My introduction

You're off to a great start! First, for sleeping at all with your gear. And then for sleeping 5+ hours your second night!

Just a personal observation from reading a lot of posts. I think any kind of anxiety about using CPAP gets readily translated into a dreaming or dreaming/waking sense of drowning or suffocating. I'm betting that will abate with time.

You might be able to speed up your adaptation by using the machine for a while during the day or the evening, set up somewhere outside your bedroom where you can read or watch TV. It kind of teaches your subconscious that this set of strange experiences is benign -- nothing to see here, brain; everything's cool, just move on.

Working through the first week. Trying to get used to it. I'm not sleeping enough but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon. Figured I'd run an OSCAR report even though it's only for 4 days of data. Here's what I'm working with. I'm not yet sure what it all means but I'll read up more on it when my brain wakes up.

This is not bad.... you are doing quite well. Several comments/questions:
- The 5 or so hours you are sleeping.... is this the total hours you are sleeping? Or are you taking the mask off at night, and getting more sleep?
- Are you ok with the minimum pressure of 4 (ish)? A little low, but there are a few folks that like it that low. Plus, during the night, your machine upper pressures are between 12 - 17 and it's a long way too go (from 4 to 12-17) to treat those apnea events when they occur.
- Move the maximum machine pressure to 20. That way your machine can go higher if needs to treat an event. If it doesn't need that much, it won't matter, it will use only the pressure it needs to treat the event.... then retreat. If you don't know to change it, I'll show you. You have to go to the clinical menu to adjust the pressures.
- Try to pick a particular night (or two) and post a snap shot. Probably needs to be what you would consider a bad night More to work with.

Again, I think you are doing good. Be determined to keep going no matter what. Your body will fight you, but when it realizes you are determined to wear the mask ALL night, it will give in and you won't even realize you are wearing it.

Sheriff

I appreciate that advice. I definitely don't know how to change the pressures but if you could message me instructions, I'd be willing to do so. I know this is very little data to go on but again, I'll update after getting more. To answer your question, the 5 hours is pretty much all I slept those days. There was one where it recorded for an hour and 40 minutes or something and on that occasion, I did take the mask off and then go back to sleep. I do have good news though ...

Last night I finally slept with the mask on all night and slept for 7 hours and 40 minutes with no mask leaks! It was awesome!!

I don't feel any different but I'm assuming that comes with time. I also have the memory foam mask coming in tomorrow so we'll see if that helps. Right now, the bridge of my nose is pissed off and red. Haven't tried the t-shirt thing that was suggested earlier because I knew I had this new mask coming in.

Does anyone else feel like Darth Vader when wearing a full-face mask? No? Just me? Okay.

Congratulations!

Yes, it can take time. I hope you find the mask that's right for you.

hoss555j5 wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2020 1:40 pm

Does anyone else feel like Darth Vader when wearing a full-face mask? No? Just me? Okay.

No... It's not just you. Darth Vader has many children...
The force is strong with this meme.

Darth Vader wrote:I am your father...

viewtopic.php?p=297816#p297816
viewtopic/t60517/quotLuke-I-am-your-Fatherquot.html
viewtopic/t54520/feeling-better.html
viewtopic/t40190/First-Nite-Results-Umm ... Blink.html
viewtopic/t37065/Thank-you-guys.html
...

Dang!!! I'm really happy for you! About the nose thang...… I have the same problem. Do this: get some medical tape and some moleskin. There are a bunch of different types of medical tape. My nose is very sensitive and regular medical tape takes skin off during the morning, so I used the cloth-type (for sensitive skin). I cut small 3/4" strips and put them on the bridge of my nose. There are times when my nose is really sensitive… maybe when using a new cushion... and I use moleskin. I buy the moleskin in like 4" X 4" sheets at Walmart (in the foot section... it's used for corns) for around $1.87 a pack. I cut them into small 1/2" strips. I cut both the tape and the moleskin ahead of time.... maybe a week's worth, because when I'm ready to go to bed at night, I am in no mood to mess with it. Most nights, I just use the strip of medical tape on the bridge of my nose. Again, if my nose is really sensitive, I'll place the moleskin over the tape. The moleskin is real sticky, so if I don't use a strip of medical tape under it.... it'll take off half my nose when I remove it in the morning. I think, eventually, the bridge of your nose will toughen up.

