DH's first night!

[SleepyHead67]

Well after years of complaining to DH about his snoring and episodes of not breathing, he finally pulled the trigger and went to a sleep dr. He's got acute hypertension, suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm 3 years ago, is ALWAYS sleepy, falls asleep anywhere, and wakes up with a headache everyday. He takes an average of 2 naps during the day (1-1.5 hours each).

He got his machine yesterday (posted his equipment below). For the first time in the 5 years we've lived together, there was peace in my house. We don't sleep together, but I can always hear him from the guest bedroom on the other side of the house. I am actually looking forward to sleeping in the same bed soon!!!

I am happy to report he kept the mask on the entire night (12am-7am). He only got out of bed once to go to the bathroom (he usually goes 2-3 times). He didn't get much sleep though, and woke-up very tired. Because he was so tired this morning, he went back to sleep from 7am-9:30am and also used the machine. His main complaint was waking up feeling like he was chocking. My first thought was that maybe he was opening his mouth? Maybe a chin strap would help with this? Also, he complained that the other times he woke up it took him a "long time" to fall asleep. I should mention that DH falls asleep in about 45 seconds (as confirmed by the sleep tech). So anything above that feels to him like a long time. On a positive note, no headache this morning!

I think part of the problem is that he sleep on his side and he couldn't with his mask. Because he slept on his back, it didn't allowing him to sleep as he normally does and thus adding to the discomfort. I am going to remedy that by purchasing the Double Edge PAPillow (if anyone has any other suggestions, I am open to them).

In reading the forum, I see that people are able to get data about their use. I think this would be very helpful. Is this something they're getting off the machine, or is this what they use programs like Encore for? If software is needed, could someone kindly PM where I could DL them

I am a research nut, and so I am just starting this road and trying to be as supportive as possible and providing DH with everything he needs to succeed.

Any tips or advise anyone would like to share are welcomed!

ETA: For some reason his machine is not showing up. It's REMstar Pro 2 C-Flex

[cosmo]

Its nice that you're on top his treatment!

These first nights are always the hardest. After a few weeks, it will just be routine. Just don't let him be a quitter like most people that give up after a few unsuccessful tries because its too hard

If he feels like he is chocking, maybe his throat or mouth is dry?

Before cpap, I too would fall asleep right away within seconds because I was so tired during the day. Took me about 10-15 mins on cpap starting out. Now I'm back to falling asleep within a min or a few mins.

[mamagoober]

I'm also a spouse and not an actual user myself. My husband has been on the machine for almost 3 months and it has made a great improvement in our lives. It's nice that your husband is so willing to wear the mask even for naps. It's so important. Definitely provide some positive reinforcement for his wearing the mask. Resist the urge to laugh at it or use funny nicknames for it that he didn't think of.

The choking feeling I'm not sure about, but if he's noticing air leaking out of his mouth, a chinstrap might help. James decided he needed one late at night one night so I cut the top 2-3 inches off of a pair of panty hose and he wore that around his head to keep his mouth closed. It worked better than the actual chinstrap we purchased the next day.

James did make use of melatonin for a while to encourage him to fall asleep faster. He used it a while and now can fall asleep easily with the mask on (most nights).

I did download software (but his machine is a Resmed so I use Resscan which I assume doesn't work on your machine) and it was helpful to work out the kinks in his treatment. It was super helpful to see the leak line and how low it was since he always felt it was leaking too much. I could tell him that the leaks were such that they weren't impacting him (unless they were waking him) and that he could relax a little about them. That seemed to help.

I hope others can jump in and fill in the gaps I've left.

[Pugsy]

Look on the bottom of the blower unit for a 3 digit model number.
It will either be a 450 or 460.
If it is a 450 you can use regular SleepyHead software...see my signature line for links.
If it is a 460 that is the heated hose model and called a 60 series machine and SleepyHead needs a special patch file to get the data from 60 series machines. See this thread
viewtopic/t83551/SleepyHead-Series-60-Patch-Avail.html

I will send you a private message in a couple of minutes with information about getting and using EncoreBasic software.
It works with all the Respironics models.
EncoreBasic..Windows based software only.
SleepyHead has a Mac version if you are using a Mac.

If your husband is using the ramp feature on the machine he may be experiencing some "suffocation" feelings because often that beginning ramp pressure simply doesn't seem to move enough air. We won't suffocate with it but it can sure feel like we are.
The stifling feeling causes anxiety and will make it harder to go to sleep.
Ramp is optional...don't have to use it or the starting pressure can be increase a bit to make it more comfortable if this seems to be an issue for him