I have my machine/mask, what else do I need?

[LSAT]

I have had mine several weeks now. It is the Sleepstyle 200, built in humidifer with nasal pillows set @ 7CM. I quickly found that I was waking up in the morning with a very dry throat and mouth. I found out that it was because my mouth opened during the night. I fixed that by useing a cervical collar. That prevented my lower jaw from dropping and it also gave support to the throat tissue. I then tried it w/o the CPAP and found it completely stopped the apnea and reduced but not eliminated snoring. I also found that I awoke with extremely dry eyes. I called the makers of the machine and they said 7 CM was about the lowest setting, so I installed a washer in the plastic tubing intake which greatly reduced the airflow and brought the dry eyes back to my normal "slightly dry eye" status. I also put mentholatum in the water tank for the menthol effect. That always helped to keep my nasal passages open.

By reducing the air flow...from 7 which is very low to start with...you are most like likely not getting the therapy you need to stop apneas. Your machine does not show data so you will never know. Generally, you never add anything to the water in your humidifier. If anything...you put something near the air intake. The reason you are waking with a dry throat may be because you are mouth breathing.....This will require a chinstrap, taping your mouth closed or switch to a full face mask.

[Tino2You]

Hey Charlie,

You are well on your way. One thing I want to stress is to use either the CPAP wipes or baby wipes that are fragrance, alcohol and aloe free. The ones I used initially caused the deterioration of my first nasal pillow. I now use the CPAP wipes. I use them just about every day. My dog (a Stabyhoun) reminds me, as when I am done with the mask, I clean his ears.

let us know how it goes.

-tino

[bearcatx16]

Before I got my new machine with Climate Line Hose my hose covering was home made

1st Layer: 2pr white tube socks with slit in toes. Fits a 6' hose almost perfect
2nd Layer: Cheap felt from walmart 12"6'. Folded in half makes a double layer

All is held in place with velcro wire ties. If you want fancy you can get the multi color pack.

For hose management I use http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en ... 120&rt=rud also purchased from walmart. Hangs on wall above my head board and keeps hose out of way. I use a ladies hair thingy, I think it's supposed to hold a pony tail , in conjunction with the cord bundler.

I'm cheap but it works for me. The less I have to spend on this toy is more I have to spend on my other toy.

Best of luck to you trying to find your good sleep. I found mine and won't give it up for anything.

[archangle]

I went over to the DME and picked up my machine this morning. I'm excited to get started. But, I'm wondering... what else do I need to make sure I get off on the right foot? I'm ordering the Pur-Sleep System Basic Starter Pack https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Pur-Sl ... -Pack.html (just to check out that idea). The DME gave me a Gecko, for my nose https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Gecko-Nasal-Pad.html. And, I already have a memory foam pillow.

What other accessories or supplies should I go ahead and order right away?

I'd say to skip the aroma stuff at first, and only fool with it if you find you really need it. I'd never put anything into the water tank other than pure water.

Learn how to open the water tank to clean it. It's dishwasher safe, so take advantage of that. I've washed my tanks in the dishwasher for 8 years now, and never have had problems. I never use vinegar, just dishwashing powder. I wash the mask and water tank once a week in the dishwasher, and do no nightly cleaning.

Distilled water is definitely a good idea.

Your particular mask should be fine in the dishwasher, apart from the headgear. Disassemble it and wash it and the tank weekly. I wouldn't mix dishes and CPAP stuff. I use the hottest, longest cycle with extra rinse, and no heated dry.

Once your insurance will pay, get an extra set of everything, including the mask cushions, water tank, hose, and entire mask. Accumulate at least one spare set in case something breaks. After that, order replacements as you need them.

Once you have spares, swap sets every week as you do your weekly cleaning, and let the cleaned set sit dry for a week to help keep germs from growing.

Figure out some arrangement where you can't pull the CPAP off the table or wherever you set it and ruin it by getting water in the machine, or simply falling to the floor.

[DoriC]

http://www.pur-sleep.com/products/prodD ... ategory=13

My husband's been using this for a few nights now and it's made a big difference, only $20 and Bret owns Pur_Sleep and is a forum member.

[Drowsy Dancer]

Get your hose covers from Pad-a-Cheek. The owner is a member here (and a CPAP user herself). Her customer service is outstanding. Her hose covers have side zippers so they are easy to put on and take off the hose. Lots of nice patterns too.

[Xney]

Main thing in my opinion is really getting the mask right, adjusting the straps, tightness, making sure it fits well. Some mask liners can help. **
Everything else is secondary to the mask fit at first.
If the mask needs to be changed, you want to know as soon as possible - may take a few nights on it to know.
Do you know what the settings are on the machine?
** Mask fit should be tested after initial adjustment under pressure

Xney, thanks! The settings on my machine are 17/14. The DME set it up in BiFlex Auto mode. I tried 3 masks on. One leaked; one was kinda bulky (but I liked it); and the Mirage Quattro fit like a charm. We tested it on my machine -- not too tight, comfortable and no audible leaks. I'll focus on the mask, for certain.

That's funny, that's almost exactly my initial prescription. I had an auto bi-level machine but it was set to straight bi-pap for me initially.

I was barely educated about xPAP therapy, and when I first tried it (at 17/13!) I really could not handle it at all. But I didn't know what I was doing - had I known more I probably would have been OK.

