Really new guy

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:48 am

Hello... I might as well give some background before I describe my problem.

I've always snored as long as I can remember. I can remember first dozing off during the day in high school (I'm now almost 32). After years of ignoring it, I finally went to my doctor and discussed the snoring and daytime sleepiness with her.

I had my first sleep study which was supposed to be a split study, but I was told I didn't meet the criteria to titrate CPAP that night. When my doctor had me come in for a followup, she said I had sleep apnea, but of a different variety that involved oxygen desaturation rather than actual cessation of breathing.

I then went for my 2nd sleep study.

This past Thursday, I went to get my CPAP equipment from a local DME as arranged by the sleep clinic and my insurance. (Don't get me started on DMEs....)

Anyways, here's my concern/question. I've been trying to use the machine and have been unable to sleep much more than 2 hours while using it. I suddenly wake up for no reason (which isn't much different than before...).

Does anyone have suggestions on solutions and/or things to look for?

Thanks!
-Wes

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:30 am

Hi, it's normal to take time to adjust to using a mask, etc., but you didn't say what machine or mask you're using, which would help. Are you aware of it feeling too tight (hard to judge yet, I guess, but..), or of any leaks at all around the seal? How do you sleep (back, side, etc.)?

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:34 am

I'm using a ResMed S8 AutoSet, Humidaire H3i humidifier, and Swift Breeze Nasal Pillows.

There don't seem to be any leaks. I vary between sleeping on my back and on my side.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:26 am

Wes -

Did you wake up with dry mouth ... if yes, you may be leaking air from your mouth at night which makes treatment ineffective.

Try and get the study report for both sleep study nights. You will need to provide some detailed info for the great folks here to be able to fully help you out.

BTW - Welcome! Sure has been hot and dry here in Austin hasn't it?

Good luck and see 'ya around ...

- roberto

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:52 am

Hi Wes,

What pressure range is your ResMed S8 Autoset Vantage set for? If you don't know, call your DME or your doctor's office (I know, I know...lol!!) and ask them to tell you what pressure or pressure range the doctor stated on your prescription.

You can also see all the settings by looking in the "clinical menu" on your machine, but you have to push the correct buttons at the same time to access that menu.

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:00 am

The range is set from 6-20 cm/H2O. My prescription is for 10 cm/H2O.

Thanks!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:40 pm

Wes - If your Rx is for 10 cm that implies that you should be on CPAP and not APAP. If it is set from 6 to 20 then it appears the DME may not have set the machine up properly for you.

On the other hand, you may be misunderstanding RestedGal's question.

Again, you can call up the DME and ask them what they actually set your machine to ... I f they indeed set it to APAP mode with setting of 6 to 20, then that is your problem.

- roberto

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:42 pm

Thanks. I'm waiting for the sleep lab to fax me my study results and go from there.

Sibby · Post by **Sibby** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:07 pm

Wes, don't be discouraged at only being able to use it for 2 hours at first. I am having problems because of congestion issues. I keep a log of how many hours I log on each night. I don't let myself get upset at the nights of lower usage, but praise myself on nights where I did better than the night before. Keep trying to find the right position for your mask. Above all, keep trying.

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:43 am

Well, I tightened the mask and made sure the humidifier was on. 6 1/2 hours of sleep. I woke up once but fell back asleep.

Maybe it was a simple case of user error?

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:53 am

Congrats on your sleep time.

You still should determine what the pressure setting(s) on your machine are actually set to and see how close that is to your Rx 10 cm.

Also may want to continue visiting here to help get your system tweaked for optimal treatment and also just to be informed about OSA and its treatment in general.

Good luck,

- roberto

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:58 am

Don't worry. I'm not leaving that easily.

ldemmery · Post by **ldemmery** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:25 am

Wes,

I too was put on CPAP because of my oxygen desaturation when I slept. I don't actually stop breathing. My hypoxia goes to 58 rather than in the 90s as it should be. My machine is set at 12.

The way I got used to it all was when I first started, I breathed deeply into the mask. I used the ramp up to start and every night I put it on I started with the deep breathing exercise...I took to the machine quite well that way. About a month later, I longer needed the ramp up and could start breathing at the machine's rate.

Now I put the mask on and I automatically start deep breathing and fall asleep within 15 minutes and stay asleep until the next morning when sometimes I have to be woken up.

Lynne

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:46 pm

As a followup, I got my sleep study results. It's actually "Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome."

I'm still using the CPAP with less difficulty, but still fighting some daytime sleepinees.

Thanks to everyone for their help!

Mask