Rhodesengr's thread

[rhodesengr]

Hi all. I am brand new on this forum but not new to CPAP. I first had sleep studies done about 15 years ago and was given a CPAP machine (fixed flow type). I had a full mask and a nasal pillow mask to use. I stopped using it soon after getting it because i found i was waking up for various reasons due to the CPAP machine: dry mouth, sounds from air leaks, etc. not really exactly sure why but it seemed like I woke up more with the CPAP machine than without. So I figured what's the point.

fast forward to about a month ago: new insurance (Kaiser) and at my annual checkup, I mentioned long term night time breathing problems. They set me up with a take home sleep test where I scored 27 events per hour so they gave me 7 day trial with an auto pressure machine (Respirtronics) and two masks: a full and a nasal cover mask. After a week of use, the data showed the nasal mask worked better than the full mask and my AHI was down to 5.8. My personal experience was the same as before, waking up often and the nights seeming to take for ever. However, I have noticed that my daytime drowsiness is much better so even though I am waking up a lot, I am getting better sleep. Bottom line, the machine helps my sleeping but also wake me up multiple times per night.

When I returned the loaner machine and mentioned all of the above, I was given a third mask to try. It is a Resmed nasal pillow type but does not have a model on as it is marked "not for resale". It looks exactly like a P10 and they gave me size M.

They ordered me a new machine but while waiting for it I dug out my older machine and have been using it with the P10. I have not compared the P10 enough to the nasal cover mask but I think in general I like the pillow type mask better. However, the straps are not adjustable and it may be too tight. The other two masks have adjustable straps.

I plan to stick with CPAP this time but I would really like to reduce or eliminate the wake ups due to using CPAP. Before CPAP, I rarely actually woke up. I am pretty sure I wake up when I start letting air out my mouth. Sometimes I wake up with a dry mouth and sometimes I think its just from the sound of the air rushing out my mouth or other discomforts from the mask as I move around. You know how sometimes just just catch yourself snoring as you wake up? Well I just barely hear air rushing out my mouth as I wake up.

When I get my new machine, I can post its details. Thanks in advance for any ideas about how to reduce or eliminate CPAP caused wake ups.

[yippeekia]

Good for you for taking control of your health! It may seem daunting, but you are amongst others who have walked the same path. I would recommend that you confirm that your settings are optimal. People here will help if you post your equipment and settings. Sleepyhead software is great at helping fine tune your settings. Then start working on comfort and staying asleep.

It can feel overwhelming at first. But it is a process of small changes. I found some changes behavioral. I try not to eat within 3 hours of bedtime. It helps me sleep better. Some are dealing with noise. I lowered my CPAP below the level of the mattress. Some are geared at improving my partners sleep. I changed masks to one that doesn't blow directly on him. Some are diet related. I don't drink caffeine past noon.

I wish you luck on your journey. There are answers, just know that it is a process. Best Wishes!

[rhodesengr]

to update, I just picked up my new machine so other than the first 7 days trial, no time on it yet. It is a REMstar Auto A-Flex.

Some other possibly pertinent info. For years now, I have been using a Tempurpedic adjustable bed. I try to mostly sleep on my back in the so-called zero-gravity position: knees elevated and torso elevated. This was mostly because it cured some lower back issues but also helps with GERD for which i take Prevacid and has probably also helped me get by with apnea/snoring. I can and do sometimes shift to my side without making the bed flat. My mattress is a little hard to stay on my side for very long since my arm falls asleep and then that wakes me up. I may get a softer Tempurpedic but that would be a few thousand dollars so its competing with other purchase priorities.

[BlackSpinner]

Just get a memory foam mattress topper. It will make all the difference.

[ChicagoGranny]

Thanks in advance for any ideas about how to reduce or eliminate CPAP caused wake ups.

Download the free Sleepyhead software and learn how to use it. You might be amazed at how detailed data can point to problems that are causing awakenings. There is plenty of help here on using SH and analyzing reports.

[ChicagoGranny]

my AHI was down to 5.8

I should have mentioned something else. If you sleep 7 hours and your true AHI is 5.8, that is about 40 arousals per night.

Let's get some SH data and see what the problems are.

[SewTired]

rhodesengr, I have trouble with the P10 also because it is a little too tight (big head). Stretch the straps near the mask manually. I took the straps off the mask so I wouldn't wreck the actual mask. I stretched the sides pretty well and that seems to have eliminated most of the problems. I still have trouble with straps sliding up the back of my head at night, but that's minor compared to the nose bruising I was getting. My AHI is under 1 with this mask, so I was determined to make it work. I also like the Circadian masks, but they are a tad expensive and not an included option with my DME.

[rhodesengr]

Let's get some SH data and see what the problems are.

