Newbie help

Hello, I am a newbie diagnosed with severe apnea. I will be having the sleep lab test next week to (I believe) test for pressure? I am looking for some up front advice as to questions I should ask; types of recommended machines; and tips to make me a bit more savvy while I start this process. I tried to link to the sleep lab video on this site but received and error page. Yes, I am looking at newbie posts but find it all a bit overwhelming at the moment. Thanks in advance!

Wen11 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 29, 2019 12:57 pm

Hello, I am a newbie diagnosed with severe apnea. I will be having the sleep lab test next week to (I believe) test for pressure? I am looking for some up front advice as to questions I should ask; types of recommended machines; and tips to make me a bit more savvy while I start this process. I tried to link to the sleep lab video on this site but received and error page. Yes, I am looking at newbie posts but find it all a bit overwhelming at the moment. Thanks in advance!

welcome to the zoo!

as it says in my sig, airsense 10 autoset for her

though i'm a man, still use the for her. the machine offers a different choice for the setting which resmed thought was for how a woman breathes. but one doesn't have to use it.

regardless of which machine you eventually get please INSIST that it's an AUTO rather than FIXED RATE machine. an auto can still be used as a cpap (fixed rate) but a cpap can never be used as an auto, which has a rising pressure level to help better utilize the machine in your therapy.

others will be along shortly to answer your other questions.

good luck!

Thank you!

And Resmed machines are more popular (for good reasons) than Phillips Respironics ones... though of course models matter - an older Resmed model may not be as good as a new Phillips.

Wen11 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2020 12:55 pm

Thank you!

HEY! where is everyone else? i told wen11 you'd be by.

don't make me look like a bigger idiot than i already am.


EDIT: sorry posted same time as julie!

Seems like some of the links here on the forum might be broken.

You might take a look at the videos over on Jason's forum. I think all his videos are working.
http://freecpapadvice.com/

In terms of some general advice start here with a couple of member blogs...some good basic information (some is a bit outdated but the basics are good)
https://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/
http://adventures-in-hosehead-land.blog ... -with.html

Then come back if you need clarification about something.

Hello! After a bit of hassle I have received my temp machine (as I am waiting for the Airsense for Her). Have not slept through the night yet... but will move forward as I believe this is the right direction. I already have issues with air escaping / puffy cheeks so will research that. Mainly, I am just going to see if I can eventually keep the mask on all night. Thanks for your advice so far!

Wen11 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2020 12:27 pm

I already have issues with air escaping / puffy cheeks so will research that. Mainly, I am just going to see if I can eventually keep the mask on all night. Thanks for your advice so far!

well, hello. for the air escaping, you may want to try this-

viewtopic/p1089718/viewtopic.php?f=1&t= ... s#p1086296

i use this method, somewhat modified. plus a firm foam cervical collar.

as for mask, try wearing it when not in bed. do some other tasks in the evening while wearing it. this will help your lizard brain get used to it.

good luck!

Yes, it is all overwhelming to start. A new "language" to learn, new sleep regimen, new "stuff" in the bed with you. It won't take long and you will totally enjoy breathing at night, and all the other stuff will be less of a hassle. The folks here are great to help you help yourself. I'm not any help, but I can encourage you. Hang in there!

shaggyzack wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:10 pm

I'm not any help, but I can encourage you. Hang in there!

not true! you ARE a help by being encouraging. that's more than you realize.

Welcome! Just like you - I was a newbie 6 years ago and determined to feel better after diagnosis, and this board is super helpful! It set me up to be proactive about making sure I could adjust my CPAP to work for me. It will take a few adjustments to be sure - but the efforts will be rewarded with better health and feeling refreshed and rested during the day.

I'm an S10 autoset user too for her - it's a great machine.

Thanks...for your feed back. I believe I am doing pretty good for a newbie. I am about two weeks into my machine. Couple of questions.... 1# how can I get the headgear and hose dry after cleaning. Hanging the gear does not seem to work. 2# I feel that breathing out is much less and shorter than breathing in. Should it be equal? And if so, how to program that. #3. When I remove the head gear the machine blows hard for approximately 30 seconds. Then the machine keeps blowing air ever so slightly even if, I believe, the machine should be off?
Thanks!

Wen11 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 29, 2020 8:31 pm

#3. When I remove the head gear the machine blows hard for approximately 30 seconds. Then the machine keeps blowing air ever so slightly even if, I believe, the machine should be off?

That's cool down mode. Very low volume of air blowing. It's designed to dry out the hose just in case some moisture is in the hose.
30 to 45 minutes of that low level moving of air then it quits totally.

Wen11 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 29, 2020 8:31 pm

1# how can I get the headgear and hose dry after cleaning. Hanging the gear does not seem to work.

At what time during the day are you washing your stuff and how often and where are you hanging it?

Hello and sorry that I do not get back to this forum promptly... I do appreciate your responses and am working my way through through all the newbie information posts. I soak my hose and mask for 30 minutes in a 1-4 , vinegar water solution; wash the mask with a mild soap and then hang the mask and hose from a clothes hanger in my bedroom. This is about 9 am. In the evening their are still droplets in the bends of the hose and mask.

Most of us feel there is really no need to wash the hose. The only time I wash ours is if we get sick. My wife's machine is three years old and the hose has never been washed. Mine has been washed a couple of time after I had bronchitis. Our masks, I simply wash with soap and water once a week and let then dry. If you remove the cushion from your mask, you will be able to shake most of the water out after you wash it.