First Night with Bipap

[Morningglory]

Hi all,

I was able to pick up my first bipap machine and full face mask yesterday. I was really excited about it and eager to try it out. The first time I put it on, I never fell asleep. Twice after that I put it on and fell asleep but was woken to it both feeling too strong and also feeling leaky in a way I couldn't seem to adjust. (The sad face icon on the machine confirmed there was a leak.)

I think it's probably calibrated right but that the full pressure seems so strong. Is that just because I am not used to it yet? Is there anything I can do (like adjust the ramp setting) to help get used to it?

Are there any tips to making sure the mask is held the best in place possible? I usually fall asleep on my side (either one) if that helps.

[Julie]

What mask are you talking about?

[OkyDoky]

Morningglory, Welcome!
If you could fill in your equipment profile it would help save a lot of questions. Here is a link that tell you how. wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
Also it would be helpful to know what pressures you are using and if it is on auto or fixed.

[Morningglory]

My apologies. I filled out the profile.

[OkyDoky]

No apologies needed. There is a mask fitting guide here that might help. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/quattr ... videos-tab
Do you know your pressures? I too felt mine were strong initally at IPAP 15 and EPAP 11 but it didn't take long to get used to it. One of the suggestions here is to wear your machine when your are awake to get used to it such as when watching TV.

[SewTired]

Julie, just click on the picture at the bottom of her message to find her mask if you don't recognize it. In the profile, they give you a choice of pictures of equipment or written out.

[OkyDoky]

Julie, just click on the picture at the bottom of her message to find her mask if you don't recognize it. In the profile, they give you a choice of pictures of equipment or written out.

When Julie asked her question Morningglory's profile wasn't completed. So she didn't have anything to click on then.

[Julie]

Thanks... s'true, but it's a good reminder for newbies (about how to see the names).

[Morningglory]

Thanks, all. I've read some and watched videos and practiced some today with the mask on while I watched Netflix. I'm not sure how long it takes most people to adjust, but I'm sufficiently exhausted and tired of rotten sleep! As were many of you, I'm sure.

One thing I haven't yet been able to find is how loose/tight the chin strap should be. What problems are associated with having it too tight around the back of my head?

[Morningglory]

Also, I read another thread about leaks with this mask and users recommended SImplus headstraps. Should I try something like that or am I most likely having problems with leaks because I haven't yet figured out how to best wear the mask? Or both?

Thank you so much for your help. It's good to be able to ask questions here.

[OkyDoky]

As you have probably read a good mask fit is very individual. I've no experience with the Simplus head straps so I can't help you there. But a mask liner helped with my leaks such as Padacheek http://www.padacheek.com/ or Remzz https://www.cpap.com/productpage/remzzz ... iners.html or you can cut your own to try from an old soft tee shirt.

Have you downloaded Sleepyhead to see how your leaks look? This is a site that can help you with that. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead

[Sleeprider]

Certainly mask fit is important, but you describe a very disrupted night. You haven't provided your pressure settings, but can relate to how different breathing can be on a Bilevel machine. I used an auto CPAP for 8 years, and the first night I tried the bipap I think the pressure support (difference between IPAP and EPAP) was too high.

Getting used to a bilevel can take some time, and you'll have to be patient and hopefully things will settle out. Do post your settings, and a lot of good people on the forum are familiar with your machine, and can probably give you tips to help make the adjustment.

[Morningglory]

Thanks! I don't remember my settings, but will post them when I find them.

And to clarify, I'm not just new to bipap but to any kind of machine/mask at all. I've only ever used one during the night of my sleep study.

But there are a lot of resources, and that''s helpful. I just watched some of Jason's (TheLankyLefty77) videos as well. I noted too the one where he talked about using a martial arts mouthguard to help prevent leaks, so I'll try that once I get the basics down.

I downloaded Sleepyhead--thanks for that tip. My machine has a wireless transmitter so I didn't learn anything about accessing its data myself. I imagine I can just put it into my laptop's card reader.

[OkyDoky]

There is a lot to learn and you are doing great. I'm going to give you another link where you can get a copy of the Clinician manual for you machine. It will tell you how to get into the settings and change them if you ever want to. Just scroll down to the third section and follow instructions exactly for them to email one to you. http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual

First I think you need to get a written copy of your prescription and sleep study. They are a part of your medical records and you can request a copy. That way you know your Rx'd pressures and have a copy to get supplies from other sources if you want.

And yes with Sleepyhead you just put it in your computer card reader. Be sure and slide the card lock first and then slide it back open before you put it back in the machine. Also Sleepyhead will tell you what your pressures are set at if you can't find them on your machine.

The DME wouldn't tell you that you can access your data because it is supposed to be some big secret and a lot of people aren't concerned with being involved in their therapy. Your insurance and DME are mainly concerned with compliance data which does not tell them if it is effective therapy.