Hello everyone!
I am new here. I have recently been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea with 68 apneas per hour. I have been reading and learning more about OSA other than what the doctor told me. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 it will take a lot longer time to get an CPAP-machine so I bought a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset with a humidifier and a full face mask. I invested a lot of money in a machine and mask because it's really expensive but it's worth it to get proper and real sleep.
New to this, so I have a lot of questions.
I have been in contact with the doctors office, but they were pretty busy so didn't really get that much help. They said they can hook up my machine by the serial number to their system and monitor me alongside with other patients. Is this something common, and how does the monitor thing work? If I understand right, this is common and something that most people do. I have been seeing other people saying that they can change settings etc on the machine on distance, but I also know that there are software available out there that allows the user to control and monitor the sleeping chart and settings individually.
These are my settings on the CPAP-machine currently:
Response - Standard
Ramp Time - 45 min
Start Pressure - 4.0
EPR: Off
Humidity Level: 4
ABfilter: No
Essentials: On
SmartStart: Off
Press.Units: cmH20
Temp. Units: C
Mode: Autoset
Max Pressure: 20.0
Min Pressure: 4.0
Excuse me if I have missed something. Please let me know if I have and I will be sure to provide that. This is how my settings are right now with entering the clincial menu on the machine. Grateful if anyone can help me set it up correctly with the right settings or just let me know if everything is right or if anything needs to be changed. OR if I should call the doctors office again and I guess they will set up and change the settings accordingly? Not sure if I could or should do this, with help of course. Do I even dare to start and monitor it with software as OSCAR or Sleepy Head and probably more software that I don't even know of, in the mean time or not? I would like to get started as soon as possible.
Thank you for a great forum and thank you for any help!
Hello, new here!
Hello, new here!
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
 |  |
Oh, what a great letter! A newbie with a brain and motivation! 
Ok, what you do want to do is get Oscar set up (with any old SD card in there until you take it out to see results) and you can DL it free from the stickies on the front page here.
The second thing is that we definitely try different settings all the time (just don't tell your MD this week as their egos get upset
). Yours are the standard default ones, 20 being good for the max, but 4 being almost impossible to breathe at for almost anyone... so changing that to 6 to start out would make more sense. And don't bother with the Ramp feature because at those settings you wouldn't want to waste the time. The monitor thing is usually not good for much either as most doctors don't use Oscar and their nurses are even more ignorant. What they will see though is that you do use the machine at least 4 hrs a night and that might matter to your insce. co. if they're paying for the equipment. It does matter to many of course.
Anyhow, what mask did you get?
Are you e.g. in Arizona that you felt you needed the humidifier at 4? It's not 'therapy' in any case, so if at any time you don't want it, don't use it, but most people like a little a lot of the time, depending on climate etc. where they live.
Stay with this thread when you come back with results and please follow instructions re posting carefully re which graphs, etc. to use and not, plus don't bother with the calendar. Whew!
Welcome and good luck!
Ok, what you do want to do is get Oscar set up (with any old SD card in there until you take it out to see results) and you can DL it free from the stickies on the front page here.
The second thing is that we definitely try different settings all the time (just don't tell your MD this week as their egos get upset
). Yours are the standard default ones, 20 being good for the max, but 4 being almost impossible to breathe at for almost anyone... so changing that to 6 to start out would make more sense. And don't bother with the Ramp feature because at those settings you wouldn't want to waste the time. The monitor thing is usually not good for much either as most doctors don't use Oscar and their nurses are even more ignorant. What they will see though is that you do use the machine at least 4 hrs a night and that might matter to your insce. co. if they're paying for the equipment. It does matter to many of course.Anyhow, what mask did you get?
Are you e.g. in Arizona that you felt you needed the humidifier at 4? It's not 'therapy' in any case, so if at any time you don't want it, don't use it, but most people like a little a lot of the time, depending on climate etc. where they live.
Stay with this thread when you come back with results and please follow instructions re posting carefully re which graphs, etc. to use and not, plus don't bother with the calendar. Whew!
