random questions

Digame · Post by **Digame** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:42 am

Hi everybody at Cpap talk

Last month I was advised to use Cpap machine for my sleeping disorder. I friend of mine from the UK is going to lend me her Cpap for a trial. When I'm still in doubt for it is the right solution,do any one know if there will be any trouble with The Custon when she brings it from England to Vietnam (where I live) and what harm would it be if I set the presure too high or to low. I'm also a mouth-breather so it is hard for me to keep my mouth shut even when I try to use chin trapper because somehow my hand always manages to full everything off my face while I'm asleep. does any one know what can I do about all this???

Thank you

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:22 am

Welcome to the forum, Digame. I'm glad you found us. How wonderful of your friend to bring her CPAP for you to try. I'm in the US so have no idea of what customs between England and Vietnam would entail.

I assume you have gone thru a sleep evaluation since you were told you need a CPAP for your sleep disorder and also assume you've been thru titration since you know you mouth breathe and also know that you pull the mask off your face in your sleep and that a chin strap didn't help with either problem.

I've not had a problem w/mouth breathing as you have nor w/using a chin strap so I can't offer any advice other than trying several different full face masks to see if one will help w/the mouth breathing situation. It may be that the freedom to mouth breathe w/a full face mask will reduce or eliminate the urge to pull the mask off your face.

I'm sure that others, more experienced w/mouth breathing and/or pulling their mask off their face will post their suggestions, advice and experience w/you.

Good luck.

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:29 am

Do you know what your titrated pressure requirement is? Your sleep doctor should provide you with that number, it is expressed in "cmh2o", such as "10 cmh2o". Your CPAP machine will have to be set to that pressure. Given the manufacturer name and model number, somebody on here should be able to provide the procedure for setting the pressure; your sleep clinic should also be able to set it for you.

If the pressure is too low it will not be effective, if it is too high it can induce another type of sleep apnea called "central sleep apnea".

Digame · Post by **Digame** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:23 am

thank you all alot for replying

But does anyone have any trouble with the custom when you go overboard??

this is the cpap she is lending me. can anyone please tell me how should I set the pressure ??

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-advanced.php?PNum=2114

and one more thing!!! I can use any kind of mask because I really dont know which one fits me

Thank you alot

Marzman · Post by **Marzman** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 6:35 pm

Hi Digame,

Shipping CPAP Equipment to another country is one thing. If she is bringing it from the UK, that is another. If it is her equipment then she can carry it on any airlines. Medical aquipment is not counted as carry on so she can carry it with one carry on and not be charged for a extra bag.

Customs has not been an issue. I have shipped machines to Australia and India. I mark each box with CPAP Medical Equipment on the customs form and nothing has been returned.

If she is lending you the machine, and shipping it to you, have her put on it "GIFT". It should help expidite things some.

You can buy masks & hoses on cpapauctions.com. Also once you get the machine, they sell the instructions on how to set that type of machine that you get on eBay Auctions.
I hope this information is helpful

Marsman

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:21 pm

I just returned in September from a trip to England and encountered no difficulties carrying my machine on board. Make sure she travels with her doctor's prescription, just in case.

Susan

Digame · Post by **Digame** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 6:37 am

Thank you you two alot I hope she is not having any trouble with the custom!!!
So the next thing I have to do now is find a Cpap mask in Vietnam!! Do you think I have to find the right Mask for the right Unit?? I dont know if they have different sizes or not. I'm sorry I'm really bad at this. I dont have enough time to learn about CPAP.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:52 am

You're very likely going to need a full face mask, and some of the more popular ones are the Resmed Ultramirage II (which I use) that comes in various sizes (as they all do), the Hybrid, and the Quattro, both of which do not actually cover your nose, but the mouth part has 'pillows' or cushions that cover your nostrils (look them all up on Cpap.com for a better explanation). I think the last two come with different sizes included, mine does not, so you should really be fitted by whoever you get the masks from. Cpap.com has a measuring guide online, though I've found it's not very accurate, but they also have a system where you buy 'insurance' for masks (about $40-50 U.S.) so if you have to return a mask for another size once you open the package, you only pay the insured amount and not have to lose the whole amount as you would otherwise. Chin straps don't work very well for a lot of people.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:48 am

I moved to America just over 4 years ago from England and now work at Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center in Nashville Tennessee and I would not advise you using CPAP unless you have been to a sleep disorders centre and been properly titrated. Having your CPAP pressure too high can actually cause central apneas, and as for the mouth breathing a full face mask would have to be used if a chinstrap does not work this would also have to be fitted correctly to eliminate leaking.[/quote]

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:46 am

You CAN self titrate and you CAN get excellent treatment without a sleep study! Our own Rested Gal is a perfect example!
I mouth breathe and use a nasal mask. Chinstraps didn't work well for me. I tape my mouth shut every night(well over a year now). Some use poligrip strips, and some stop mouth breathing once going on the hose. Some lucky cpap users have trained their tongues to stay in the correct postion to stop mouth breathing.

