Hi. I am a newbie when it comes to all of this. My journey started last year when my mom started nagging me to get the doctor to have a sleep test done because my snoring was irregular, and my cousin had to be hospitalized for heart related problems with sleep apnea.
Even though I was waking up around 5-10 times per night I resisted until I was fighting to stay awake driving home from work. That scared me. I had the first sleep test in April and the second one in May. My doctor didn't give me any details on my test except that my apnea was severe.
I finally got some info when I went to the ENT and found out that I was having hypopneas. He only had the results of the second test which said that I had 19 episodes during that test.
It wasn't until I met with the rep at the DME that I got the full story. (sad, isn't it) My first test revealed no REM sleep and I had an average of 50 episodes per hour, rating me at severe. My oxygen levels were low (don't have the test with me, as I am traveling right now) so I was at risk for heart problems as my heart was trying to make up for low oxygenation.
I now have a Respironics REMstar Mseries machine with humidifier. My head gear is a ComfortLite 2 and I have two attachments. One is the nose pillow, and the other is the simple nose cushion. I like the nose cushion better (so far, as I have only used this machine twice).
I felt much better on the second morning using the machine. I don't have the ability to access the information that I have read many of you are getting. I don't have a smart card, and don't even know what that is.
I have found that the humidifier leaves too much moisture in the hose at the setting of 3 and when I get up the water gets up my nose. I have to experiment with that a bit.
Any advice would be helpful at this point. What things do I need to be mindful of? I will try to post more about my oxygen and stuff from my test report when I return home. I am on vacation (yes, got this the day before my vacation)
Sibby
New to all of this
6 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Welcome, to the wonderful world of HoseHead's. Good Luck, it's bumpy ride, but theres light in the end of the tunnel. Jim
You can go to profile at the top and list what you use, and make comments , like your pressure in CM.
You can go to profile at the top and list what you use, and make comments , like your pressure in CM.
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
Welcome aboard! It's a interesting ride, to say the least, but you can do just fine without all the bells and whistles. Some of us are just hardcore geeks.
I'm not sure if you have your machine with you on vacation, but if you do, the most important thing you can do for yourself is USE YOUR CPAP. Even if it's not perfect, it's better than not using it all.
You can adjust the humidification settings on your machine, and your post alludes to the fact you might already have an idea how to do that. What you are experiencing is called "rainout". It may be because you're getting too much humidification. It could be because of room temperature. Some folks report that using a heated hose or Snuggle Hose cover helps dramatically. I've been fortunate enough never to experience it. Do a search on the board, you will find lots of posts on the topic with advice.
Did you get ANY type of manual with your M series? You do have one of the newer ones, so you are better off than you think If you are like many of us, you were probably lucky to get even the basic user manual. You will find, however, that the clinicians manuals are available online (free or on auction sites) and from some folks on this board who have managed to get copies. This can tell you more about what your machine is capable of and also help you make small adjustments that your doctors would ordinarily make you come in for an appointment to have made. Since I have an older Respironics box, I can't offer much that might not mislead you on how to do it. Again, try using the search function for the exact model number of your CPAP on this board, odds are, someone has already posted all the details.
It's great that you have the ComfortLite 2. It's only been out for a few months and has actually gotten pretty good reviews, even from some folks who were previously not fans of the Respironics masks. I just bought one for myself, too. Most of us, you will find, have a couple masks that we rotate through depending on weather, illness, or simple night by night preferences. With the ComfortLite 2, you get a couple options in one single set of headgear, which is pretty cool.
If you haven't gathered from my post, there's a ton of information already posted in these boards, and it really does pay to search thoroughly through the posts to find what folks have said about your specific equipment. Rested Gal often posts a full set of links to all the "hot topics" on a subject, so her posts will be a particularly good resource. Everyone here is VERY helpful, no matter how low or high tech you get. The best help you'll get from this board is the support of a group of self-educated people who will encourage you to TAKE CHARGE of your treatment plan. We'll tell you when and how to push your doctors to give you more information, and we'll prod you to take care of yourself by using that CPAP *every night*.
