Stranger in a new land.

Sir.Squirtle · Post by **Sir.Squirtle** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:10 am

Hello, just diagnosed with severe OSA and getting used to all the new terms and so forth. I had a AHI of 70 at the sleeplab and prescribed a CPAP machine. Don't know the make or model, but it has a ramp feature and other nifty ideas. I use a full face mask which I didn't like the idea of at first, but it's alright now. So far Ive slept maybe a total of 2 hrs with CPAP, after 3 days of having it. I put it on when I feel sleepy, but once I have it on I think too much. The great thing is I'm not scared of it, I just have to get used to it. I move around and once I find a comfy position, I get a leak that starts the process all over again. I also don't like the idea of using the humidifier on it, since it feels warm enough breathing out. Another thing I notice is my lungs hurt a bit due to the force of breathing against the air. I have asthma, so this gets a little tiresome. Is chest discomfort normal at first? I hear CPAP increases lung capacity over time. Input will be taken to the heart! Thanks

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:06 am

Squirtle
Try and wear the mask while doing things around the house, maybe watching tv or reading a book. It will become second place to you, then when you go to bed just plug in your machine and go. You can even wear the mask and use the machine while doing the same things...it becomes second nature after a while and you won't even know its there. Please go to your profile and click on equipment so that we know what you are using, it makes it so much easier for us to help you when we know what you afre using. Please use text not pictures as so many machines look the same in pics. Welcome to the forum by the way and may your journey be an easy one.
Cheers
Nan

Sir.Squirtle · Post by **Sir.Squirtle** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:23 am

Thank you, Nan! I will fill out the equipment part as soon as I get home. Btw, how has CPAP helped you?

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:32 am

Hi
I am 68, so of course have lots of old lady problems so its hard to tell too much, but the cpap has given me back my energy, I can do so much more than before cpap. I no longer need an afternoon nap to make it through the day either. You will slowly get back your energy, you must realize you will have a large sleep debt to catch up on as you will have had this disease for longer than you think. Take it a step at a time and do read everything on this forum, go to the light bulb wiki at the top and the new users guy. Read read and read some more, you will educate yourself and be able to be your own advocate to better health.
Good luck
Cheers
Nan

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:36 am

You might want to try "passive" mode with the humidfier. That is water in the chamber but no heat. I use that setting almost year round because the heated humidity causes me congestion.

As for exhaling, your machine probably has exhalation relief (depending on the machine it goes by different names). It lowers the pressure while exhaling and you have several choices fo settings. You need to experiment to see which is right for you.

archangle · Post by **archangle** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:39 am

Some discomfort is normal at first. Your lungs and chest muscles should rapidly get used to exhaling against the pressure. Maybe a week or two.

Getting a mask that doesn't leak is often the worst challenge. One trick is that sometimes tightening the straps makes it worse.

You usually can swap masks up to 30 days after you get them, but try to work with each mask. Sometimes the "perfect" mask isn't perfect until you learn how to fit it correctly.

TalonNYC · Post by **TalonNYC** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:22 am

Welcome!

The discomfort should abate within the next week or two. Mostly, it's because your brain and lungs aren't used to forcing air OUT, they normally have to draw air IN. However, this isn't dangerous - you're right that long distance runners even buy devices designed to make them breathe like that to increase their vital volume for training. Once your brain gets used to it, and your muscles get up to speed, it will be a lot more comfortable.

For me, about 1.5 weeks in, I suddenly didn't notice the mask after about 20 minutes. Meaning I knew it was there, but my brain kind of edited it out of what I was aware of. Kind of like pajamas or the bed itself, unless something is wrong you forget they're even there shortly after you lie down.

I'd go with the suggestion to use passive humidification, just turn the humidifier down to zero and it will pass the air over the water without any heat. Right now it's not a big thing, but in the dry air conditions of winter, you'll feel it if you don't use a humidifier.

Keep us posted!

Sir.Squirtle · Post by **Sir.Squirtle** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:07 pm

Thanks Nan, Hawthorne, arch, and tallon I'm taking in all you have to say. I will do the passive humidifier setting tonight. My machine has an a-flex setting that I keep at 3. I just remembered that at work. Glad there are people that take the time to post. I'll be back with the gear names

snuginarug · Post by **snuginarug** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:26 pm

Sir.Squirtle wrote: I also don't like the idea of using the humidifier on it, since it feels warm enough breathing out.

Once you get used to wearing the mask, it may not seem like your exhalation is so warm. However, trying out the humidifier on "zero" with water in the chamber (passover or passive mode), as the others above have suggested, is a good idea. Experiment. Your comfort is key, and experimentation is the best way to find the optimal settings for yourself. A number of things about cpap function and comfort are counter-intuitive, so keep an open mind. You might benefit from loosening the mask instead of tightening it, turning up the humidifier to deal with congestion rather than turning it off, etc.

I think you are off to a good start. Willingness to do the whole cpap thing is half the battle. You've got an excellent attitude. Here's hoping you adjust quickly and easily and soon reap the great benefits of cpap.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:35 pm

You mention A-Flex as exhalation relief on the machine you have. You probably have the PR System One Remstar Auto with A-Flex then.

You pressure setting(s) (titrated pressure) would also help us to help you as well as filling in your machine, mask etc info .

Sir.Squirtle · Post by **Sir.Squirtle** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:54 pm

Hawthorne, it is that one! Philips Respironics REMstar auto system one. The mask is a ResMed.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:42 pm

As you can see, that is the machine I have. It is an excellent machine.

What Resmed mask exactly is it? It is Full face, nasal, or nasal pillows? Resmed makes all those types of masks.

Fill in your profile and let us know your pressure setting(s).

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