First day after first night with Auto CPAP

[GIFeelBetterWithCPAP]

Yep, I'm a Newbie to the CPAP world and feel fortunate I can say my first night with my Auto CPAP was a success! I did wake up a few times throughout the night, but from what I've read it seems to be normal for the first few nights. There were a few other details that I noticed throughout my day today, but I have to say the biggest thing was for the first time in a long, long time I didn't need to get up from my desk and walk around just to stay awake throughout the day. I feel like I've won the major part of the battle because I've really been looking forward to getting started with the therapy so I can begin feeling better. I would imagine that coming into this with a positive approach has got to be a hurdle for some to overcome.

I do have a few questions for all you seasoned CPAP veterans out there. First I"ll give you the run down on little ole me. I did the sleep study a few weeks ago and my Dr. scored me at a 27 which he says is right under the cusp of having a sever case of OSA. I was thinking I was slightly moderate and was a little surprised to learn I was a heavy moderate. My Dr. prescribed an Auto CPAP and from what I understand is a new technology so I'm guessing there may be limited experience with this type of machine, but I'm sure most of the basics remain the same. One of the things with my first night that surprised me was two times I woke up and the pressure was a whopping 19.3 the first time and 18.something another time! I'm pretty sure the high pressure woke me up and from I've read is common for first time users because we feel like we're suffocating. The other strange thing that I've been noticing throughout the day is I almost feel like I'm still breathing with the mask on and pressured up. So, here are my two questions:

1. Is it common for an auto CPAP to pressure up this high after having an episode?
2. Has anyone else felt like they were still breathing with the mask on and pressured up?

I called the DME place where I got the machine from and spoke with them, but there's nothing like getting solid info from those who actually use a CPAP. I did read where I can set the ramp to auto, but it seems like most people I've read about turn it off after getting use to the machine.

Anyway, that's my story and questions, so any info shared will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!

[Wulfman...]

Yep, I'm a Newbie to the CPAP world and feel fortunate I can say my first night with my Auto CPAP was a success! I did wake up a few times throughout the night, but from what I've read it seems to be normal for the first few nights. There were a few other details that I noticed throughout my day today, but I have to say the biggest thing was for the first time in a long, long time I didn't need to get up from my desk and walk around just to stay awake throughout the day. I feel like I've won the major part of the battle because I've really been looking forward to getting started with the therapy so I can begin feeling better. I would imagine that coming into this with a positive approach has got to be a hurdle for some to overcome.

I do have a few questions for all you seasoned CPAP veterans out there. First I"ll give you the run down on little ole me. I did the sleep study a few weeks ago and my Dr. scored me at a 27 which he says is right under the cusp of having a sever case of OSA. I was thinking I was slightly moderate and was a little surprised to learn I was a heavy moderate. My Dr. prescribed an Auto CPAP and from what I understand is a new technology so I'm guessing there may be limited experience with this type of machine, but I'm sure most of the basics remain the same. One of the things with my first night that surprised me was two times I woke up and the pressure was a whopping 19.3 the first time and 18.something another time! I'm pretty sure the high pressure woke me up and from I've read is common for first time users because we feel like we're suffocating. The other strange thing that I've been noticing throughout the day is I almost feel like I'm still breathing with the mask on and pressured up. So, here are my two questions:

1. Is it common for an auto CPAP to pressure up this high after having an episode?
2. Has anyone else felt like they were still breathing with the mask on and pressured up?

I called the DME place where I got the machine from and spoke with them, but there's nothing like getting solid info from those who actually use a CPAP. I did read where I can set the ramp to auto, but it seems like most people I've read about turn it off after getting use to the machine.

Anyway, that's my story and questions, so any info shared will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!

APAP (Auto CPAP) machines aren't really "new", unless you consider about 18 years to be "new". I have manuals for them going back to about 1998.

Breathing characteristics (mostly Flow Limitations and Snores, but sometimes Apneas depending on the algorithms of the machines) are what primarily cause pressures to increase.
If you're not already using software to monitor your therapy, get "Sleepyhead" to use......and you'll be able to see what's going on during the night.

Some people can handle (sleep through) the changing pressures and for some it disturbs their sleep. So, it will be important for you to scrutinize your reports along with "how you feel" using an APAP in a range of pressures. I'm one who has had my sleep disturbed by the changing pressures and therefore have primarily used straight pressure for most of my 11+ years on this therapy. If the changing pressures don't bother you, that's great. If they do, you've been warned.
Sometimes it's beneficial to use a narrow range of pressures with the minimum pressure being high enough to prevent most of the events.


Den

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[Julie]

It's also very possible, depending on which mask you're using (??) that you lost lots of Cpap air by mouth breathing when asleep, and might need a different mask to accommodate... so what equipment are you using?

[Janknitz]

If your pressure was going up to 19 during the night it sounds like the pressure settings are set "wide open" from 4 to 20. The theory is that the pressure will go where it has to keep apneas under control, but that's not exactly correct. That wide open setting means that your machine often has to "chase" your pressures and go higher than it needs to because it has so far to go when it settles back down to 4 (I'm sure someone can explain "chasing" better than I).

Those pressure changes can indeed disturb your sleep. Once the pressures are set closer to where you need them (particularly the minimum pressure) you should not be so disturbed at night.

Did you have a titration study where you slept with the mask on to determine the correct pressure? If not, perhaps your doctor intends to dial in your pressures a little better on your follow-up appointment. Be sure to download Sleepyhead software and then we can help you take a look at what might be the optimal settings if your doctor is more of the "set it and forget it" type.

[GIFeelBetterWithCPAP]

Wow! I had no idea the Auto CPAP machines have been around that long! All I was going off of was something one of the people at my DME supplier told me. The machine I'm using is a ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset. The mask I'm using is a F&P Simplus full face mask #400476. Last night marks the third night with my equipment and I have to say I think I got lucky picking out my first mask. So far, no problems with leaking or any rashes or soreness from the mask or straps. The mask is actually quite comfortable.

What more can anyone tell me about the Sleepyhead software? Is this software to be able to read the SD card in the machine? I asked the girl at the DME place if I could read it and all she said was "No". It wouldn't surprise me if they don't want me to know about this software because it makes me more dependent on them. What's the name of the website to get the software? I just want to be careful on what website I go to for this. If anyone can provide a link for this, that would be great!

Thanks

[Pugsy]

Go here to get the SH download
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread ... workaround

DMEs don't want you to know about any software.
ResMed has ResScan software available also but not supposed to be for patients but we use it anyway.
Not sure why DMEs and docs don't want us to even know about the software because knowing about it doesn't really mean we are going to necessarily do anything to the settings...just because we can doesn't mean we will.
Unless they just want to put on the air that they are superior or some similar crap.

If you want to learn about ResScan...there's a video that explains how to use it and you can get an idea what it shows from the video.
http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/

It's the same data as SH reports because both software programs simply report what the machine gathers but each software sort of presents that data in a visually different format.
If you want to try ResScan if you poke around the forum I linked to above you can find out how to get it..
Some people like SleepyHead better...some people like ResScan better...some people will used both.
I usually suggest that people try both and use whichever one seems to fit their needs the best.