New machine and mask

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:13 pm

I now have a ResMed Elite S8 with EPR and a Hybrid mask. Upon first try at the DME's office this afternoon, I think I am going to love it! Normally, it takes me about 2 minutes to start feeling like I'm suffocating when I put on either a nasal mask or my ComfortLite 2. I just don't feel like I'm getting enough air. This afternoon, I had the Hybrid on (which felt extremely comfortable) and the Elite with EPR set at 3 for 30 minutes and I never had the urge to rip it off. I was perfectly comfortable sitting there reading a magazine. I can't wait to sleep with it tonight! I'll post tomorrow on how it goes. So far, I have had a ResMed Escape S8 with Comfort Gel followed by UMFF followed by ComfortLite 2. I couldn't keep the Comfort Gel or the UMFF on my face for more than an hour or two before ripping them off in my sleep. The CL2 was staying on at least 4 or 5 hours to my knowledge, but I have yet to make it through an entire night with therapy and I've had my machine since last December! I found out two weeks ago that I used C-flex in my sleep study and that's not what I was given. My DME switched me out from the Escape to the Elite with EPR at no charge even though it wasn't his fault that I wasn't given the wrong machine. Anyway, I am hopefully, finally, after almost 8 months, going to have effective therapy!

cpapjack · Post by **cpapjack** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:23 pm

Congratulations on getting what you needed and deserve. It's a good thing you chose to stick it out the past 8 months. Hopefully it won't take too long before you notice a difference.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:24 pm

Tonya, your DME provider/rep/RT is really coming through for you. I believe that I speak for those of us who have been following your saga when I say, "HURRAY!" This is just fantastic news. If you were here, I'd sing a bit of the "Hallelujah" chorus from "The Messiah." (Maybe you could just hear it in your head, anyway?)

You have been doing your darnedest to make the xPAP process work without having the proper machine functions. Furthermore, this has to be a real comedy of errors.

Congratulations, and please let your DME provider know that the forum is really happy to hear that they have helped you out. They truly did NOT have to do so, did they? And it is a pretty safe bet that you will want to do business with them again. It's always great when businesses are actually nice, because so many seem to think of life as a cut-throat business.

Maybe because I live here in oh-so-nice Midwest, but there is a grocery store in town that everyone loves. The workers stop to ask how you are doing, smile a lot, always are encouraged to chat with the customers and to go out of their way to help. They also do everything they can to help out local organizations and schools with donations and by donating a percentage of all their sales slips.

They treat their workers very well, and students who work for them are given a great deal of flexibility in scheduling their hours around activities. They have benefits (including medical insurance) for their employees, and lots of nice little things for customers through the year. Just driving around their parking lot, the people coming or leaving are nicer to each other. Customers feel the positive atmosphere and smile and greet each other.

This grocery is NOT the cheapest; there is a bigger chain store nearby. However, the chain store doesn't cut it when it comes to people. They have even built a new store; I ran in there today and it just seems dirty and depressing to me. (They have a colored and sealed concrete floor, which somehow manages to look stained and soiled instead of variegated. Maybe a lot of other shoppers like it.)

Although this chain is really a great choice closer to the big cities, here I have made several complaints to the manager. They usually include a (hopefully) balanced account of what happened--as a teacher, I always try to see both (or many?) sides to the story--and the words, "I know this wouldn't have happened at the other store." Sure, these things could be ignored. However, it would be condoning the treatment.

Isn't it great to know that you have a DME provider like the better grocery store?

This got longer than expected, as usual....However, I'm sure you will sleep better just KNOWING that everything is now right with your treatment. You have really accomplished something by being assertive and standing up for what you NEED. Way to go.

From one CL 2 user to another, "Go with that hybrid, girl!" I'm getting better with my CL 2, but it would be nice to avoid mouth taping. So, you are an example for me. Only 9 more months until I can get one via insurance! Sorry to look upon you as my guinea pig; but let us know how it works, anyway. I, for one, will be thinking of you tonight.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:08 pm

uh, Oh! After reading Big Bird's post, I forgot what I was going to say...
..I must be getting old..Oh dear....

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:25 pm

Sorry, all, I get going and going and going it really did not seem so long and did not look that long in the preview! (It must be all the energy from using CPAP for all of 3 and a half months now.)