Yes I agree. getting the software is on my short term to do list. Since I just picked up my new machine today, there is no data on it anyway.

Also, due to the strap color, I am pretty sure Kaiser gave me the "for her" version of the P10 so its not surprising its a tad tight. Not getting brusing though or anything. I will have to try to get that straightened out and maybe get a chin strap.

When I get some data, do I just pots the raw data from the SD card or images of plots or what is the preferred scheme to post data?

[ChicagoGranny]

When I get some data, do I just pots the raw data from the SD card or images of plots or what is the preferred scheme to post data?

We like to see pretty pictures. Or ugly pictures that we can help you turn into pretty pictures. See - viewtopic/t88983/Pugsys-PointersSleepyH ... Hints.html

An example from Pugsy's Pointers --->

[ChicagoGranny]

Here is another tip. I just noticed a new member starting a new thread just about every time she posts. It's usually best to stick to one thread so we can see the history of what has been tried and what problems remain. You could continue to use this thread.

After your therapy is well under control, you might want to make new posts to address very specific problems that sometimes arise.

[OKCSleepDoc]

to update, I just picked up my new machine so other than the first 7 days trial, no time on it yet. It is a REMstar Auto A-Flex.

Some other possibly pertinent info. For years now, I have been using a Tempurpedic adjustable bed. I try to mostly sleep on my back in the so-called zero-gravity position: knees elevated and torso elevated. This was mostly because it cured some lower back issues but also helps with GERD for which i take Prevacid and has probably also helped me get by with apnea/snoring. I can and do sometimes shift to my side without making the bed flat. My mattress is a little hard to stay on my side for very long since my arm falls asleep and then that wakes me up. I may get a softer Tempurpedic but that would be a few thousand dollars so its competing with other purchase priorities.

You may not have a choice at this point, but you should return the Remstar Auto A-Flex if you can. Respironics newest device is the Respironics Dreamstation Auto and if you were going with Respironics, I would recommend you get the latest device rather than 1-2 generation old device.

[chunkyfrog]

You can also add comments to your first post; and even alter the title to reflect updates.
This helps those of us who have old brains.

[rhodesengr]

OK, I have one night now on the new machine. I'm at work so i can't put data into Sleepyhead until tonight. The 1 night AHI readout was 1.2 and the 90% pressure was 11. So I guess it was mostly working ok...... however....

I had two problems. The first was with the humidifier and is a problem I also had with my old machine. Water seems to condense in the hose so after a while it starts to make a gurgling sound as the air bubbles through the tube. I called Kaiser and they offered to get me a heated tube so that should solve the water problem.

The second problem is kind of weird and i could really use some advice. After i got the water out of the tube, I just went back to normal CPAP. After a minute or two, I started breathing very hard and deep. I felt like I wasn't getting enough air and the breathing was pretty involuntary. I took the mask off and my breathing went back to normal. Put the mask back on and my breathing became deep and heavy again. This did not occur on the 7 day trail or using my old machine for a few nights before i got the new one. Any ideas what could cause that? Anyone else experience involuntary heavy breathing while awake just from wearing the CPAP? I also tried hitting the ramp button but that didn't seem to make much difference.

[ChicagoGranny]

What are your pressure, pressure relief and ramp settings? For easy reference, you can put this in your Equipment Profile under Comments.

Anyone else experience involuntary heavy breathing while awake just from wearing the CPAP?

I would be willing to bet this was a voluntary response, not autonomous. At this point, I would not worry about it. It's unlikely to become a chronic problem.

[rhodesengr]

What are your pressure, pressure relief and ramp settings?

Not sure about pressure relief, i don't recall seeing that. My normal starting pressure is 5psi. The ramp takes it down to 4. If I try chan9ing it, I can change it 4.5 or 5 which would be no ramp I guess. The ramp time came set for 30 minutes.

So the last two nights, I disconnected the humidifer so no more water collecting in the tube and its related gurgling. The sleep data was better and i woke up a lot less. The AHI for both nights with no humidifier was around 1.5. The leak rate seems pretty constant around 15. The night with the humidifier, it looks like I had a period of a few hours where i was mouth breathing with lots of detected snoring. The machine ramped up to 11 psi. The last two nights with no humidifier, the pressure stayed below 8. I didn't see anything remarkable in the data. I can post some over the weekened so you all call look at it.

The heavy breathing thing has not happened again. I may try the humidifier again over the weekend but I may wait until the heated tube shows up.

Re the comment about returning the System One, since Kaiser just bought me this one, I doubt they'll buy me another brand new Dreamstation. How is it different?

Also, why is my machine not showing up under my posts? I PM'ed admin about it but didn't hear back.