Welcome and good luck!
Re: Hello, new here!
Welcome to the forum.
Go here and download and read the clinical/provider manual. It has more details in it than the user manual.
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf
Does the machine have a SD card in it? If not you can go to Walmart or similar store and get any generic SD card and it will work.
Or you might have one laying around the house somewhere.
2 GB size is plenty big enough but they are getting hard to find...everyone is selling bigger capacity and it won't hurt a thing to go bigger.
I got a 8 GB sandisk SD card at walmart...works fine. Just don't get one of those really big 64 bit fancy SD cards...you don't need it and they are super expensive and the machine might have a problem configuring it.
Your settings you posted...those are all the factory default settings....and they are all explained in that manual.
This setting...
This setting...
EPR is exhale relief...also explained in the manual. Right now there is none and you may or may not need it or even like it.
Cross that bridge once we get some idea of a minimum pressure need for you and how you can handle it.
I really like it myself.
Minimum pressure of 4....that's the lowest the machine can go ...you may or may not be comfortable with it. Most people feel a bit air starved or like they are suffocating with it. You won't suffocate but it sure can feel like it. There's just not much air moving at that low of a pressure and if you want to use EPR...you can't because the machine can't go below 4 anyway.
From the humidity setting it looks like you got a non heated hose....the 4 setting is the middle of the road setting...gotta start somewhere and middle of the road is as good as any. If you end up getting some condensation in the mask or hose....we will again cross that bridge if/when you come to it.
Temperature....C for Celsius and F for Fahrenheit...you can change it to whatever metric you are used to.
Ramp...this is when the machine starts out lower and gradually increases up to the minimum you have set. I would turn it off...you shouldn't need it unless you end up needing pressures much higher than what I am going to suggest you start with. During ramp if you fall asleep the machine won't flag or deal with any apnea events you might have...it's drawback to this brand.
If it comes to a point where you need a much higher minimum starting point and you need to take some time to ease up to it...we can talk about it later. There's a place for ramp but you shouldn't need it right now.
So...
Here's what I suggest people start with and see how things go.
Auto Mode...
Minimum 6
EPR ON...set to 2
Maximum...leave at 20 to start with. It won't go anywhere near it most likely and if it does it will have a good reason. If you start having a lot of gas or belly pain and it's going very high we can talk about it and maybe rein it in because we don't want belly issues.
Turn Ramp off for now...you turn the minutes all the way down and the last choice is 0 which means it is off.
You will need OSCAR and the SD card
OSCAR https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... stallation
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... rpretation
And post an image of the detailed report...here's a thread explaining what I like to see the format in. I don't want all those graphs...way too much work for both you and me.
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html
We can get this figured out probably fairly quickly. If we run into something unusual...won't be the first time and we will deal with it.
When you post a report for review...please also include how you slept and how you feel. Those things are important too.
If you have questions about anything I said above...just ask. They are clear in my head but it doesn't always end up so clear on paper.
Oh...the SD card MUST be in the machine to get the detailed data graphs and such. Those files aren't stored in the internal storage...the only files stored on the machine are the summary data files...basic AHI and events and maybe pressure/leak numbers.
Go here and download and read the clinical/provider manual. It has more details in it than the user manual.
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf
Does the machine have a SD card in it? If not you can go to Walmart or similar store and get any generic SD card and it will work.
Or you might have one laying around the house somewhere.
2 GB size is plenty big enough but they are getting hard to find...everyone is selling bigger capacity and it won't hurt a thing to go bigger.
I got a 8 GB sandisk SD card at walmart...works fine. Just don't get one of those really big 64 bit fancy SD cards...you don't need it and they are super expensive and the machine might have a problem configuring it.
Your settings you posted...those are all the factory default settings....and they are all explained in that manual.
This setting...
