new and need some information

bigjay · Post by **bigjay** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:27 am

Ok, I am new to this board and I am new to using this machine. I was prescribed a BiPAP machine by my sleep doctor as my initial sleep test found 99 instances per hour.

I have been using this machine for about 2 1/2 weeks and I am not noticing a difference in anything other than it is more uncomforatable to sleep as I am used to sleeping on my stomach. I find myself disconnecting the tubing in the middle of the night so I wake up with my mask on but it disconnected from teh machine. I wake up with my nose hurting like it is broken almost so I have to take the mask off and my wife says I will wake up in the middle of the night on occasion and take the mask off and then put it back on but I don't recall doing this.

I bring this up as I find myself still tired when I wake up and getting tired early in the day still. I was told by the physician that it will take time to get used to this but I should notice a difference immediately but I am not noticing anything outside of what I had before this machine.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

Thanks for the help.

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:57 am

What mask do you have?? The pain on your nose sounds more like a mask fit issue or even the wrong size. It should be tight enough to form a seal, but not too tight, if that can't be done, take advantage of your DME's 30 day mask policy and try different ones. I am not a stomach sleeper, so someone here can recommend good masks for sleeping on your stomach.

I can tell you I got a memory foam pillow, it is firm and will allow you to sleep side-ways or on stomach with your head so that the mask is suspended just off the pillow. Also, you you have the hose hanging over the headboard, or suspended somehow so you are not rapping yourself in it. Makes a big difference.

It is normal to do what you're doing and especially if you are uncomfortable, a natural reaction to try to remove the mask without realizing.

Also change your profile settings on this site so we can see what equipment you have.

bigjay · Post by **bigjay** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:11 pm

I'll check my equipment when I get home and update my profile accordingly. I don't recall exactly what I have off the top of my head. As far as the mask goes, I am using a medium. I tried a large and too much air was able to escape and it was too big for my face. The medium fit the best and was able to make a good seal. I have only had it happen twice where I woke up an my nose hurt but in both cases my wife said I was moving alot at night.

My machine is on the side of my bed on my night stand. I don't have a headboard on my bed and the bed is right up against the wall so the hose is hanging off the side of the bed and it is easy to get to. No different than what they had for setup at my sleep lab when I was in there.

I have been able to get comfortable sleeping on my side and I have woken up sleeping on my stomach too and it hasn't been too much of a problem with the mask in those cases.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:58 pm

Blarg says he's a stomach sleeper and swears by the Headrest:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1717&PAID=215

Here are some more links about it:

viewtopic.php?t=3098'

Cheers,
Barbara

bigjay · Post by **bigjay** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:29 am

Ok, I updated my information except I couldn't find my machine that I have. The machine I have is a VPAP III ST-A. Did I miss it or is there another title for it in the list?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:55 pm

Hmmmm.... VPAP very vancy machine indeed. Don't know if CPAP.com carries it or not.

This I do know - most of us here had A HELLISH TIME getting used to the mask and machine. In my case, it took 6 weeks and 8 different masks before I could be 100% compliant all night long, and then another 3 months before I could call my therapy at least REASONABLY successful. And even NOW I still have issues.

It's rarely a simple transition. There are so many variables that can affect your sleep, so many things that can be minutely tweaked in your machine and mask, and then all the other variables of your weight, diet, lifestyle, other medical issues, spouse poking you while you sleep, pillow, mattress, dog farting, cat biting, etc. etc.

I think you're doing well. I'm glad you came here. Hopefully someone with your machine can give you some solid advice about that machine.

Good luck!
Babette

Mask