My first night using CPAP

[Jack Crosby]

Yesterday I got set up with the Respironics Remstar Auto A-flex along with the quattro mask and last night was the first time I used it.

Went to bed at 9:45 PM and was excited about the prospect of getting agood night's sleep. My diagnosis was 25 breath stoppages of 10 seconds or more each hour and I was tired ALL the time and would often fall asleap at red lights! It was so bad that I'd apply the emergency brake whenever I'd stop at a light! Also I'd fall asleep at my desk often.

This machine starts off with very low pressure then "ramps" up to the proper air pressure. In about 30 minuts it was at the correct working pressure. As instructed, I washed my face before putting the mask on and seemed to get a good fit with no leaks and pretty comfortable. I woke up at 1:00 AM with a leak around my chin which I couldn't fix and I took the mask off thinking I'd sleep without it. Some guilt set in so I got up and adjusted the mask in the bathroom and found that in pulling at the mask I pulled the seal from the mask causing the leak. Also I found I was not putting the mask on correctly so the seal could do it's job. I was stretching the rubber down over my chin! The mask goes directly onto the face just as it is with no adjustment of the seal---just straight on. After that I had a perfect seal.

I slept soundly from 1:15 AM to 7:30 and was aware of the mask only a couple of brief moments during that time as I was sleeping so soundly. I woke up feeling I had achieved a victory---a great night's sleep the very first night! Tonight I know the mask better and should have zero issues.

Observations;
- I never slept on my back before--I guess because I snored lying on my back, but last night I enjoyed that position.
- The machine was tootally silent and my wife couldn't hear it at all! I could hear my own breathing but it wasn't objectionable at all.
-This machine is set up as an APAP asnd I love the automatic pressure difference betweel inhaling and exhaling.
- This is a great mask--much amaller than the usual full-face. I could lie on my sides easily with no effect on the mask's fit or seal. This was a giant blessing as I was not happy with the awful mask I used in the sleep study. Any squirm at all would cause a leak.
- I had filled the humidifer slightly above half way and all the water was used up. I had it set at 3-4 which was too high and will use 2 tonight.
- I woke up feeling great. My legs were always sore and heavy feeling upon awakening but not that way at all this morning.

Sorry for the length of this but if it gives some encouragement to others just starting out I'll be happy. Off to a great start!

[khauser]

Hi Jack,
All in all not bad for a first night!

Some comments:

• I also now sleep on my back but I think it "costs" me in a little higher pressure, because indeed we will otherwise have more problems sleeping in that position.
• The feature that makes the pressure change when you exhale is called A-Flex (or C-Flex if a straight CPAP machine). Other manufacturer's have other names for it. I actually don't like that feature so I've turned it off.

Congrats! I too used to fall asleep at lights, and microsleep on the highway! That's a thing of the past and I am just happy I lived long enough to get it treated so the risk is gone.

[yoyoyomonica]

YAY very nice!!! good job. Keep us posted how u do as the days roll on. I am new too. Been on cpap for 7 days now. Still working on tweaks. and getting discouraged. The guys here are helping me out with tweak ideas. Keep posting so they can help you too

[cosmo]

Off to a good start, congrats!

[photodork]

its a great feeling to wake up and know that the cpap went to work right away!
i know i felt like i was walking on springs after my first night!
congrats!

[jweeks]

... I was tired ALL the time and would often fall asleap at red lights! It was so bad that I'd apply the emergency brake whenever I'd stop at a light! Also I'd fall asleep at my desk often.

Jack,

This is an outstanding start. You got past the first priority, using the machine the first time. Next priority is to get as much sleep as you can over the next week to 10 days. Do that even if you have to adjust your schedule or take a few vacation days from work.

I know what you mean about falling asleep in traffic or at your desk. I once fell asleep exiting a parking ramp at work, and didn't wake up until the ramp attendant came over and tapped on my window. I would often fall asleep while typing at my computer. My hands would hit the keyboard, and after about a minute, the computer would start beeping. That would wake me up, and I would fix up the document that I had just messed up, but then I'd fall asleep again before making any progress in my work. That would repeat the cycle all over again. Needless to say, without being able to use a computer or drive, I was functionally disabled before starting CPAP. Fast forward 5 years, and I don't even remember the person that I was back then. It is amazing what you can do when you are awake!

-john-