New Here and need support/advice

[Sandramae]

Yeah I definitely did not have that manual. I had to register as a clinician to get it and download it. Working on it now. Thanks so much for that.

my bad, I thought you'd had the clinicians manual! sorry 'bout that...

any questions?

No but OMG how great!!!! I just did it!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Now I switched it to a range of 8 to 15 and also switched it from Autoset to CPAP. Does this sound right?

Wow what an incredible help!!

cpap mode is a single fixed pressure that doesn't change. autoset mode is what you need if you want the range of pressures to be effective.

Seems like a nice machine. Very easy to use actually.

You guys have taught me SO SO much today I just can never thank you enough for the support and the wealth of knowledge that you guys have shared with me. I feel so much more in control and hopeful. Plus we are both math/statisticians and now have a new toy to geek out on! (I still don't want to read the manual though

Thank you all SO much!

[palerider]

Yep, and then there is of course, the other 43 pages that I pray I never have to read.

I encourage you to do so when you have a bit of time, there's a lot of good information in the resmed manuals, that explain both what some of the conditions are, and what the machine does to treat them, as well as what all the settings mean.

knowledge is power, as they say

[Sandramae]

Yep, and then there is of course, the other 43 pages that I pray I never have to read.

I encourage you to do so when you have a bit of time, there's a lot of good information in the resmed manuals, that explain both what some of the conditions are, and what the machine does to treat them, as well as what all the settings mean.

knowledge is power, as they say

yeah I started in on it already....

So after adjusting the pressure range from [4,20] to [8,15] there was only one obstruction during the night, NO LEAKS and his AHI was below 1!!!

He also said the mask was more comfortable and no blasting air through his eyes!!!

You guys are the bomb!!!!!!

P.S. I did notice that the minimum pressure was still 4 starting off so I turned off the ramping and then when I tried it out it cranked right up to 8. Does anyone think this is a bad idea? I apologize in advance for being ignorant I am still reading this epic manual.

[Drowsy Dancer]

Nope no questions....just want to make sure that CPAP setting is right and well ok there is one. I need something that goes around the face to add a little help keeping it secure. I saw something on a website but can't find it now. For short term Im just going to cut up an old T Shirt but I did see one that looked good. Anyone know what Im talking about?

Are you thinking of Padacheek mask liners?

[palerider]

knowledge is power, as they say

yeah I started in on it already....
So after adjusting the pressure range from [4,20] to [8,15] there was only one obstruction during the night, NO LEAKS and his AHI was below 1!!!
He also said the mask was more comfortable and no blasting air through his eyes!!!
You guys are the bomb!!!!!!
P.S. I did notice that the minimum pressure was still 4 starting off so I turned off the ramping and then when I tried it out it cranked right up to 8. Does anyone think this is a bad idea? I apologize in advance for being ignorant I am still reading this epic manual.

awesome!

no worries, ignorance is fixable you've already made great strides.

the ramp 'feature' is like.... training wheels, some people love it, some people find they don't like it, some people use it for a while till they find their balance, and then turn it off.

it's a comfort feature, use it if he likes it, or not. you can also program the ramp to start at a higher pressure, if it's still needed. I haven't used ramp in years, but, like I say, other folks love it.

[Sandramae]

Nope no questions....just want to make sure that CPAP setting is right and well ok there is one. I need something that goes around the face to add a little help keeping it secure. I saw something on a website but can't find it now. For short term Im just going to cut up an old T Shirt but I did see one that looked good. Anyone know what Im talking about?

Are you thinking of Padacheek mask liners?

Yeah I actually figured it out. I also got a liner for the ff mask and am going to get one for the nose pillows too....Pad-a-cheek did not have the one for the P10 model.

[Drowsy Dancer]

Nope no questions....just want to make sure that CPAP setting is right and well ok there is one. I need something that goes around the face to add a little help keeping it secure. I saw something on a website but can't find it now. For short term Im just going to cut up an old T Shirt but I did see one that looked good. Anyone know what Im talking about?

