Just an introduction...with a few questions slipped in...

[HookEarMatt]

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking the boards for the last few days and thought I'd finally introduce myself. I'm 29 years old, 30 pounds overweight with ashma (and a smoker to boot..I never said i was wise) open minded, sarcastic and cynical but very friendly, pierced, soon to be tattooed, and was diagnosed with Sleep Hypoapnea (sp?) a few weeks ago after my initial sleep study, and they pretty much said that I've probably had this for at least the last 3 years(at least according to the amount of time my fiance has been complaining) if not longer. Whole reason I started this was to spare my fiance of having to sleep on the couch (more on that later). I just got my resprironics M pro series with ramping Cflex technology, and humidifier last wednesday..and to be honest..I'm not loving it yet. so I guess to get this ball rolling...

Is the resprionics a good machine?..it seems kinda loud and windy to me...

I've been reading alot about how people are more or less getting used to thier machines realtivly quickly...for me, with one nights execption (the second night I had it) I haven't been able to sleep more then an hour or two with the rig on before i get uncomfortable enough to take it off and go back to sleep. I was once able to rember to wake up in an hour to put it back on, but not so much lately. Is this normal?

Even with the CFlex all the way up to three, exhaling seems kind of difficult, is this normal? or more likely due to my ashma( any other ashmatics here? how have you been dealing with this).

Does anyone have any suggestions about getting used to the nasal mask? The guy who came to my house from Pro touch offered me a really nice looking piece first, but it felt to heavy so I went with a lighter and smaller nose peice...

My fiance has been complaining about having Darth Vader sleeping next to her(not so much of a star wars fan apparently)...any thoughts on how to reduce wind noise?

And how about cleanning tips...white vingager or just soap and water..

Just wanted to thank all in advance for thier help, I am looking forward to becoming a member of the hosehead club...actually..I'm looking forward to sleeping...somewhere other then on the road home from work, or in my office..

Hook Ear Matt

[MrRandom]

I'm sure several people will answer your questions, but I will just say right quick that it's not asthma. Exhaling against any pressure takes some getting used to. I have asthma too and actually I think the CPAP helps that because I'm breathing filtered air all night. I did have an asthma attack my first night using it, though. I think due to the "new" smell of the machine, hose and mask. That's faded away now after a few months and I didn't have any more problems with asthma attacks after that first night.

[irishdame]

Patients is all I can say. I have been on 3 weeks and I'm use to the mask. It took some ajusting to stop leaks, but I found comfort with that after awhile. It's all about the straps being loose. Theres nothing I know of that can make the sound lesser. Couse I don't think its that bad. I still have trouble sleeping through the night, but I hope this will change.
Your girlfriend shouldn't make fun of you and the mask, most people are self concious about people seeing them with it on, so you need support. hey you are trying to save your life! Sleep is SO VERY important! They told me to use baking soda and sea salt to clean the machine once a week. They also said you could use ivory soap. You also need to wash little grey filter once a week same way. And the white pollen filter every 4 weeks. I wash my face every night before going to bed and wash my face mask every other night with Ivory dish soap and hot water. Let it soak for awhile then rince and let dry. Make sure you are using distilled water in machine! I wash my hose the same way once a week altho my directions says everyday. I haven't had any problems with doing it that way.
Hang in there and as I keep telling myself....This too shall pass and I will one day have a good nights SLEEP! Hey hope this helps a bit....

[rested gal]

Is the resprionics a good machine?..it seems kinda loud and windy to me...

They make good machines.

Even with the CFlex all the way up to three, exhaling seems kind of difficult, is this normal? or more likely due to my ashma( any other ashmatics here? how have you been dealing with this).

I don't have asthma, but I do know that at very high pressures C-Flex doesn't make much dent in it for some people. What pressure were you prescribed?

My fiance has been complaining about having Darth Vader sleeping next to her(not so much of a star wars fan apparently)...any thoughts on how to reduce wind noise?

The quietest mask I've ever used was made by Somnotech. Their "Soyala" mask:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Soyala ... dgear.html

And how about cleanning tips...white vingager or just soap and water..

Either of those would do fine...vinegar or mild soap and water. If you're using a humidifier with your cpap, I'd definitely suggest using only distilled water in the humidifier.

Here's a link to get you started reading about the many completely different approaches people on this board have toward "cleaning" the equipment:

Apr 19, 2005 subject: Cleaning CPAP Equipment
viewtopic.php?t=2482

[jsmythe]

Ditto to what Rested Gal said. If you will fill in your Profile and list your pressure and what kind of mask you are using, it will help to answer your questions better. I had the same machine as you, and it is a great machine and mine was extremely quiet. It is generally the mask that is loud, not the cpap, although it seems like it.

[GumbyCT]

I really wish the RT's doc's or someone would tell new patients not to expect to sleep thru the nite... oh for about a month. Of course they may not even know. But certainly it does take time to accustomed to your new bed partner.

The machine is a bit loud & hard to believe it is intended for sleeping. On my machine I could never tell if C-flex was on or off - Aflex is much better. My pressure was 17. With my bi-pap it's 18 on Inhale & 15 on exhale - you can't even tell it's on.

Even better discuss everything with your doc -
1st to find out if he even cares but also ask him about getting a Bi-pap which helped me to exhale. The doc may understand just how your Insurance works - with some you have to fail at CPAP (or be intolerant) before they will cover an auto or a Bi-pap.

Be sure to get a copy of your sleep study AND prescription. You can get that from your sleep lab, doctor, OR the DME - ALL will have a copy.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

[sleepydoll]

What kind of soaps (preferably liquid) do users use to clean their masks and hoses? The manuals advise not to use "solutions containing bleach, chlorine, aromatics, moisturizers, antibacterial agents, or scented oils".