You are right about it taking time to feel better. It won't happen overnight. After around day 17 or 18 of fighting the therapy, I woke up with that "ah-ha feeling". That was the only time I had that feeling, but I've added probably 15 years to my life…. I'm healthier and I generally feel better during the day. Keep going and keep us posted. You'll have more stumbles along your way, but we are here to help you.

Sheriff

Another consideration is to try a nasal pillow mask that mounts under the nose.

These are very minimal, and work well for those sporting facial hair.

The P10 is one of the most minimal masks and a pretty cheap investment.

CPAP.com currently sells it for $99 (fit pack, S, M L)
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... k-headgear

The P30i is also a consideration. Currently $109 at CPAP.com for the fit pack.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... illow-mask

hoss555j5 wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2020 1:40 pm

I appreciate that advice. I definitely don't know how to change the pressures but if you could message me instructions, I'd be willing to do so. I know this is very little data to go on but again, I'll update after getting more. To answer your question, the 5 hours is pretty much all I slept those days. There was one where it recorded for an hour and 40 minutes or something and on that occasion, I did take the mask off and then go back to sleep. I do have good news though ...

Last night I finally slept with the mask on all night and slept for 7 hours and 40 minutes with no mask leaks! It was awesome!!

I don't feel any different but I'm assuming that comes with time. I also have the memory foam mask coming in tomorrow so we'll see if that helps. Right now, the bridge of my nose is pissed off and red. Haven't tried the t-shirt thing that was suggested earlier because I knew I had this new mask coming in.

Does anyone else feel like Darth Vader when wearing a full-face mask? No? Just me? Okay.

How are you getting along?

Sheriff

Thanks for asking! I'll try to keep this somewhat brief but no guarantees.

I got the AirFit mask thing. The one with the memory foam. That solved my nose problem. I love the mask. It's so much more comfortable than the standard silicone one. Surprisingly, it's easier for me to get a good seal with it as well. I rarely, if ever, have a seal problem now.

I haven't experienced that loss of breath that I talked about in a previous post anymore. That's a good thing.

I have had a few nights where I woke up and took the mask off. I don't remember doing it but I woke up with the mask on my desk next to my bed so obviously I did. One thing I'm noticing is that the mask feels a lot tighter when waking up than when I went to sleep. Uncomfortably so. I think what's happening is I'm half waking up at times, feeling the tightness on my head and removing it. Maybe I'm not finding the optimal tightness to prevent leaks. I wonder if I can make it a little looser than usual but still have no leaks. I'll have to play with it.

After reading previous advice in this thread, I toyed with the idea of trying out nasal pillows but my wife gently reminded me that I'm a mouth breather at night and wouldn't be able to keep my mouth closed all night.

I increased the humidity to 8 and it fixed my dry mouth problem. I brought it back down to 7 for the last day or two and have had the problem anymore either so I think 7 is my magic setting.

I'm attaching updated stats below. Someone previously requested that I also talk about how I'm feeling ... not just about my numbers. Frankly, I don't feel any different. Honestly, I actually feel more tired and run down than before. I'm hoping this is just a matter of getting used to the process. Even just writing the last few sentences has taken me about 15 minutes just because I zone out and am losing focus ... something my doc said should be addressed by using the CPAP. I know not to expect immediate changes for the better. I just hope they come sooner than later.

I have no idea how to read/interpret this OSCAR data. Does anyone know about a video or other tutorial detailing what it all means, line by line, graph by graph? Not only what it means but what's considered a good target? Would it be helpful to you guys for me to post additional images of some of the graphs as well or is the screenshot of the overview sufficient to get an idea of what's happening?

I'm tired. I'm really looking forward to this improving my quality of life. Any day now. Right? RIGHT?

