal pillow mask. Tonight will be the true test. They started my pressure on 5. The only problem I had was exhaling. That is hard. I am also worried about mouth breathing. Oh well, time will tell. Also, the doc did not order me a humidifier. The tech said that after my next sleep study to increase my pressure they will probably order one then.
So, tomorrow I will probably be on here venting about my first night with a CPAP.
Thanks everyone,
Terry

FairSpirit · Post by **FairSpirit** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:45 am

Congrats! I hope you have a good first night. The exhaling gets easier with time. I started at 5 and am now at 10 and the exhaling still isn't a problem. You really do get used to it. Good luck!

dkeat · Post by **dkeat** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 1:08 pm

FairSpirit wrote:Congrats! I hope you have a good first night. The exhaling gets easier with time. I started at 5 and am now at 10 and the exhaling still isn't a problem. You really do get used to it. Good luck!

You might consider changing you machine to a Respironics Remstart with CFLEX. Some people don't like it at all, many really like it. Basically it is a highly sophisticated mechanism built into the machine that senses when you are about to exhale and reduces the pressure for you at just the right moment to give you some relief. I really hated the pressure of straight CPAP. I love CFLEX. For me it was a big difference.

Good luck.

David

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 1:36 pm

It all feels really weird at first. 5 cm pressure is quite low, though, but I know even that can make you feel like you're sucking on the end of an air hose at a gas station. I remember that feeling so well. It does get easier, though. What helped me was to relax, breathe normally and deeply, and don't concentrate on the machine or the feeling. Read a book, turn on the tv, whatever as a distraction. Once I got my mind off the feeling and the mask and everything, I started breathing deeply and slowly, and probably some of the best breathing I've done! Fighting it and focusing on it only made it harder. Good luck to you, and give it some time!

peg · Post by **peg** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:21 pm

Good luck and I hope that your first night is a good one.
This stuff does work!!!

stuff4tt · Post by **stuff4tt** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:36 pm

Thank you all for the support. I will let you know how the first night goes!!

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:12 pm

Looking forward to your feedback. Some folks who tried the S8 Escape have reported it a bit noisy without the h/h attached but no so noisy that they wouldn't use it.

Am interested in any comments you may have re motor pitch changes that you or your partner become aware of (i.e. Do eith or you notice any significant pitcch change of the fan/motor during the night). This is not a problem , most xPAPs do it (RemStar PB420 etc:) am keen to get impressions of this aspect.

Goodluck & happy hosing.

Cheers

DSM

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:47 pm

Hi stuffy,

I'm still appalled that they'd make you go without a heated humidifier and make sounds about perhaps ordering one for you "at your next study". If you get the least bit of discomfort in your nostrils - any burning, stinging, dryness, or congestion - raise cain. In a nice way, of course....at first.

That really, really should be standard issue, imho, as it can help make this kind of treatment easier, especially when you use a nasal pillows interface blowing directly into the nostrils. There are people who don't need or like heated humidification, but most do seem to find it helps make things more comfortable. In my opinion, it should have come with the machine -- right there ready for you to use, "just in case."

To minimize delay in getting a heated humidifier, I'd call the doctor's office (not the DME) - tomorrow - and ask his secretary or nurse to have him fax an order over to the DME for a heated humidifier.

Heaven knows this kind of treatment can be difficult enough in the beginning for so many! It really bothers me when I hear that a DME doesn't include a heated humidifier with every new user's machine...whether it occurs to the doctor or not to put it on the Rx.

Good luck and welcome to the board!

DaLadyKazan · Post by **DaLadyKazan** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:24 pm

Hi Stuff4tt,

I too received my CPAP yesterday and used it for the first time last night. I love it! It is going to be my new best friend. I was able to sleep last night and only woke up 2 times. I have the REMstar Plus with C-Flex and have found it very easy to adjust to. Mine starts out at 4 and then goes up to 12. Even after only 1 night I know it is going to improve the quality of my life! I was not running around all day sleep and grumpy! LOL

It also has it's humorous side, my husband about fell out of the bed when I opened my mouth and hissed at him this morning! LOL

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:25 pm

DaLadyKazan wrote:It also has it's humorous side, my husband about fell out of the bed when I opened my mouth and hissed at him this morning! LOL

Two months and that can still get a reaction from my wife. Isn't it great? .

peg · Post by **peg** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:29 pm

Halloween is coming.
Umm.......
Elvira outfit and vampire teeth. Oh, yeah!

DaLadyKazan · Post by **DaLadyKazan** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 6:17 pm

Hehe, yep Wa, it is!

Never thought I would be glad to be diagnosed with something, but now at least I can rest easy.......lol

Hmmmm, halloween Peg.....the possibilities!

heretolearn · Post by **heretolearn** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:10 pm

stuff4it, rested gal is soooooooo right about calling the next day! Do not waste any time on reporting to your doctor about needing the humidifier. You will want to get one attached to your CPAP ASAP! Makes all the difference in the world when it come to PAP therapy!

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