...change it to "Plus"...this way you can see your sleep report data on the machine LCD screen if you ever just want a quick look. Note...the default reporting parameters are for 30 day average...change it to 1 day if you just want one night. Also note that if you ever lose power for some reason...the machine will revert to the 30 day parameter when the power comes back on. I always forget this when we have thunderstorms and brief averages. So you have to change it back to 1 day....again this is explained in the manual.Essentials: On
This setting...
when it is turned to "ON" means when you first put the mask on and take a few breaths it will come on automatically and you don't have to push the button....and if you take the mask off it will normally shut the machine off after about 10 seconds. I say normally because there are some situations with some mask where this auto off feature doesn't work so great. Cross that bridge if you come to it.SmartStart: Off
EPR is exhale relief...also explained in the manual. Right now there is none and you may or may not need it or even like it.
Cross that bridge once we get some idea of a minimum pressure need for you and how you can handle it.
I really like it myself.
Minimum pressure of 4....that's the lowest the machine can go ...you may or may not be comfortable with it. Most people feel a bit air starved or like they are suffocating with it. You won't suffocate but it sure can feel like it. There's just not much air moving at that low of a pressure and if you want to use EPR...you can't because the machine can't go below 4 anyway.
From the humidity setting it looks like you got a non heated hose....the 4 setting is the middle of the road setting...gotta start somewhere and middle of the road is as good as any. If you end up getting some condensation in the mask or hose....we will again cross that bridge if/when you come to it.
Temperature....C for Celsius and F for Fahrenheit...you can change it to whatever metric you are used to.
Ramp...this is when the machine starts out lower and gradually increases up to the minimum you have set. I would turn it off...you shouldn't need it unless you end up needing pressures much higher than what I am going to suggest you start with. During ramp if you fall asleep the machine won't flag or deal with any apnea events you might have...it's drawback to this brand.
If it comes to a point where you need a much higher minimum starting point and you need to take some time to ease up to it...we can talk about it later. There's a place for ramp but you shouldn't need it right now.
So...
Here's what I suggest people start with and see how things go.
Auto Mode...
Minimum 6
EPR ON...set to 2
Maximum...leave at 20 to start with. It won't go anywhere near it most likely and if it does it will have a good reason. If you start having a lot of gas or belly pain and it's going very high we can talk about it and maybe rein it in because we don't want belly issues.
Turn Ramp off for now...you turn the minutes all the way down and the last choice is 0 which means it is off.
You will need OSCAR and the SD card
OSCAR https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... stallation
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... rpretation
And post an image of the detailed report...here's a thread explaining what I like to see the format in. I don't want all those graphs...way too much work for both you and me.
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html
We can get this figured out probably fairly quickly. If we run into something unusual...won't be the first time and we will deal with it.
When you post a report for review...please also include how you slept and how you feel. Those things are important too.
If you have questions about anything I said above...just ask. They are clear in my head but it doesn't always end up so clear on paper.
Oh...the SD card MUST be in the machine to get the detailed data graphs and such. Those files aren't stored in the internal storage...the only files stored on the machine are the summary data files...basic AHI and events and maybe pressure/leak numbers.
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
Re: Hello, new here!
Oh...there is a clock...make sure it reflects your local time or your report times will be off. Not the end of the world but annoying when things don't jive and you are trying to figure out when something happened.
Be careful when adjusting it....double check that the calendar data is also correct....I messed that up once myself...big mess to fix.
Again...it's explained in the manual.
Be careful when adjusting it....double check that the calendar data is also correct....I messed that up once myself...big mess to fix.
Again...it's explained in the manual.
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
Re:
Hi there!Julie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 7:23 pmOh, what a great letter! A newbie with a brain and motivation!
Ok, what you do want to do is get Oscar set up (with any old SD card in there until you take it out to see results) and you can DL it free from the stickies on the front page here.
The second thing is that we definitely try different settings all the time (just don't tell your MD this week as their egos get upset
Anyhow, what mask did you get?
Are you e.g. in Arizona that you felt you needed the humidifier at 4? It's not 'therapy' in any case, so if at any time you don't want it, don't use it, but most people like a little a lot of the time, depending on climate etc. where they live.
