OSA newbie

[Eric_M]

Hi all, first post.

I just got diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (70 per hr). Something I have suspected for years, just never done anything with it till now. So I got put on the CPAP with a titrated pressure of 8. They issued me a REMstar Plus M Series w/ humidifier and I chose the pillow style mask. I have some questions:

1. If understanding this machine correctly... with air on and the mask is off it will provide a continuous stream of air. But installed, it will provide continuous stream of air until exhale, then the machine tends to back off alittle bit while exhaling. right?

2. Understanding question 1, it seems that what the machine does or what I do doesnt quit line up together...the machine always seems alittle ahead of my breathing, thus almost choking me up every once in awhile. Is this where the C-Flex options come in?

3. I am a heavy snorer, so I have been using the chin strap as well and mask. It seems mouth gets very dry after a few hours. I have had the humidity level at 1. I have read where higher humidty levels could actually make mouth drier due because the humidifier is designed for the nose. My nose has been fine.... should I try it with no humidity to see if that helps with mouth dryness?

Thanks for taking the time to reaad this and provide any answers. I look forward to reading about all of the knowledge sharing that goes on in these forums.


EriC!

[bdp522]

Welcome to the forum Eric!

The machine provides a continuous set pressure unless you have c-flex. C-flex has settings of 1-3. One being the least amount of exhale relief and 3 being the most. C-flex will lower the pressure at the beginning of exhale and raise it back to full pressure before the end of the exhale.
If the machine seems that is breathing too fast for you try turning the c-flex to a lower number. Some of us don't do well on c-flex at all and choose to keep it off. It requires some experimentation on your part to find what works best for you.
If you mouth breathe a chin strap may not be much help. It is designed to keep the jaw from dropping open, not to seal the lips. Dry mouth is a sign that you are either mouth breathing or mouth leaking. Many of us find that we need to tape our mouths shut or use poligrip strips to seal the lips together. I tape, have for years. Here is Roosters method of taping which works very well for me;
viewtopic.php?t=9653
Humidity levels are also something you need to experiment with to find your comfort level. Some need a setting of 5 to be comfortable some need it off all together.

Brenda

[frustratedmary]

I prefer taping my mouth. Believe it or not it is more comfortable than a chin strap for me.

[Wulfman]

If you've had your machine for less than 30 days, I'd try my darnedest to get it swapped out for an M Series Pro. The Pro is fully data-capable. At some point, you'll wonder how your therapy is working......and the Pro will tell you......but the Plus will NOT.

If your mouth is still getting dry while using the chinstrap, you're still mouth-leaking. Chinstraps typically don't work. Get a full face mask (UMFF or Quattro).

Can you "breathe"? (clear nasal passages?) If not, do nasal rinses/cleansing before bedtime to help open up your nasal passages. I use "passover" humidification......water in the humidifier tank but no heat.


Den

[twokatmew]

If you've had your machine for less than 30 days, I'd try my darnedest to get it swapped out for an M Series Pro. The Pro is fully data-capable. At some point, you'll wonder how your therapy is working......and the Pro will tell you......but the Plus will NOT.

I realize this is not the point of your question, but I'm on my second week of CPAP, and I have to agree with Wulfman. I first got a Resmed S8 Escape, which only provides compliance data, that is, whether or not I'm using the machine. It also didn't provide relief on exhale (EPR in Resmed machines). I realized this after the first few days but figured I was stuck with that machine. At the urging of another member here, I went back to my DME and requested a fully data capable machine. The next day they exchanged my Escape for an Elite II, which fits my needs nicely. ... Now if I could just find a mask that did the same!

Good luck!

[Eric_M]

Thanks all for your advice. I am taking it all in

I did go get some tape and will try that. Mouth leaking actually makes sense. But leads me to another question which i meant to ask earlier:

This thing does not have a battery back up does it? I have noticed that turns very hard to breath when you turn it off and still have the mask on. I was thinking of this before the earlier questions... but now is more heavily on my mind if I am going to tape my mouth?

Thanks again for you advice and patience with my questions.

[Pugsy]

I used polygrip last night with my chin strap. We had a momentary power outage due to thunderstorm. I woke up rather quickly when the air wasn't moving. If it had lasted longer likely I would have opened my mouth as the polygrip seal is easily broken with just a little opening of the mouth movement. It was not an earth shattering experience though. More of "oops, can't breath, take off mask". Not nearly as scary as I had envisioned. I guess it all depends on just how deeply one sleeps and responds to the lack of air movement. The power outage was one of those out and back on in a brief second thing. I know this because husband was awake because the dogs were being big babies and having a fit because of the thunder and lightening. He told me it was a quick outage and back on thing. I wasn't without air more than a split second before I woke up.

