1-10 a success? Feedback really needed

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:23 pm

I have ordered the new REMstar Auto C-Flex CPAP, REMstar Heated Humidifier with the HC 431 full face mask. This was recommended as a starter mask due to nasal blockage during sleep and mouth breathing.

However, I got to tell you folks something, after reading about 1000 of the posts here, I've concluded that about 1-10 people who try Cpap therapy get earth shattering, miracle like, results. Not many users in here, just rave about the results. Most are complaining about this mask, that mask, this leak, that leak, raw skin, panic attacks, suffocation, claustrophobia, $$$$ money spent on years of trying mask after mask, after mask.

I'm one of the unfortunate people, who is of normal body weight and still suffer from sever apnea. I think most people associate apnea with over weight folks. I've lost 30 pounds so far this year and am now within normal weight height ratio, but my apnea thrives on. Anyone else of a normal body weight have apnea? It's horrible. I awake with sticky gooey blood in the back of my mouth and throat, my mouth is as dry as the Sahara desert, I have headaches and can barely crawl through my day. I suck down 600 mg of caffeine daily just to function. Its horrible! I snore so load, the neighbors hear me. I video tapped myself sleping one night and I swear it looked like i was fighting for my life. I gag, hack, stop breathing, gasp for air and so on. I could not even finish watching my own video.

Please, no offense to anyone here. I need this therapy to work, as basically apnea is killing me. So I'm looking for some optimistic view points. Does this therapy really work? Trust me, I realize, there will be some adjusting to the idea of having my face covered while I try and sleep and so on. I think I will eventually adjust. I'm looking for some absolute success stories from people. Do you think I made a good first choice for the unit and mask? Any advise and past experience you all might provide would be greatly appreciated.

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:50 pm

Anonymous wrote:Do you think I made a good first choice for the unit and mask?

I APPROVE ! Except I can't comment on the mask, I have no experience with that particular model. What may turn this around for you is when you are able to look at the data and find what's NOT working, and to be able to make the necessary adjustments in your pressure settings and whatever else is needed to meet your expectations. What a lot of OSA sufferers are missing and don't even realize it are the deeper levels of sleep, the stage IV (delta) type where a lot of complex physiology takes place and restores your energy and a lot of other "stuff". It may take time to get back in the routine of experiencing that type of sleep. It's not just about "getting unconscious". You sound like the kind of person who is determined to make it work. That's great.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:50 pm

Does this therapy really work?

Yes, it does!
Sounds like you've done some homework in preparation for becoming a hosehead.
The equipment sounds great (although I haven't had any personal experience with the mask you selected, I believe it's a good one) and so does your attitude.
The mask/interface is the key to success in this therapy (as you have observed) and we never really know for sure until we get to use it for awhile.

I would encourage you to register on the forum so we can feel like we're getting to know you.....or at least your "identity".

Best wishes,

Den

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:57 pm

guest wrote:Please, no offense to anyone here. I need this therapy to work, as basically apnea is killing me. So I'm looking for some optimistic view points. Does this therapy really work? Trust me, I realize, there will be some adjusting to the idea of having my face covered while I try and sleep and so on. I think I will eventually adjust. I'm looking for some absolute success stories from people. Do you think I made a good first choice for the unit and mask? Any advise and past experience you all might provide would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, it really does work. You knew that anyway though. You've also figured out that it's no bed of roses, and what the best equipment to start out with is. It sounds like you've probably read a lot of the success stories already. Just look at my avatar and you can see my success over a three month period. My nights were truly awful when I started, but are a whole lot better now. Some mornings I actually wake up refreshed now.

The one thing you didn't mention is monitoring software. Maybe you won't need it, but keep it in mind if your therapy doesn't turn out to be quite what you'd hoped for. It can provide you with ideas of what corrections to make.