Stay with this thread when you come back with results and please follow instructions re posting carefully re which graphs, etc. to use and not, plus don't bother with the calendar. Whew!
Welcome and good luck!
Thank you so much for the welcome and your reply! Sorry for the wall of text.
My mask is a Airfit F20 with cushion.
No insurance as I bought the machine with my own money so I guess I could set up and do what I want with it, but I want it to be right of course.
I have not used the CPAP yet, just bought it so I haven't changed or set up the settings. I guess these settings are the default ones as you say.
I will download OSCAR. I have an SD-card that came with the machine when I bought it. It is a Resmed SD-card. Will it work with a regular card reader?
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
| |
Re: Hello, new here!
Hello!Pugsy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 7:27 pmWelcome to the forum.
Go here and download and read the clinical/provider manual. It has more details in it than the user manual.
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf
Does the machine have a SD card in it? If not you can go to Walmart or similar store and get any generic SD card and it will work.
Or you might have one laying around the house somewhere.
2 GB size is plenty big enough but they are getting hard to find...everyone is selling bigger capacity and it won't hurt a thing to go bigger.
I got a 8 GB sandisk SD card at walmart...works fine. Just don't get one of those really big 64 bit fancy SD cards...you don't need it and they are super expensive and the machine might have a problem configuring it.
Your settings you posted...those are all the factory default settings....and they are all explained in that manual.
This setting......change it to "Plus"...this way you can see your sleep report data on the machine LCD screen if you ever just want a quick look. Note...the default reporting parameters are for 30 day average...change it to 1 day if you just want one night. Also note that if you ever lose power for some reason...the machine will revert to the 30 day parameter when the power comes back on. I always forget this when we have thunderstorms and brief averages. So you have to change it back to 1 day....again this is explained in the manual.Essentials: On
This setting...when it is turned to "ON" means when you first put the mask on and take a few breaths it will come on automatically and you don't have to push the button....and if you take the mask off it will normally shut the machine off after about 10 seconds. I say normally because there are some situations with some mask where this auto off feature doesn't work so great. Cross that bridge if you come to it.SmartStart: Off
EPR is exhale relief...also explained in the manual. Right now there is none and you may or may not need it or even like it.
Cross that bridge once we get some idea of a minimum pressure need for you and how you can handle it.
I really like it myself.
Minimum pressure of 4....that's the lowest the machine can go ...you may or may not be comfortable with it. Most people feel a bit air starved or like they are suffocating with it. You won't suffocate but it sure can feel like it. There's just not much air moving at that low of a pressure and if you want to use EPR...you can't because the machine can't go below 4 anyway.
From the humidity setting it looks like you got a non heated hose....the 4 setting is the middle of the road setting...gotta start somewhere and middle of the road is as good as any. If you end up getting some condensation in the mask or hose....we will again cross that bridge if/when you come to it.
Temperature....C for Celsius and F for Fahrenheit...you can change it to whatever metric you are used to.
Ramp...this is when the machine starts out lower and gradually increases up to the minimum you have set. I would turn it off...you shouldn't need it unless you end up needing pressures much higher than what I am going to suggest you start with. During ramp if you fall asleep the machine won't flag or deal with any apnea events you might have...it's drawback to this brand.
If it comes to a point where you need a much higher minimum starting point and you need to take some time to ease up to it...we can talk about it later. There's a place for ramp but you shouldn't need it right now.
So...
Here's what I suggest people start with and see how things go.
Auto Mode...
Minimum 6
EPR ON...set to 2
Maximum...leave at 20 to start with. It won't go anywhere near it most likely and if it does it will have a good reason. If you start having a lot of gas or belly pain and it's going very high we can talk about it and maybe rein it in because we don't want belly issues.
Turn Ramp off for now...you turn the minutes all the way down and the last choice is 0 which means it is off.
