That APAP Is Some Darned Good Stuff.

For me anyway.

Kindest thanks to all the forum members here who share their valuable knowledge and experience. Largely due to what I've learned lurking here for the few weeks, I've had my best sleep in 10 years over the last 2 nights.

(skip the following if you're already sleepy)

The day before yesterday I picked up a new Resmed S8 Vantage machine and two new masks. A Mirage Swift and a Mirage Activa as a sore-nose backup. The first night (using the Swift) I got 9 hrs. of sleep with the first 7 hrs. uninterrupted, and last night I got 6. Soon as I'm done posting this I'm going back for more.

By comparison, through the last 5 years on CPAP I've never slept for more than 3-4 hrs. before waking up hard, gasping for breath. Never, not once... and it's such a shock it takes 2 hours to go back to sleep. Seems I roll onto my back around that 3-4 hour mark and straight CPAP couldn't keep my airway open.

I've experimented with various pressure settings to prevent that. Using too high of a straight pressure didn't work for when on my side, my digestive system would inflate greatly creating Guinness World Record belching and not a little discomfort, so I used the highest setting where that wouldn't happen yet it wasn't enough then I rolled over onto my back. (Attaching anything from a tennis ball to a snarling Pit Bull on the back of my shirt never stopped me from rolling over.) Gotta say though, CPAP was better than NO-PAP where I was lucky to sleep for 2 hours at a time.

My machine for the last 5 years has been the Fisher & Paykel HC-220 (last setting was 13.5) and the mask was a Mirage Vista. The HC-220 was chosen for it's ability to go into my travel suitcase as it was the smallest integrated CPAP/Humidifier combo at the time. It has performed admirably considering the physical beating it has taken on the road. As for the Mirage Vista, it looked good on paper but is a design suffering from poor execution. No news here, but I must say it was the best of the few Fred Flintstone masks available for tryout at the sleep lab I visited 5 years ago.

Here's something you don't hear everyday. My insurance company (United Health Care) and my DME (Apria in Cincinnati) have been excellent throughout my treatment. After a poor experience with my first sleep doc and his lab, I've been on a DIY course since the initial sleep studies five years ago. Given that, I asked my regular doctor who's a heckuva good guy to write me a prescription specifically for "Automatic/APAP, Resmed S8 Vantage, 10-17 Bar pressure, Resmed H3i Heated Humidifier" and it worked. He didn't know what the heck I was talking about but was cool with it. I owe him big time and may even wear deodorant the next time I go in for a checkup.

Bottom line is the S8 Vantage APAP appears to be hitting me with the higher dose of air pressure I need when I roll onto my back. Just as I hoped it would. Fantastic. Cautiously optomistic though, it's only been two nights.

How about that Resmed Swift nasal contraption? Super fine design. Perfect seal, no side sleeping issues on either side (hose runs down my side.) Greatest of comfort, in fact I didn't know it could be so good. OTOH I tried the Activa for a short nap yesterday and I'm not sold on it yet. That one may take some time as it gyrates on and off the face with each breath, it rests on the lips pretty hard, and I'm far from mastering easy installation. Still way better than the Mirage Vista as it's seal seems impossible to break and that counts for a lot no matter how you slice it. I'm sure it will be a matter of user adaption since it technically performs so well, but the funny thing is I thought it would be the other way around. I thought I'd have a hard time adapting to the Swift yet it instantly felt like part of my body.

I can't remember who had the idea for using "Toe Bandages" on the Resmed Swift straps to prevent facial pressure marks, but that was a great idea. Thank you. I put them on my Swift before the first use and woke up with a mark-free face. My Mirage Vista marked my cheeks so badly it appeared I'd lost a knife fight, and it would last all day. Nice to be done with that.

I wish I could take a vacation week right now just to see how much more I can sleep. Again, many thanks to the super informative posters here. There are many. Great website.

Weird, apparently I got automatically logged out while I was typing the above post. Not trying to be anonymous, it just worked out that way.

Wow! That's awesome! Congrats!

I hope to be getting the same machine sometime in the next... days, weeks, months..... I am a flipper, too, and it's great to hear that you're getting good relief from the machine.

Shelley

I've been on 'general alert' for the postman, UPS, That New Guy, the Orange Truck, Yellow Truck, and anyone else who will drop off my NEW APAP W/CFLEX. Harder waiting than even coming up with the moola!

I received my HC130 yesterday, used it last night, and was sooooooo comfortable! Windows open, cold room, hose under my professionally-made cover ( ), and a little heat from my blankies. HEAVEN.

Hmmmmmmmm now I wonder WHY we're keeping the window open, since I'm on CPAP??? I'm not getting that cold, ourtdoors fresh air anymore.
But I DO have something better - clean, humidified, controlled-pressure air.
Oh, yeah, for DH - almost forgot, LOL!!