Well that didn't go all that great/newbie questions

Next question is about the water. I spend extended amounts of time in Asia. In one of the places the only distilled water available is for sale near the car batteries.
Is bottled drinking water safe to use for extended amounts of time?

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:38 am

Is bottled drinking water safe to use for extended amounts of time?

Yes...absolutely

and tap water is also safe to use. General rule...if you can drink it you can use it. Worst thing that might happen is some mineral buildup inside the water chamber and that is easily removed by a soaking with vinegar/water or lemon juice/water solution and then cleaning once you get home.

The distilled water thing is mainly a North America and Canada thing as the manuals in other parts of the world only mention water and not distilled water.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:37 am

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:38 am

Is bottled drinking water safe to use for extended amounts of time?

Yes...absolutely

and tap water is also safe to use. General rule...if you can drink it you can use it. Worst thing that might happen is some mineral buildup inside the water chamber and that is easily removed by a soaking with vinegar/water or lemon juice/water solution and then cleaning once you get home.

The distilled water thing is mainly a North America and Canada thing as the manuals in other parts of the world only mention water and not distilled water.

Isn't Canada part of North America?

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:47 am

Isn't Canada part of North America?

I guess not when I just got up and haven't had my morning coffee to clear the cobwebs.
You are lucky I can even type at this stage of the day...much less get my geography and grammar correct.

For me being with Kelsey Seybold in Texas was a total blessing for me starting off on my cpap adventure in that I was able to do the Home Sleep Study diagnostic (which cost almost $500!) and then was setup with a Philips Respironics Dreamstation Auto machine so I never have to worry about setting pressures.

When I first got my machine and mask for like the initial two weeks I'd wake up with the mask and headgear in my hands disassembled. It takes time to adjust to sleeping with this crazy contraption on your face and head but I promise it gets better. Of course your sleep study experience in the hospital with all the Docs prodding you was a terrible experience, not surprising at all. My mom went through the same thing about a decade before I was told that I needed to be on a mask and machine and all I could think about was that terrible night she had related to me, same thing as what you went through and man did that really raise my level of apprehension when it came my turn. But, like I said I was lucky to be with Seybold and they made the transition relatively easy.

I'm a mouth breather so I have to be on Full Face mask, of which I've had 4 different ones and have settled on my final (for now) mask. The type of full face mask I prefer covers the mouth with the nasal portion that just rests up against the bottom of the nostrils. The other main ffm version covers from the bridge of the nose down to below the mouth. In my opinion, from reading this forum and just seeing general cpap stuff in media or whatever, the nasal only masks (non full face, for sleepers who don't mouth breathe) seem to be more prevalent than full face users.

I've been on cpap since early summer of 2017 and it has changed my life. I've lost 55 lbs for one thing. Don't snore anymore, BP came down, I don't fall asleep while driving now. My brain works better. It's all good and totally worth any bit of uncomfortable transition or money I had to spend to get here.

Ofcourse I've had bad nights, or times when I can't get my mask right, and have to get up and re-adjust and start over with getting the headgear straps balanced correctly because of leaks or being way too tight. But it's better now than it used to be. Getting the right mask is huge to not having to constantly mess with it to get right...but regardless you still find ways to deal with and adjust because you need to.

I HIGHLY recommend drawing "Belt Loops" marks with permanent marker on the headgear straps measured evenly on all the straps to help you accurately adjust and keep the headgear balanced.

I am about to switch from Dreamwear nasal pillows to Resmed n30i. I should get my new mask this coming week. If I have nose pain issues from the hard plastic cushion, I will switch to the P30i. I am keeping my Dreamwear Full face mask (with pad a cheek liners) for those nights I just can't get my sinuses clear. I had a hard time last night, no matter how many allergy meds & flonase I took, that I had to get up in the middle of the night and switch to the full face. I get away with a nasal mask most nights as long as I use a chin strap. Most of the "mouth breathers" on this forum have found a way using nasal masks. Some even say they have learned to stop breathing through their mouth & can ditch chin straps, mouth taping, etc... I have not managed to accomplish that and don't think I ever will at this point. I am on Claritin, Zyrtec, benedryl, flonase, & albuteral. This is what I take daily all year. I seem to be allergic to everything green that grows on earth. So, I will always be a mouth breather. All of the listed medications seem like overkill, but I no longer get hospitalized with chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, & pneumonia. APAP therapy has also helped with my breathing issues, but sometimes the sinuses just won't cooperate with my nasal mask. Most people keep extra masks and switch back & forth as needed.

Also, I agree that you can use tap water as long as it is safe to drink, but if it is very hard water, you will be using vinegar to clean your water tank from time to time. When I first started APAP, I didn't want to use our extremely hard water, so I bought distilled water. I only started using water from the tap at my house because we installed a water softener with filter. I have used bottled drinking water in a pinch when travelling. I am funny that way, when staying at someone else's house or a hotel, I don't like using tap water even though it is probably okay. I am squeamish about water sources I am not familiar with. I go and purchase distilled water if available & filtered bottled water if distilled isn't available. Your water source is a personal choice .

Auntducky59 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:17 pm

I had a split study. I was also told I had to sleep the entire night on my back in order to get accurate results. I was told that if I roll over or move, I would have to start over on another night. I told them I am a side sleeper & I WILL roll over, so they "bolstered" me with additional blankets, pillows, etc so that I would stay flat on my back. I had a very hard time getting to sleep because my back hurts when I lay on my back all night. It seems that JUST as I was dosing off, it was time to wake me up and slap a mask on my face. I must have slept some because they had to wake me up when it was morning. Most people have a miserable night during their sleep study. I did NOT wake up raring to go. I was still very sleepy. Things were better once I got home with my own equipment & the ability to lay on my side. I am on my 7th different mask, but only because it is new & I want to try it. You will find a mask you are happy with eventually. Don't give up

Yikes. I know they want to get results on the back since it catches us at our worst. But that is is unreasonable to insist somebody sleep in a way that is not normal for them. I can really mess up the data and make it a challenge to get a useful diagnosis and titration.

