FIRST POST: New to CPAP

FYG · Post by **FYG** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:19 am

About a month ago I finally found the time and wherewithall to get a sleep study done, which confirmed my suspicion of sleep apnea. My doctor told me that my chart got passed around his colleagues because I had a very high number of apneas/night.

So, I've been on a CPAP machine for a month now and the difference is fantastic! I was mostly concerned because of my daytime sleepiness and that's completely gone now. I also have a clarity in my mind and thoughts that I haven't had in a while.

But, there are still some questions I have and hope that some of you nice folks can help:

1 - How likely is my "CPAP number" or air-pressure setting to change over time? My doctor mentioned that it's a little on the high side and I really wouldnt want to see it change much

2 - I have trouble with the mask against my skin. The upper-parts (on my forehead) are causing pimples while the lower part has created a very sensitive dry spot at the base of my nose. Any thoughts on what I can do make the mask less irritating?

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:02 pm

Isn't it fantastic to realise that that daytime drowsiness can be eradicated so completely. And, the icing on the cake is the alertnes & return of confidence.

Cheers

DSM

FYG · Post by **FYG** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:24 pm

DSM - absolutely! It's quite an amazing difference really, its made me realize how important a good night's worth of sleep REALLY is. On top of it all, my previously notorious snoring has been reduced to just about nothing!

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:38 pm

Sleep, whats that

Actually, last night was my 1st full night of uninterrupted sleep since going on CPAP. But despite the late nights & getting up for an hour or two in the middle of the night or laying awake for an hour or two, the days have all been without tiredness & with self feeling fully alert & on the go.

Also it is not so much the sleep (we all vary on how much of that we need) it is the blood oxygen levels that improve the body and this flows into so many aspects of health - lack of colds, more resistant to diabetes (a *big* worry for Apnea sufferers), better circulation etc: etc: etc:

Cheers

DSM

DSM

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:51 pm

[quote="FYG"]...But, there are still some questions I have and hope that some of you nice folks can help:
...
2 - I have trouble with the mask against my skin. The upper-parts (on my forehead) are causing pimples while the lower part has created a very sensitive dry spot at the base of my nose. Any thoughts on what I can do make the mask less irritating?

FYG · Post by **FYG** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:34 pm

Thats actually something that I didnt mention in my original post. Unfortunately, I didnt get much of a choice when getting my equipment. I was more or less "assigned" a CPAP unit & mask (all brand new). However, I have researched them a little and the equipments seems like a good "middle of the road" set. Hope I'm not wrong on this

My mask is the Fisher & Paykel Flexi-Fit HC407
My CPAP is the Fisher & Paykel HC234 with a 6 foot hose.

I've already travelled some with this equipment and its a breeze to set up and work with. I had about a week's worth of time before I could sleep a whole night with the mask on, but I'm doing pretty well now.

As a side note, I'll mention my insurance since there are some other threads with that. I have Blue Cross PPO and they were just great even though I didnt call them ahead of time to verify the coverage! Throughout the entire process, my Doc just told me that they would bill the insurance directly. I was a little skeptical and almost delayed the receipt of my CPAP machine. But sure enough, last week I got an invoice from the Doc with a $25 due payment. I wont go into details, but the invoice contained the sleep study and all my appointments and the CPAP equipment, so it was in the multiple thousands. They had already billed and received payment for all of it, minus my $25 - insurance is a wonderful thing!

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:57 pm

FYG wrote: My mask is the Fisher & Paykel Flexi-Fit HC407
My CPAP is the Fisher & Paykel HC234 with a 6 foot hose.

That is a very nice config. The F&P masks are very highly regarded by users here in Australia. From what I have seen of the HC234 it looks to be a nice unit and I would have bought one had I not been presented with an opportunity to get a RemStar Auto w c-flex.

F&P appear to be improving the layout of their machines & the ambient tracking *is* a very useful facility - many folk without it, will pay $100 (incl P&H) for the Aussie Heated Tube. The F&P minimises the need for the tube.

Also the new F&P HC604 has a heated tube as standard.

Cheers

DSM

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:58 pm

Greetings and welcome! Glad that you're feeling good. Be sure to come here often and share your success story with others, many need to hear that encouragement! I've never used that brand of equipment personally but F&P is a respected company so I'm sure it will serve you well. Your required pressure is likely to change even in the same night! The pressure your Doc prescribed is an "educated estimate", high enough but not too high kind of thing. Results are graded on an "average" for your needs during your survey. Many folks purchase the associated software for their machine to monitor their results on a night by night basis. Over the long term, factors like weight gain/loss can change your needs a little. Autopaps are popular particularily if you decide to purchase your own machine as they can adjust to your needs at any given moment. A guess about your mask might be that the dryness by your nose is being caused by an air leak. The forehead irritation could be from the top straps being a little too tight. At any rate, be sure to keep the pads (and the mask) clean. It's a good idea to wipe the pads down every morning and hange the mask somewhere to allow airdrying. Best wishes!

FYG · Post by **FYG** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:32 am

HH - thanx for the feedback.

Yes, overall I regret not getting the studies done sooner. Its been such a wonderful change that I cant even believe the difference. Even if my insurance didnt pay for it, it would have been money well spent.

capt · Post by **capt** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:58 am

Regarding your pimples, make sure that you clean, rinse and air dry the mask areas that are making contact with your skin thoroughly. I use baby soap. Also clean your face before you go to bed to reduce the skin oils as much as possible. I am assuming that the skin problem is not being caused due to a heat rash. Otherwise it sounds like you are doing great!

FYG · Post by **FYG** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:05 pm

Capt - much appreciated information.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:16 pm

Plain baby shampoo - no aloe vera, moisturizer, etc. Be sure to use it daily.

This may be irrelevant after a month - however, I'll say it anyway: For those with sensitive skin it's a good idea to soak any new mask you get in mild soapy water for 30-60 minutes . (click on the blue text if you want to go to the source of this recommendation).

Just take care not to soak parts you were told not to get in water - if you have parts like that in your mask.

O.

cccc · Post by **cccc** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:34 pm

I too have had problems with irritation to my forehead, even with cleaning my skin each night. I've been looking at a few masks recently, and the new Dreamfit by PB seems to have an adjustable forehead pad that allows you to have the pads touch a different part of your forehead. So you don't have to have the pads in the same place every night.. I've just ordered one and i'll let know how it works when i get it.

FIRST POST: New to CPAP

FIRST POST: New to CPAP

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Re: FIRST POST: New to CPAP

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