Newbie Intro

[LupieLady]

Hi. I'm a newbie to the forum- I was officially diagnosed with OSA a couple of weeks ago (although a doctor in the ER told me I had it last year and I was in a nice long period of denial until recently). I got my machine three days ago, but I didn't use it last night because I could NOT fall asleep with it on for some reason. I kept feeling like I was suffocating and couldn't breathe against the pressure (even though it was on ramp mode with the cflex option on) and my pressure is very low anyways.

Last year in the hospital when the doctor told me he was pretty sure I had OSA I told him "no way", because in my mind having it meant that I was a gigantic unhealthy person.... now, I actually am somewhat gigantic right now (at least for me), but I've probably had OSA since long before gaining the extra weight I am currently carrying! **Don't throw rocks at me yet!! Upon doing a little research I did discover that there are many many reasons someone can have OSA that have NOTHING to do with weight!** Apparently, my tongue is too far back, my airways are very small, and something is up with my jaw that makes it worse... so I think maybe putting on the extra weight may have just exasperated the problem I was already having.

I have Systemic Lupus (and a plethora of other autoimmune issues) which have caused me to have very little energy, a lot of pain, and be on a constant HIGH dose of steroids!

I'm relieved to find a group of people that can "support" each other regarding all these CPAP issues. I tried to read through the forum a good bit before posting, and a lot of my questions were answered doing so. I guess it will just take some time to get used to it, but I am really hopeful that it will help.

Have a good 4th of July everyone!

[BleepingBeauty]

Hi, Lupie, and welcome to the forum. You'll learn a lot here, and the support level is outstanding.

First things first: Since you've just received your machine, you have time to exchange it. You've been given a Respironics M Series PLUS machine. That machine will only record compliance (usage hours) data and will NOT give you (or your doctor) the important data (Apnea/Hypopnea Index and Leak Rate, among other things) that we need to know in order to make sure our therapy is effectively treating our sleep disorder.

Make a fuss and exchange that machine for a better one. Our distinguished forum member named "rested gal" has a listing of machines that are fully data-capable (and those that are not). I've saved that list and will PM it to you shortly. Make sure you end up with a machine that IS fully data-capable. Otherwise, you (and your doctor) are shooting at targets in the dark.

Software and a smartcard reader are available for purchase online, so you can download your machine's data to your computer and see what's going on. (A high leak rate, for instance, will alert you that your mask is leaking too much or, if you're using a nasal mask, that you may be leaking therapy air from your mouth. In either case, your other therapy data can't be relied upon, and you'll need to find solutions to the leak problem.) It's important to have DATA.

Keep reading here and asking questions. Consider yourself lucky to have found this forum as quickly as you did, because you're already ahead of the game.

Again, welcome aboard.

[jdm2857]

Welcome Lupie!

Some people find that if their ramp starts at too low of a pressure, they feel as if they can't get enough air.

So if your ramp start at 4, or even 5, you might try to have in increased a bit to see if you are more comfortable.

Good luck!

[LupieLady]

I may have actually put the wrong machine on my profile, but I can't figure out which one I have based on that list... it says Remstar Pro M Series on it, and on the bottom it has the model number as 1051158. I thought the RT told me it recorded all that other information as well, so I probably have the wrong one on my profile! I'll change it if I can figure out which one I have, lol.

Also, my pressure is only at 6 when it is at the maximum, and it starts ramping at 4.

[jdm2857]

When you go back to the Control Panel to change your equipment, change the display setting from icons to text. It'll be easier for everyone to tell which machine you have. With the icons the only way to tell machines apart is to follow the link to cpap.com and the come back to the forum.

The M Series Pro is fully data capable.

And with at pressure of 6, you might be better just turning the ramp off. 6 is pretty low, and you should be able to tolerate it straight off.

[BleepingBeauty]

I may have actually put the wrong machine on my profile, but I can't figure out which one I have based on that list... it says Remstar Pro M Series on it, and on the bottom it has the model number as 1051158. I thought the RT told me it recorded all that other information as well, so I probably have the wrong one on my profile! I'll change it if I can figure out which one I have, lol.

Also, my pressure is only at 6 when it is at the maximum, and it starts ramping at 4.

If you have the M Series Pro, then you DO have a data-capable machine.

I agree with jdm, above, re: the ramp starting pressure being too low. A max pressure of 6 is still on the low side so, if I were you, I'd abandon the ramp feature altogether. Just push the "on" button and go right to 6 cm.

[roster]

.......but I've probably had OSA since long before gaining the extra weight I am currently carrying! ......

Welcome.

OSA may be the root cause for the weight gain. Get a good therapy working and you may find it easy to lose weight. Don't forget to eat well and exercise.

[rosiefrosie]

Welcome!

[twokatmew]

Welcome! I used the ramp part of one night and then turned it off. I was using EPR (exhalation relief), but I turned that off last night, too. This is a great board, and I feel so fortunate to have found it so early on in my CPAP journey.

[Muse-Inc]

...kept feeling like I was suffocating and couldn't breathe against the pressure...

I had my initial pressure set higher because I felt I was getting enough air. I use a ramp of 5 mins allowing me to begin at a lower pressure; I am typically sleep within 5 mins so I don't notice when it goes to full pressure.

...probably had OSA since long before gaining the extra weight...

I date the beginning of my apnea the yr I gained 50#s with no change in diet or activity. Don't beat yourself up, get xPAP therapy working and you may find it much easier to lose. I've lost 52#s since starting CPAP therapy, got a lot more to lose but I am losing, couldn't say that pre-CPAP.

...have Systemic Lupus (and a plethora of other autoimmune issues)

Hope you've discovered omega 3 EFAs as in fish oils or Neuromins for those who don't eat fish. Had a friend with advanced lupus who found 2 packettes of Coramega fish oils daily stoped her bruising completely; gave her other relief too (can't remember what *sigh*...gotta 'love' apnea's effect on memory ).

...people that can "support" each other regarding all these CPAP issues

Lotta great folks here, great info too !

Welcome aboard!

[Mike77]

Stick with it. Once you get into the habit of using a PAP, you will find that it becomes like a favorite pillow. I have been using my CPAP since February and have found that it helps me fall asleep. I went without it for two days while I was traveling and I could not fall asleep. I felt like a child that had lost his favorite blanked.

We've all been through the process of getting use to wearing a mask to sleep. Lean on us and we'll help you through it.

[junie]

welcome to our forum

[LupieLady]

Thanks everyone. I turned off the ramp last night and that seemed to help! I still took it right off my face at around 4:30 or 5AM- but I kept it on most of the night. I sat awake with it on for about 20 minutes reading before I tried to go to sleep, and that helped a lot, too.

Well, I hope everyone had a good Independence Day! Have a great weekend and a goodnight tonight. Sleep well.

[jdm2857]

Don't worry about not wearing the mask the entire night at this early point in your therapy. You're doing great!

Just commit to wearing it every night and in no time you'll be using it all night with no problems.

[DyannaK]

Welcome to the forum