Totally New to all this...

[solarisfire]

Hi Forum,

I'm Steve, 23 years old, living in the UK...

No private medical care so currently being looked after by the NHS in the UK. Went for a sleep study back in early December and was finally told during a follow up appointment in the UK yesterday that I do actually have sleep apneoa.

Kind of shocked by this so started searching for support communities today at work and found this forum

Last night was my first night on CPAP, I was given a ResMed S8 Escape II, and a ResMed mirage liberty mask. Last night I was waking up almost hourly where I tried to roll over and was obstructed in doing so by either the mask or the breathing tube. Is this normal? and do you get used to it?

The strange thing is, that even though I woke up so much, I still felt more rested this morning than I have after any nights sleep in at least the last few months.

[cflame1]

look up hose management in the Wiki

A lot of folks will hang their hose from the wall behind them or from their headboard in order to get around what you're describing or to get around the hose weighing on the mask.

[bdp522]

Hi Steve! Welcome to the forum!

This is normal. It takes time to adjust to sleeping with a mask, machine and hose. You will get used to it. You can also check for masks that have hoses going up over the head that may be more comfortable for you.

This link by Rested gal will tell you all about hose management;

viewtopic.php?t=10640

The fact that you woke more rested than usual is a very good thing!!

Brenda

[bap40]

I'm glad your first night went okay for you. For some people it can and does take some time to get used to all of this. I would try hanging the hose as suggested in another post. Masks as I am sure from reading on the forum is usually the biggest issue to get right. Most masks have a 30 day return policy so you have some time to work with what you have or try another one.

Iv'e been doing this for 3yrs this month and it is now just another part of my getting ready for bed. Don't even think about it anymore, just gear up and sleep. I would never even consider sleeping without my machine.

Good luck

[NancyAZ]

Welcome to the forum, Steve. I just started using a CPAP machine a week ago today and I'm having many of the same issues that you are. Each night it gets a little better as I figure out what problems I am having and come here to cpaptalk.com to find solutions. This forum is a gold mine of information. Good luck!
Nancy

[Emilia]

Welcome! Read all you can here to learn as much as you can. Unfortunately, the machine given to you is incapable of giving you any efficacy data on your therapy. The only data is has is compliance data---how many hours you used it and how many nights. That is to let the insurance folks know you are using what they gave you. Machines that are fully data capable provide the detailed information on your therapy and allow you to know pressure, leaks, events, and 'see' how things are going. This information allows you to tweak settings to afford better treatment. Without that information you and your doctor/provider are flying blind.. So, bottom line is the only thing you have to go on is how you feel, but that doesn't necessarily tell you the whole picture.

If it is possible to purchase your own machine, I would encourage you to do so. Keep reading here about the machines we use, the software and what it tells you, and how you can become an empowered and knowledgable patient.

Best of luck to you!

[solarisfire]

Wow thanks for the warm welcome guys.

Second night went a lot better, after reading up on cable management on the site I managed to build a small rig attatched to the shelf above my bed that must have kept the hose in the right position because I slept from 9:30pm last night to 7:30am this morning totally uninturrupted. I actually woke up before my alarm went off which I haven't been able to do for years.

Feeling like a million dollars right now.

I was browsing the ResMed website for information regarding the S8 Escape II and it does sound like one of the more basic models. If in a few weeks, if deem that this treatment is something woth spending money on I will definately buy a more advanced CPAP with software for more accurate monitoring.

[FamilyNature]

Welcome.

I'm pretty new to all of this as well. I got my first machine on December 1st (a loaner machine) and have sorting out mask/leak issues ever since. I finally just got a new machine of my own and have settled on a mask that works the best for me.

Great to hear that you're feeling better. I feel like a different person. I too wake up before my alarm regularly. I sneak out of the bedroom and have a cup of coffee by myself before the kids all wake up.

FN

[Gerald]

Solarisfire.......

Welcome....and my compliments to you on a great attitude!

To immediately begin solving therapy problems by "rigging" tells us that you'll do well.

As you learn more about the people on this forum, you'll find that most of us are tweaking, modifying, and rigging all the time......anything to make our therapy more effective and more comfortable.

The good people on this site will do all they can to help you.

G

[amelia76]

Hi all, I too am totally new to all this - so new that I don't even have the Rx for a machine yet! But that should be resolved by early next week. I have no idea what I should be looking for in machine or mask but maybe some of you can advise if I tell you a bit about my situation and needs: -

I have moderate OSA, with snoring.
I am a mouth breather (nose gets stuffed up very easily and it is sometimes impossible for me to breathe through my nose) and from what I've read so far it seems that I should start with a full face mask.
I have a deviated septum, which I hope to get repaired in a few months; my sleep doctor told me that it may not help but I'm going for it anyway.
I will be looking for a fully data capable CPAP machine, ideally one that is lightweight for traveling.

Any tips will be welcome!