Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Woolybugger
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Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

Post by Woolybugger » Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:10 pm

I'm 34 years old. I'm 6'1" and I weight 245 pounds. I have done 3 sleep studies and they finally figured out that I have central sleep apnea. The third study was to try me on an ASV machine. I had 4 OSA's and 28 central apneas in one hour which I believe puts me in the severe category. I have been a bad sleeper for many years and I know my Dad has sleep apnea even though he would never get diagnosed! Is central apnea hereditary? My Mom also has RLS, but they told me I don't have that. I do not snore that much and I had or still have a hard time believing or understanding that my brain isn't telling my body to breathe when I'm asleep. I'm a Dad and I have baby number 2 on the way. I figured it was time to figure out why I didn't sleep well. I need to have more energy. While I was getting my sleep studies done my Doc. took a couple blood samples. She found out that I was very deficient in vitamin D and I was also iron anemic. My Mom and Gram are also anemic, so they think it is hereditary, but they are looking into it. All my other blood work came back normal. So...........I got my machine 4 days ago. It's a ResMed S9 Adapt with humidifier. I've used it every night since I got it and things are going pretty good. I still wake up several times through the night, but I am able to keep my mask on and make it through. I think this machine is awesome and a ,lot less annoying than I thought it would be. I get up in the morning feeling very weird though. Is this because I'm not used to getting the deeper sleep that I'm getting? I always cough out some nasties and feel a little dizzy when I first get up. How long before I feel the results? I keep telling myslef that this machine is going to keep me healthy for my kids. Please reassure me that I'm doing the right thing! Does anyone have any advice for me?

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Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: ResMed S9 VPap Adapt
Last edited by Woolybugger on Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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archangle
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Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by archangle » Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:22 pm

Lots of people feel strange after starting CPAP, but it usually goes away.

Your body makes a lot of changes to try and cope with apnea. I suspect that when you stop having apnea, these changes may "overshoot" in the other direction. It may be like withdrawing from some drugs or alcohol. Your body has to adjust and find it's balance again.

Some people talk about paying back a sleep debt.

However, don't get too complacent and ignore something that's a sign of some unrelated medical condition. Just because you're starting CPAP doesn't mean you can't get something entirely unrelated.

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Mr Bill
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Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by Mr Bill » Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:18 pm

Wollybugger, welcome to the forums.
Your story is quite similar to mine in that my mom and sister both have RLS also, but I seem to have dodged that bullet. I developed CSA like gangbusters at the age of 55. Although, it may possibly have been simmering for many years. Now, my 80 year old mom also has CSA diagnosed a year before mine. I've been told by the sleep lab guy and by my doctor that CSA runs in families and is heritable. Apparently, not at any particular age. I'm not surprised you feel different in the morning.

Sounds like you are off to a good start. Since you are aware of having to keep your mask on, you may be sleeping pretty light. It takes time for your mind/body to decide that sleeping with the mask is good. Just stick with it. We all have different results but I think we all also agree that without this therapy, we would be on a vector to an early grave.

I sometimes have a really hard time getting enough sleep and I am a little hazy today. As you go along, post questions and somebody will have an idea or experience that helps.

P.S. choose text form in your machines rather than pictures. The pictures all look the same.
EPAP min=6, EPAP max=15, PS min=3, PS max=12, Max Pressure=30, Backup Rate=8 bpm, Flex=0, Rise Time=1,
90% EPAP=7.0, Avg PS=4.0, Avg bpm 18.3, Avg Min vent 9.2 Lpm, Avg CA/OA/H/AHI = 0.1/0.1/2.1/2.3 ... updated 02/17/12

Woolybugger
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Location: Maine

Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by Woolybugger » Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:18 pm

Thanks so much for responding to my post. I have now used my VPap for 7 nights. It's been on for about 9 hours a night. I wish I knew how much sleep I was getting and how many apneas I've been having. Is there a way to find that information out?

I still feel weird in the morning, but I think this transition is going pretty good so far. It doesn't seem to bother my wife, and the machine is really quite quiet. I'm hoping the therapy is helping me and I'll find I have more energy soon.

I did change to the text format and I see what you mean. Thanks again. WB

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Mr Bill
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Re:Help: New ASV user. Here's my story

Post by Mr Bill » Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:48 pm

OK now, change the thread title by editing the subject. Try: "Help: New ASV user. Here's my story". That will get one of the ResMed S9 VPap Adapt users to pop around and see whats up. I am certain your machine is data capable and all you need is the memory stick, a reader, and the software. I have the other brand but John Fisher has one and there are others.

Once you can download your nights data, we can take a look at it and maybe guess whats going on. But its fantastic that you are logging good hours so soon after getting it. Keep it up.
EPAP min=6, EPAP max=15, PS min=3, PS max=12, Max Pressure=30, Backup Rate=8 bpm, Flex=0, Rise Time=1,
90% EPAP=7.0, Avg PS=4.0, Avg bpm 18.3, Avg Min vent 9.2 Lpm, Avg CA/OA/H/AHI = 0.1/0.1/2.1/2.3 ... updated 02/17/12

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Pugsy
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Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by Pugsy » Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:57 pm

Woolybugger wrote: I wish I knew how much sleep I was getting and how many apneas I've been having. Is there a way to find that information out?
You can use ResScan software. You can find a link in UncleBob's signature here
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643

You will want to watch the video tutorial http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/

ResScan is a Windows based software so if you use a Mac you will need to setup a Windows environment for it.