My sleep study went really well. They told me I could sleep any way I want except propped up. So, they got a nice back of side and back sleeping for the diagnosis. Not as much back sleeping for the titration, so they had to guess a little. but I did have a really good night and they started me off well. I guess I was lucky that the techs knew that it was important to get actual sleep rather than tossing and turning.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:51 am

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:47 am

Isn't Canada part of North America?

I guess not when I just got up and haven't had my morning coffee to clear the cobwebs.
You are lucky I can even type at this stage of the day...much less get my geography and grammar correct.

Ok so I am slowly learning everyone doesn't wake up full of energy and refreshed

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 2:49 pm

so I am slowly learning everyone doesn't wake up full of energy and refreshed

I have never, ever in my whole life been a morning person....cpap can't make me into something I never was no matter how much I wish it could. That miracle ain't going to happen.

Not when your initial raw cpap experience is in an alien environment, no, that's exhausting even just to think about. Waking up refreshed and with energy is a process of adjustment and there is a little bit of learning curve, that's why this forum exists is to tell you, the New Guy to keep your chin up, you can do it. Persevere and you'll be successful.

I PROMISE you, once you get this down, you'll find yourself secretly evaluating your friends and family, friendly clients and business partners, and if any of them ever start talking about sleep or snoring, you know, the stuff in Our Wheelhouse, your radar will go up and pretty soon you'll find yourself advocating for them to do a sleep study and find out what their numbers are, you'll do it because you'll believe in it. Just sayin.

gv280z wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:38 pm

I PROMISE you, once you get this down, you'll find yourself secretly evaluating your friends and family, friendly clients and business partners, and if any of them ever start talking about sleep or snoring, you know, the stuff in Our Wheelhouse, your radar will go up and pretty soon you'll find yourself advocating for them to do a sleep study and find out what their numbers are, you'll do it because you'll believe in it. Just sayin.

So true! I secretly diagnose people riding on BART. The flip side is that you gradually find out that various well-rested, sharp, upbeat people you know are using CPAP. So far: my best friend from first grade, a neighbor up the street, my husband's best friend here in town, and two of my work colleagues.

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:46 am

Had a sleep study at the hospital last night using a CPAP. Expected it to be a life changing event. Woke up several times during the night and didn't feel refreshed when getting out of bed. Huge disappointment as I expected it to be something great

I had a full night titration. Felt like crap when I woke up the next morning as well - worse than normal. It isn't an indication of things to come. Nothing to worry about.

djams wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:23 pm

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:46 am

Had a sleep study at the hospital last night using a CPAP. Expected it to be a life changing event. Woke up several times during the night and didn't feel refreshed when getting out of bed. Huge disappointment as I expected it to be something great

I had a full night titration. Felt like crap when I woke up the next morning as well - worse than normal. It isn't an indication of things to come. Nothing to worry about.

I had a similar full night titration....the sleep study from the depths of hell. Dufus sleep tech who was telling me some very big lies for one thing (like did you know it is against a federal law for patients to have the software to see what the machine is reporting?...dumb ass...both ResMed and Respironics were actively selling their software back then to patients for $100).
Had to fight him about what mask to use...slept horribly and woke up with a massive headache and blood pressure at stroke level of 186/135 and it's NEVER been that high.

Nothing has ever been as bad as that night was.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:30 pm

djams wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:23 pm

Bubba1 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:46 am

Had a sleep study at the hospital last night using a CPAP. Expected it to be a life changing event. Woke up several times during the night and didn't feel refreshed when getting out of bed. Huge disappointment as I expected it to be something great

I had a full night titration. Felt like crap when I woke up the next morning as well - worse than normal. It isn't an indication of things to come. Nothing to worry about.

I had a similar full night titration....the sleep study from the depths of hell. Dufus sleep tech who was telling me some very big lies for one thing (like did you know it is against a federal law for patients to have the software to see what the machine is reporting?...dumb ass...both ResMed and Respironics were actively selling their software back then to patients for $100).
Had to fight him about what mask to use...slept horribly and woke up with a massive headache and blood pressure at stroke level of 186/135 and it's NEVER been that high.

Nothing has ever been as bad as that night was.

Yikes. Thing is, I slept pretty well. Got up once to pee and had trouble falling getting back to sleep. And the tech woke me up once fiddling with the mask.

I have to admit, I was a bit worried that morning after titration just like bubba1.

djams wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:38 pm

Yikes. Thing is, I slept pretty well. Got up once to pee and had trouble falling getting back to sleep. And the tech woke me up once fiddling with the mask.

I have to admit, I was a bit worried that morning after titration just like bubba1.

Oh...I knew I had slept very little. In reality I got 156 minutes of sleep out of the 8 hour night and only 6 minutes of it in REM where my OSA was worse. It's no wonder they didn't get the pressure right.
And with just barely 2 hours of highly fragmented sleep it's no wonder I felt like total crap. I went promptly home and back to bed.
I knew that at home once I got the machine that it would all be downhill after that night.
Proceeded to buy my first machine privately and do it all myself and hit the ground running and never looked back.
My insurance has never bought me a machine. I use insurance for masks only and on a rare occasion maybe an accessory of some sort.