After looking at the ingredients of the liquid soaps in the supermarket, I found it difficult to find any that met this requirement. ..but...

you can use generic "No More Tears" baby shampoo in water to clean all your gear. it is cheap and easy to find.

Washable foam filters should be cleaned weekly. Paper filters (disposable filters) should be discarded every 30 days,

Your second point is more complexe...In fact a lot of people find they will never ever get used to sleeping with this machine...
My first night was horrible! I slept for about 1 hour ( out of pure exaustion!) but kept the mask on for 6 hours.
The machine in itself makes a noise of about 30 decibells, almost like people whispering ia a library... the fairly new noise takes some using to get to...but most of all the "breathing in and out" from the mask was a real killer to me!

I kept repeating to myself " this is good for you...this is good for you..."
The second night was a bit better...and so the story goes!

Hang in there! Your machine is an exellent one. (same as mine )
Let us know how thing go!

[cflame1]

I've got asthma as well... but I found that I couldn't handle CFLEX at all, even on an auto machine. But for some strange reason I can handle BiFLEX. Never had a chance to try an AFLEX.

CFLEX to me felt like I was hyperventilating.

[RipVW]

Hello Everyone,

Is the resprionics a good machine?..it seems kinda loud and windy to me...

Hello & Welcome, HookEarMatt! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!

The Respironics M Series Auto w/AFLEX is the DREAM machine, in my view! Mine is practically silent, can hear only the mask exhaust.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[Shellie_p]

I have the M with c-flex (don't use it though) And a pressure of 19. And let me tell you when I got it, it replaced my first CPAP unit I got 13 years ago. And it was way more quiet unless I'm actually in or right next to the bed its hard to tell if its on or not, but then again I always have a fan running and my BF's computer desk is in our bedroom. I find his computer fan is louder then my CPAP. lol
It is much louder when my mask is off (going to the bathroom or someting) But when its on the biggest noise is really the exhale port.
If the noise is bugging you or her you can try a couple of options. Like putting the machine down below the bed. If you have a nightstand with drawers or a low shelf you can put it down there reducing the noise, I did this with my older one that sounded like a jet reving up lol. you just need to make sure you keep good ariflow around the machine (ie.. not shutting the drawer totally)

There are times when I get up before my BF that he has been know to turn the machine back on cause he can't sleep (we live in an apartment complex ground floor so noise can ocasionaly be a issue) and it helps mask outside noise quite well.

[grandmma]

Keep at it sleep-wise. I've been on CPAP for 9 months now, and I'm only recently waking say 2 or 3 times a night. Previously I would wake every hour or so it seemed, although I must admit I did decide to never take the mask off. I suggest you leave it on and persevere no matter what. Even awake on CPAP is more restful than sleeping without!

And whilst you don't always feel great, after a time you don't want to put your head on the desk and weep from exhaustion at 3pm, either!

Good luck.

[HookEarMatt]

Good Morning everyone...I hope and suspect everyone is well rested from thier nights sleep on CPAP. My apologies for not replying on an individual basis..but the advice has been great. I've been on the CPAP for a full week now and while I'm not exactly feeling any bettter, at least I'm not feeling any worse.

For the most part I'm getting used to having the mask on and the noises from breathing, and even more importantly, my fiance is getting used to it as well. I seem to be going a good 3-5 hours with the mask on before waking up. I have been cheating though...I have been taking either nyquil or some PM pills to help me sleep. The weirdest thing though is I am apparently taking the mask off in my sleep. Two nights ago my fiance woke up to let the dog out and told me the mask was on my forehead, and last night the mask was off and on the floor..and I never even remembered waking up and taking it off. Still its getting easier and easier to at least fall asleep and I soon hope to be dreaming away.

And for thsoe of you that were curious, my pressure is set at 9 cm H20, and I ramp up from 4 which seems to help alot. After reading some of the posts here I realize that 9 isn't to much...

Hook Ear Matt

[Pineapple]

Matt,

Taking the mask off in the middle of the night (and not remembering) is not weird - it's a common problem with newbies. Since my solution was my husband swating me when he caught me taking my mask off, I don't feel I'm the best person to give you advise on this. Some people use Pur-sleep to help reduce the stress of having the mask on. Why don't you start a new thread asking for help with this issue?

As for the sleep aids, some of us our doctor prescribed those to help us get over the hump, so long as you don't find yourself thinking "I have to take this to get to sleep" your alright.

The fact that you're not feeling worse is a positve sign. Many of us don't see improvement in our condition for a month. It's not that there isn't any improvement, but the body heals itself on the inside first, and those you don't see. The first signs will come like a whisper, so faint you aren't really sure that you didn't imagin it. Grab on to those for morale boosters. The waiting can be furstating. Then suddenly, it will hit you "I feel better"

Hang in there, it will come.

[alnhwrd]

Matt,

Sounds like you are on the right track. Some people have tried putting a bandaid or tape on their headgear to wake them up when they pull it off in the night. Keep up the good work!

[HookEarMatt]

Ugh...Last night was terrible. I think I was having one of those nights where the mask just refused to cooperate with me. It was leaking, slipping, to tight, to loose, to low and covering my upper lip, to high and the film on the Flexi fit was irritating my nose...and t his combined with a great dane at the foot of the bed (on my feet) just made for a rough night.

On the plus side, I'm starting to get the sneaking suspision that my fiance thinks the mask is sexy...

Hook Ear