The adventure is about to begin....

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
snoreguy
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:03 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by snoreguy » Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:22 am

Night one is done....

If I'm nothing else, I'm stubborn. For better or worse, I was determined to make it through the night with this thing strapped to my head.

At around 10 pm I filled the water tank, turned it on, put on the mask and tried to sleep. I found that I adjusted to the constant blowing better than I remembered, but after 1.9 hours my head/sinuses were getting very uncomfortable. I finally got up and sure enough had a huge indentation on my nose. I'm not sure if my sinuses actually were bothering me, or if was the pressure on the bridge of my nose. Not sure what to do, I turned the humidity down to 0, which for my humidifier I believe just switches off the heater. I checked the numbers and it said my AHI was 27.9, which shocked me simply because I didn't think I had really slept at all. It also said my leakage was 0. Not quite discouraged, but not really sure what to do, I got up for an hour.

About 2 am I headed back to bed. I adjusted the mask to take most of the pressure off my nose. The mask was fitted to me while I was sitting, and I believe the weight of everything hanging off my face led to it being adjusted such that the pressure on my nose was excessive. I didn't feel any leakage when lay down again and tried to go to sleep. It was much more comfortable, but I couldn't get to sleep. I kept focusing on my breathing, the feeling of the mask as I breathed, and the sound of the air coming from the vent holes. I did fall asleep although I don't feel like I slept at all. The machine now reads 5.9 hours, AHI of 15, and leakage of 11. Hmmmm.

Part of me wonders if it might have been better to just sleep with the mask and no CPAP for the first night to get used to the feel. Maybe I should wear it to work today! Anyway, at least I succeeded in keeping it on. I'm calling it a successful night.

brazospearl
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:51 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by brazospearl » Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:30 am

Snoreguy, congratulations on making it through your first night! It takes awhile to get all the kinks worked out, but you're off to an excellent start. Try adjusting the mask lying down at full pressure but NOT when you need to sleep. And remember, lots of people have to try many masks to get the one that gives the best results.

User avatar
Sleepy Taz
Posts: 252
Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 9:27 am
Location: Illinois

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by Sleepy Taz » Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:37 am

Snoreguy,

You might want to check at the end of the year if your insurance will buy out the last few months of the buying period. In January of this year my payments went from $20.00 a month to $120.00 a month because the deductable starts over at the beginning of the year. I ended up paying $360.00 instead of $60.00 for the last three months of the agreement.
"I can't do anything about the past. I have no idea what will happen tomorrow. What matters is the present. And, just in case tomorrow should never come, I'm going to use the present as constructively as I can."

snoreguy
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:03 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by snoreguy » Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:43 am

Sleepy Taz wrote:Snoreguy,

You might want to check at the end of the year if your insurance will buy out the last few months of the buying period. In January of this year my payments went from $20.00 a month to $120.00 a month because the deductable starts over at the beginning of the year. I ended up paying $360.00 instead of $60.00 for the last three months of the agreement.
Yeah, I realized this yesterday. I'll end up with four months going into next year. ARG!!!! Now I see why the insurance companies want to spread it out....

User avatar
echo
Posts: 2400
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:20 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by echo » Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:52 am

Snoreguy, your first night doesn't sound too different from my first night! Except I had tons of leaking due to a crappy mask!

Just a few suggestions & comments, which you may have already picked up:
- As someone already said, adjust the mask while laying down but not right before bed.
- Wear it a few minutes during the day to get used to the sounds, noise, feeling of the air, etc. I wouldn't wear my mask to work
- The sinus pressure you describe is probably very much the mask being incorrectly placed, it needs to go higher so it doesn't pinch the bridge or sides of your nose on the sinuses. If the mask is too small (which very well could be the case) then don't torture yourself too long before going back to your DME for a better fitting mask or another size.
- Don't worry about getting crazy AHI numbers when you're awake. Our breathing patterns when we're awake are very different so even something like rolling over on your other side or yawning can create a flag.
- Do you already have a hose management system in place? If your hose is hanging off the edge of the bed it can pull the mask down, making both your nose bridge problem as well as leaks worse.

It does sound like a successful night! Believe me it will get MUCH easier and better!! Your positive attitude will go a long way in helping you adjust!! Here's to an even better night #2!!
PR System One APAP, 10cm
Activa nasal mask + mouth taping w/ 3M micropore tape + Pap-cap + PADACHEEK + Pur-sleep
Hosehead since 31 July 2007, yippie!

snoreguy
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:03 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by snoreguy » Sat Jul 24, 2010 6:00 am

Night 2:
8.6 hours
7.2 leackage
3.6 AHI

I took a Benedryl to help me get to sleep, so maybe I cheated a bit. The most distracting thing has been my tendency to focus on my breathing. I was pretty tired last night after not getting much sleep the night before. We'll see how tonight goes. Still more mask adjustments are needed, I think.

User avatar
GumbyCT
Posts: 5778
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:22 pm
Location: CT
Contact:

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by GumbyCT » Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:24 am

snoreguy wrote:Well, I got the machine and all and we'll see how it goes. ...
I certainly understand the need of a brick and mortar business to charge more. No question about that. However, does it really take a 100% markup to be successful? Maybe it does, but maybe it doesn't. My insurance company didn't seem to care. It doesn't really matter to me, as my out of pocket expense is pretty darn low, but in the end it does drive up the cost of health care and we all pay for that. Looking outside the CPAP box, I wonder if every piece of medical equipment has the same markup, wheelchairs, crutches, bandaids, etc. It just appears to be a systemic problem that no one seems motivated to fix, while every couple of years my health insurance cost goes up and the coverage goes down.