I'll just provide one caution about the full face mask. If you have TMJ problems the full face mask can make apnea worse. I only bring this up because you say you're of normal body weight, as am I. It took me over a month to figure out that a full face mask was actually making my apnea worse. Probably won't be your problem at all, but I wanted to mention it just in case.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Bill

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:18 pm

You tend to see more problems here than miracles, people that don't have much trouble don't post much, complainers do. That's Ok!

The main problem people have is accepting they are going to have to make this work. If you follow what is needed this will make you feel better and live a better life, many of us have had this a long time. As you reach a older age it takes longer for the old body to repair, that's a fact of life.

You have the start of the right equiptment, you need the software, and reader to truly take over your own treatment. I started on the Comfortfull mask 1400 hours, and am now using the 431, I tried it for a week and went back to the Comfortfull, but I tried it again last week and am using it full time, for some reason it's doing better now, it is cooler and vents more air and can be strapped on looser.

The main thing is attitude, mind or matter, you have to make up you mind to do it right that's what matters. Good Luck, it sounds like you will make it. Jim

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:41 pm

You definitely have a good start!
I think its likely you will find SOME improvement AT LEAST right away. Probably enough to keep you alive and kicking while you "fine tune" the operation.

Yah, the masks are tricky and what works great for some can be a nightmare for others, so its almost luck of the draw.

I am pretty much normal weight and I am also a person that full face masks make my apnea WORSE, due to some fluke of geometry. I wake up with an incredible oxygen starvation headache when using full face masks.

I got my sinuses fixed to get CPAP working REALLY well for me.

It did take a long time for me to dial it all in, but IT IS WORTH IT!

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:47 pm

I awake with sticky gooey blood in the back of my mouth and throat, my mouth is as dry as the Sahara desert, I have headaches and can barely crawl through my day. I suck down 600 mg of caffeine daily just to function. Its horrible! I snore so load, the neighbors hear me.

You have just described me perfectly, that is before Cpap.
You also might find you become addicted to it as I have. Sleep without my mask? Not a chance! Its becoming as natural as fluffing my pillow before I sleep.

Give it some time and once your sleeping through the night with it make another video of yourself and compare it to the first one. Ill bet you wont need any further convincing

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:06 pm

tooly125 wrote:
I awake with sticky gooey blood in the back of my mouth and throat, my mouth is as dry as the Sahara desert, I have headaches and can barely crawl through my day. I suck down 600 mg of caffeine daily just to function. Its horrible! I snore so load, the neighbors hear me.
You have just described me perfectly, that is before Cpap.
You also might find you become addicted to it as I have. Sleep without my mask? Not a chance! Its becoming as natural as fluffing my pillow before I sleep.

Give it some time and once your sleeping through the night with it make another video of yourself and compare it to the first one. Ill bet you wont need any further convincing

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:11 pm

Yes it works. I consider my treatment a success. I have used my CPAP everynight since getting it-Feb 2, 06. No raw skin, no sore spots, some frustration, only 1 rejected mask, average 7 hours of sleep a night, have loads more energy, wake up in the morning forgetting that I'm connected to the CPAP. Maybe not a miracle but it is a gift to sleep.

Things I'm learning:
how to find the source of strange sounds from the CPAP in the dark
managing leaks
how to stop rainout
progressive relaxation to get to sleep even when everything isn't just right

This forum is a great place to come with questions.You seem to be trying to prepare for the worst-just allow for the possibility that it might not be that bad. And look for some method of relaxation. I use a progressive relaxation CD because it is so structured when I am frustrated. I got the CD while waiting for my CPAP and started using it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:42 pm

guest--

look for mask deals on ebay and yahoo. if the 431 works, great, but if not you may have to buy a few before you get hooked up right. i've gotten new masks on ebay/yahoo for about half off, maybe a little less than half off. listings on ebay get yanked but usually the seller will sell it anyway. so far i have not had a problem doing that--people have been trustworthy, although i hear there have been some scams with people offering to sell the mask for nothing and some bag or funnel or something for real money.

good luck.

