Newbie having problems

[doccuke]

Hello all, I received an S9 CPAP yesterday, so far I have had no success even getting a moment of sleep with it on. I am not feeling too bright as I have known other people that used CPAP machines with a great deal of success, including my Dad when he was alive.

I was diagnosed with OSA & narcolepsy the first time over 12 years ago. I have a great deal of trouble with excessive daytime sleepiness. At that time my insurance provided a bipap machine which I was never able to get acclumated to. 4 years ago I lost my health insurance so I did not do much for medical care during that time as I could not afford it. I got health insurance again this past april and when I asked my doctor for a prescription of Provigil, he wanted me to have a sleep study again. Thay again diagnosed me with OSA having over 60 events per hour. So the doctor then prescribed this cpap machine. They prescribed that I have the cpap set at 16.

I am only putting all this info in to give you all as much backround as I can.

I do not know if I am just crazy, but I CANNOT take this pressure!! I set the ramp for 45 minutes and it starts at 4 and works up from there gradually to 16. Anything above 10 I feel like I cannot exhale to the point that I begin to gag. I have ripped it off several times to prevent that from becoming vomiting.

I know that these machines can be helpful and I am pretty irritated with myself for not being able to deal with it. It's not like a rush of wind is unfamiliar to me, I ride motorcycles, as in one that I bought new has 85K miles and another that I bought with 2 k miles in 2010 now has 35K miles, so I get plenty of wind, but I'll be dammed if I can figure out what is wrong with me or what I am doing wrong.

If any of you have any thoughts or suggestions I'm all ears!! Oh and just so you know I use the mask that covers my nose and mouth. The nose only masks were interesting however having had my nose broken several times it does not work so well for breathing so I have to wear this "darth vader" mask!! LOL

So, after you are done laughing at me, if you have any ideas about what might help I would appreciate it!!

PEACE
DOC

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Can you please tell us exactly which model machine you have?
It would help if you would add your equipment to your profile like I have mine at the bottom of this post.

If you can't sleep at 16 cm...maybe your machine has some exhale relief you get get to help...maybe you could start lower and work up to 16 if you had to.

So first of all let's figure out what machine you have and what options for relief you have available.

[Julie]

Oh dear, we're not laughing at you - wait til you've read more of our stories - you'll be rolling yourself with how crazy they sound!

There's a feature on the machine called EPR, and you can set it to varying levels for exhalation relief (you're not alone by a long shot!). See if you can find it, but if not (or even if so), come back and we'll try to help.

[doccuke]

OK I didn't find where to fill in my profile yet, but here is my machine info

CPAP S9 Autoset
CPAP humidifier heated
CPAP Mask Quattro full face
CPAP Tubing heated climateline

Also the other stat I remember from my sleep study is that my O2 was at 55%

Thanx DOC

[Pugsy]

The S9 has EPR exhale relief....is yours turned on? If it is...try setting it to 3 and see if that helps the exhale situation.
If it isn't turned on...let's turn in on.

Here's a pdf copy of the provider/clinical manual for the S9 and it explains how to get to the clinical setup menu to turn EPR on so you can use it and make changes. When turned on set it to "full time".
http://www.apneuvereniging.nl/forum/pdf ... manual.pdf

Let me know if the 16 cm inhale and the EPR at 3 will reduce the pressure to 13 on exhale....is any easier for you to manage.

[doccuke]

Hey Pugsy

Thanx for the info, it was on and set to 2, I changed it to 3 and will try it tonight

I'll log how I do tonite in the AM

Thanx , I appreciate the help

DOC

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome, doc.
Sleep better tonight. (fingers crossed)
Sometimes it just takes practice (and time).

[doccuke]

Well I actually got wrapped up with applying for jobs until 4 AM, but when I went to bed I tried the CPAP with the new setting and slept from a little after 4 AM until 9 AM which is the most sleep I have ever had with the CPAP.

I did wake up with my mouth as dry as the sahara desert, in fact what woke me up was choking from dry mouth!! I will try adjusting the humidity on the machine tonight!!

I will keep you all updated, and thanx again Pugsy for the help and the info

DOC

[nanwilson]

Welcome Doc
My son had the same problem and could not use the cpap at his pressure of 17............ soooooooo
I told him to back off to about 14 for about a week or two and "slowly" increase the pressure until he was comfortable with it. You could try that if the epr setting of 3 doesn't work for you... anything to get used to the higher pressure is worth a try. Keep reading your data every day or two to ensure that you are lowering your ahi to a more manageable number. This therapy does take time and patience.... not an overnight cure. Take your time and keep reading on here and you will see that you are not alone, many have had the same problems adjusting as you are. Good luck and keep working on it....
Nan

[caffeinatedcfo]

Welcome! You'll be fine just takes a little getting used to. How is the mask comfort?

[doccuke]

Thanx NAN, I'm getting used to it, slowly!! I am far less sleepy during the day, so it is worth it. My fiancé said that as long as the mask is on correctly I do not snore at all!!

caffeinatedcfo the mask is not great, I find that I when I make it tight enough not to leak my face is a bit sore, I have lines in my face from the mask digging in. My nose right on the bridge hurts all the time now and the skin is starting to get raw. Seems like as soon as I make it loose enough to not hurt, it leaks like crazy!!

I figure my skin will get used to it eventually!!

Thanx
DOC

[RogerSC]

I hear that Pad-a-cheek (http://padacheek.com/) makes liners for full face masks that help with comfort and leaks. You might check that out, too.

[Jeannh]

I hear that Pad-a-cheek (http://padacheek.com/) makes liners for full face masks that help with comfort and leaks. You might check that out, too.

Karen from pad-a-cheek is terrific. Shop with her in complete comfort - I have a bunch of her "cozies" and hose covers, and her quality is good, shipping reasonable and delivery quick.

You'll get there!

[doccuke]

Thanx Jeannh and Rogernc for that link, I will check them out.

One more question, looking to see if anyone has an idea for dry mouth. I wake up once or twice a nite because my mouth gets so dry I start choking. I need to take off the mask and get a drink of water, then put it back on, and back to sleep.

I got some mouthwash that helps somewhat with the problem, but it is still there. I always had a drymouth issue, that is why I always have a glass of water on my night stand. The CPAP seems to make the problem worse. I run the humidity at the max setting with no help, I tried the temp as low as 60 and as high as 80, nothing seems to be helpful. May just be that I have to live with it, but if you have any suggestions let me know

Thanx
DOC

[Julie]

Check with your dentist and MD - there's an autoimmune (related to arthritis) disorder that can cause dryness - are your eyes also dry?