new to everything

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:26 pm

zonker wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:25 pm
snowgolum wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:22 pm
I'll definitely be posting once I get the CPAP in since it looks all sorts of confusing.
once you are ready to do so, please post here, in this thread.

makes it easier to keep track if it all stays here from now on.

thanks.
I just changed it so I could get a few more answers and the topic is new.

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zonker
Posts: 11336
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:36 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by zonker » Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:26 pm

snowgolum wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:26 pm
zonker wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:25 pm
snowgolum wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:22 pm
I'll definitely be posting once I get the CPAP in since it looks all sorts of confusing.
once you are ready to do so, please post here, in this thread.

makes it easier to keep track if it all stays here from now on.

thanks.
I just changed it so I could get a few more answers and the topic is new.
not chiding you. just asking to stay in this one for a bit.
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
Oscar-Win
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1-Win64.exe
Oscar-Mac
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1.dmg

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:36 pm

zonker wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:26 pm
snowgolum wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:26 pm
zonker wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:25 pm
snowgolum wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:22 pm
I'll definitely be posting once I get the CPAP in since it looks all sorts of confusing.
once you are ready to do so, please post here, in this thread.

makes it easier to keep track if it all stays here from now on.

thanks.
I just changed it so I could get a few more answers and the topic is new.
not chiding you. just asking to stay in this one for a bit.
you got it

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Wed Mar 10, 2021 8:44 am

First night with CPAP was pretty damn awful. I was hoping to be able to slightly acclimate but it was near impossible. I have a headache this morning and I'm not sure how or if I need to change pressures. The auto setting is 4-20 cm.

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zonker
Posts: 11336
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:36 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by zonker » Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:43 am

snowgolum wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 8:44 am
First night with CPAP was pretty damn awful. I was hoping to be able to slightly acclimate but it was near impossible. I have a headache this morning and I'm not sure how or if I need to change pressures. The auto setting is 4-20 cm.
it's possible that your settings aren't optimal.

when you're up for it, please start using the oscar software and post some charts so the experts here can get your therapy dialed in.

OH! what machine and mask are you using?
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
Oscar-Win
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1-Win64.exe
Oscar-Mac
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1.dmg

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Miss Emerita
Posts: 3757
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by Miss Emerita » Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:46 am

Well, look at it this way -- you'll never have to have another "first night" again!

Getting acclimated is exactly the right way to think about this early phase of CPAP use. Try setting up the machine outside your bedroom during the day or evening and using it while you read or watch TV -- something that diverts you a little bit. You can even do that for a few days before you try night-time use again.

Could you say more about what was difficult about your first night? Was the mask comfortable or not? Problems dealing with the hose? Annoying leaks? Or ....?

What brand and model of machine do you have? One thing jumps out at me: most people feel a little air-starved with a pressure of 4. So try raising it to, say, 6. Also, do you have flex or EPR turned on? (The two terms refer to similar features on two different brands of machine.) Once we know what kind of machine you have, we can tell you how you can change your pressure settings.
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:58 pm

zonker wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:43 am
snowgolum wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 8:44 am
First night with CPAP was pretty damn awful. I was hoping to be able to slightly acclimate but it was near impossible. I have a headache this morning and I'm not sure how or if I need to change pressures. The auto setting is 4-20 cm.
it's possible that your settings aren't optimal.

when you're up for it, please start using the oscar software and post some charts so the experts here can get your therapy dialed in.

OH! what machine and mask are you using?

Yeah, I'm wondering what all I need to change on it.
I got the auto resmed 10 with a resmed n20 mask.

Do I download the oscar software somewhere or is it an app?

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:11 pm

Miss Emerita wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:46 am
Well, look at it this way -- you'll never have to have another "first night" again!

Getting acclimated is exactly the right way to think about this early phase of CPAP use. Try setting up the machine outside your bedroom during the day or evening and using it while you read or watch TV -- something that diverts you a little bit. You can even do that for a few days before you try night-time use again.

Could you say more about what was difficult about your first night? Was the mask comfortable or not? Problems dealing with the hose? Annoying leaks? Or ....?

