A newbie 2 weeks in ...

[brucelegs]

well I have survived 2 weeks with 3 mask changes. I started out with the Opus 360 nasal pillows then switched to the Comfort Gel nasal I was given at my titration and last night my new Swift LT for her. I really, really liked that Swift last night, just a bit of tweaking I have to do (had a few marks on my cheeks last night (they didn't include the nice sleeves), but what a difference in nasal pillows, -- the LT pillows are much more "softer" and pliant compared to the Opus 360 ones and the multi-adjustability of the pillow sleeve holder itself is very welcome. I also liked the Comfort Gel Nasal, but for some pesky leaks around the bridge of my nose that blow into my eyes. I just now read about the boiling method to custom fit this mask and I will give that a shot later this week (I was not given a user manual at the titration and didn't think to surf around to find it until tonight).

I dropped my card off at the DME to be read on Friday. I'm curious to see what if any changes they make and will look at the settings very closely when they mail it to me this week. The only tweaks I could think of would be to change the ramp. It is currently set 4-10 and I'm thinking maybe bumping it to 6-11 just to see if I need that extra bump to 11. Contrary to others, I really like the ramp feature and find it somewhat comforting when I hook up for bed.

For those of you just coming into this adventure here are a few helpful tips (condensed from what I learned here)that have worked for me:

-- Fight for a data capable machine - the first one I got was not and I told them to please get it and they did (little do they know I have the capability to change pressures and such also (heh, heh thanks to this community)
-- get a small water bottle to fill the humidifier from the gallon jug
-- get a slip proof mat for your night stand to put the machine on (after reading stories of folks pulling their machines off the night stand at night, I had to get a roll of it and used the leftover to line the shelves in my kitchen cabinets)
-- no rainout for me, just go ahead and order a hose cover from pad-a-cheeks
-- just in case get a surge protector too
-- and the lanolin cream - better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it

I have the starter set of Pur-Sleep on order just because I see they offer dark chocolate - talk about sweet dreams!!!
Hose management has not been an issue for me yet (that soft hose cover is very comfy. like my own little teddy bear (in leopard print of course!), but I think I will be building my own since I work at Lowe's and can get a discount on the parts I need
My good old down bed pillow is just fine, it's pretty soft and mushy and I'm able to use it with the masks just fine.

Get in the game mentally with the therapy, I personally believe that is responsible for 90% of success - the equipment issues can always be overcome with knowledge you can get from the community here (and strong-arming your DME if necessary) I am amazed how quiet my machine and masks are. Only drawback so far is interference with my nighttime talk radio listening but I will survive - the machine causes the radio to make weird sounds along with the blower.



date usage pressure leak AHI HI AI MASK

3/22 3 9.8 0.05 4.7 .4.2 0.5 opus
3/23 5 9.8 12.1 4.6 4.5 0.1 opus
3/24 1.53 9.8 0.58 1.5 1.5 0 opus
3/25 7.1 10 0.18 4.6 4.2 0.4 gel
3/26 6.41 10 0.04 5.9 5.4 0.5 gel
3/27 8.26 10 0.16 3.3 2.9 0.4 gel
3/28 2.54 10 0.26 2 2 0 opus
3/29 6.3 10 0.02 2.5 3.2 0.3 gel
3/30 7.41 10 0.06 4.5 3.8 0.7 gel
3/31 6.24 10 0.16 3.2 2.9 0.3 gel
4/1 7.06 10 0.06 4.3 3.5 0.8 gel
4/2 7.59 10 0.14 2.6 2.4 0.2 gel
4/3 7.08 10 0 2.2 2.1 0.1 lt mask

[Sleepy Boy]

Hi brucelegs: It's for sure you have your "head in the game" good for you. Sometimes that determined spirit will keep you going. Getting a data capable machine is good advice. Make sure when you get it the DME shows you how to get into the data screens. My DME sent a guy here to set my stuff up, and he told me not to mess with those buttons!!! I've been on cpap 9 Mo's. and just learned how to check my data. Gook Luck. Larry...

[doitinmysleep]

Hey!!! Hope you get things lined out okay. Most certainly a newbi here have completed almost a week!!! I have so much energy feel like I could fly!!!! Most certainly feel great and can drive over a 150 miles at a time and not fall asleep now!!!
Bough another mask at time of set up.... The nose mask from the sleep lab after the study done ,I dont like very well and bought the nasal pillow mask and it works well so far. Will read more and see if another mask may be more comfortable but its so new to me right now that perhaps none of them will feel comfortable at this point ...lol...it was well worth the time and expense so far for all of it!!! Feel so good and rested!!! Was told 13 years ago to correct the sleep disorder after a short stay in the hospital,but never herd of it at the time and thought it was just hokey ...lol..... got much worse and found out its not hokey at all!! Good luck to you keep us posted.

[Gerald]

Brucelegs.........

Your mental attitude and "can-do" spirit is a great encouragement to others!

In the event you want to fabricate an overhead hose management system, Lowe's has a good "hanging plant bracket" that is easy to modify. My honey and I have matching systems.....and the overhead brackets clamp to our headboard. If you need fabrication information, PM me and I'll send you pictures of what I built. Lowe's has everything you need....except the shop that welds the pieces together.

The only suggestion I can give you at this point.......I urge you to get your own software and card reader so that you can manage your therapy without the bother (or interference) of having to carry your card to someone elese to read.

You're doing great.......and I can promise you, it'll only get better.

Gerald

[brucelegs]

I'm saving up for the software and card reader, so I can see some "real" data rather than just the efficiency data when I hit the magic buttons (thanks again for pointing me to the clinicians manual). Out of curiosity are there any bootleg copies of the software I can find online? $199 is a lot of money right now and I seem to remember about copies being out there (sorry if something like this question should not be asked in this forum)