Good night for first night

[Used my Cpap for the first time last night.]

Feel better but logged into dream mapper and I am afraid I am sick. Had 115 Total Hypnopeas in six hours of use, 7 clear airway apneas, and 16 Obstructive Apneas. But didnt really wake up or feel uncomfortable, machine worked and I feel refreshed. My AHI is 21.7, dont know if thats bad or not, but no wonder I was tired as my doctor suspects I have had Apnea for many years. I can say sleeping with the equipments a relief, was waking gasping for breath and in AFib. Many late night ambulance rides to the ER. THink my recoveries gonna be slow and with lots of sleep now that I can.

[Pugsy]

What are your pressure settings?

[Joann1968]

This is Breezy2013, having trouble logging in, had to use different username. MY pressures 8, hoping Sleep LabDoctor will review as I have a cellular modem on my device, he gets info automatically. Todays sunday but should hear from him tomorrow.

[ajack]

you keep increasing the pressure till the OA and H are fixed. Then look at how many CA are left. Did you have CA in the sleep test?
Also consider that you may be chin tucking, bringing your chin to your chest. a change of pillow or a soft foam cervical collar could help get your airway straight.

[Joann1968]

I dont increase the pressure, my sleep doctor does that remotely. Dont have the results from the sleep study, likely will need to request them. I do chin tuck, a different pillow or cervical collar possibly may help, thank you. My AHI, H, and OA are coming down. My best night was the 5th, so a bit longer to get things right I suppose. I am feeling far better already.

[Joann1968]

If he doesnt remotely adjust will consult owners manual for my Dreamstation and see if I can figure it out. My appointment (First followup with machine is Dec. 4th) Sure will be hearing something then.

[TASmart]

With your AHI as high as it is, I would try to do some adjustments before the Dr appointment. Seems to me that waiting another month to get a decent nights sleep is unnecessarily prolonging the agony. No one will care more than you about your sleep.

[Pugsy]

The owner/user manual won't help you much.
Get the clinical/provider manual. Request it via email from here.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual

[DEXSUZ]

First of all, best of fortunes and may the Lord give you patience to change your life. I have a Quattro FX - the best of many FF masks I tried in the initial stages of using CPAP - and have learned how to succeed and thrive with it after an awful first few weeks in early 2013.

I was a lousy sleeper my entire adult life and began CPAP. Right off the bat I had many problems and was frustrated as heck but have found nocturnal bliss as I got used to the gear and the way it works.I've got a simple program that did wonders for my adaptation to assisted sleep. Here it is:

This is the four-step program I devised. I had a tremendous sleep study at the local hospital but ran into a granite roadblock as I attempted to get accustomed to masks on my own. You might want to give this a try:

My main advice is to back away from immediately trying to do all-nighters with your full-face equipment. Use my four-step weekly plan which has worked wonderfully for me:

1) During the first week sit, watch TV, or read with your equipment whirring away next to you. Get accustomed to the sounds, feelings of the moving air, and all the external trappings of the great chance at quality sleep you are nearing. Do NOT go to bed with the equipment.

2) Take the phone off the hook, draw the shades, evict everyone from the house, don't think about any nearby clock, and loosen your clothing as you lie on your bed in mid-afternoon. Turn on the CPAP gizmo, put the mask on your face, and close your eyes. Think peaceful thoughts, whatever they are to you. At some point in the week you WILL fall asleep. After you have this nap, you'll be amazed at what a refreshing experience it was.

3) During the third week have all your CPAP gear ready for action as you go to bed for the night. As you've done so many times throughout the years, you'll awaken far before morning. When you do, slap the mask on your face and turn on the CPAP gear before your groggy brain has any idea what's going on.

4) After successfully completing the first three steps at your pace, decide on a night (mine was March 3rd, 2013) when you have full confidence and will retire for the night WITH your mask on. You'll succeed!

My biggest mistake was expecting everything to go perfectly from the first night. It rarely occurs because the brain must be retrained after all those years of awakening in the middle of the night. One must be patient and keep anxiety as far away as possible. On March 3, 2014 I had a goofy sort of celebration to mark one year of refreshing sleep I never had - over four decades - before 2013.

For decades, a sleep of 7-9 STRAIGHT hours sort was only a dream; now it's a reality. Last night (11/7) I dozed off at 10:30 and did not awaken until 7:30 this morning.

Be patient, best of luck, and God bless

[Joann1968]

Last night my AHI was 8.9, lowest yet. I had two Clear airway Apneas, 5Obstructive Apneas and 69 Hypnpneas. So things are going in the right direction. Never woke or got up even once. Slept 8 hours and 33 minutes. Feel pretty good, too.

[DEXSUZ]

Congrats, Joann 1968.

Last night was bizarre for me. My mask slipped around a bit, I had strange dreams, and also awakened several times.

I'm certain tonight will be better if I resist taking a nap later in today.

[Joann1968]

I can relate to the bizarre night. My mask comes apart to clean it and sure enough it came apart during the night. Didnt affect me as I noticed immediately and snapped it back together. But overall not a bad night at all.

[Breezy2013]

Last night my nubers erent as good, so still finetuning everything. Still feel really good, much better than I did. Guess hings will just take time.

[Breezy2013]

Still using the Cpap. My numbers are up and down and not consistent. Need to get to bed, though, tomorrows Thanksgiving. So good night.