It's worth it! And welcome
Tina
I'm not sure if you have your machine with you on vacation, but if you do, the most important thing you can do for yourself is USE YOUR CPAP. Even if it's not perfect, it's better than not using it all.
You can adjust the humidification settings on your machine, and your post alludes to the fact you might already have an idea how to do that. What you are experiencing is called "rainout". It may be because you're getting too much humidification. It could be because of room temperature. Some folks report that using a heated hose or Snuggle Hose cover helps dramatically. I've been fortunate enough never to experience it. Do a search on the board, you will find lots of posts on the topic with advice.
Did you get ANY type of manual with your M series? You do have one of the newer ones, so you are better off than you think If you are like many of us, you were probably lucky to get even the basic user manual. You will find, however, that the clinicians manuals are available online (free or on auction sites) and from some folks on this board who have managed to get copies. This can tell you more about what your machine is capable of and also help you make small adjustments that your doctors would ordinarily make you come in for an appointment to have made. Since I have an older Respironics box, I can't offer much that might not mislead you on how to do it. Again, try using the search function for the exact model number of your CPAP on this board, odds are, someone has already posted all the details.
It's great that you have the ComfortLite 2. It's only been out for a few months and has actually gotten pretty good reviews, even from some folks who were previously not fans of the Respironics masks. I just bought one for myself, too. Most of us, you will find, have a couple masks that we rotate through depending on weather, illness, or simple night by night preferences. With the ComfortLite 2, you get a couple options in one single set of headgear, which is pretty cool.
If you haven't gathered from my post, there's a ton of information already posted in these boards, and it really does pay to search thoroughly through the posts to find what folks have said about your specific equipment. Rested Gal often posts a full set of links to all the "hot topics" on a subject, so her posts will be a particularly good resource. Everyone here is VERY helpful, no matter how low or high tech you get. The best help you'll get from this board is the support of a group of self-educated people who will encourage you to TAKE CHARGE of your treatment plan. We'll tell you when and how to push your doctors to give you more information, and we'll prod you to take care of yourself by using that CPAP *every night*.
It's worth it! And welcome
Tina
**************
RemStar M Series Auto w/C-Flex, many masks (ComfortCurve, Comfort Lite, MirageSwift, lots of personal mods)
RemStar M Series Auto w/C-Flex, many masks (ComfortCurve, Comfort Lite, MirageSwift, lots of personal mods)
Rainout
Welcome. My rainout stopped when I: 1) Put the rubber seal on securely, 2) put a cover over the hose to keep coldness from the room air from causing condensation, and 3) Sat the machine lower than the bed. Good luck.
Kathy
Kathy
_________________
| Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: Bleep/DreamPort for full nights, Tap Pap for shorter sessions |
-
Guest
lol. Sorry, I just have to leave this link. It's Sibbie!
It's spelled slightly different, but this is the first thing I thought of....
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail76.html
Hee hee
It's spelled slightly different, but this is the first thing I thought of....
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail76.html
Hee hee
That is funny...the link...thanks.
Thanks for the all of the great information in the replys. Now I know what to call the water deluge...rainout.
I will try the different techniques, starting with lowering the machine tonight.
Yes, even though I am on vacation I am using the CPAP. I would foolish not to. When I found out the severity/frequency of my hypopnea episodes I realized that I am fortunate not to have had a heart attack.
There are so many posts that it looks overwhelming to think of reading them all, but I have nothing to lose and knowledge to gain.
Thanks for the all of the great information in the replys. Now I know what to call the water deluge...rainout.
I will try the different techniques, starting with lowering the machine tonight.
Yes, even though I am on vacation I am using the CPAP. I would foolish not to. When I found out the severity/frequency of my hypopnea episodes I realized that I am fortunate not to have had a heart attack.
There are so many posts that it looks overwhelming to think of reading them all, but I have nothing to lose and knowledge to gain.
6 posts
• Page 1 of 1