First week on CPAP - the good and the not so good

[Bill44133]

I must live in a bubble, or at least not very well informed. I have no clue what any of you are talking about..! Last night was the third week on my machine, I have have never heard of AHI nubers, pressure setting, or any of the tech stuff being discussed here. The guy came over, set up the machine and left. I put it on every night and go to sleep. Why do I need to know all this tech stuff, and where would I get that informtion if I did care? I do sleep better, about an hour longer every night, and do wake up groggy. I guess I need a CPAP education???
The only problem I've noticed is the bridge of my nose looks like someone punched me. It's red and sore where the mask makes contact..

That is the problem Donn.. The medical community just gives you this equipment and tells you to use it, and if you have problems to just figure it out. No support, no education.
The only thing they know how to do is give you the bill. Then they wonder why 60% of the people don't even bother.

Donn - I suggest you first start your own thread, not have your business get lost in this one, and then we'll try to help you... you need to know all the stuff because if what you do is ineffective, you're not getting treated and wasting money and time.

You're obviously having some issues that we can definitely help with, but need some more info to do that. Can you first register as a forum member, after which you can then click on User Ctl Panel (small heading under main Cpap logo), then go to Profile and fill out the full name and model # of your machine (Resmed is not enough) and mask in text please rather than icons, and they'll now appear under ever post you make so we'll know what you're working with when we have some advice or further questions. We can then explain about the numbers etc., and you'll be part of your treatment and not just a passenger.

Like Julie suggested please start a new threat with this. Their are lots of knowledgeable, and helpful people on this site. They maybe able to guide you to become proactive in your
therapy so that you can have a good nights sleep.

I wish you well..

[sleepyJen]

I think that with the snores and the other obstructive elements of the AHI (OA and hyponeas) that for some reason the pressure which may have been okay initially ...isn't okay now.
Maybe you are simply just getting more sleep also.
Whatever the reason...9 cm isn't working well now.
If you aren't comfortable changing it yourself then I wouldn't wait awfully long getting with the DME/doctor to get it done.
I don't see it changing much with time in this situation.

The air pressure from the cpap is not enough to hold the airway open. That is why you are snoring and your AHI keeps getting worse.
I would bump that 9 to 10 and try that for a few days, and if your AHI is still over 5 bump it up to 11.
You are going to have to fine tune it till you can find what is gonna work for you.

I started my therapy on April 30, 2013, and I had to change my settings 10 times finally settling in October. After I found optimum settings
I let my Neurologist know what I did and showed her my sleep reports. She agreed 100%. The doctor update the DME.

I wish you Good Luck!

Oddly, my number last night was 2.2 - but I slept terribly. The mask was bothering me all night - at first it was actually painfully (hurting the bottom of my left nostril - almost like it was scratching it) Overall the fit just felt off - so I kept waking up to adjust it. I was trying to be aware of not sleeping on my back as well. So, I don't think I slept as deeply as I had the night before, so lower AHI, but not feeling rested. This really is a roller coaster at first, huh?

Thanks everyone - and to Donn, I agree with what was said - post a thread and you will get tons of help and advice and soon understand what all of this means. Best of luck to you!!

[Bill44133]

Yes it is a roller coaster until you can get all the setting optimal.