You will need OSCAR and the SD card
OSCAR https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... stallation
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... rpretation
And post an image of the detailed report...here's a thread explaining what I like to see the format in. I don't want all those graphs...way too much work for both you and me.
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html
We can get this figured out probably fairly quickly. If we run into something unusual...won't be the first time and we will deal with it.
When you post a report for review...please also include how you slept and how you feel. Those things are important too.
If you have questions about anything I said above...just ask. They are clear in my head but it doesn't always end up so clear on paper.
Oh...the SD card MUST be in the machine to get the detailed data graphs and such. Those files aren't stored in the internal storage...the only files stored on the machine are the summary data files...basic AHI and events and maybe pressure/leak numbers.
Thank you for the welcome and the well written reply! It feels good to be here and I am thankful for the help.
Yes, the machine came with an Resmed SD-card when I bought it. Will this work fine or do I need to buy something else? Don't really know how many GB it is though.
I have changed the settings now according to your recommendations. Thank you! Next step is to get started with OSCAR. Haven't used the CPAP yet because I just bought it and also wanted it to be set up correctly before using it so this will be the first time. Is it okay and safe for me to get started now or should I wait till II get the hang of OSCAR? Also, do you recommend me calling the doctors office again and having them monitor my machine or should I just do this whole thing myself and by the help of you pros out there?
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
| |
Re: Re:
That will work fine, it's a standard SD card.
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
|  |
Sleep loss is a terrible thing. People get grumpy, short-tempered, etc. That happens here even among the generally friendly. Try not to take it personally.
Re: Hello, new here!
We have a lot of people here who went the DIY route with their apnea therapy.
Unless you run into some off the all stuff there is no reason to get the doctor involved unless you just want to.
The ResMed SD card will work just fine with any card reader and the OSCAR software.
Might as well start tonight....can't do anything with OSCAR until you sleep with the mask and machine.. Gotta be a first night sometimes.
If we see something on the OSCAR reports that looks like you really should get with a doctor ASAP...we will tell you.
This stuff isn't rocket science and unless some sort of problem comes up (rare) this is something you can manage fairly easily.
Unless you run into some off the all stuff there is no reason to get the doctor involved unless you just want to.
The ResMed SD card will work just fine with any card reader and the OSCAR software.
Might as well start tonight....can't do anything with OSCAR until you sleep with the mask and machine.. Gotta be a first night sometimes.
If we see something on the OSCAR reports that looks like you really should get with a doctor ASAP...we will tell you.
This stuff isn't rocket science and unless some sort of problem comes up (rare) this is something you can manage fairly easily.
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
Re: Hello, new here!
I have downloaded OSCAR. I followed the instructions and hope I did everything correct. It detected my CPAP-machine correctly when I hooked up the SD-card so that's a good first step I guess. Are there any settings I need to change or is it good to go?Pugsy wrote: ↑Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:57 pmWe have a lot of people here who went the DIY route with their apnea therapy.
Unless you run into some off the all stuff there is no reason to get the doctor involved unless you just want to.
The ResMed SD card will work just fine with any card reader and the OSCAR software.
Might as well start tonight....can't do anything with OSCAR until you sleep with the mask and machine.. Gotta be a first night sometimes.
If we see something on the OSCAR reports that looks like you really should get with a doctor ASAP...we will tell you.
This stuff isn't rocket science and unless some sort of problem comes up (rare) this is something you can manage fairly easily.
I am bit nervous about this. I usually sleep on my side or on my stomach and move a quite bit in my sleep. My mask is a Airfit F20. Will it be possible for me to sleep on my side or my stomach or do I need to sleep on my back? If that's the case, it's going to be hard. I want to make sure that the mask does not fall of my face in my sleep or that the mask isn't covering my whole face. Or that the Climateline tube get's disconnected.
Like I stated in my first entry, I have a humidifier that goes along with it. Should I change the water every night or how does that work? Also, how many hours is it okay for the CPAP-machine to be turned on? Say that I one day sleep for like 10 hours or something. Someone mentioned electrical overheating somewhere and I most certainly want to avoid that at all costs.
