Introduction - Newbie here...

[archangle]

Welcome to the dark side.

[Heavy breathing noises]

[Char1ieJ]

Welcome to the dark side.
[Heavy breathing noises]

Where can I get a mask like that? I'll wear it for Halloween, too. Hahaha!
THANKS for the welcome archangle.

UPDATE:
I spent my first night on BiPAP last night. I went right to sleep around 10pm and slept until around 1:30am. Woke to go to bathroom and then had a terrible time with a mask leak that caused the Auto pressure to go up and give me a fit. Took about 30-45minutes to get that straight, but then right back to sleep. For some weird reason, I awoke around 5:00am (normally get up at 6:15am). I don't feel tired right now, but the "2 o'clock wall" will tell the tale for me today. Maybe it's the placebo effect or maybe my body rested a bit better last night -- but right now, I'm feeling good to go.

The best news -- I didn't snore last night and my wife says she was not awakened by the machine at all (except for the "leaf blower" effect around 1:30am).

[justpam]

Congrats on the night. At least it wasn't a horrible one. Hope your 'feel good' lasts.

Pam

[JohnO]

Woke to go to bathroom and then had a terrible time with a mask leak that caused the Auto pressure to go up and give me a fit. Took about 30-45minutes to get that straight, but then right back to sleep.

Getting used to re-seating the mask in the middle of the night is a hassle. I found I can't be leaning to one side or the other - I need to be sitting up straight to get the mask on correctly. Some choose to disconnect the mask from the hose and just wear it to the bathroom, since re-attaching the mask to the hose is easier. Others just get better over time. Others switch to a nasal pillow (which is less fuzzy and easier to fit, IMHO).

Also, on the first night, I left the machine running when I took the mask off. I found that messes up the statistics, so now I shut it off, and turn it back on when I get back to bed. The software is pretty good at putting the two sessions together to call it a single night, so that works OK.

John

[Char1ieJ]

Woke to go to bathroom and then had a terrible time with a mask leak that caused the Auto pressure to go up and give me a fit. Took about 30-45minutes to get that straight, but then right back to sleep.

Getting used to re-seating the mask in the middle of the night is a hassle. I found I can't be leaning to one side or the other - I need to be sitting up straight to get the mask on correctly. Some choose to disconnect the mask from the hose and just wear it to the bathroom, since re-attaching the mask to the hose is easier. Others just get better over time. Others switch to a nasal pillow (which is less fuzzy and easier to fit, IMHO).

Also, on the first night, I left the machine running when I took the mask off. I found that messes up the statistics, so now I shut it off, and turn it back on when I get back to bed. The software is pretty good at putting the two sessions together to call it a single night, so that works OK.

John

John,
I disconnected the hose at the mask and turned off the machine (tips I picked up on this forum) before going to the bathroom. For some reason, when I got back to bed, hooked the hose back to the mask and turned the machine back on... as it ramped to my pressure 17/14, the mask began to leak around the bridge of my nose. I reseated it several times. Then, it started to leak around the bottom "corners". Reseated and loosened/tightened headgear a few more times before everything settled down. No idea what caused it, but once it "sealed" to my face, the machine pressure went back down and I feel asleep again. It was weird, but kinda expected. I am definitely not discouraged -- as it is only one night of many more to come.

[Denial Dave]

Except for last night, I move or do something that causes a major leak near my left eye about 10-15 minutes after I go to bed that causes a reseating of the mask. After that, I can make it through the night.

But last night, I woke up to a howling noise... it was air leaking from the mask near my cheek.

I'm not sure which was harder, recovering from waking to the howling noise or getting the mask reseated.

[Starlette]

Good morning CharlieJ.

1st - Welcome to the forum. Yes, folks are DEFINITELY friendly and ready to help newbies as well as those who are seasoned pappers. You will definitely learn LOTS of things regarding OSA and your equipment. I've been a papper for 3 years (not including the first year that I only wore it for 2 hours a night). You can now identify yourself as a "hosehead"

2nd - I have to say I'm excited for the new folks that have joined the forum. *chuckles* You all remind me of my beginnings. I'm am so happy that you and others have found this forum to assist you in your therapy. What excites me more is that as soon as someone finds out they have OSA, they join the forum. Because you and others have a chance to get through all the roadblocks quickly and get you moving in the right direction toward sleep/xpap nirvana, yay!