What brand and model of machine do you have? One thing jumps out at me: most people feel a little air-starved with a pressure of 4. So try raising it to, say, 6. Also, do you have flex or EPR turned on? (The two terms refer to similar features on two different brands of machine.) Once we know what kind of machine you have, we can tell you how you can change your pressure settings.
I'm just confused on what it should feel like or if the titration is okay. I had to do a home study because the sleep study here is 5k and they're also backed up for months because of COVID. I do have a sleep therapist I can call. My AHI was only 5 but my RDI was 84.

I guess there wasn't one "specific" problem...it's just that I'm used to sleeping on my stomach with a flat pillow so it was uncomfortable. At one point, I woke up from my mouth exhaling and then gargling. Maybe I need a full face mask? I usually breathe with my nose. It showed no leaks on my app. I don't really even know if I fell asleep or remember falling asleep; no dreams and definitely did not feel rested when I woke up.

My cpap is a auto resmed 10 and the mask is a resmed n20.

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zonker
Posts: 11336
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:36 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by zonker » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:36 pm

snowgolum wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:58 pm


Do I download the oscar software somewhere or is it an app?
software, not app.

the link is at the bottom of miss emerita's post.

let us know when you are ready to post some graphs and we can help.
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
Oscar-Win
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1-Win64.exe
Oscar-Mac
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1.dmg

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:41 pm

zonker wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:36 pm
snowgolum wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:58 pm


Do I download the oscar software somewhere or is it an app?
software, not app.

the link is at the bottom of miss emerita's post.

let us know when you are ready to post some graphs and we can help.
I think I'm going to have to buy an SD card first.

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Miss Emerita
Posts: 3757
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by Miss Emerita » Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:00 pm

Look in the slot on the left side of your machine to see if a card is already in there. If not, just any SD card that will fit in there; cheap is fine. You'll also need a way to read the card. If your computer doesn't have a card reader built in, you can buy a plug-in reader for around 10 bucks.

You may not need a full-face mask. Give the one you have a good trial before you decide (unless it's uncomfortable).
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

User avatar
zonker
Posts: 11336
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:36 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by zonker » Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:08 pm

snowgolum wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:41 pm


I think I'm going to have to buy an SD card first.
and miss e has the right of it again.

do you happen to have an old digital camera laying about? if so, look to see if there is an sd card there.

meanwhile, we'll wait patiently.
8)
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
Oscar-Win
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1-Win64.exe
Oscar-Mac
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1.dmg

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:17 pm

zonker wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:08 pm
snowgolum wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:41 pm


I think I'm going to have to buy an SD card first.
and miss e has the right of it again.

do you happen to have an old digital camera laying about? if so, look to see if there is an sd card there.

meanwhile, we'll wait patiently.
8)
I'm glad you said that because I do

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:19 pm

Miss Emerita wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:00 pm
Look in the slot on the left side of your machine to see if a card is already in there. If not, just any SD card that will fit in there; cheap is fine. You'll also need a way to read the card. If your computer doesn't have a card reader built in, you can buy a plug-in reader for around 10 bucks.

You may not need a full-face mask. Give the one you have a good trial before you decide (unless it's uncomfortable).
I remembered I do have one thanks to the digital camera suggestion. I got a sd reader on my computer.

The mask is just uncomfortable. I think it's because I sorta do a nasal inhale with a mouth exhale and I found myself exhaling and choking last night.

snowgolum
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:24 pm

Re: new to everything

Post by snowgolum » Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:37 am

So third night with CPAP was odd.

I finally fell asleep and then had a crazy dream but I woke up and could tell I wasn't breathing well. I look over at the CPAP and see the pressure is up to 13 so I know I'm having an apnea episode since my pressure usually stays on 7 while I'm sleeping normally. My left nasal passageway has been inflamed for months from an ethmoid sinus infection that I took antibiotics for so I'm wondering if my nasal mask just isn't sending enough pressurized air into my throat. I ordered a full face mask since I am breathing periodically through my mouth.

Still waking up foggy and anxious.