Are you thinking of Padacheek mask liners?

Yeah I actually figured it out. I also got a liner for the ff mask and am going to get one for the nose pillows too....Pad-a-cheek did not have the one for the P10 model.

I bet she will soon--Karen is very responsive to users' needs. You might try contacting the company and asking when it might be available.

[Sandramae]

knowledge is power, as they say

yeah I started in on it already....
So after adjusting the pressure range from [4,20] to [8,15] there was only one obstruction during the night, NO LEAKS and his AHI was below 1!!!
He also said the mask was more comfortable and no blasting air through his eyes!!!
You guys are the bomb!!!!!!
P.S. I did notice that the minimum pressure was still 4 starting off so I turned off the ramping and then when I tried it out it cranked right up to 8. Does anyone think this is a bad idea? I apologize in advance for being ignorant I am still reading this epic manual.

awesome!

no worries, ignorance is fixable you've already made great strides.

the ramp 'feature' is like.... training wheels, some people love it, some people find they don't like it, some people use it for a while till they find their balance, and then turn it off.

it's a comfort feature, use it if he likes it, or not. you can also program the ramp to start at a higher pressure, if it's still needed. I haven't used ramp in years, but, like I say, other folks love it.

Sounds good....we'll see how it goes.

Also, I am sure he will be posting here himself soon. He has just finished his work from home but now has a bad cold. He'll be posting soon but wanted me to say thanks to you all

[Sandramae]

Nope no questions....just want to make sure that CPAP setting is right and well ok there is one. I need something that goes around the face to add a little help keeping it secure. I saw something on a website but can't find it now. For short term Im just going to cut up an old T Shirt but I did see one that looked good. Anyone know what Im talking about?

Are you thinking of Padacheek mask liners?

Yeah I actually figured it out. I also got a liner for the ff mask and am going to get one for the nose pillows too....Pad-a-cheek did not have the one for the P10 model.

I bet she will soon--Karen is very responsive to users' needs. You might try contacting the company and asking when it might be available.

Yeah she seems very nice. I'll ask about availability.

[kaiasgram]

So after adjusting the pressure range from [4,20] to [8,15] there was only one obstruction during the night, NO LEAKS and his AHI was below 1!!!
He also said the mask was more comfortable and no blasting air through his eyes!!!

Awesome!

How did he feel in the morning? Even a smidge better?

[Sandramae]

So after adjusting the pressure range from [4,20] to [8,15] there was only one obstruction during the night, NO LEAKS and his AHI was below 1!!!
He also said the mask was more comfortable and no blasting air through his eyes!!!

Awesome!

How did he feel in the morning? Even a smidge better?

Well it was too hard tell really because 1) he only slept 5 hours because he didn't finish his work until late and 2) he has a bad cold, but even given those factors he lasted until about 4pm before he fell back asleep and that's pretty darned good to go from 6am to 4pm without stimulants. So I think that's "1" for our team sure

[Sandramae]

Hi everyone,

My husband had his sleep study last night and we talked to his doctor today. We were pretty surprised at what he said. After changing the pressure range for several days, he was starting to feel better. He has also been wearing the device to sleep only on his side. We thought there would be good news. However, the doctor said that instead of having a pressure range of 8 - 15 on APAP, he needs the machine on CPAP at over 20. When we told him that he only sleeps on his side with this thing around his chest he still said that his pressure needs to be constant and on 15. So, I don't know if this is a "high amount of pressure" but the doctor felt that it definitely was. We are perplexed. He says he has a few patients like this but wants him to get a second opinion from another ENT, as he is hard pressed to believe something isn't happening in his airways?

The last ENT said his septum is slightly deviated and could have used some surgery but then changed her mind on the surgery at the last minute. I really don't know what to think. He also wanted him to get another dental device. Needless to say, hubby was very depressed about all this. First off, he tried the dental device route and it hurt so bad he couldn't sleep and the secondly, the thought of having the machine set on CPAP that high is concerning too.

