I am a little "cynical".....

[Summer Rain]

Gotta watch out for those evil gnomes....

okay! I WILL!!!!

[Summer Rain]

What machine are you using ...could you add it to your profile and if it won't stick just type it in the comments section?
The humidifier you have chosen has not been dispensed in over 5 years.
So you wouldn't have got old equipment unless you got a machine from family or friend.
Let's figure out what machine you have so we will know if there is any data on it that might explain some of your issues.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72302&p=665165#p665165
Look at the above link to see if you can spot your machine and look on the bottom of your machine for a 3 digit model number. Tell us the model number and we can tell you which machine.

Okay, I did try to update with more accurate information about my "MACHINE" ? I was doing better tonight...just couldn't sleep....well it is 3:00 a.m. here...so there is your first clue! I have been very emotionally traumatized by all of this and I told my husband that I have felt like I have to choose between "sleeping or breathing".....but I am adjusting ....just not really sleeping, unless I take the mask off, it seems? Thanks for trying to help! This forum has already given me a lot of HOPE that things might work out!

[Summer Rain]

I have noticed (on the few occasions when I was able to get a little sleep with the Cpap on) That I actually would doze off and then wake up having "an apnea episode", while the Cpap was "blowing away" in my face? Hello? It makes me wonder if it's even effective? Or maybe not so effective for everyone.....? Now I know that it is a billion dollar industry....so probably not much reliable info. on how "ineffective" they are? Would love some "credible" research?

There is lots of credible research.
What does your data say? How about posting the graphs of that time period? Maybe your pressure isn't right - one night in a strange lab doesn't always get the right pressure. Maybe it was still on the ramp. Maybe it was a transitional central? Maybe you were in REM and you hadn't got to REM in the lab. We can't help if we can't see the data.

I have no clue how to read or retrieve data from my machine? I haven't even seen my doctor again since the sleep test? She just called in the prescription and I picked it up? She told me to bring the smart card when I see her on Jan. 24........ I feel badly that I probably won't have much data...as I haven't been able to wear the mask, yet, for more than a couple of hours per night?

[Summer Rain]

It's only effective if your settings are right. Like anything else. But without knowing what your titrated pressure was from your sleep study, and how your machine is set up, we can't even offer a guess.

Hi Slarty !
Was it a "sleepless night " when you decided on this name ? It always makes me LOL! Actually, it is good to have a little humor....as I am up at 3:00 a.m., here ...trying to avoid my Cpap I think?
In answer to your qustion....I do happen to know that my "titration" (is that right?) is 12 ! AND....I was given some help from Pugsy....so I could update my info. on my "equiptment" ? Which I DID and it should show up as part of my profile, now? I am doing better, tonight...just not sleeping.....?

[Pugsy]

The PR System One model 460 is this one in the equipment drop down menu
PR System One 60 series Pro CPAP....so you would choose this one.

You can use SleepyHead with the 60 series patch to access the data on the SD card.
This thread talks about it. I have links for SleepyHead in my signature line and in the thread is the link for the patch and on the second or 3rd page I have instructions with pictures on how to apply the patch file.
viewtopic/t83551/SleepyHead-Series-60-Patch-Avail.html

If you use a Mac you are out of luck. There is no patch file yet for Mac computers.

You can also use EncoreBasic. It is also Windows based software so if you have a Mac you need some sort of virtual Windows on the Mac.

Look in Uncle Bob's signature line to find out how to get EncoreBasic. If you have a Windows 8 computer..let me know because we need to do something else to make Basic work on Win 8 systems.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643
Be sure to read the Help section because it tells you how to use the software.

EncoreGuide link this will show you examples of what you will see. For a different machine than yours but the basics are the same.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_h ... _Guide.pdf

It's hurts nothing at all for you to look at your data. Doesn't harm the SD card and you can't mess things up.
There is limited data on the machine's LCD screen. It is so limited that I don't even bother looking at it. All it gives is overall AHI and time spent in large leak and maybe pressure used for most of the night.

You know some people get insomnia from using the cpap machine. Those people usually have a predisposition to insomnia anyway and cpap mask and stuff just makes it worse. Some people it makes it hard to get to sleep and some people it makes it hard to stay asleep...and some get double whammy with both.
Let's look at your reports and if we can't spot anything that might explain the wake ups then maybe a discussion with your doctor is in order. Some people may need a little help going to sleep when they first start cpap therapy because the brain hasn't come to trust the mask yet and the brain goes into hyper active mode to fight sleep.

