Kbh209's CPAP questions and updates

[kbh209]

I'm looking at the DreamWear Full Face sleep apnea mask, on the Phillips Respironics website. Has anyone compared it to the Amara View to see if it feels the same over the nose and mouth?

[Pugsy]

The DreamWear has softer material and less hard plastic...and a lower/smaller profile.
DreamWear on the left



The DreamWear is very similar to the Amara View....and improved Amara View IMHO

[kbh209]

I see the sleep specialist and the technician tomorrow to register the System One in my name tomorrow. I'm going to ask the tech if I can get a demo DreamWear mask so I can try it out for a couple of nights.

[kbh209]

So the person who set up the appointment for me to see both the technician and the physician today, only set me up to see the physician. So the SD card wasn't programmed into my name, nor was I able to try out the Dream Wear Full face mask. However the DME provider will program the SD card for me when I come into their office, once they receive the new prescription from the sleep clinic. If only Phllips and Resmed gave mask samples to try

[kbh209]

okay I'm going to tinker with the ramp settings tonight. 4 cm is too low, especially with me trying to get used to my machine again. Without the ramp, and just let the 9cm blow into my face, I get cranky and rip the mask off of me in 20 minutes. I must find a happy medium

[Miss Emerita]

For what it’s worth, I start at 7.4 and find that it feels pretty gentle. Good luck with the tinkering!

[kbh209]

Update: I received the new dream wear mask on April 29th, and last night (May 2nd) I slept all night with the mask and the CPAP machine. I'm getting back in the game of getting used to it.

[kbh209]

There's been some struggle with getting used to wearing the mask all night, much less an hour. Last night 05/12 was the second night in 30 days I slept all the way through the morning with the mask on. I am glad though that I'm at least struggling with the machine that my friend gave me and not another new machine. It'd be more stressful knowing I'd have to meet the 40 hour requirements again. The mask is super comfortable, it's just getting my brain shouting at me to take the mask off because of the air pressure, and I know it's going to take time to retrain my brain to say "oh yeah, this is needed."

[Miss Emerita]

Glad to hear things are progressing! You gotta show your brain who’s boss now.

[kbh209]

Man I thought I had got a few hours sleep last night with the mask on. I put the chip into OSCAR and found out I only got 1.5 hours in.

[Miss Emerita]

Oy! But I’m curious: what has the general trend been?

[kbh209]

The ramp takes 45 minutes to complete its cycle and usually my brain gets frustrated at either the 60 minute mark or around the 75 minute mark on average. I know what the issue is. I'm on Prednisone, though only 5MG for RA. The Prednisone keeps my brain from truly relaxing most nights. I take 1mg of Melatonin and use lavender oil to help counteract the Prednisone. . .which eventually allows me to sleep.

The Prednisone has been the only thing that hasn't given me bad bodily side effects, compared to Naproxen and Methotrexate, so the Rheumatologist has kept me on it.

[Miss Emerita]

Yes, prednisone can make restful sleep elusive, as I know from experience. My doctor prescribed a very low dose anti-depressant for sleep, which maybe helped some. Has your doctor suggested anything that might help?

[kbh209]

Yes, prednisone can make restful sleep elusive, as I know from experience. My doctor prescribed a very low dose anti-depressant for sleep, which maybe helped some. Has your doctor suggested anything that might help?

I've tried a few things, the lavender essential oil + Melatonin 1mg seems to be the best option for me. Anything prescription wise I build a tolerance too.

[kbh209]

I think I'm ready to call it quits, I cannot get to sleep with the mask on. I'm going to let my sleep specialist know of my decision during my next appointment in July. It's beyond frustrating after at least three weeks that I cannot get back into the old rhythm of falling asleep with the mask on. Why after 4.5 years am I having this complex?