There are continuous power supplies available similar to what a computer uses in case of power failures or brown outs. I have not investigated the cost though. There is a small inexpensive power outage alarm that is available here at cpap.com (look at the top of the main page for the new product "PowerOUT" and I was told at some hardware stores but the 2 stores I tried didn't have it. I live in small town so choices are often limited.

I will get the alarm as first line of defense since I live in area where thunderstorms are often nasty. Then as money permits I will investigate in a backup power supply of some sort.

[Gerald]

The Wulf is telling you "right"....

Except I'd go one step further. I'd push HARD for a "M" series Auto with AFLEX. Do whatever it takes to get that machine....even if you have to pay a few more bucks to get it. In the end, you'll have a tool that will be an immense help in your therapy....which, by the way, you'll end up having to manage yourself. Good tools allow good workmanship.

As for taping, I use plain old 3M 2" Blue #2080 Delicate Release Masking Tape...from the Lowe's paint department.

Finally, you need to purchase Respironics "Viewer" software....and a card reader.....to go with a data capable machine. It'll make all the difference. Insurance won't pay for it.....so you'll have to open the billfold.

Gerald

[Guest]

Hello Eric. I'm somewhat of a newbie myself. I've already learned some stuff just from reading the responses to your post!
Just thought I'd mention that a pressure of 8 sounds kind of low to me. They started me off at 10 and we just kicked it up a couple of weeks ago to 12. I'm a pretty big guy. I don't know if that matters or not. I can't say I noticed any difference at 12 but the jury is still out.. I've been having the mouth dryness issue myself. That's how I found this website. I've not tried the tape thing yet. I'm still experimenting with humidity levels, etc. I tightened up my headgear so that it is quite snug, in fact it's almost what I would say is tight, and it seems to have helped with the dryness. I don't know why, unless I was leaking or ??? I use a full face mask (quattro).
That's my 2 cents worth.
Good luck,
Dave

[BeanMeScot]

Hello Eric. I'm somewhat of a newbie myself. I've already learned some stuff just from reading the responses to your post!
Just thought I'd mention that a pressure of 8 sounds kind of low to me. They started me off at 10 and we just kicked it up a couple of weeks ago to 12. I'm a pretty big guy. I don't know if that matters or not. I can't say I noticed any difference at 12 but the jury is still out.. I've been having the mouth dryness issue myself. That's how I found this website. I've not tried the tape thing yet. I'm still experimenting with humidity levels, etc. I tightened up my headgear so that it is quite snug, in fact it's almost what I would say is tight, and it seems to have helped with the dryness. I don't know why, unless I was leaking or ??? I use a full face mask (quattro).
That's my 2 cents worth.
Good luck,
Dave

The pressure of 8 or 10 or 12 has nothing to do with the size of the person or the severity of the OSA. It is merely the amount of pressure required to keep YOUR airway open.

Be careful not to tighten your headgear too much. Too tight is as bad as too loose. Both lead to leaks.

[DoriC]

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/po ... tml?ref=42 by plr66
on Sat May 09, 2009 11:49 am


Having this little inexpensive gadget certainly gives me peace of mind. In fact, I know it works because it woke me up last week at 5AM when we had a quick off/on power outage. We're probably going to get a battery as soon as we recover from some major expenses recently.

[DBoone]

Eric, please fill out your profile. It makes it much easier for the rest of us when we can easily look at what equipment you are using. Most of us prefer the text based profile so we don't have to click on the picture to go find out what it is.

Thanks.

[Eric_M]

Eric, please fill out your profile. It makes it much easier for the rest of us when we can easily look at what equipment you are using. Most of us prefer the text based profile so we don't have to click on the picture to go find out what it is.

Thanks.

C/W Dboone... thanks

[ozij]

Hello Eric. I'm somewhat of a newbie myself. I've already learned some stuff just from reading the responses to your post!
Just thought I'd mention that a pressure of 8 sounds kind of low to me. They started me off at 10 and we just kicked it up a couple of weeks ago to 12. I'm a pretty big guy. I don't know if that matters or not. I can't say I noticed any difference at 12 but the jury is still out.. I've been having the mouth dryness issue myself. That's how I found this website. I've not tried the tape thing yet. I'm still experimenting with humidity levels, etc. I tightened up my headgear so that it is quite snug, in fact it's almost what I would say is tight, and it seems to have helped with the dryness. I don't know why, unless I was leaking or ??? I use a full face mask (quattro).
That's my 2 cents worth.
Good luck,
Dave

People need different pressures, and a pressure of 8 may be perfect for one person while terrible for the other.