Plus this was the only post I've been able to get through the system in ~24 hours with my user name. Hopefully this will be the second. My quota has not been met for the week.

BTW: If things around here ever get slow, I have a couple of well-worn lectures from my years and years and years of teaching that I can post. Any requests for same will cheerfully be PM'd should a message appear in my inbox. Try not to overwhelm the system, though. I'm already having trouble posting.

And just FYI to Rusty Old Gadget, umm...or whatever: the name is Birdshell....and I am over 50.... and hopefully not even half-way yet (given a sound mind and reasonably sound body). I have my forgetful moments, too--but I am USUALLY pretty good with names, except ones that start in "O".

Sincerely though:

No offense meant, and I hope there is none taken.

I'm only hoping this post will go through in anything less than 15 tries. Take heart, I’m going away for a few days soon and you will miss me, won't you!?!

Yours,
Karen
aka birdshell
aka big bird to Old Gearhead (who at least cares enough to give me some grief--Thanks!)

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:28 pm

I am off to bed as soon as I finish a few things on the computer and I'll let you know how it goes sometime tomorrow! I had the mask on for a little while earlier while watching tv to get used to it and it is so comfortable! I just hope it stays put without leaks once I get it on and start tossing and turning. I will definitely keep you posted.

patbringer · Post by **patbringer** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:54 pm

ladytonya wrote:I now have a ResMed Elite S8 with EPR and a Hybrid mask. Upon first try at the DME's office this afternoon, I think I am going to love it! Normally, it takes me about 2 minutes to start feeling like I'm suffocating when I put on either a nasal mask or my ComfortLite 2. I just don't feel like I'm getting enough air. This afternoon, I had the Hybrid on (which felt extremely comfortable) and the Elite with EPR set at 3 for 30 minutes and I never had the urge to rip it off. I was perfectly comfortable sitting there reading a magazine. I can't wait to sleep with it tonight! I'll post tomorrow on how it goes.

Ladytonya,
I'm very happy that your DME has given you the best equipment without being purely profit driven. I have the REMstar Auto CPAP with C-Flex and Hybrid but I've read that the EPR feature works just the C-Flex. I love my Hybrid mask!! I was very afraid how I would tolerate this therapy but I think I got the perfect equipment that has made it quite comfortable. I feel very energetic and finally want to live and enjoy life to the fullest!

Pat

ldemmery · Post by **ldemmery** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 3:22 pm

At last another DME that isn't the "devil". I really like mine too. Last time I went looking for a mask, they actually ordered one for me that wasn't in their "stash". And when it didn't work for me, they didn't make me buy it. They allowed me to try it for 2 weeks before making the "buying" decision. They asked for my input on it and gave the next suggestion on what to "try" before buying. And when I was ready to buy, they didn't even charge me for the service, only for the cost of the mask.

Wehn I first started with CPAP, we had a hard time finding that "first" mask. I try and try and ended up trying about a half dozen mask. One of them didn't work at all and I called and we changed it a day after. They took apointments from me on a day's notice.

While I'm sure they're not the cheapest in town and that I could get some stuff over the internet (and I have). I will keep them as a supplier of my masks.

Lynne (in Ottawa)

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:31 pm

My first night with the Hybrid was pretty good. I wore the mask longer than I've worn any other I've tried - went to be around 1:00 am and woke up at 6:00 am with it still on. Unfortunately, my nose was really sore so I didn't put it back on at that time. This was with both the nasal pillows and the mouth seal size medium. My DME had suggested that I might want to try the small mouth seal, so I was going to but didn't want to turn on the light and fumble for my glasses which would have disturbed my husband. I woke up again at 9:00 am to use the bathroom and at that time, I switched the mouth seal to the small. That did not work at all, it was so small that it didn't even clear the corners of my mouth. I switched back to the medium mouth seal and changed the nasal pillows to large, thinking that maybe the larger pillows might not hurt my nose quite as much. I tossed and turned some and ultimately removed the mask and went back to sleep for a few more hours. This afternoon, I was able to comfortably wear the medium mouth seal with large nasal pillows while watching television and that's the combination that I am going to go with tonight. My main complaint about the mask is the same as I have with the nasal masks I have tried in the past - I don't like the feeling of the air blowing on my face. The mask itself is comfortable and I can breath fine, but I just don't like the sensation of the air blowing on my skin. That's why I ultimately switched to the CL2 before because that had minimal contact with my face and no air blowing on me. Only drawback of the CL2 was I still had mouth breathing problems and that is what let me to try the Hybrid. I have tried chin straps and they don't stop me from mouth breathing. I cannot bring myself to try taping my mouth shut. Even the thought of doing that freaks me out. I'm hoping that over time I can get used to the sensation of the air on my face because I really think this Hybrid mask can work for me. I'll let you all know how tonight goes - I appreciate all the encouragement! Thanks!