If you have a comfy mask that fits, you're way, way ahead of the curve. The other stuff is going to help, but that's really IMO the hardest part. Next thing to do is just relax, work a bit of ramp time in there, try to sleep. It's a pretty weird experience, even if you fall asleep on the first night!

I sure wish I could find a FFM that fits.

Do let us know how it went!

[MidnightOwl]

You mostly need the patience to wait and see what you actually need. I know that's hard. Some people need some of the things suggested. Nobody needs all of it. You'll know which is worth trying within a few weeks.

[Char1ieJ]

You mostly need the patience to wait and see what you actually need. I know that's hard. Some people need some of the things suggested. Nobody needs all of it. You'll know which is worth trying within a few weeks.

THANKS to everyone for the advice. I think I'm going to wait on most of this stuff for a few nights -- just to see how it pans out. My first attempt at DIY hose management was successful. It kept the hose out of the way. Heavy rubber bands, velcro strips and a small clip on the bed post did the trick for a first attempt. As for aromatherapy, I'm still going to order the starter kit, but hold off on using it for the time being. I'll check out the padacheek website and the hose cozies that forum members make. I definitely want to support the people who support the forum and newbies like me.

My first night on BiPAP went pretty well. I feel asleep around 10pm and slept until approx 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). A little bit of cottonmouth to start the day is worth the sleep. Anyway, 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).

[Pachyderm's Nose]

I've gotten to where if I need to get up at night I leave the mask on and just disconnect the hose. Less leaks that way since I don't need to re-adjust the mask.

[GloriJ]

I have been using the ResMed S9 Elite cpap since Aug. 17, 2012 and have become very comfortable with it. Started with a Mirage FX at 9cm, but switched to a Swift FX and 7cm. Some things that I found to help: I had a dry mouth in the beginning, so used the chin strap and that stopped--actually I find it very confortable. I use a nasal saline spray, night and morning and if I wake at night. I also use A&D ointment on a Q-tip in the nostrils at night. I've found these things very helpful and I'm able to sleep 7-9 hours, sometimes without waking. Hope this might be helpful.

[teachcsg]

Wise question Charlie.
I find that the majority of the patients that I set up on CPAP/BiPAP do not have much knowledge about the therapy or the different "tools" available that will make getting used to it much easier. Very few will come in saying that they have done some research...
A little forethought will go a long ways towards making this therapy work for you. As a previous post noted..one of the main issues is mask and fit and comfort. I too like the Quattro FFM (among the FFM) so I hope it works out for you.

Hang in there and good luck!

[DiverCTHunter]

How about a box of baking soda

Recipe for Silicone Longevity
Ingredients:
Baking Soda (to taste)
Mask Cushion (May substitute Mask Pillows)
Hybrid Mask Pillows (Optional)
1 gal. Tap Water

Process:
In a 2-6 Qt saucepan, cover Cushion with approx 2" of water
Remove Cushion and bring water to a rolling boil
Add 1-2 Teaspoons Baking Soda to neutralize oils
Boil cushion for 1-5 minutes, stirring frequently
Drain in sink (Baking soda also cleans your drains) and cool under running water.
Repeat every 3-7 weeks

[joeyjernigan]

Check out http://www.padacheek.com
All kinds of stuff to make therapy more comfortable.

Things I found useful either at the very beginning or shortly thereafter:

1) A hose cozy. I run the hose under the covers and the cozy makes it feel much less medicinal. Others find a hose management system is needed to prevent getting tangled up in the hose.

2) An iHome for my iPod so that I could play Gregorian chants all night to help distract me from the air being blown down my throat and let me get to sleep. Others find a white noise generator works well.

robysue,
THANKS!
1) I'll look at the hose cozy's. I was looking at this one: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/snuggl ... cover.html My hose is 22cm diameter -- standard Respironics 6 ft. Is there a particular brand that is better, or more durable, than others?
2) We use a fan in the bedroom, 24/7 x 365, so noise shouldn't be an issue. Especially when we're exchanging my chainsaw snoring for the minor blower motor running.

[the_nap_ster]

Such a good question!

I second the Padacheek mask liners. These are LIFE-CHANGING. They can make a mask go from "I can endure it" to "I love it!" I have four, and I rotate every two days or so, washing in between. (I wash my liners in a zippered pillowcase in the washing machine, then hang to dry. Once a week I throw my mask headgear in here too.)

If you don't have a zippered pillow case or mesh laundry bag, I highly recommend them for washing your headgear/liners!

A hose system (DIY or store-bought) is very helpful. I DIY'd mine too. Not having the hose tug on your mask can make a big difference for leaks.

I don't remember if you said you had a heated tube, but if not, I'd DEFINITELY consider getting either a heated tube or a Padacheek hose cover. I've tried a bunch of different brands, and in my experience, the Padacheek ones are the thickest and best quality (which matters for heat retention). I have no connection with Padacheek other than being the most satisfied customer in the history of time.

This next one isn't as big an issue for you since you have a FF mask, but if someone else new comes and reads this, I also second the Lansinoh ointment. That makes all the difference for using nasal pillows.

Other than that, the real issue is just being kind to yourself, realizing that it will probably take a few mask swap-outs (or maybe more than a few) to find your perfect mask, and it might take a while to see improvement. But even if you don't notice it, go to sleep knowing that every night your whole body is healing, getting the oxygen you need, and it will make your life longer and more vibrant. Not too bad from a box that blows air, right?

Welcome!