Doing better but not close to maximizing CPAP

[GwinnettAndy]

I have improved since being in the machine but I have a love hate relationship with it at night. I haven't gone for the recommended two nights in a row. Lately I have been taking the mask off in the few two hours.

I have finally started wearing the head sling that keeps my mouth closed, this is very uncomfortable. Lanolin has helped me keep the pillows in. Still between the awkwardness of sleeping with my mouth closed, occasional nose twitches and a variety of other things I can't seem to make it through the night. I am glad that I have improved but I can't help but think I could be doing much better if I was maximizing the CPAP.

Should I think about moving to a mask as opposed to Swift FX air pillows?

Any tips for helping me fight not abandoning the mask?

Thanks, Andy

[Julie]

Try out as many FF masks as you can - chin straps (the usual name) are not usually effective in any case as your mouth can still open a fair amount and you'll give yourself TMJ if you're not careful !

[avi123]

Andy you're doing great. Can you show a few results of events from your Elite. Either from the screens or from ResScan or SleepyHead. Let me see if I can find data from 4 years ago when I used my S9 Elite to show here.

The above poster's note about chinstraps is sheer nonsense.

[Julie]

As are most of Avil's.

[library lady]

If you are a mouth breather, a FF mask might be a better option for you than pillows or nasal mask. What did you use for your study, if you had one? I'm a mouth breather, and the doc insisted that I start with a FF unless I can learn to keep my mouth closed. They do present a different set of problems to adjust to, but it is doable. I use mask liners with my mask, and they solved my difficulties of the first week on the hose.

[avi123]

If I was you I would then try several masks like full face, traditional nasal mask (like me), but I myself would not go with pillows nasal mask which I tried. Overall, I tried more than a dozen masks which I purchased on 30 day trial basis from providers on the Internet. The criteria for adequate treatment is achieving an AHI index of 5 or below (per hour), and feeling ok in the mornings and days.


Moved the rest of the stuff to "My Google Site"

[Julie]

Case in point!

[palerider]

As are most of Avil's.

if you call 97.7% "most"

[palerider]

it's best to just put avi123 on your foe list and not see his droolings...

case in point, the version of sleepyhead he's using is.... *ancient* and not recommended.

0.9.7 is going to be out pretty soon, .6 is available now, and works pretty good, (though .7 kicks it's butt!).

[GwinnettAndy]

I am not sure who to believe with this stuff, but how do I look at my results?

[GwinnettAndy]

I am not sure who to believe with this stuff, but how do I look at my results?

Should I call the company who is providing me with the equipment to get new masks?

[Julie]

You can download Sleepyhead (good for PCs & Mac) from Pugsy's sig. line and get a card reader almost anywhere... there's info. here all over about how to do what (I don't use that) so just do a forum search on the program.

You can find out if your DME will let you try diff masks - lying down (your face changes when you do that), in diff sizes and fitted properly (not too tight, etc), or go to Cpap.com who'll let you try lots if you buy the return insce. for them (the site will explain it all) and see what works best for you.

[Tatooed Lady]

If you have your prescription in hand or can give doctor info enough for them to get your prescription, I've found CPAP.COM to be an excellent source for masks, filters, etc etc....Some come with 30 day guarantee, so if you try it and it doesn't work, you can send it back and pay only return s&h. Prices aren't the lowest you can find, but they're a SAFE BET.

FWIW, I started therapy just over 2 months ago. I have tried 2 styles of full face and 2 nasal pillow styles. They're like shoes...one can be ALMOST right, but not quite...and another perfect (or horrid), based on your face shape or the pillow size...I use a medium pillow with my FX. It works well. The small will all but smother me, even though the shape is comfortable. Sometimes, the size is all that needs tweaking.

Believe those who give suggestions, rather than orders. Especially if there are others who suggest similarly. If it makes sense, research how it works FOR YOU. (Omg, spellchecker almost had me say something nasty!!)

[avi123]

I am not sure who to believe with this stuff, but how do I look at my results?

Should I call the company who is providing me with the equipment to get new masks?

Reply,

Andy, the S9 Elite shows your events (which were left over untreated) in the screen of the machine when you check it in the morning and set it on

"Sleep Quality". You can also check your "Mask Fit" to see a smiley greenface

If you wish, Report here:
Period= last night
AHI:
Leak:
Total AI:

Report also: the pressure, EPR, and Ramp

If you wish, go to YouTube and watch Resmed S9 CPAP Settings:


Related searches on YouTube:

ResMed S9 CPAP Reviews
ResMed S9 CPAP Settings
Used ResMed S9 CPAP Machine
ResMed S9
CPAP ResMed S9 with Humidifier
ResMed S9 CPAP Supplies
check this too=>ResMed CPAP S9 Instruction Manual
ResMed CPAP S9 Battery Backup

If you wish, check this post and get the ResScan 4.5 edition and S9 Elite Clinician Manual, on this website (become first a member there):

viewtopic/t99774/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99 ... 96#p927996

p.s.

I myself could not sleep without taking Zolpidem, 5 mg first and if I don't fall asleep, with the CPAP, within 30 minutes I then take 5 mg more and then I sleep soundly for 6:30 to 7 hours with one to two Nocturia bathroom visits. I have Nocturia b/c it goes more with OSA.

Zolpidem is generic Ambien. It happened to be Consumer Reports top rated sleep medication. If you wish, I could post here the results from a survey that CR did in 2012 of about 9,000 responders who had problems with falling and maintaining sleep.

[SleepyToo2]

Andy, there are some long-time users on this forum who really do want to help others. For example, Pugsy has a great thread of pointers on the front page of the forum that you should take a look at. It includes information on Sleepyhead software that is in Beta development, but can still provide a lot of useful information. Also, check out posts by robysue - she has a blog that will give you lots of useful information.

For starters, what chin strap are you using? I have personally tried a number of different ones. The best one for me is the Ruby - I am using the non-adjustable one at the moment, but do have an adjustable one for when I have time and inclination to set it up. If you are a big mouth breather you may find it helpful to check out full face masks, but don't jump to that option unless you have tried the chin strap approach first. It will take time to get used to whatever set-up you have. Spend a bit of time trying to use the mask while watching TV or reading so that it begins to feel a bit more natural. Turn the machine on when you wear the mask as though you will go to sleep, even if you do not actually go to sleep. Think about how easy it is to breathe at the starting pressure - that is called the ramp. It is often set at 4 to your treatment pressure over 20 minutes or so. In fact, most people will find a pressure of 4 too low to breathe comfortably. You have control over the ramp time and starting pressure, so adjust that to a level that you are happier with. There are other settings that you can change, but that is a good one to start with.

When you want to change the mask, you do need to go back to your DME (equipment provider) to get a new one - you may be able to swap the one you have for a new one, but go to CPAP.com to see the range of masks that are available, and pick one to ask for. Everyone is different, and many of us have spent a lot of time trying different masks, so it is hard to recommend one. Also, preferences change. I have several masks that I use from time to time - my favorite at the moment happens to be the ResMed Airfit P10 with the Ruby (nonadjustable) chin strap. My leaks are actually very much under control with that. I struggle with full face masks because I have a beard. I seem to do best with the pillows and chin strap. As with much of the CPAP stuff, it does take time to get used to.