Lastly, I have to wonder what on earth another ENT find that the first didn't. I mean if something was "in the way" that was causing this much trouble, surely this would have been easily discovered. IDK maybe I am stupid but I don't get it.

Any input would be appreciated.

S

[archangle]

Be very careful if the ENT wants to do surgery. There are lots of chop-happy ENT's with delusions of grandeur and visions of dollars dancing in their heads. There are lots of drawbacks and poor results with some types of "CPAP" surgery, especially UPPP. Google for horror stories. Even deviated septum surgery is painful and stressful, which it sounds like he doesn't need now.

Not to say surgery is always a bad idea, but it's recommended WAY too often, and CPAP is MUCH better for most people if they can do it. CPAP also has fewer side effects and almost no irreversible side effects. If you try really hard and can't make CPAP work, you can always do surgery later.

If his AHI is good with the current settings, and he's starting to feel better, I'd be really reluctant to make big changes until you see what happens. You can always change the pressure more later.

What is his AHI now? How's he feeling?

A screenshot of the overview page from SleepyHead would be great, along with a daily screenshot or two.

BTW, what did you mean in the first post by "deicing?" "my husband has been diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA after deicing quickly for years "

[Pugsy]

If apap pressures of 8 to 15 are getting the job done...and he isn't going to have to give up his current machine....how about just smiling and saying "thank you" and continue doing what you have been doing?

I don't know where the doc is coming up with the 15 or greater than 20 pressure needs...maybe something in the 95% pressures is leading him in that direction. It would be really helpful to see a couple of typical reports and that would mean don't include any reports while he had the cold symptoms because when we are ill the reports and pressure needs aren't typical and we can't base normal needs on report from when we have been sick (with any illness not just upper respiratory illnesses).

[Sandramae]

Be very careful if the ENT wants to do surgery. There are lots of chop-happy ENT's with delusions of grandeur and visions of dollars dancing in their heads. There are lots of drawbacks and poor results with some types of "CPAP" surgery, especially UPPP. Google for horror stories. Even deviated septum surgery is painful and stressful, which it sounds like he doesn't need now.

Not to say surgery is always a bad idea, but it's recommended WAY too often, and CPAP is MUCH better for most people if they can do it. CPAP also has fewer side effects and almost no irreversible side effects. If you try really hard and can't make CPAP work, you can always do surgery later.

If his AHI is good with the current settings, and he's starting to feel better, I'd be really reluctant to make big changes until you see what happens. You can always change the pressure more later.

What is his AHI now? How's he feeling?

A screenshot of the overview page from SleepyHead would be great, along with a daily screenshot or two.

BTW, what did you mean in the first post by "deicing?" "my husband has been diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA after deicing quickly for years "

Sorry, I believe I meant that my husband has been slowly declining for years and recently was diagnosed.

Yeah I hear you on the surgery. I have known a few who had some surgeries for OAS and it wasn't pretty. I, myself though, have had surgery on my deviated septum and it wasn't bad at all. We won't be jumping into that.

He asked the doctor for his report and even his AHI but was told it would "take a while." No clue why. However, every day before that since I changed the setting and he got this wonderful T-Shirt that makes him sleep on his side he seems so much better. There is also the co-occurring issue though of him NOT being at work and having a ton less stress. He can sleep in a little, does not have to take stimulants to work like a maniac and we are out in the country so he is breathing fresh air.

We just got out of the city and into our house and I could unpack his machine and get the card but basically his AHI has been well below 1 pretty much every night....few to no leaks, and few to no obstructions - from what I remember and what he has reported.

He is staying awake until 10pm which is unbelievable and is doing more during the day.

This all makes it more odd that the doctor was so insistent on cranking up constant pressure and adding a dental device. No clue on that one.