3rd - I was only able to read almost the first page, so I don't don't know what others have commented on. I'm only going to comment on one item and that is related to masks. As someone has stated, finding the right mask is definitely subjective. I "think" the mask you currently have is the one that covers the whole face. For the FFM mask, I tried the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. Loved it, however my skin didn't care for the wind blowing on it. So, I was influenced by someone on the forum to try the Hybrid which you'll see on my information. I love it! Because the only "wind" that touches my face now is just around my mouth which is definitely a good thing.

*Brings a plate of warm freshly made cookies with a large glass of cold mik*

Again CharlieJ, welcome to the forum.

Starlette

[Char1ieJ]

Good morning CharlieJ.
...
*Brings a plate of warm freshly made cookies with a large glass of cold mik*
Again CharlieJ, welcome to the forum.
Starlette

THANKS Starlette. I appreciate your warm welcome and kind words of advice. I, too, am excited about the idea of "sleep/xpap nirvana". It's been so many years since I slept a full night. I can hardly believe it is a real possibility for me.
I'll definitely stick around to learn from the experts here. And, as soon as I loose another 4 pounds (my next "midterm" goal weight is 195), I'll even share a cookie (or two) with you.

[archangle]

If you're geek enough to handle it, sometimes it might make sense to set your auto to a narrow pressure range until you can sleep with it, then open the range up to find the "right" pressure range.

[crankybear]

One newbie to another....welcome. I have been on my cpap for just over one month. Found the begining a challange. Now I look forward to using it. I know it works for me. I no longer get up a few times through the night to go to the bathroom, since I sleep sounder. Which makes me glad to know I had no other issues with that. Week end need to take naps went away. Have not had a nap since.

[Char1ieJ]

One newbie to another....welcome. I have been on my cpap for just over one month. Found the begining a challange. Now I look forward to using it. I know it works for me. I no longer get up a few times through the night to go to the bathroom, since I sleep sounder. Which makes me glad to know I had no other issues with that. Week end need to take naps went away. Have not had a nap since.

AWESOME! I usually get up at least once to go to the bathroom. Didn't wake at all last night. So glad for that blessing! Sounds like your CPAP therapy is a positive experience, too. To be honest, I really treaded trying it last night because I was tired from playing volleyball. Cleaned up, sucked it up and put the mask on. Went right to sleep and slept almost 5 hours straight -- very rare for me. Felt rested and not as sore as normal (after playing volleyball) this morning.

THANKS for the welcome!!

[Char1ieJ]

Well, it's been THREE YEARS since that last post. I recently found my way back here (something I've been meaning to do for a long time now). I wanted to give an update, "confess my sins" and get back on the right path.

As you can tell from the last statement, I fell off the bandwagon...for about 18 months. Long story short, a lot changed for me in 2013 - change of job; then change of career / change of finances & change of sleeping habits. Suffice it to say that the changes were hell for more than a year. But, things seem to be on an upward swing now (TTL).

More to our topic here... I've been back on xPAP many nights for several months now. While I still can't seem to have a good seal all night (LL after a few hours), I am once again determined to stick with the therapy and succeed.

Frankly, I was kinda ashamed to show my face again. After all, I talked a big game back in 2012...but, ended up a quitter for almost 18 months. I got to where I hated waking with a large leak and dry mouth. I told myself I needed to sleep...and tried without xPAP. But, in the end, I started thinking about the benefits of xPAP, the likelihood my apnea would get worse if left untreated and the fact that I *knew* I needed the therapy for my overall health.

So, I'm humbly coming back...and asking to be let back in the club - to get back on the right path.

[OkyDoky]

Welcome Back. Have you tried other masks? Or maybe a different pillow? Do you monitor your therapy with Sleepyhead to see the leaks when they happen, and how long they last?

[HoseCrusher]

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news... but

There is no forgiveness here at least until you have been properly scolded for your naughty ways...

While stopping treatment does cure leaks, it is not the best way to do this.

OK, you're forgiven.

Your face relaxes throughout the night. This means that a good fit when you go to sleep may end up not being a good fit a few hours later. When fitting the mask you need to make allowances for this. Many times a looser fit will help but you have to play with it to see what works best for you.

If you can't stop the leaks with adjustment, the next step is to try different masks until you find one that works for you.

[gasp]

I have no powers to do this except maybe that I've been about 99% compliant. ( I sometimes travel without my machine, when battery backup needed etc.)

So your 99% absolved, since that's all the power I have.

Oh, and welcome back!