Others will be around (e.g. Pugsy) to help interpret the graphs, but unless I missed something, is there a reason your min. setting is still at 4?

I agree with Julie.
The low pressure may be the reason you are taking your mask off at night.
Many people are very uncomfortable at that low pressure.
Got to keep the mask on.

JPB

If you do not have the Clinician manual, go to the bottom link on my post and find your machine. Then download your manual.
It will show you how to change pressures and give you a lot more useful information.

hoss555j5 wrote: ↑

Mon May 25, 2020 4:18 pm

After reading previous advice in this thread, I toyed with the idea of trying out nasal pillows but my wife gently reminded me that I'm a mouth breather at night and wouldn't be able to keep my mouth closed all night.

A lot of people while experiencing untreated apnea are mouth-breathers because of the apnea.

As they adapt to CPAP, they are soon able to nasal breath.

But you're enjoying your AirFit, so go with what's working.

hoss555j5 wrote: ↑

Mon May 25, 2020 4:18 pm

I increased the humidity to 8 and it fixed my dry mouth problem. I brought it back down to 7 for the last day or two and have had the problem anymore either so I think 7 is my magic setting.

Now that we're moving into more humid seasons, you may be able to lower it a bit more.

hoss555j5 wrote: ↑

Mon May 25, 2020 4:18 pm

I'm attaching updated stats below.

Your numbers are pretty good, but almost always when one's pressure averages over 10, a minimum of 4 is simply not enough. Can't tell by looking at just the numbers. You may want to post some graphs that include the pressure, snore, leak and flow limitation traces.

hoss555j5 wrote: ↑

Mon May 25, 2020 4:18 pm

Frankly, I don't feel any different. Honestly, I actually feel more tired and run down than before. I'm hoping this is just a matter of getting used to the process. Even just writing the last few sentences has taken me about 15 minutes just because I zone out and am losing focus ... something my doc said should be addressed by using the CPAP. I know not to expect immediate changes for the better. I just hope they come sooner than later.

I have no idea how to read/interpret this OSCAR data. Does anyone know about a video or other tutorial detailing what it all means, line by line, graph by graph? Not only what it means but what's considered a good target? Would it be helpful to you guys for me to post additional images of some of the graphs as well or is the screenshot of the overview sufficient to get an idea of what's happening?

I'm tired. I'm really looking forward to this improving my quality of life. Any day now. Right? RIGHT?

Yes, it gets better. Right now what you've done is traded poor sleep because apnea, for poor sleep because of a foreign device on your face.

But you will get used to the device and start feeling better.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I will try to address all questions after I sleep. I just got home from work and am about to crash. But one question that comes to mind right off the bat is regarding the minimum pressure. I appreciate the link to the clinician manual. I will download and read through that. The general consensus is that 4 is too low. I know that's what the prescription said (4-20) so that's why it's set to that. I have no problem changing it once I read up on how to do so but what should I be changing it to? Is there enough data for you to tell me or do you need the graphs that were previously mentioned to figure that out?

With the research I've done coupled with the extremely helpful feedback I've been getting here, I feel like I've already avoided several hurdles to starting therapy and it's just a matter of fine tuning some processes and what not. I appreciate all of you for that. I'm loving this forum.

Without seeing a detailed report it's hard to say what might be an optimal starting minimum pressure but if your AHI is nice and low and you aren't having a problem in terms of air hunger with the with 4 cm starting minimum.....you may not have any urgent need to change it.
So it sort of depends on what kind of results you are having with the 4 cm starting point...nice low AHI and no problems being comfortable with 4 cm starting point...and sleeping good and feeling good....probably no urgent need to change it.

Despite what the general consensus might be....some people starting at 4 cm does do an acceptable job and not everyone feels like they are suffocating at 4 cm.

It's very possible that your machine establishes a new minimum anyway...once it goes up to whatever pressure it goes to it might not even come back down anyway depending on what the airway tissues need.

But - in the interests of 'knowing' for future reference, if you were to try at a slightly higher setting, 6 might be where to start for at least a few days.