I really appreciate your help! Thank you!
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
| |
Re: Hello, new here!
You can sleep in any position you want to...even on your stomach...with any cpap mask. Now you might need to fiddle with your bed pillow or hang the mask off the side of the bed pillow a bit but it can be done.
In fact sleeping on your back can make your OSA worse so we most often tell people to avoid back sleeping if at all possible.
In fact sleeping on your back can make your OSA worse so we most often tell people to avoid back sleeping if at all possible.
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
Re: Hello, new here!
You shouldn't need to change out the water every day - just top it up at night, but keep an eye on the tank weekly or so to look for e.g. pink slime in corners that could need to be removed. Don't worry about using it for 10 hrs at a time - it is meant to be used, just don't leave it on continuously all day and night indefinitely.
-
Miss Emerita
- Posts: 3758
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:07 pm
Re: Hello, new here!
Did you already try a first night with your machine? If you did and it went swimmingly, ignore the rest of this post!
One good way to ease into treatment for your apnea is to start out by setting up the machine outside your bedroom and using it during the day or evening, while you do something diverting like reading, watching TV, or using your devices. Ideally you'll be lying down so that you can see whether your mask fit needs tweaking when you're supine.
You can do this for a couple of days before trying night-time use. The idea is to give yourself some time to get used to the new experience before you lie there in the dark trying to fall asleep with it.
If you get part-way through the night and then lie there awake for more than 20 minutes, you can sleep the rest of the night without the machine during this period of adaptation. (Some people would disagree with this statement, but I think it's important to avoid creating negative associations with CPAP.) Over a period of a week or two, you would work up to using the machine all night.
One small thing: could you put your machine and mask information in your profile? That way it'll be there whenever people read your posts.
One good way to ease into treatment for your apnea is to start out by setting up the machine outside your bedroom and using it during the day or evening, while you do something diverting like reading, watching TV, or using your devices. Ideally you'll be lying down so that you can see whether your mask fit needs tweaking when you're supine.
You can do this for a couple of days before trying night-time use. The idea is to give yourself some time to get used to the new experience before you lie there in the dark trying to fall asleep with it.
If you get part-way through the night and then lie there awake for more than 20 minutes, you can sleep the rest of the night without the machine during this period of adaptation. (Some people would disagree with this statement, but I think it's important to avoid creating negative associations with CPAP.) Over a period of a week or two, you would work up to using the machine all night.
One small thing: could you put your machine and mask information in your profile? That way it'll be there whenever people read your posts.
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution |
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/
Re: Hello, new here!
Hello everyone,
Wall of text incoming. Sorry for that and thank you for reading!
I have now had the CPAP-machine for just about a month and have been getting to know it and trying to learn everything about it, including the settings alongside learning about sleep apnea and all that surrounds it. I am doing this by myself with the help of you guys on the forum and not the doctors office that can hook up and monitor my machine.
For some, the phase with getting to know the machine and sleep with it comfortably and properly seem to go very smoothly, but some are struggling and it just don't work whatever you do. I am unfortunately in the secound group. I have heard and read before how difficult it is for many to sleep and get used to the machine and the mask, but I didn't think it would be this hard and difficult. I went in this thing wholeheartedly and eager to start and make the best of it as possible so I could get the oh so important and proper sleep like most people, so much to the fact that I payed for it all to be able to get started as soon as possible.
I have been trying to sleep with the machine every night now without any luck. I have been using it in the day too to get used to the machine and the mask, it's fine until I lay in bed ready to sleep at night. The issue for me seem to be the face mask and not the settings. I have tried to change every setting possible now that I have gotten to work the machine. The settings user Pugsy recommended to try out with first seem to be fine.
As I wrote in this thread earlier, I was worried that the mask would fall off my face in my sleep or that the mask would not be covering my whole face or even that the climateline tube would get disconnected somehow. This was due to the fact that I usually only sleep on my stomach or my side, and not my back. Well, those problems did not arose.
