Its a miracle!

Hi everyone:
First of all, I have to say that you are all a bunch of great people, who have a lot to give to us newbies, and I just want to thank you!
I've been on my CPAP for about a month now, and it's really changing my life. I'm sure that I haven't had a proper nights sleep for about a quarter of a century. My sleep study showed an AHI of 17, and I was never getting any REM. Not only that, I was getting up at least once of twice a night for a bathroom break, which wasn't helping my rest. I guess I've been one of the lucky ones, since I've been totally compliant from the first night I had the machine. It took me about a week to get the straps right on the headgear (looked like I was is in a bar-fight the first few days!) but now things are really good. I never get up at night anymore, & I've stopped snoring completely. The first night I used the machine, my wife thought I was dead, I was so quiet! Since I became a "hosehead" I hardly ever have a nap, and I've dropped about 5 lbs. (I'm 6 feet and weigh 175 so I guess I don't fit some of the classic characteristics of OSA).
Anyways, I just want to offer my encouragement to all the newbies and let them know that there is a real pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Steve.

BTW, my pressure is 7.

Hey there,

Welcome to the world of the awake. Yes there are many great people here that will answer questions and cheer you on. We hoseheads unite to make the experiences the best that they can be.

I am glad you got your equipment working so well for you so quickly, many are not so fortunate.


Take care and post back often.

Karen

Welcome Steve, glad to see a newbie doing so well right off the bat. I looked at the equipment you are using, HC604 CPAP Machine, and had no idea that a cpap machine came with a heated hose. Many of us buy a heated hose from Australia, but I was surprised to see a cpap with one.

Good Job.

Okay, now I have a question regarding your equipment, Steve.

Your HC604 says that it is a humidification system and looks like it has a humidifier on it, with the heated hose.

But, you also show the Respironics humidifier in your profile. Why?

OOPS!
My machine actually has the humidifier (with heated hose - the machines model is called Thermosmart, it adjusts automatically to the room temperature) built in. I'll remove the humidifier from my equipment profile.I thought that was the one attached to the machine. I have to add that this machine is extremely quiet, almost silent. I find that the sound of the air in the hose, and the exhalation hiss, put me to sleep!

Steve.

Hi, Steve. I'm a newbie, too, and literally just got home from the doctor with my CPAP. I thought I was going to get a prescription and then deal with a DME supplier, but it turns out that for the past couple of years they've done it themselves. They say it's so patients don't have to fight with suppliers (e.g. Apria) and I tend to believe him. I've come home with the same machine you have. The tech said that he thought it was the best to get if I wanted a humidifier (which based on what I've read here, is a good idea. I'm glad to hear you're so happy with yours. Can't wait to try mine out.

The doc said that I have an unusual constellation of symptoms. My AHI is only 7 (RDI 11), but when I do have apneas they are so severe that he said I should absolutely go on the CPAP. Apneas are as long as 90 seconds, oxygen saturation goes down to 62% from baseline of 94%. That's enough to scare me!!

So... hopefully I'll have a good results as you did! I've rented the machine for now, will buy if I like it. My insurance pays 90% but the doc said it will probably take some convincing them due to my weird profile.

Julie

P.S. My pressure is set at 7cm.

Congrats Northern Lights! Your fine start is awesome. I am also a newbie, tomorrow night is 1 week with my APAP and my numbers are great! I give so much thanks to all these great posters too!
Vicky