I'll admit I don't have all the facts, but it does make me wonder...

Anyway, the journey has begun...
Absolutely.

Welcome to the party Pal.

"No one cares about your therapy more than you. Everyone else is in it for the money." (Gumby)

_________________
Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand
Additional Comments: New users can't remember they can't remember YET!
BeganCPAP31Jan2007;AHI<0.5
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
;)
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!

brazospearl
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:51 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by brazospearl » Sat Jul 24, 2010 11:59 am

Snoreguy, your numbers are improving already! Good for you!

User avatar
WilsonVilleUSA
Posts: 158
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:16 pm
Location: Marysville, WA (near Everett)

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by WilsonVilleUSA » Sat Jul 24, 2010 12:51 pm

Sounds like you are quickly getting int he groove!

What machine did you end up with, the S9 Elite or S9 Autoset? If you got the Elite and they are accomodating, you may want to see about swapping for the Auto. It can run in straight CPAP mode, but also has the ability for auto-adjusting which may be beneficial in the future. Price should be the same for you, but if your doc decide to switch to auto down the road, you will need to buy a new machine at that time.

As for masks, I am using the Swift FX, nasla pillows, super lightweight and comfortable- you may want to check it out of you can.

_________________
MachineMask
Diagnosed with an AHI of 114! AHI now holding at <2 for over 4 years!

User avatar
jdm2857
Posts: 2982
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:29 pm
Location: South Jersey

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by jdm2857 » Sat Jul 24, 2010 1:02 pm

snoreguy wrote:I took a Benedryl to help me get to sleep, so maybe I cheated a bit.
Benedryl, an antihistamine, and any of the OTC sleep aids that contain antihistamines are not the best choice for a sleeping pill. They tend to interfere with the normal progression of sleep stages.

Ambien is preferred by many doctors because it does not have that effect. You do need a prescription for it, though.
jeff

snoreguy
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:03 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by snoreguy » Sat Jul 24, 2010 6:25 pm

I'd rather not go to Ambien unless it is absolutely needed. Normally, I would have taken some melatonin, but we didn't have any in the house. I don't normally need anything to help me get to sleep, and don't plan on making a habit of it. I should add that I woke up about 3 am, adjusted the mask a bit, and went right back to sleep. I don't know that I felt too much different this morning. Benadryl usually makes me feel a bit foggy the next day, but I felt pretty good. I've been tired, but then again, I mowed the yard in 95F heat, and painted my son's room, so that is to be expected.

I got the Elite model. For now, it seems to be doing the trick. I hear you on upgrading while I can, but honestly, I'm not sure I have enough evidence after one night to justify it. I see the doc Tuesday, and from there I will see how it goes.

User avatar
WilsonVilleUSA
Posts: 158
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:16 pm
Location: Marysville, WA (near Everett)

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by WilsonVilleUSA » Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:16 pm

snoreguy wrote:I got the Elite model. For now, it seems to be doing the trick. I hear you on upgrading while I can, but honestly, I'm not sure I have enough evidence after one night to justify it. I see the doc Tuesday, and from there I will see how it goes.
Keep in mind that some folks have different pressure needs based on their sleep position, as an example when I sleep on my side my pressure averages in the 9.5-10 cm H2o range and have been able to maintain an average AHI of less than 2 for almost 4 years. Unfortunately, sleeping on my side sometimes leads to lower back pain so I will sleep on my back at other times. While sleeping on my back the pressure averages in the 12.5 to 14 range and my AHI is still maintained at less than 2. Now if I sleep on my side with an constant pressure of 13, my AHI goes up into the 3-4 range mostly due to increased Central Apneas. If I sleep on my back with a constant pressure of 10, my AHI also goes up to the 3-4 range but it is because of an increased number of obstructive apneas and additional hypopneas.

The Elite and Autoset machine are identical EXCEPT that the Autoset allows a range of pressure to be set and responds to your breathing and adjusts in response to what it senses in the airflow. The Autoset can be run in CPAP mode and provide a constant pressure if you prefer, but it provides the flexibility of APAP if needed, whether now or in the future. Upgrading now will likely cost you nothing and give you the option. Waiting past the exchange period and finding that you can benefit by Auto, will cost you double what you just paid.

When I first started treatment, I was using a constant pressure of 12 cm H2o which is what they settled on during my titration study.That brought my AHI down from my initial diagnosis 114.4 to an AHI in the 7-9 range. A huge improvement, but with a clinical standard of AHI of 5 being the threshold for sleep apnea, for all intents and purposes I was sleeping the same as an untreated person with mild OSA. After I found cpaptalk.com and learned all the things my doc didn't bother sharing, I switched my machine to Auto (thankfully I had an Auto with data capability from the start) and after just a short period of time, my AHI was consistently under 5. With more knowledge and trying different masks to find what fit best for me, I have gotten to the point of averaging less than AHI of 2 long term and with most night being AHI of 0 to .7.

I am not trying to sell you a machine, I am just pointing out that even with a marked improvement in a short period of time, you can possibly do even better. Getting the best/most flexible machine now can save you money in the long run and more importantly, possibly provide even better sleep sooner.

_________________
MachineMask
Diagnosed with an AHI of 114! AHI now holding at <2 for over 4 years!

snoreguy
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:03 pm

Re: The adventure is about to begin....

Post by snoreguy » Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:16 am

I hear what you are saying, and it may turn out to be the best thing. My point is that with three nights on the machine, only two of which were really of any quality, it's a bit early to determine anything. At this point, the next change I see coming is the mask. My follow up with the doc is Tuesday, and I can certainly ask about an APAP then, but neither one of us has enough evidence to make any real decision at this time. I'm early in this process.