caroline

Ritap1965 · Post by **Ritap1965** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:40 pm

Yes it works

1. I no longer gasp for air at night, I sleep quietly and wake up full of energy. My kids love the fact that I no longer snore.
2. Because of number 1, I only need 8 hours of sleep at night, no more 10 hours of sleep at night plus a nap in the afternoon.
3. I can now drive to and from Las Vegas (5 hrs each way) without falling asleep, so I am not endangering anyobody anymore.
4. The most important thing for me, my short term memory is back. I'm in school and I am taking anatomy right now. That class is all memorization. I would have flunked the class without the cpap.
To sum it up: I feel better, I am happier, I can remember things, I have more energy. Yes it works.

If you look at the bottom of this post you can see I have 4 different masks. I find rotating them is helpful. If you are lucky, you will do fine with your mask. If not, don't give up on cpap, try another mask. My DME let's me try a mask for up to 30 days. Because I wanted more masks than my insurance covers, I also buy from cpap.com to get the best possible price.

Rita

reval · Post by **reval** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:18 am

CPAP Therapy does really work. No doubt about that. It takes some time though to recover from the years with untreated apneu.
I've always been of normal weight, and CPAP treatment is very effective for me too.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:33 am

Guest wrote:I just plunked down about a $-grand for all this stuff, so the software and additional masks will have to wait. Yes, I'm one of those lucky few who lost their job due to outsourcing and have no more health insurance. So I am paying for this out of pocket.

I suspect you're actually better off than most who wander in here to this forum. Sure, some of 'em save a few bucks, but some end up spending even more after meeting copays and deductibles, and they all have to endure endless hours of suffering through agonizingly sadistic DME's. . Count your blessings.

Guest wrote:The first few nights, I plan to put the mask on nice and tight and take a hefty dose of sleeping medication. I hope to basically stick on the mask and knock myself out and see what happens.

Just one caution - Go for comfort the first night. It'll help you sleep, which is really what you need most.

Regards,
Bill

The Youngs · Post by **The Youngs** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:35 am

I think folks just have a tendency to post when they need help, not when they don't

The very first night my dh used the CPAP (we got good advice, too and bought the Remstar Auto), I kept checking to see if he was dead - I had *never* in twenty years of marriage seen him sleep quietly and peacefully with *no* gasping or snoring! It took a few weeks for him to really start feeling better, though, and it was very gradual, but now he has so much more energy in the evenings and is so much more engaged with the children.

Dh has the UltraMirage Full Face and except for a few leak problems, it's worked great! No sore spots, no discomfort, leaks are easily remedied most nights.

I highly recommend getting the smartcard reader from 2factors and the software. Dh was titrated at 9 and the APAP was initially set from 4-14. After looking at the data, though, we've gradually arrived at 8-15. That's a wider range than most, but although the vast majority of time it stays between 8 and 11, very occasionally he'll have an apnea that takes 14 to resolve.

I hope CPAP works as well for you as it has for us. My dh's father died of a heart attack in his early 40s - he had the same symptoms my dh does, but they didn't recognize sleep apnea then. I am thankful to God for this treatment and the hope of a long life for my dh!

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:31 am

I agree with everyone else. The ones that are cruising on auto-pilot, feeling great, having no problems (is it possible there are some?) are not the likeliest posters. What can be perceived as negativity here is "problem solving" which is a good thing!

From what I know now I would not "save" on the software and reader. I think that monitoring and analyzing one's sleep data is critical to success regardless of what anyone says, unless you are one of the lucky "out of the box" autopilot ones (is it possible there are some? - krousseau sounds close).

I am still struggling and I think it's because I don't know what's going on. Hopefully I'll be able to begin remedying that when my APAP gets here.

Just my $.02.

SB

1-10 a success? Feedback really needed

1-10 a success? Feedback really needed

Re: 1-10 a success? Feedback really needed

Re: 1-10 a success? Feedback really needed