Newbie Intro, First Night Check-in, Humidifier Questions

Hello all,

My wife has long suspected me of having OSA. She asked that I do a sleep study, which I did a few years ago (came back negative) and then again "requested" that I do another, but my insurance company would only pay for the at-home test. I completed this about 8 months ago (also came back negative). I suspect both of those tests were faulty because I barely slept through both of them, and my wife agreed. After twice waking up with a racing heart this past month, I decided to circumvent my doctor and insurance company and pick up an APAP and pay out-of-pocket. My wife was thrilled.

I have three issues that I thought would interfere with my use of an assisted breathing device: I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks, I'm claustrophobic about anything over my face, and I have a phobia of suffocation. Although I made the move to do this, I deep-down didn't think I'd be able to use the device effectively.

I read a LOT, especially about anxiety and CPAP. Since last night was my first time using the device, I decided to heed many of the recommendations of wearing it while relaxing and watching TV. I wasn't wrong in anticipating my initial reaction. Panic crept in immediately, and pretty strongly. It was very difficult to force myself to calm down and accept the device but I eventually did it, sitting up in my EZ chair. I found that my initial panic was hinged on the fact that I had the nasal pillows attached too tightly. Loosening them really did the trick. After checking to ensure I had no leakage, I was off to the races. I spent an hour watching TV and gave my wife the thumbs-up that I was good. I was very pleased at how quickly I transitioned and thought going to bed would be a piece of cake.

I was wrong.

Once I get myself situated and laying down, the fight-or-flight response kicked back in, hard. Laying down was different than sitting up and I went through the panic all over again. I really didn't think I'd be able to do it and was ready to call it quits, but I forced myself to calm down. I loosened the nasal pillows a bit, checked the fit, and was again good to go. Then another problem started. I was finding the air too warm. I like it cold when I sleep, and the warm air from the humidifier was really bothering me so I turned it off completely. I felt the Dreamstation ramp up after about 30 minutes and I acclimated to the new pressure. Then I was finally able to fall asleep.

I slept for about 20 minutes or so and woke up suddenly because the Dreamstation had ramped up the pressure very noticeably. I assumed it was because of an apnea event. Surprisingly, I was able to fall asleep again immediately and slept for four hours before waking up to have to use the bathroom. I made the mistake of unhooking everything in order to travel to and use the bathroom, and when I returned I worried that I'd have trouble acclimating again and decided to spend my remaining 3 hours of sleep without it. Next time, I'll unhook just the hose and bring it with me so I can continue to feel the nasal pillows and hopefully the transition will be easy.

Overall, I'm rather surprised that I was able to accomplish this at all and get in a good 4 hours with the device. I haven't tried any other software yet, but Dream Mapper shows an AHI of 1.4, with 1 clear airway apnea, 1 obstructive apnea and 3 hypopneas. I'm not sure if those numbers are good. I suspect they are.

My question concerning the humidifier is this: Is there any way to turn off the hot plate so I don't get warm air, but still enjoy the humidity? I read that you can turn it down to 0, but does that turn off the humidifier completely? We have forced hot air, and our house is very dry, especially in the winter.

Thanks!

mrspaghetti wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 7:40 am

My question concerning the humidifier is this: Is there any way to turn off the hot plate so I don't get warm air, but still enjoy the humidity? I read that you can turn it down to 0, but does that turn off the humidifier completely? We have forced hot air, and our house is very dry, especially in the winter.

Thanks!

You'll get a *little* humidity with the humidifier set to 0, which turns off heat.

It's heat that adds humidity. physics dictates that you can't have cold humidity.

Welcome to the forum.

Which type of hose are you using.... Heated nor non heated?

What pressure are you starting the night at and what size nasal pillow?

What temp is your house set at?

There may be a way to at least get some humidity but not have the air feel quite so warm but it depends on the answers to the above questions.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:23 am

Welcome to the forum.

Which type of hose are you using.... Heated nor non heated?

What pressure are you starting the night at and what size nasal pillow?

What temp is your house set at?

There may be a way to at least get some humidity but not have the air feel quite so warm but it depends on the answers to the above questions.

I use a non-heated hose. Pressure starts at 4. It's a medium-sized nasal pillow. The house is set to 67-69 during the winter. The bedroom is noticeably colder because I have the vents partially closed. I like it cold.

Thanks!

palerider wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:17 am

mrspaghetti wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 7:40 am

My question concerning the humidifier is this: Is there any way to turn off the hot plate so I don't get warm air, but still enjoy the humidity? I read that you can turn it down to 0, but does that turn off the humidifier completely? We have forced hot air, and our house is very dry, especially in the winter.

Thanks!

You'll get a *little* humidity with the humidifier set to 0, which turns off heat.

It's heat that adds humidity. physics dictates that you can't have cold humidity.

Thanks, didn't think of this. Duh.

I think I started on 3, then dialed it down to 1 and didn't give it much time to cool before raising the white flag. Might try at 1 first and then see how it goes.

Welcome! It sounds as though your adaptation will go very well. Don't worry if there are some ups and downs.

I'm curious: were you feeling well-rested during the day? And did your wife's concern arise from snores, stoppage of breathing, or ... ?

Some things to try.

Get a heated hose. I know it sounds weird since you don't want heated air but with the heated hose the settings for hose air temp and the humidity to be delivered can be set independently of each other.

You can try reducing the humidity setting as it is for now but your nose may not like less humidity. Some people need lots of moisture and some don't. If you start having nasal issues like you are coming down with a cold or allergy attack....your nose is unhappy with the lack of humidity.

You can try starting the night at more than 4 cm pressure....more air movement will allow the warmer air in the nasal pillow to exit faster and less likely to feel quite so warm to you.

A different size nasal pillow might also make the air feel cooler...up or down a size and would need to experiment.

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:50 am

Welcome! It sounds as though your adaptation will go very well. Don't worry if there are some ups and downs.

I'm curious: were you feeling well-rested during the day? And did your wife's concern arise from snores, stoppage of breathing, or ... ?

I was definitely not feeling well-rested during the day. I've always been a loud snorer, but my wife says she's witnessed me stop breathing (or prolonged times without breathing) on more than one occasion.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:58 am

Some things to try.

Get a heated hose. I know it sounds weird since you don't want heated air but with the heated hose the settings for hose air temp and the humidity to be delivered can be set independently of each other.

You can try reducing the humidity setting as it is for now but your nose may not like less humidity. Some people need lots of moisture and some don't. If you start having nasal issues like you are coming down with a cold or allergy attack....your nose is unhappy with the lack of humidity.

You can try starting the night at more than 4 cm pressure....more air movement will allow the warmer air in the nasal pillow to exit faster and less likely to feel quite so warm to you.

A different size nasal pillow might also make the air feel cooler...up or down a size and would need to experiment.

Thanks for the tips! Much appreciated.

mrspaghetti wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:07 am

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:50 am

Welcome! It sounds as though your adaptation will go very well. Don't worry if there are some ups and downs.

I'm curious: were you feeling well-rested during the day? And did your wife's concern arise from snores, stoppage of breathing, or ... ?

I was definitely not feeling well-rested during the day. I've always been a loud snorer, but my wife says she's witnessed me stop breathing (or prolonged times without breathing) on more than one occasion.

Good to know. As you get used to therapy, you'll then want to see whether you feel more rested. That will be a very big part of understanding how to make further adjustments. Some people even keep a notebook and write down their day-to-day observations, which can help when change is subtle or gradual.