Kenny's CPAP Thread

[GumbyCT]

Hi everyone!
I had to share this. Last night, I had one of the longest and most vivid dreams I've had in a long time, even since starting therapy. I feel so much better today! I've also noticed that I am more in control of my dreams like I used to be a LONG time ago.
THIS IS MOST EXCITING!

P.S. I don't really need to post my numbers any more since they are very stable now. AI is always below 1.0. HI is usually below 5. I'm feeling so much better.

So can we assume you finally reached your titrated pressure? Congrats on the journey.

[tattooyu]

Hey, Gumby. No, I actually am not at my titrated pressure. These numbers are with my pressure averaging from 12.8-13.4, with my max set at 17. My titrated pressure was 16.

Okay, I said I wasn't going to post them, but I'm so excited about last night's numbers!

Results for 4/1/2009:
Leakage: 0.18 L/s
Usage: 7:16 hours
AHI: 3.5
AI: 0.2
HI: 3.3

I may increase my bottom pressure a bit to see if I can get numbers like this more consistently. Usually, my HI is a bit higher.

[SharkBait]

Hey, Gumby. No, I actually am not at my titrated pressure. These numbers are with my pressure averaging from 12.8-13.4, with my max set at 17. My titrated pressure was 16.

Okay, I said I wasn't going to post them, but I'm so excited about last night's numbers!

Results for 4/1/2009:
Leakage: 0.18 L/s
Usage: 7:16 hours
AHI: 3.5
AI: 0.2
HI: 3.3

I may increase my bottom pressure a bit to see if I can get numbers like this more consistently. Usually, my HI is a bit higher.

Wow. I guess they CAN get a little better, but I'd say you got this thing figured out!!! If you left your pressure range right where you have it and got these kinds of numbers that's excellent therapy. But I'm like you. You gotta play with it some or you'll always wonder, "what if??

If I were a betting man, I'd wager that 16 you were titrated to was unnecessarily high...

[tattooyu]

Wow. I guess they CAN get a little better, but I'd say you got this thing figured out!!! If you left your pressure range right where you have it and got these kinds of numbers that's excellent therapy. But I'm like you. You gotta play with it some or you'll always wonder, "what if??

If I were a betting man, I'd wager that 16 you were titrated to was unnecessarily high...

I'm as shocked as you are! I really think that pressure was too high. Knowing how a mask is SUPPOSED to feel now, I know I was having leaks at my titration. As it was, I barely slept at all anyway and was really, really nervous (panic attacks were still there). If I see my numbers start suffering from the higher minimum pressure, probably due to more leaks, I'll back it down. As it is now, I'm actually increasing my pressure by 0.2cm per week, just to take it nice and slow.

[Uncle_Bob]

Looks like you nailed it Kenny, well done.

I'm getting low leaks now <0.02 and low AI <1.0 but AHI is still 10-20 range, even at titrated pressure of 10.

As a side note the med assistant to my doc also uses the Swift LT and has never had an issue when she gets a cold etc, she said the heated humidifier tends to keep her nasal passages clear. Just thought I'd pass that on as i knew you were thinking about purchasing a FF masks as backup.

I have a quattro on order i tried one on at the DME and it seemed to fit great, i tried it on lying down. I bought it because i was getting leaks with the Swift but since i changed to new pillows after a month i have had 0 leaks. Have you changed your pillows yet? based on my experience they seem to last me 3 weeks.

[DoriC]

Uncle Bob, have you posted some of your concerns on a new thread? Some of the experts may be missing your posts here. I'm really not qualified to give you any advice but I'm sure you can get lots of help here to lower that AHI. Good luck.

[tattooyu]

Damn you Uncle_Bob! Hahahaha... just kidding. That's awesome news with the low leak rate. I have noticed that my nasal pillows are beginning to break down a bit, but my new ones should be in the mail any time now.

You (or your DME/doctor) may need to up the pressure a little to address the HIs.

I agree with DoriC, you should start some new threads with these specific issues, or one of your own, but that may aggravate plr66 (just joking).

[SharkBait]

but that may aggravate plr66 (just joking).

You can leave off the "just joking" part. It's not like we'll get busted by him in here!!!

[SharkBait]

based on my experience they seem to last me 3 weeks.

Dude, step away from the Brillo pad!!!!

Seriously, how are you cleaning those things? They are frail looking little puppies and for that reason I just use warm water (as warm / hot as I can stand it) and give them a good rinsing and make sure I get the lanolin off and I'm going on 8 weeks now...

[-SWS]

Kudos, Kenny:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40658&start=30#p356092

Keep up the good work! Thanks so much for helping others with your creative solution!

[Uncle_Bob]

Uncle Bob, have you posted some of your concerns on a new thread? Some of the experts may be missing your posts here. I'm really not qualified to give you any advice but I'm sure you can get lots of help here to lower that AHI. Good luck.

Thanks for the concern Dori I will post a new thread now i have enough nights with the same issue.

[Uncle_Bob]

based on my experience they seem to last me 3 weeks.

Dude, step away from the Brillo pad!!!!

Seriously, how are you cleaning those things? They are frail looking little puppies and for that reason I just use warm water (as warm / hot as I can stand it) and give them a good rinsing and make sure I get the lanolin off and I'm going on 8 weeks now...

I run some warm water and johnsons baby shampoo in the sink then just sort of massage the pillows under water then rinse. As per DME instructions

3rd night on new pillows now and <0.8 leak rates. Previous pillows leak rate was around 0.25 for the whole week until i changed pillows.

[tattooyu]

Kudos, Kenny:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40658&start=30#p356092

Keep up the good work! Thanks so much for helping others with your creative solution!

Glad to be of help! If there's one thing I learned trying to make it in the music industry: You'll never satisfy everyone.

By the way, new nasal pillows have totally been helping keep my leak rate down, which is why I'm posting my numbers here today. CHECK IT OUT LADIES AND GENTS!

Leakage: 0.06 L/s
Usage: 8:18 hours
AHI: 2.5
AI: 0.2
HI: 2.3

[ozij]

That's new after how much time on the old ones, Kenny?
O.

[tattooyu]

I started therapy on Feb. 16, 2009 and just got my new pillows last Friday, so they lasted about 7 weeks?