Oh...one other thing....do you take any meds at all right now? If so..what meds? Even OTC stuff.

Also, when you do go to sleep and do wake up...any idea why? Mask? Leaks?

[DebboL]

If this mask isn't working don't be afraid to try a different one. I went through 3 different ones in the beginning before I found one that worked for me. You typically have that option in the first 30 days to try different ones. My DME was great anytime I called him and described what was happening at night, or what the mask was doing. It may be possible too that you're pulling the mask off your face at night and not even aware you're doing it. I can't even begin to tell you about the number of times I took mine off and didn't remember doing it in the middle of the night.

Please keep trying and call your sleep specialist about the mask. It will get better. If not then we'll have to worry about the dolls, gnomes, etc

Deb

[cosmo]

.

[Summer Rain]

The PR System One model 460 is this one in the equipment drop down menu
PR System One 60 series Pro CPAP....so you would choose this one.

You can use SleepyHead with the 60 series patch to access the data on the SD card.
This thread talks about it. I have links for SleepyHead in my signature line and in the thread is the link for the patch and on the second or 3rd page I have instructions with pictures on how to apply the patch file.
viewtopic/t83551/SleepyHead-Series-60-Patch-Avail.html

If you use a Mac you are out of luck. There is no patch file yet for Mac computers.

You can also use EncoreBasic. It is also Windows based software so if you have a Mac you need some sort of virtual Windows on the Mac.

Look in Uncle Bob's signature line to find out how to get EncoreBasic. If you have a Windows 8 computer..let me know because we need to do something else to make Basic work on Win 8 systems.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643
Be sure to read the Help section because it tells you how to use the software.

EncoreGuide link this will show you examples of what you will see. For a different machine than yours but the basics are the same.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_h ... _Guide.pdf

It's hurts nothing at all for you to look at your data. Doesn't harm the SD card and you can't mess things up.
There is limited data on the machine's LCD screen. It is so limited that I don't even bother looking at it. All it gives is overall AHI and time spent in large leak and maybe pressure used for most of the night.

You know some people get insomnia from using the cpap machine. Those people usually have a predisposition to insomnia anyway and cpap mask and stuff just makes it worse. Some people it makes it hard to get to sleep and some people it makes it hard to stay asleep...and some get double whammy with both.
Let's look at your reports and if we can't spot anything that might explain the wake ups then maybe a discussion with your doctor is in order. Some people may need a little help going to sleep when they first start cpap therapy because the brain hasn't come to trust the mask yet and the brain goes into hyper active mode to fight sleep.

Oh...one other thing....do you take any meds at all right now? If so..what meds? Even OTC stuff.

Also, when you do go to sleep and do wake up...any idea why? Mask? Leaks?

OH! Thank you so much for all the great help!!! We are using Windows 7........I will try to figure things out after I review the links you listed! Now, to answer your questions about why I am not sleeping......I think that...for some reason, I don't seem to be able to trust the Cpap with my breathing...? maybe? For ONE thing..... so maybe need to feel more "in control"....I think is part of it.....? But I did finally go to sleep (for a little while this a.m.) with it on ... but when I "awakened", my first reaction was to get that GOD FORSAKEN "PIECE OF EQUIPTMENT" OUTTA MY FACE!!!! LIKE " MERCY"!!PULEEZE!!!!!!
I think I can honestly say that I HATE the thing and find it very "confining"!!! It puts so much pressure on my face it feels like a "mack truck" is on my face .. . ( sorry! Just trying to explain how I am feeling about all of this?) and I was VERY AWARE of those feelings when I first woke up...... just wanted it OFF, this a.m...... I don't take any meds....sounds like I should though, huh? Maybe part of the problem was that this was all so sudden...our deductible was paid up for the year so decided to go in and be checked? I guess I wasn't even expecting that it could turn into ALL OF THIS!? I dunno? Thanks for listening to all of this? Hope your day will get better, now?

[Pugsy]

You hate the mask... I hear you ..how come you are using the big boy Quattro full face mask?
Are you a dedicated mouth breather and simply cannot breath through your nose?

Try a different mask. Most people need to try a few to figure out which one works for them.
If you can breathe through your nose during the daytime without a problem....try a mask like I use.
If you can't breathe through your nose during the day and you just have to mouth breath then try a different full face mask.
There are different full face masks that aren't so heavy and bulky.

Normally you should have a period of time where the DME lets you swap out masks...use that time to try other masks. Don't spend all your mask swapping time with a mask that you hate.
All masks are not created equal. Some will work better than others.