That I sleep on my side or my stomach seem to be the issue with the full face mask. I don't know if this is a thing with every full face mask or only mine. When I sleep on my side or stomach the mask blows cold air in my nose, eyes and just even my entire face even when adjusting it and it's properly put on my face according to the mask fit setting on the CPAP-machine. The cold air is something that prevents me from falling asleep, I don't know if this is a issue with the humidifier or if I need to change anything that has to do with that. Also, I can barely breathe with the full face mask on and that is another issue, even though I have tried to change every single thing to make it as smooth and comfortable as possible. Sometimes I adjust my sleeping position to be able to lay on my side or stomach at least a bit comfortably, but then the mask is not covering my face properly or it leaks air so the CPAP-machine would be useless.
So the issue for me do not seem to be the settings, just the mask. Every night I pray and think "this is the night It will work, this is the night I will be able to sleep with the machine!" But no. Every night I lay there in bed, tired, with the mask on my face for hours without falling asleep, tussing and turning when it dosen't work. Laying still for hours sometimes. Even when I'm totally exhausted I can't fall asleep with the mask on. After hours of trying and not giving up, I finally cave in and fall asleep as soon as I put the mask away and turn off the CPAP-machine. I refuse to give up and I give it a fair shoot everyday because I am so eager for it to work and I am fully aware that I need to make this work because it is so important as you all know. To try and make it work every night is starting to become extremely tiring and frustrating.
I don't know what to do. I feel discouraged and didn't think it would be so hard or that I would be one to be in the "struggling group". I tried a bunch of masks and several nose masks and nasal pillows before buying this particular full face mask. This was also recommended to me by many others, and I read great things about it beforehand. It is comfortable when I use it and try it out in the day, but not when I am laying in bed trying to sleep. The nose masks and nasal pillows were obviously more comfortable, but the issue is that I don't know if I breathe with my mouth or my nose in my sleep or if it is both or if it is one or the other sometimes. I am not quite sure about that, therefore the full face mask was the safest option. There are things that point to the fact that I breathe through my mouth when asleep and some things that point to the direction that I breathe through my nose. If I breathe through my mouth then a nasal mask or nasal pillow won't work, right?
I already invested a lot of money in the machine and a full face mask as I bought it with my own money and it is quite expensive, so buying a nasal mask, nasal pillow or even a new full face mask when it might not even work and I may not be able to put it to use would be expensive and not affordable. So, what should I do? I really need help ASAP because I want and need this to work. I refuse to give up.
Wall of text incoming. Sorry for that and thank you for reading!
I have now had the CPAP-machine for just about a month and have been getting to know it and trying to learn everything about it, including the settings alongside learning about sleep apnea and all that surrounds it. I am doing this by myself with the help of you guys on the forum and not the doctors office that can hook up and monitor my machine.
For some, the phase with getting to know the machine and sleep with it comfortably and properly seem to go very smoothly, but some are struggling and it just don't work whatever you do. I am unfortunately in the secound group. I have heard and read before how difficult it is for many to sleep and get used to the machine and the mask, but I didn't think it would be this hard and difficult. I went in this thing wholeheartedly and eager to start and make the best of it as possible so I could get the oh so important and proper sleep like most people, so much to the fact that I payed for it all to be able to get started as soon as possible.
I have been trying to sleep with the machine every night now without any luck. I have been using it in the day too to get used to the machine and the mask, it's fine until I lay in bed ready to sleep at night. The issue for me seem to be the face mask and not the settings. I have tried to change every setting possible now that I have gotten to work the machine. The settings user Pugsy recommended to try out with first seem to be fine.
As I wrote in this thread earlier, I was worried that the mask would fall off my face in my sleep or that the mask would not be covering my whole face or even that the climateline tube would get disconnected somehow. This was due to the fact that I usually only sleep on my stomach or my side, and not my back. Well, those problems did not arose.