Brenda

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:06 am

It always amazes me when our "guest" can be so self-righteous about giving advice.

Take what they say with a grain of salt. The people on the forum truly care and will give right on advice!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:09 am

First I want to apologize if my advice came across as self-righteous. I am in the business of helping others with sleep disorders and that is what I was trying to do here. I hear horror stories on a regular basis of people missusing their equipment, almost always unintentionally, and usally based on bad advise from those who haven't been properly trained in the treatment of sleep related breathing disorders. I know this is going to step on someone's toes but TAPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT IS A BAD IDEA!!! Asphyxiation is a real threat when you do this. The closest thing to self- titration is an auto-titrating machine, this gives verying pressures in response to respiratory events detected by the machine. I am curious to see if bdp522 is currently using an auto-titrating machine, otherwise they might sleep better if they didn't have to get up every twenty-thirty minutes to adjust their pressure settings in response to events that they can't detect while asleep! I can uderstand someone having aprehensions going to a sleep disorders center if they find themselves without insurance, but you really do need to consult a professional before applying any treatment options. Finally if I didn't " truly care and will give right on advice" to quote sleepycarol, I wouldn't even have gotten on this web-site. It amazes me that people assume to know what somone's intentions are based on ONE posting on this forum. Finally, I would like to add that although you are no doubtedly passionate in your persuit to treat your sleep disorders, I am drawing upon a knowledge base created by treating THOUSANDS of people with sleep related breathing disorders. But hey, what do I know I am just a guest! .

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:18 am

After looking at your postings, I noticed that the two people replying to my first post ARE using auto-titrating cpap machines, but I wonder if digame's friend will be supplying her with an auto unit. Her original question still remains that if the pressure is too low the machine is useless for eleminating their events, if the machine is set to high then central apneas can result from over titration. Let's not forget that we are trying to help this person with their question!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:25 am

Anonymous wrote:First I want to apologize if my advice came across as self-righteous. I am in the business of helping others with sleep disorders and that is what I was trying to do here. I hear horror stories on a regular basis of people missusing their equipment, almost always unintentionally, and usally based on bad advise from those who haven't been properly trained in the treatment of sleep related breathing disorders. I know this is going to step on someone's toes but TAPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT IS A BAD IDEA!!! Asphyxiation is a real threat when you do this. The closest thing to self- titration is an auto-titrating machine, this gives verying pressures in response to respiratory events detected by the machine. I am curious to see if bdp522 is currently using an auto-titrating machine, otherwise they might sleep better if they didn't have to get up every twenty-thirty minutes to adjust their pressure settings in response to events that they can't detect while asleep! I can uderstand someone having aprehensions going to a sleep disorders center if they find themselves without insurance, but you really do need to consult a professional before applying any treatment options. Finally if I didn't " truly care and will give right on advice" to quote sleepycarol, I wouldn't even have gotten on this web-site. It amazes me that people assume to know what somone's intentions are based on ONE posting on this forum. Finally, I would like to add that although you are no doubtedly passionate in your persuit to treat your sleep disorders, I am drawing upon a knowledge base created by treating THOUSANDS of people with sleep related breathing disorders. But hey, what do I know I am just a guest! .

I realize you are new here but it amazes me that many people who treat OSA patients assume that they know more about the treatment than any member of this forum. There are 21,792 registered members on this forum ... how many thousands have you treated?

Being properly trained in the treatment of sleep related breathing disorders is much different than actually having to use this equipment ... how many times have you slept with a mask?

Yep! ... just a Guest. You, as are all others, are invited to join the forum and as a member you may receive more credibility from your posts. Nonetheless, we are indeed a pationate group of PAP equipment users and you may want to listen for a while before you preach.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:35 am

I DO use an apap. I used it in auto mode to retitrate myself to 9.5(with help from forum members) after the sleep lab titrated me at 7. I then switched to regular cpap mode(I sleep all night through). I have an Average AHI under 1.0, I get 0.5 or lower most nights, and I get 0.0 several times a week. My leak lines are straight and right in line with whatever mask I'm using at the time. I have been taping my mouth shut for over a year with no problems what so ever.
I recently had a physical and showed my MD printouts from my machine. He was so impressed that he told me he has been diagnosed with OSA and has asked me to help him get his treatment started! He also said I'm in the best shape he has ever seen me in, and he has been my MD for over 20 years!

Brenda

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