My First Night!

After over a week of waiting, my machine was delivered yesterday! I got a Resmed Autoset Vantage s8 with a Mirage Activa mask. The RT was very nice, answered the questions I had, fitted the mask, and showed me how to work the machine. However, my doctor is trying a pressure range from 5/20 for two weeks. Seems I didn't get as much time in deep sleep in the titration study as he would like. So, for now I'm not allowwd to fiddle with the settings, save the humidifier. The RT is returning after the two weeks to get the data from the machine and give it to the doctor. I will see him again in a month, but may get feedback before then. I didn't go into the whole card reader/software bit yet, but I am going to ask when the RT comes back.

I went out to Wal-Mart and got a surge protector, distilled water, and some seline nasal spray, which was a good choice. I need to get a funnel too, to make filling the himidifier chamber easier.

The humidifier came set on 3. I turned it down a notch so start off with. I'm hot natured and our house stays fairly cool. I didn't want to overdo it and possibly end up with rainout or have it too warm for comfort.

Overall it was a good first night! I made a few small adjustments to the headgear, but nothing major. I started off listening to a playlist of quiet music on my iPod, which covered up the sound of the machine and the mask at first and helped me to relax. It was much easier to fall asleep at home than at the titration study. I slept well until about 3AM, when I noticed I had turned on my side and the headgear was slightly out of place. I took the opportunity to visit the restroom while the mask was off and then refitted it again when I got back. That took a few minutes. The mask didn't settle as well the second time around. But I found out that I had it positioned a little too far down. Once that was fixed, it fell right back into place. I went back to sleep and slept until my dad woke me up at 8AM this morning to see if I wanted breakfast.

When I woke up, I was alert within just a few seconds. I felt much more refreshed then I usually do, especially for that time of the morning. I could have skipped breakfast and slept on, but I was alert enough to not want to do that. I still feel good, a little drowsy, bit I think it's because I am used to getting a nap in the afternons and not because I really need it. I may break down sometime and try a "pap nap", but I'm going to try to get the full day in for a few days.

I didn't notice any side effects, maybe a slight bit of aerophalgia, but I had a little bit of gas before going to bed anyway. I had a couple of marks on the sides of my nose, but they went away in a few minutes. The humidifier didn't use very much water, but my nose wasn't dry. May try it at 3 tonight just to see if it makes any difference. My machine has a warm up feature, but I didn't use it. I kind of like the cool air coming in on me at first. I didn't get any rainout either, which was something I wondered about because the AC is kicked in pretty good during the summer.

The only other thing I might need to do is try an Activa mask in a smaller size or experiment with some masks. I have a small nose and the space between my nose and mouth is not very big. Felt a bit of pressure on my upper gums, but it wasn't borhersome. In order for it to fit right, the forehead piece doesn't even touch! But I didn't notice much leaking. When I did, it was when I was on my side. Turning onto my back solved it right away. I'm primarily back sleeper anyway, so this won't really bother me. I kind of had to get used to going to sleep on my back again. Had been side sleeping I think because it reduced the snoring/noise, but it felt good to sleep on my back once I started.

So far, so good! Can't wait for night #2!

You had a good first night!

Thank your DME..you got a NICE machine. Did you pull up your data on the machine's screen to see your numbers?

It'll take you a few nights to get used to wearing a mask and not kinda staying awake to adjust it or fix leaks.

Thanks!

No, unfortunately under direct orders from the RT I'm forbidden from touching the other buttons, save the start/stop and the humidifier control until these blasted two weeks are over! Once that happens, there's no stopping me!

Yes, I was impressed with the machine they gave me. The doc. I go to aparently likes to autopap and does so as a rule of thumb.

Last night I went to bed a little early to do just that, give myself extra time to make adjustments, etc. Once we get a size dialed in, I think I won't have to worry about it much. This one will do for the time being. Tonight, I'm going to try not to adjust unless I find it absolutely necessary. The only leak concern I have is if it leaks around the eyes, but this mask is good about conforming to your face, and I'm going to try to stay on my back full time tonight. That ought to solve it.

Drummer.
I hope you the best of luck and that you soon will be feeling like a new person.

John

Drummergirl, yay I am so happy for you!!!! Sounds like you have everything under control, you even seem to have been lucky with the mask (see viewtopic/t22502/Most-Masks-Crown-and-Award.html for a good laugh )

I hope everything continues to go well for you! keep us updated

I'm just 3 nights away from a good nights' sleep myself...

Congrats to you. You have been very patient waiting for your setup. As with you, I have learned a lot hanging around here.

Take care,
Kevin

Great to hear that it's going so well for you!

drummergirl

congrats on a great first night!

sharon1965

Thanks, everyone, so much for the kind words! I ended up working through the drowsy spell I had earlier and actually made some progress! I'm in the middle of my masters thesis and It really was hard to even think about it there for a while. The drowsies went away as soon as I got my mind off of it. I'm grateful. I was trying to write a major paper and finish up school(work) in April and May when all this started. The paper was OK, but not my best work. The experience of having to do that was horrible! Today has given me lots of hope!

The only thing besides congrats on getting your life back (soon) is that you might not get as much great sleep after the first few nights. I have found that lots of people have a great first few nights and then slide back some. Luckily you will get great sleep again after that.

Oh and I find if you slide the mast down a little, the leak around the eyes goes away.

Great luck.

CONGRATS on your great first night! Attitude has alot to do with xpap success, and you have a great attitude! Keep up the good work, you're doing great so far!!!

brenda

Thanks so mcuh! Last night went even better! I stayed on my back all night. i got to sleep and I don't think I even moved until I woke up to the ye ol' bladder sometime in the wee hours of the morning. I didn't even bother to take the mask off, just unhooked the hose. Headgear was still in the same spot it should be. Got back into bed and slept until my dad woke me up a bit before 7AM. As soon as I took the mask off and got up, I was alert and ready to stay awake. If the backsliding part does happen, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, but right now it's awesome! Don't ever want to sleep without it!

Just don't lety it go to your head! Wait a minute, it already has! XPAP always goes to the head! (Sorry, bad humor!)


Congrats! Just don't panic when you have one of those bad nights!

LOL! Pretty funny tuna!

I'm sure it will happen, but I'll do my best to take it in stride!

drummergirl, that sounds so wonderful!
O.