You can also use SleepyHead which is a software that works on multiple machines including yours. Written by one of our forum members here. I have information about it in my signature line.
It does have a Mac version available.

If your computer already has a SD slot..you don't need anything special to use the SD card from the machine. If your computer doesn't have a SD slot then you only need a SD card reader/adapter for one of the USB ports. Cheap generic card reader/adapter will work. Doesn't have to be a fancy one.

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Newbie Woman
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Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by Newbie Woman » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:16 pm

Fairly quickly after I started CPAP, my blood pressure began dropping. It seemed impossible that it would happen so fast, but I was getting loopy when I stood up and my meds had to be adjusted. Just a thought.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:31 pm

The song is true: ". . . oxygen: too much, you get high, not enough and you'll die."
It is powerful stuff, and even in normal air, you finally get enough--things really can change--fast!
This is why careful observation, even to keeping a journal, is such a very good idea.

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Matty332
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Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by Matty332 » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:43 pm

Hey Wooly bugger, please look up my posts on feeling weird first. It may turn out that I need a VPAP like you (on CPAP at the moment) - If it worries you go back to the sleep specialist doctor.

CPAP/VPAP saves lives.

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Woolybugger
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Re: Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

Post by Woolybugger » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:49 pm

I can't believe so many people are offering their help. This forum is amazing and I think I know more about sleep apnea now than my Doctor (not my sleep doctor!).

I haven't had a problem sleeping with my mask, but it has been hurting my nose and especially my forehead. I have the ResMed Mirage Quatro. My wife noticed, after only 8 days, I was bruising on my forehead. Anyway, I noticed from another post that I could exchange masks within 30 days. I went in and they gave me the Quatro FX. It feels comfortable and there is nothing covering my eyes or touching my forehead. Hopefully I made the right choice. Does anyone else have thoughts on the Quatro FX. I try it for the first time tonight!

Gotta run cause my 2 year old is waking from his nap. I'll get on later and address all the other posts.

To Mr. Bill and all the others : THANKS!

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Sheriff Buford
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Re: Help: I'm new to all of this. Here's my story.

Post by Sheriff Buford » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:55 pm

chunkyfrog wrote:The song is true: ". . . oxygen: too much, you get high, not enough and you'll die."
Man... I can sing the song... but who sang it...?

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Buggstzer
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Re: Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

Post by Buggstzer » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:03 pm

Just got a S9 adapt 4 days ago. I read posts on here about not fighting the ASV machine while breathing and made special note for night one. I tried to not "fight" the machine and ended up trying to take in MUCH more air than I should have. I think it made me start to hyperventilate, so I took a deep deep breath and let it out slow regardless of what the machine wanted to do and that seemed to make the machine calm down and let me breath at my own rate. I then had to concentrate for a bit to keep my desire to over-breath under control. Managed to drop off to sleep and slept really well. Occasionally it tried to run away again and I found that just moving a bit *maybe getting a less constrictive passage way", calmed the machine down too. Oh, I also have a Quattro FX and have had real good luck with it.

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Sheriff Buford
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Re: Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

Post by Sheriff Buford » Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:23 am

Buggstzer wrote:Just got a S9 adapt 4 days ago. I read posts on here about not fighting the ASV machine while breathing and made special note for night one. I tried to not "fight" the machine and ended up trying to take in MUCH more air than I should have. I think it made me start to hyperventilate, so I took a deep deep breath and let it out slow regardless of what the machine wanted to do and that seemed to make the machine calm down and let me breath at my own rate. I then had to concentrate for a bit to keep my desire to over-breath under control. Managed to drop off to sleep and slept really well. Occasionally it tried to run away again and I found that just moving a bit *maybe getting a less constrictive passage way", calmed the machine down too. Oh, I also have a Quattro FX and have had real good luck with it.
Try the EPR setting on your S9. The EPR is a fixed pressure is delivered with optional Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR). EPR can help ease any discomfort that your patient experiences when breathing out during treatment. EPR will lower the pressure so it's easier to breath out. This should ease your breating. You can set it from 1 - 3.

Sheriff

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Buggstzer
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Re: Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

Post by Buggstzer » Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:28 am

Not really having problems with it, just getting used to it. I'm pretty good with my settings, here are my first 5 AHIs starting on Friday night: 0.45, 0.41, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 I think I'm off to a good start!

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JohnBFisher
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Re: Help: New ASV user. Here's my story.

Post by JohnBFisher » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:03 am

Sheriff Buford wrote:
Buggstzer wrote:Just got a S9 adapt 4 days ago. ...
Try the EPR setting on your S9. The EPR is a fixed pressure is delivered with optional Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR). EPR can help ease any discomfort that your patient experiences when breathing out during treatment. EPR will lower the pressure so it's easier to breath out. This should ease your breating. You can set it from 1 - 3.

Sheriff
Sheriff, while everyone appreciates you reaching out to help, I thought I would point out that an ASV unit does not have an EPR setting. The VPAP Adapt is a BiLevel machine that also acts as a respirator when we stop breathing. It has a LOT of other fancy settings that (initially at least) should be left as is.

But don't get me wrong. Everyone appreciates that you contribute. Our efforts to help one another is what makes this such a remarkable forum. And your participation has helped countless others. So, don't see this as a criticism. Just a slight correction based on these crazy machines.

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