Diary of a new Sleep Apnean

[okitoki]

bah... another leak from chin woke me up at 5am...

Might try bigger mask tonigh

[ultimatestrap]

Try the ultimate chin strap for sleep apnea...will prevent leaks and keep mouth closed while applying the right pressure to keep your air passages open...it truly is the only one on the market that works....check out the website.

[okitoki]

well it has been a few years since I last come on this forum, and sadly, I have also neglected my CPAP usage for awhile now...

after much success in the beginning, I took it for granted that I do not need to use my machine anymore... plus the constant blocked nose also became a regular excuse for me not to use the machine either...

I since have had a jaw surgery due to a growth on my jaw plus 2 knee reconstructions... and this lead to my complete stop of using my CPAP and packed on the weight... my sleep deprevation creep in slowly till I didnt even realise i was again a walking dead at work... mood swings, bad temper, lethargy, and comfort eating became the norm again... my loud snoring from before has come back with a vengence, and even a set of ear plugs no longer can keep my poor girlfriend asleep... (even the cats get scared by my snoring)

After my girlfriend told me how scared she got one night when I was snoring and suddenly stop breathing... and she shook me awake just to get me breathing again... O

So, now I am back into it again... using my little ol S8 Autoset... after dusting it off, and cleaning it up, she still performs flawlessly... I admit I was scared to use it again, but after using it, its like riding a bicycle and easy to get back on it again

I found the 431 to be easy to get back on without much difficulty... it slipped on comfortably and after a few minor adjustment (didnt know my head would change shape?) it was really comfortable as a side sleeper.
Used the S8 without the humidifier as I thought would cause rainout... but I did find it was difficult to breathout initially... had a slight panic attack when I thought I could not breath... worst part is waking up with my mask in water...

found out I was using wrong hose (slim one) and the rainout was due to the cold nights we have been having lately... changed hose back to the normal size, and wrapped it with the hose snuggle thingy... breathing is much much easier now, and rainout has been reduced to nearly none...

Still not using the humidifier yet, but may have to because Im getting a sore dry throat now...

My previous pressure was at around 9cm... but last night's reading was at 12cm... leak rate was at .46 and AHI at 1.5ish... (all of these are type off memory, so hopefully not too far off)

My mornings are no longer a groggy dream.. and my need for afternoon naps are slowly (but surely) decreasing too

Back to be a hose head again

[okitoki]

Ordered my "gently" used S9 Autoset from Secondwind last Week; and I am happy to report that I have received it today;
very excitedly I open my delivered package in the office and plugged the machine in... great! the machine works... checked on the hours used... only 22 hours... so say 3-4 nights of usage only

Machine looks new, clean but maybe slightly dusty around the edge... but for the price I paid for it compare to what I need to pay here in Oz, I am very happy with it...

Heres hoping to a good night sleep tonight...

[kteague]

Welcome home.

[okitoki]

had the machine on last night... boy... when they say the S9 is quieter than the S8 they were not wrong about it...
the breathing while ramping was so smooth and easy compared to how I had the S8 and it actually made me sleepy and want to close my eyes and fade away...

HOWEVER... in the middle of the night I remember I woke up to go to the toiler, and in the haze I thought it was nearly time to wake up anyway... so didnt put the mask back on...
woke up groggy... had a look at the read out and found out I only had it on for 2.5 hrs??!?

Well, lesson learned... always put the mask back on even if there is 30mins of sleep left (or so i thought)

[chunkyfrog]

Back in the comforting arms of sleep. Congratulations.
I will never understand exactly how it is a machine can make me feel sheltered and safe.
but it doesn't really matter, I just "go with the flow".

[okitoki]

ah... how I wish I am fully back in her comforting arms...

but I remember the early advice I received on this forum... it is a life long process that will, slowly, but eventually make my life better.... dont expect miracle cure overnight....

[mgaggie]

had the machine on last night... boy... when they say the S9 is quieter than the S8 they were not wrong about it...
the breathing while ramping was so smooth and easy compared to how I had the S8 and it actually made me sleepy and want to close my eyes and fade away...

HOWEVER... in the middle of the night I remember I woke up to go to the toiler, and in the haze I thought it was nearly time to wake up anyway... so didnt put the mask back on...
woke up groggy... had a look at the read out and found out I only had it on for 2.5 hrs??!?

Well, lesson learned... always put the mask back on even if there is 30mins of sleep left (or so i thought)

How much was postage, I've been considering buying from the US myself

[okitoki]

How much was postage, I've been considering buying from the US myself

wasn't bad... its less than $100 for me; which if you add up the total; is still less than buying it local.

[mgaggie]

Thanks okitoki

[okitoki]

OK; now after using the S9 for the last few days, again I am amazed at how quiet this machine is...
Also how easy it is for me to breath with during the ramping...

However, after last night's sleep; I woke up with feeling kind of groggy and currently have a slight headache (and feeling sleepy)

According to the readout, I had 6.6hrs of usage of only AHI of 1.6; 0Ltr leak and pressure of 14.6cm

Now, that seems like a decent number... the pressure seems to have gone up alot from my original 9cm to 12cm on my S8 before I changed over to the S9... my range of pressure is still set at low of 6cm to a max of 16cm. what's wrong??

I didnt wake up last night either so am very perplexed to why Im feeling like crap today

[mgaggie]

Maybe it isnt related to CPAP at all? I always feel a bit blergh at the start of spring, and living near Melbourne I can get four seasons in one day!

[okitoki]

well I do hope that it is not directly related to the CPAP treatment, but was hoping I would feel a little bit more refreshed this morning

Wearing the full face mask is god send as I have very bad hay fever during this time of the year, and I used to give up using the CPAP (well, i did actually) when my nose is blocked...

Slightly better now after 1/2 day gone by... a little more alert.. but not sure how long it will take before I want to sleep again

[okitoki]

Yesterday, after feeling like hell during the morning, did not improve by the time I've gone home and had dinner.

Was expecting another late night as my partner was supposed to be going to airport at midnight, but her flight was delayed for 12 hours.

So managed to have a bit of a wind down before bedtime (playing the PS3 if that's a relaxing activity ) and gone to bed by 12...

woke up feeling very fresh, and not groggy like yesterday. good sleep with no waking up during the night. had adjusted the 431 the night before and now it fits very well with minimal leaks.... after getting reminded that the lower jaw needed to be covered was very helpful... *big hint* read up on your masks and watch youtube videos.... it does help alot with trouble shooting a leaky mask...

forgot to check my readout before leaving for work... will check later.