New to CPAP

[c3po]

Hi, I just started using the CPAP machine with the nasal pillows. I have had seven good nights according to my machine, little leakage, on for 6 plus hours, only one or two times taking off, etc.... I know i am getting up only one time at night instead of multiple times, so that is different. I did wake up in the middle of a dream because I was yelling for my spouse in my dream and apparently I was doing that with my mouth actually opening because i have the nasal pillow mask and I woke up with the weird push back that happens when you try to breath through your mouth with the pillows on. My events increased to 50 times with sleeping on my back and REM combo, which I kind of already knew because I would often wake up for no apparent reason in the middle of a dream before the machine- so a little disappointed this can still happen! Any way, I have a couple of questions. My nose is starting to feel irritated, can I apply any cream before bed or should I be careful of what I use - will it harm the "pillows" at all? Also, when do I start feeling better? I know that it can take awhile but seems that if it is working well and it's been a week I should be noticing a change in how I feel during the day, right? Still feeling sleepy...
Thanks1

[LSAT]

Hi, I just started using the CPAP machine with the nasal pillows. I have had seven good nights according to my machine, little leakage, on for 6 plus hours, only one or two times taking off, etc.... I know i am getting up only one time at night instead of multiple times, so that is different. I did wake up in the middle of a dream because I was yelling for my spouse in my dream and apparently I was doing that with my mouth actually opening because i have the nasal pillow mask and I woke up with the weird push back that happens when you try to breath through your mouth with the pillows on. My events increased to 50 times with sleeping on my back and REM combo, which I kind of already knew because I would often wake up for no apparent reason in the middle of a dream before the machine- so a little disappointed this can still happen! Any way, I have a couple of questions. My nose is starting to feel irritated, can I apply any cream before bed or should I be careful of what I use - will it harm the "pillows" at all? Also, when do I start feeling better? I know that it can take awhile but seems that if it is working well and it's been a week I should be noticing a change in how I feel during the day, right? Still feeling sleepy...
Thanks1

Your events increased to 50 per hour (AHI) or 50 for the entire night? Where are you getting the numbers from?
Say Hi to R2D2 for me.

[zonker]

hi, c3po and welcome aboard! for help with the nose irritation, get to your local drugstore and get some lansinoh brand lanolin. you'll find this in the baby department as it's used by nursing mothers to sooth their sore nipples. seems to work well on the nose and isn't harmful to your nasal pillows.

and hang in there; you'll quite likely be getting used to this soon and getting good sleep and feeling better during the day. it takes a bit longer than you might imagine.

or at least it did for me.

[c3p0]

Thanks! I'll give that a try.

And to previous poster, data was from my overnight sleep study. My AHI was 20 but increased to 50 AHI with the on back and REM combo. I'm feeling especially tired today for some reason even though I managed to use the machine for 8 hours last night, which was pretty exciting- so I don't get my tiredness. I suppose it just takes time. I have a lift time of sleep deprivation to make up for...

[Pugsy]

What machine are you using? Brand and model?

Hopefully it will gather some data so you can use available software to make sure that your therapy is optimal at least on paper.
If it isn't optimal for some reason that might explain not feeling so good today.

Not all machines gather that sort of data though. Some have SD cards but only gather how many hours you use it but don't tell you if it is working optimally or not.
So brand and model name (or number) is important.

[c3p0]

I am able to log in and get my "scores" for the night. It has been going really well. I have been scoring in the 90's., using it for over 6 hours a night, with two to four removals, about 2 AHI and pretty low leakage- last night it said zero leakage but I'm not sure i believe it! I know i had to take off and readjust a couple times initially because it was leaking.

I have the AirSense 10 and the AirFit P 10 for her

[Pugsy]

If you want to see more detail use the software available. Free and easy.
See here
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment