About to start with CPAP - advice please!

[nanwilson]

Boy are you good! You have done everything right, sounds like you will take to cpap like a duck to water....I am really impressed. As to drying your mask, just air dry or give it a bit of a wipe with a non-scented baby wipe.
Congrats on your first few nights. If you have any
other questions as you go along, you've come to the right place.
N

[Pugsy]

Amelia is in Canada. From what I hear it takes more than an act of God to get an APAP in Canada. So it sounds like she is getting the straight CPAP PR System One Pro with CFlex. I can't imagine that they would give her the old Remstar Pro.

To Amelia,
It is still an excellent machine and can give you great therapy. Might consider looking into the software for it after things settle down a bit and you have the machine. The software gives a better idea as to what is really going on. Especially handy if you run into troubles but sounds like you are off to a great start. Already figuring out how to minimize the little hurdles that come along.
Able to finally get some sleep with this stuff around your face.

Well done. Keep plugging away at it. It really does get easier and more "second nature". Rain out (moisture in the mask that goes up my nose) is something I have been fighting myself all winter. Just got something to try tonight, will report on it tomorrow. Seems like each little experiment helps a little, just need to do like you are doing, keep adding stuff till it is fixed.

Good Luck and please keep us posted. We have all gone through various hurdles with this stuff and it helps to bounce ideas and comments off the others.

[DoriC]

Great report Amelia, you're a fast learner! You already know about maybe lowering the humidity setting but your machine should also be sitting a bit lower than your bed to prevent rainout. Keep us posted.

[amelia76]

Amelia is in Canada. From what I hear it takes more than an act of God to get an APAP in Canada. So it sounds like she is getting the straight CPAP PR System One Pro with CFlex. I can't imagine that they would give her the old Remstar Pro. It is still an excellent machine and can give you great therapy. Might consider looking into the software for it after things settle down a bit and you have the machine. The software gives a better idea as to what is really going on.

You're right Pugsy. The old Remstar is just a trial. I asked for APAP but was told that it was not possible - at this point. Software and a card reader will come with my machine but for now I can get the data from this one downloaded at the Home Health-care provider, who is conveniently just around the corner. And the sleep lab is just around another corner! Looks like I'm in a good spot!

Great report Amelia, you're a fast learner! You already know about maybe lowering the humidity setting but your machine should also be sitting a bit lower than your bed to prevent rainout. Keep us posted.

Thanks DoriC, the machine is already a bit lower than my bed. If the problem persists I'll put it even lower.

Great to have so much support and thanks all for the tips - I'll keep reading - and posting!

[amelia76]

Have now had ten nights on the machine and I've slept well on all except nights one and ten! That's not a bad average. I am convinced that doing hypnotherapy immediately before starting the machine each night has helped me immensely. Since I don't yet have a card reader or software, can somebody tell me what data is collected?

[Hawthorne]

With the software, you will get events that happen during the night - apneas, hypopneas, flow limitations, snores as well as your leak rate once the software is installed on the computer.

If you end up with an M Series, you will need a special card reader. If you end up with a System One, any card reader will read the card since the System One comes with a regular SD memory card.

A note about the computer software - depending upon the operating system (if you have a PC) installation may be a problem if it is a 64 bit. If you have a Mac, you will need to run a virtual PC on it. This is the case with the M Series or the System One.

You said you will be getting the software with your permanent machine - if you mean you will get it from your Provider, I am surprised. Usually software is something we have to get on our own. Providers generally don't sell it or even want us to have it.

[Pugsy]

Since I don't yet have a card reader or software, can somebody tell me what data is collected?

New Respirionics machine?
You should be able to see on the screen the averages.

Don't know how to get to those? Check this link out.
http://www.apneaboard.com/PR-System-One ... -Setup.htm

Other machine, links to them are off the main board

[Hawthorne]

I see a question that didn't get answered - let your mask and other cpap equipment like the hose air dry. I wash my stuff with Ivory Classic Dishwashing liquid in warm water and let it air dry after a warm water rinse.

[amelia76]

Since my last post a couple of problems have arisen. A few nights ago I woke up trying to rip my mask off - my nostrils were partially plugged and I couldn't get enough air. So I did some reading and have started to use a sinus rinse and Nasonex, though I know this can take up to 2 weeks to have an effect. I also went back to my provider and they have loaned me the Respironics Comfort Full 2 - which I find incredibly clunky and UNcomfortable - and Respironics Comfortlite 2 nasal pillows with headgear (which I have not yet tried).

Second problem: during four of the fifteen nights since I started on CPAP I have woken up around 2 a.m. feeling very bloated and uncomfortable. I know that this is a fairly common problem with new CPAP users. What is the best way to deal with this?

My CPAP pressure is 10 with a ramp of 7

Lastly, my data for the first ten nights were promising. My average time in apnea per day was 1.1 mins. Average AHI 4.2.

Thanks for any help you might be able to give!

[amelia76]

Another question: What is the 'best' and most comfortable full face mask?

[nanwilson]

Hi Amelia
The bloating problem will disapear ----go ahead and belch and fart like a guy . As to the best mask out there, there isn't "ONE" because our faces are all different, so no mask fits the same on every person. I have a quattro, which I use when I HAVE to, I have a comforgel nasal mask, which I like, but I have to cover my big mouth with either tape or an ace bandage. I have been using a hybrid the past few nights with good success. It has pillows that sit against your nose and a mouth piece. I think I'm going to stick with it, as its kind of minimal on the face and I can wear my glasses if I want to read in bed. Go to cpap.com and check out all the masks available to you, then you can make an informed decision.
Best of luck to you
Nan

[amelia76]

As to the best mask out there, there isn't "ONE" because our faces are all different, so no mask fits the same on every person. I have been using a hybrid the past few nights with good success.

Hi Nan, I guess that was a silly question to ask! After a few hours I gave up on the Respironics Comfort Full 2 as I just couldn't get it to seal properly and it hurt my face and nose. So now I have a Flexifit 431 full face mask on trial - will test it out tonight but I have hopes for it - and most of the reviews look good.

Regarding the bloating problem, I am using GAS-X when needed and my CPAP pressure has been reduced by 1 to 9, so will see how that goes. My average AHI was not as good these past six nights, it went up to 7.2 (from 4.1). My average time in apnea per day has also gone up to 15.2 mins (from 1.1). But NO leaks...so something strange is going on.