question

CandyADiva · Post by **CandyADiva** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:34 am

Ok everyone I have the Remstar Plus C-Flex all I wont to know is when i cut the machine off in the morning what are those numbers that be on top. Like today I got up and cut the CPAP off and the number was 17.2 what do that mean

tlc95066 · Post by **tlc95066** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:51 am

Hi CandyADiva,

I have the same machine. I believe that the numbers reflect the number of hours, and partial hours, that you have used your machinge. It is a cumulitive number.

I use this as a guide to see how long I slept with my mask on during the night. I ususally have my mask on for anywhere from 4 - 7 hours per night. I am hoping to get the humidifier today from the RT, hopefully that will help with my compliance. We shall see!

Hope that helps!
TLC

CandyADiva · Post by **CandyADiva** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:01 am

Thank You tlc95066 for answering my question and yes mines gave with the humidifier and it works great together. well I had my machine for two day now and I already have 17.2 hours well that good. i sleep with mines on all night until about 9 in the morning. I do feel the difference so I hope that is a good sign

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:24 pm

Exactly... It is the hours you've slept with the CPAP on. I also have the Remstar, and my total usage is like 17 hrs for 1 wk. I"m kinda slacking lately.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:19 pm

my total usage is like 17 hrs for 1 wk. I"m kinda slacking lately.

awww, swordz...what seems to be the biggest problem preventing you from using it more?

In a previous post I think you mentioned being a mouth-breather? What mask are you using? And if you've tried other masks besides the one you're using now, what were they and what didn't you like about them?

When you're lying down, can you get air through at least one nostril or the other? In other words, is your mouth-breathing because you absolutely have to breathe through your mouth to get air? Or is it more that your mouth relaxes and you find yourself breathing through your mouth.

Sorry about the interrogation! LOL! Inquiring minds wanna know.

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:47 pm

rested gal wrote:
my total usage is like 17 hrs for 1 wk. I"m kinda slacking lately.
awww, swordz...what seems to be the biggest problem preventing you from using it more?......Sorry about the interrogation! LOL! Inquiring minds wanna know.

... and wanna help, so do treat RGs 'polite enquiries' as an offer to help

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:51 pm

Haha.. No problem with the interrogation. Uhm, I"m waiting on my Resmed Ultra Mirage full face (As stupid as it sounds, I can't wait for my new mask... Toys, toys, toys!).

I've tried the Nasal Aire II, and 1st the cannula was too small, but after getting that corrected its too difficult for me to wear it with my chinstrap. I also have a Resmed full face mask the clinic gave me, but the seal isn't doing too well on it. (After looking on cpap.com, I think its the basic, cheap full face mask). I've also tried what appears to be a Comfort Select nasal mask with a chinstrap. The chinstrap is just soooo uncomfortable.

I need a full face becuase I natively nose breath, but wake up with severe dry mouth due to mouth breathing. I'm possibly looking @ the F&P Oracle becuase its so minimal and unobtrusive.

Really, my main problem with my APAP is the fact it takes me forever to get to sleep to begin with. Couple that with trying these new strange things on my face, and its takin me 2-3 hours to fall asleep. I have a moderate insomnia problem that I"m dealing with. I'm getting ready to read "Desperately Seeking Snoozin" and also "Say goodnight to insomnia". I"m thinking after I fix my insomnia thing, that I may have better luck with the whole setup.

Thats my story basically.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 12:47 pm

swordz, you wrote:

I need a full face becuase I natively nose breath, but wake up with severe dry mouth due to mouth breathing. I'm possibly looking @ the F&P Oracle becuase its so minimal and unobtrusive.

If you've got the nerve (and being into soccer, according to your profile, I think you do.. ) you might want to try what I finally tried when I wanted to be able to wear more comfortable nasal pillows masks or the Activa, instead of the FF mask I was stuck with as a night-time mouth breather.

Tape. Tape the lips closed. You won't need a chin strap at all if you use tape that keeps the lips securely closed. I used Johnson & Johnson waterproof adhesive tape - the 1" wide. Two strips of it slightly overlapping each other, long enough to go an inch or so beyond corners of the mouth. And placed well above and below the lips, overlapping along the middle. A big patch over the mouth, in other words.

Important: turn down a bit of each end of each strip, as a handy grab-tab.

All that said, I'm not a doctor or health care professional. Taping the lips shut might be dangerous for some people. But it's what I've done for over a year with no problem. Even with an occasional power outage I simply woke up, same as I would have had apneas been shutting off my air.

Besides, the exhaust port of a mask allows us to get "some" air in, if the machine shuts off. It would get uncomfortably stifling within minutes, since our exhaled CO2 wouldn't clear completely out of the mask, but I haven't worried about being suffocated. I wake up, realize the power is off and simply remove the mask and the tape.

Worst thing is if you have to cough with tape on...ouch! I sure learned quickly to get hold of the grabtabs on one side and open the patch a little if I felt a cough coming on and couldn't somewhat contain it to more of a inward throat-clearing type of little cough!!

Oh yes, I tried the Oracle quite a few times. The nub inside annoys the heck out of me...just enough of a nub in there to bump my teeth against. I keep meaning to get that nub cut off flush inside, but haven't bothered to get around to doing that yet since I like the Aura and Breeze so well.

The other two big, BIG downsides to the Oracle....even with heated humidification turned up as warm as it will go, the mouth gets very dry - so much air flow going directly into the mouth. F&P states that when using the Oracle, people usually can use a notch or two lower pressure than their prescribed pressure. But any way you look at it, that's a lot of air blowing right inside the mouth.

I can put up with dry mouth, but the deal-killer for me in trying to use the Oracle was having to stuff nose plugs tightly up into my nostrils. Otherwise I had too many sudden snorty air-leaks out the nostrils. Guaranteed waker-upper. The nose plugs F&P send with the Oracle were not comfortable enough for me. I tried some softer ones, but still just didn't like to have to cram things up my snout.

Sooooo...I'd suggest taping the lips shut, or fashioning yourself a mouthguard a la frequenseeker's design...her "DYI" mouth guard to stop mouth air leaks. I made myself one and use it most of the time now. With the "DYI" mouth guard, your mouth can hang relaxed open and the tongue will still hold a leakproof seal within the mouth.

There's a long, 5 or 6 page topic about making the DYI thingy here:
Topic started by frequenseeker Dec 01 2004 subject: mouth leak solution, cheap DIY oral appliance

Either way, tape or "DYI", you'd be able to start wearing whatever type of mask is most comfortable for you.

Good luck!

Machine	Mask