Call up your DME and tell them you hate the mask. Don't let them give you the "give it time" speech.
You may not find a mask that you love but you might find a mask that you don't hate.

Your brain is fighting the whole cpap therapy adjustment thing bad enough without adding hating the mask into the mixture.

[Summer Rain]

You hate the mask... I hear you ..how come you are using the big boy Quattro full face mask?
Are you a dedicated mouth breather and simply cannot breath through your nose?

Try a different mask. Most people need to try a few to figure out which one works for them.
If you can breathe through your nose during the daytime without a problem....try a mask like I use.
If you can't breathe through your nose during the day and you just have to mouth breath then try a different full face mask.
There are different full face masks that aren't so heavy and bulky.

Normally you should have a period of time where the DME lets you swap out masks...use that time to try other masks. Don't spend all your mask swapping time with a mask that you hate.
All masks are not created equal. Some will work better than others.

Call up your DME and tell them you hate the mask. Don't let them give you the "give it time" speech.
You may not find a mask that you love but you might find a mask that you don't hate.

Your brain is fighting the whole cpap therapy adjustment thing bad enough without adding hating the mask into the mixture.

Hi again!

I just tried to leave a message for Deb...that explained what I want you to know, too ( R.E. "the mask") for some reason, though, I can't seem to locate the message I tried to leave for her? I think it was time to start a new page....? If I can't find it , I will type another one for both of you...as you are both on the same track I think?

[chunkyfrog]

I remember the misery of a cruelly-designed mask.
Too many manufacturers apparently think I'm odd-looking and don't deserve comfortable sleep.
I use a fabric mask now: SleepWeaver élan.
(click on the blue text in my profile)
It requires a lot of fiddling to keep a decent seal--but it blows away the competition (pun intended.)
They also make the SleepWeaver Advance.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -cpap.html
I do not work for Circadiance, but they are very nice people.

[Summer Rain]

Well, WHO KNOWS? Where things go in "cyber space"? At least I can rest assured that it COULDN'T be ME screwing things UP ???! A little less sleep deprivation wouldn't hurt, perhaps?
Well, as I told Deb, in an earlier attempt....we have a huge deductible to pay on our insurance..($1500) per calendar year...and since this was a "last ditch effort" to get things done before the year ran out....we also paid "up front" for all the Cpap stuff...as it would all be covered by insurance for 2012 ONLY....? I DID try on a lot of masks....the ones I hated MOST were the ones that went up the NOSE! MERCY! No "hose up the nose" for me! I can breathe just fine through my nose through out the day (AREN'T YA GLAD!) I can also breathe through my nose with the mask on...which I do, at least partially? I Do need to keep in touch with my "people" (home medics group) I guess....and see what they want to do about me? Of course it is WORTH THE $$$ to find "peace"..if that is what it will take! Thanks, again, for some excellent help...MUCH BETTER than anyone I have talked to from the Home Medics group...you never get the same person twice...it all seems pretty impersonal....? BE BLESSED! MY FELLOW "HOSE HEADS" !

[Summer Rain]

Julie,
If you have concerns that I am wording things wrong or I'm "using too many question marks" or that I sound "too insecure"....just say it on the forum, okay? (no need to send private messages!) I have been a little "sleep deprived"....and maybe "stressed"....so that is probably what makes me sound like such an idiot?

[jencat824]

Gotta watch out for those evil gnomes....

OK Comso, I owe you an apology - I apparently cannot recognize humor anymore. I was up very very early (for me) and getting ready for another medical procedure for my neck/arm issue. I'm so sorry I didn't get it the first time around. I actually thought you were serious!

Again, so sorry & I won't post early am anymore, since apparently my brain does not engage that early,
Jen

[Summer Rain]

I remember the misery of a cruelly-designed mask.
Too many manufacturers apparently think I'm odd-looking and don't deserve comfortable sleep.
I use a fabric mask now: SleepWeaver élan.
(click on the blue text in my profile)
It requires a lot of fiddling to keep a decent seal--but it blows away the competition (pun intended.)
They also make the SleepWeaver Advance.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepw ... -cpap.html
I do not work for Circadiance, but they are very nice people.

Now, I DO like that mask ! Maybe in a "pink" would be nice ! ? ...And could add some "bling"? LOVE IT! I did try on what I thought was a "cute" little mask....but it didn't seem to do the trick, somehow? The air wasn't circulating right and I seemed to be respirating my own breath....it was all very "breath taking" ....you might say! hahaha!