That I sleep on my side or my stomach seem to be the issue with the full face mask. I don't know if this is a thing with every full face mask or only mine. When I sleep on my side or stomach the mask blows cold air in my nose, eyes and just even my entire face even when adjusting it and it's properly put on my face according to the mask fit setting on the CPAP-machine. The cold air is something that prevents me from falling asleep, I don't know if this is a issue with the humidifier or if I need to change anything that has to do with that. Also, I can barely breathe with the full face mask on and that is another issue, even though I have tried to change every single thing to make it as smooth and comfortable as possible. Sometimes I adjust my sleeping position to be able to lay on my side or stomach at least a bit comfortably, but then the mask is not covering my face properly or it leaks air so the CPAP-machine would be useless.
So the issue for me do not seem to be the settings, just the mask. Every night I pray and think "this is the night It will work, this is the night I will be able to sleep with the machine!" But no. Every night I lay there in bed, tired, with the mask on my face for hours without falling asleep, tussing and turning when it dosen't work. Laying still for hours sometimes. Even when I'm totally exhausted I can't fall asleep with the mask on. After hours of trying and not giving up, I finally cave in and fall asleep as soon as I put the mask away and turn off the CPAP-machine. I refuse to give up and I give it a fair shoot everyday because I am so eager for it to work and I am fully aware that I need to make this work because it is so important as you all know. To try and make it work every night is starting to become extremely tiring and frustrating.
I don't know what to do. I feel discouraged and didn't think it would be so hard or that I would be one to be in the "struggling group". I tried a bunch of masks and several nose masks and nasal pillows before buying this particular full face mask. This was also recommended to me by many others, and I read great things about it beforehand. It is comfortable when I use it and try it out in the day, but not when I am laying in bed trying to sleep. The nose masks and nasal pillows were obviously more comfortable, but the issue is that I don't know if I breathe with my mouth or my nose in my sleep or if it is both or if it is one or the other sometimes. I am not quite sure about that, therefore the full face mask was the safest option. There are things that point to the fact that I breathe through my mouth when asleep and some things that point to the direction that I breathe through my nose. If I breathe through my mouth then a nasal mask or nasal pillow won't work, right?
I already invested a lot of money in the machine and a full face mask as I bought it with my own money and it is quite expensive, so buying a nasal mask, nasal pillow or even a new full face mask when it might not even work and I may not be able to put it to use would be expensive and not affordable. So, what should I do? I really need help ASAP because I want and need this to work. I refuse to give up.
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| Machine | Mask | |
| |
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Miss Emerita
- Posts: 3758
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:07 pm
Re: Hello, new here!
Hello again, Fiji. Sorry to hear you're having problems with your Airfit F20 mask. (Could you put your machine and mask information in your profile so it'll be right there when people read your posts?)
My first suggestion is that you try a mask liner. Google "Airfit F20 mask liner" to get started. If you haven't already, you can also take a look at videos on line about fitting this mask.
I'm also curious: do you breathe through your mouth during the day? If you don't, you might be able to use a nasal mask or nasal pillow interface. They have less contact with your face and thus fewer ways to leak.
My first suggestion is that you try a mask liner. Google "Airfit F20 mask liner" to get started. If you haven't already, you can also take a look at videos on line about fitting this mask.
I'm also curious: do you breathe through your mouth during the day? If you don't, you might be able to use a nasal mask or nasal pillow interface. They have less contact with your face and thus fewer ways to leak.
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution |
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/
Re: Hello, new here!
Mask issues....that's IMHO the hardest part of the cpap journey.
Where are you located?
Can you normally breathe through your nose just fine or do you have chronic nasal congestion issues day and night causing you to physically need to breathe through your mouth?
Did you get the heated hose with your machine? If you did...what temperature did you set the machine hose air to deliver?
Where are you located?
Can you normally breathe through your nose just fine or do you have chronic nasal congestion issues day and night causing you to physically need to breathe through your mouth?
Did you get the heated hose with your machine? If you did...what temperature did you set the machine hose air to deliver?
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.