wolftracker · Post by **wolftracker** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:06 am

the hybrid is giving me a sore on my nose ...
i think i just figured it out... it is the piece that connects
the two nasal pillows together that is rubbing my nose
raw ...

anyone else having this problem ...

i believe i will cut them apart before tonite

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:53 am

Ladytonya,
I found that after the first 2 nights I no longer feel the air blowing on my face. You can use ayr gel and/or chapstick for the sore nares. This also went away after the first few days for me.

Wolftracker,
I cut that connector piece off the first day. I use a length of dental floss tied from one top post to the other to hold the pillows 'in' towards my face. This is working fine for me.

Brenda

Issac · Post by **Issac** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:42 am

This hybrid mask is a sure keeper for me. The technology behind the chin flap is a medical miracle for me because my AHI's have dropped considerably,as well as my sleeping all the way through the night forthe first time in my life. I cannot say eneough about this full face mask.
I was waking up every hour like clock work, no matter what mask I wore and what machine I used. I thought it was my prostrate.
I sleep 7 to 8 hours now without waking up and my nap after work doesn't happen any more because there is no need. Since my first week, I have had absolutely no need to use my skin creams for the horrible psoriasis I would get all over my face, arms, and neck. My wife says my skin hasn't been this clear since before my son was born who is now 24.
Amazing what a little good sleep will do for your health.
I am still waiting for the VPAP. The machine is in, but somehow my insurance is back tracking even though I'm returning the Resmed Vantage automatic CPAP . I went to a Dr. outside of my plan to finally get straightened out and I have to now go back to the sleep Dr. That cheated me out of getting what I needed in the first place and have him rewrite my treatment plan to include bi-pap.I may have to have my attorney call his office to help speed everything up and I hate to do that. I realize now that I have to take my healthcare into my own hands and that is my priority now that I'm getting a glimps of what I should feel like. My quality of life is worth fighting for. I should mention that my pressure is up above 17cm 80% of the night. It was 19cm on the Resmed full face mask, but 2cm lower using the Hybrid. That's only 2cm difference, but those 2 cm of pressure make a big difference in sleep comfort.

patbringer · Post by **patbringer** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:54 am

Issac wrote:This hybrid mask is a sure keeper for me. The technology behind the chin flap is a medical miracle for me because my AHI's have dropped considerably,as well as my sleeping all the way through the night forthe first time in my life. I cannot say eneough about this full face mask.
I was waking up every hour like clock work, no matter what mask I wore and what machine I used. I thought it was my prostrate.
I sleep 7 to 8 hours now without waking up

Issac,

I can vouch for that! I use this Hybrid Mask with a REMstar Auto CPAP with C-Flex. Last night, both AI and HI were 0.0 with 90% pressure. This Hybrid puts a lot of air through the nares and mouth and the C-Flex feature makes exhalation easier. I'm beginning to wonder if the Hybrid and C-Flex are working in tandem to make the whole breathing process easier. Any thoughts???

Pat

Issac # · Post by **Issac #** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:06 am

Wolftracker,
have you snipped the pillows apart yet? If not, give it a try so you can reposition the pillows a little. Tha angle can then be moved.

Issac again · Post by **Issac again** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:14 am

Pat, I do not understand the difference between CFLEX and Bi-PAP because I'm still stuck with the auto cpap Vantage from Resmed, which is not a bad machine, it's just not for me. With my pressure, I need Bi-Level, although breathing against the pressure with the Hybrid is much, much easier than breathing against the pressure on the Ultra Mirage Full Face mask. It is night and day. My worst night with a Hybrid was better than my best day with a Resmed mask. Even the machine thinks so accorging to the difference in pressure requirements.

New machine and mask

New machine and mask

FINALLY!

Senior Moments

Re: New machine and mask

i think i just figured out