Dreamstation - Typical settings for first use?

I toss and turn, wake up foggy with a mild headache and low energy.

I started reading about CPAP and ordered a Philips Dreamstation HX500 auto CPAP with humidifier, heated tube, and Dreamwear Nasal Pillow mask to give it a try.

From the unit's default config, are there any recommended base level changes I should make as a first time user to setting the pressure, humidifier, ramp, etc? I'm a half educated fool - enough to be dangerous, looking for a little guidance.

sleepy-guy wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 1:22 pm

I'm a half educated fool - enough to be dangerous, looking for a little guidance.

welcome to the zoo! i like you already, just because of this statement. i'm tired of too many new folk who come in here looking for an argument.

yes, you can do this yourself. other than a sleep test, i've not been back to the doctor. i get all my info here.

others have gone without the sleep test and have done very well.

if i may be so bold, set your machine to a minimum pressure of 7 and the maximum pressure to 20. this will give a wide range to work with. once the experts see the oscar charts you'll post, they can give you advice on just how to set your pressure to get your therapy dialed in.

good luck!

Thanks, Zonker, I appreciate the reply and warm welcome.

I will change the pressure settings accordingly and get some data to respond back with hopefully within a week or so.

Really hoping this is a fruitful endeavor.

I concur, and a good attitude is also needed, you are off to a good start. Jim

Let me add my welcome and encouragement. One additional suggestion: when you get the machine, set everything up during the day or evening outside your bedroom and use it while you read or watch TV. You can even do that a couple of days before you try night-time use. The reason is that it helps you get used to a novel experience without lying there in the dark waiting for sleep to come.

sleepy-guy wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2020 7:28 am

Thanks, Zonker, I appreciate the reply and warm welcome.

I will change the pressure settings accordingly and get some data to respond back with hopefully within a week or so.

Really hoping this is a fruitful endeavor.

might not be EASY, but i suspect it'll be fruitful. be advised that it may take some time to reap the benefits. there have been folks who come in and get nice restorative sleep from the get-go. but for the majority of us, it takes time.

good luck!

Here is my first attempt. Was able to do about 4 hrs last night for the first night. It was a tough what felt like half hr getting used to it before I fell asleep. Then I woke up ~ 4 hrs later and felt like I couldnt breath. Sinuses were a bit clogged, mouth dry. I just took it off for the rest of the night because I felt like I couldn't get air flowing good. Anything noteworthy out of this first attempt? Let me know how I should arrange oscar best if you need different info.

sleepy-guy wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 9:46 am

Here is my first attempt. Was able to do about 4 hrs last night for the first night. It was a tough what felt like half hr getting used to it before I fell asleep. Then I woke up ~ 4 hrs later and felt like I couldnt breath. Sinuses were a bit clogged, mouth dry. I just took it off for the rest of the night because I felt like I couldn't get air flowing good. Anything noteworthy out of this first attempt? Let me know how I should arrange oscar best if you need different info.

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looks a lot like a first night to me!

it may be that your mouth fell open during sleep to cause the dry mouth. i would suggest a firm foam cervical collar. this can be found in your typical drugstore, if you wish to brave that trip. or on amazon. if at the drugstore, it would be in the section with bedpans and crutches and such. for sure, i've seen them at cvs, riteaid and wlagreen's.

also there, you will find xylimelts. this is a lozenge that you place between tooth and cheek. it slowly dissolves overnight , promoting saliva production. this too can be found at amazon.

finally, there are over the counter nasal sprays. i use Aller-flo which is the costco equivalent. i've been using this so long that i can't remember the branded version available at grocery or drugstores. someone(most likely miss e) will be along to tell us.

next time you post a chart, eliminate the snore graph, unless someone asks to see it. in it's place, please put "flow limit".

i'm uncertain what to tell you based on one chart for four hours sleep. i would say stay the course until someone wiser than i comes along with a suggestion for any changes.

good luck!

Thanks for the help. I thought I would take to it without any hassle but it's a bit trickier than I thought!

I'll keep at it and see if I can get some better data over the following week. It sure collects a lot of data. I just don't understand what I am looking at yet.

sleepy-guy wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 1:53 pm

Thanks for the help. I thought I would take to it without any hassle but it's a bit trickier than I thought!

I'll keep at it and see if I can get some better data over the following week. It sure collects a lot of data. I just don't understand what I am looking at yet.

i don't have the ability to read too much of the graphs myself.

when you come back, post your graphs here as well. and you can post three graphs at a time, too.

good luck!

Reporting for duty, Mr. Z. Yes, the brand name is Flonase, and it's well worth a try. It takes a week or two to kick in, so give it a chance.

Just think, you never have to have a first night with CPAP again! You did well, I think -- actually fell asleep for a while and had a pretty smooth-looking hour toward the end. With some kind of data, we might have had suggestions to make even at this very early point, but my take on what I'm seeing is that it'd be good if you leave your settings where they are for now and just keep posting charts.

Do try the cervical collar as Zonker recommends. It can be a big help. If you do, let us know what you think of it.

Because your machine doesn't generate a separate flow limitation graph, I think your formatting on the Oscar chart is AOK. You could turn off VS2, since no one really knows what it measures and it clutters things up. Oh, and do fill out your equipment profile so everyone can easily see what you're using.

Onward!

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 6:04 pm

Reporting for duty, Mr. Z. Yes, the brand name is Flonase, and it's well worth a try. It takes a week or two to kick in, so give it a chance.

as you were, m'am!

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 6:04 pm

Because your machine doesn't generate a separate flow limitation graph, I think your formatting on the Oscar chart is AOK.

oh rats! i got that backwards again. thanks for the gentle correction.

zonker wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 6:15 pm

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 6:04 pm

Reporting for duty, Mr. Z. Yes, the brand name is Flonase, and it's well worth a try. It takes a week or two to kick in, so give it a chance.

as you were, m'am!

Let's see, how exactly was I? Oh yes, I had a cocktail in my hand....

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 6:53 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 6:15 pm

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Thu May 21, 2020 6:04 pm

Reporting for duty, Mr. Z. Yes, the brand name is Flonase, and it's well worth a try. It takes a week or two to kick in, so give it a chance.

as you were, m'am!

Let's see, how exactly was I? Oh yes, I had a cocktail in my hand....

i hope you didn't have to set down your scepter.

Oh, didn't I ever explain?