CPAP Newbie

Hi! I just got home this morning with my new S8 Escape II. I didn't sleep very well last night, but came home with the mask I used anyway. It is a Mirage Swift II. I had trouble sleeping on my side, but I'm not sure if it was the mask or all of the hookups. I would prefer to sleep on my stomach but I have a feeling those days are over!

Anyway, I just found this forum and I am so glad! I realize that I still have a lot to learn, but I am really looking forward to getting better sleep.

Amy

AmyE wrote:Hi! I just got home this morning with my new S8 Escape II. I didn't sleep very well last night, but came home with the mask I used anyway. It is a Mirage Swift II. I had trouble sleeping on my side, but I'm not sure if it was the mask or all of the hookups. I would prefer to sleep on my stomach but I have a feeling those days are over!

Anyway, I just found this forum and I am so glad! I realize that I still have a lot to learn, but I am really looking forward to getting better sleep.

Amy

1) Welcome! Great that you found the best apnea forum on the web
2) A hose hanger was a huge (HUGE) change for me and now I find myself sleeping much better with the whole mask, hose thing. Also, you should expect to try new pillow arrangements or maybe a pillow with cutouts for cpap (goggle 'cpap pillow'
3) buy stuff from cpap.com - great prices and sponsor of this forum.

AmyE wrote: . . . I would prefer to sleep on my stomach but I have a feeling those days are over . . .

You may want to attempt the falcon sleeping position, as explained in the following link:

http://www.uarsrelief.com/sleeppositions.html

Congratulations on finding this forum; it made all the difference for me.

Welcome!

Any chance you can get your DME to let you exchange that Escape II for an Elite II? You need full-data capability in order to be actively involved in your PAP therapy. Note the points Slinky makes in the thread "New and Confused":

viewtopic/t39669/New-and-confused.html

jeff

Thanks for the suggestions! I was not given an option on the machine, but I will ask. I didn't realize I needed all of that data....

AmyE wrote:Thanks for the suggestions! I was not given an option on the machine, but I will ask. I didn't realize I needed all of that data....

You don't need it, but you certainly want it to see exactly what your therapy is doing for you.

I always like to tell new users using nasal pillows about Lansinoh Lanolin. It's for nursing mommies and it's great for helping with tenderness around the nose and helps with the seal as well. Your drug store carries it next to the breast pumps...

I also find using a PAP Pillow to be a big help. I bought a foam pillow from Big Logs for $17 and cut a couple of big squares (about 6" by 6") out of each side. Sure helps to have that big slot to hang the mask into when side sleeping.

Good luck!

AmyE wrote:Thanks for the suggestions! I was not given an option on the machine, but I will ask. I didn't realize I needed all of that data....

Read Slinky's words closely. DMEs (durable medical equipment companies) often tend to give people what costs the DMEs the least, because the DMEs make the most money that way. (Insurance may give the DME the same amount regardless of what machine they give you.) You may need to use Slinky's trick of finding out from insurance what DMEs in your area are in network so that you can find one that will give you what you need.

You can't afford to be nonassertive on this. You only have 30 days or so, in all likelihood, to get your machine traded out for one that gives you data. DMEs bank on the fact that we are ignorant about what we need when we are first starting out. We are so distracted with the idea of getting treatment that we don't think about what we will need down the road. It is in that time of vulnerability that they take advantage of us by giving us bare bones systems.

There is generally no need to be confrontational. If we politely tell them what we want and make it clear we are willing to find a DME that will give it to us, everyone is being reasonable adults about it, and it can get done.

Now is the time to arm yourself with knowledge, such as the info you get clicking the yellow lightbulb at the top of this page. Knowledge is power, and we need all of that we can get.

The data gives you a way to know night-to-night how your therapy is going so you can be motivated to be compliant. Lack of compliance to the therapy is the biggest problem with CPAP, generally speaking. Knowing what your mask leak was last night lets you know if you need to change masks or change the way you sleep. Seeing how few apneas and hypopneas occurred last night compared to your sleep study helps you use the machine the next night.

You also should ask your doc for copies of your sleep studies and a copy of your prescription. Seeing the sleep studies gives you something to compare the machine data to. Having the prescription gives you the freedom of dealing with the DME, brick-and-mortar or online, who gives you the best service in the years to come.

I don't mean to load you up with all that. But it is stuff you need to know and research to be as healthy as you can be. Don't think of it as stressful. Think of it as taking control of your own body in a good way that will pay off for you for years. You are worth it!

jeff

You may want to attempt the falcon sleeping position

That's how I sleep! I'm not sure how this is going to work with the mask, however....

I just got off the phone and will be going in today to trade the Escape for the Elite. He said they do not have any brand new ones, but they probably have one that was only used once or twice and that they are all disinfected, etc. That should be fine, right?

Is the software expensive? He seemed to think so. This place is just around the corner from me, and he said that I could bring it in periodically and they could print out the info for me. Or is it just worth it to get the software?

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. Now I'm off to look at pillows and hangers.

AmyE wrote:

You may want to attempt the falcon sleeping position

That's how I sleep! I'm not sure how this is going to work with the mask, however....

I just got off the phone and will be going in today to trade the Escape for the Elite. He said they do not have any brand new ones, but they probably have one that was only used once or twice and that they are all disinfected, etc. That should be fine, right?

Is the software expensive? He seemed to think so. This place is just around the corner from me, and he said that I could bring it in periodically and they could print out the info for me. Or is it just worth it to get the software?

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. Now I'm off to look at pillows and hangers.

Make sure it is an Elite II, not just an Elite. The Elite II is a significantly better machine. If they give you a used one, make sure it is labeled such on all paperwork you get a copy of, and that your insurance is aware. I would suggest that you allow them to order one brand new if it will take less than a week for it to get to you. If it will take longer through them, find another DME. Others may have other thoughts on that.

You may want to get software one day, but I wouldn't worry about that right now. The data you will get from the top of your machine will be enough for now, since you are getting a ResMed brand machine. That's why I would say don't decide on software until you see if you need it. First things first. More important things first. Data is the key, and the Elite II will give you what you need for now without the software. Again, that is only my opinion.

Watch for posts from longtime posters like rested gal, Slinky, and others whose years on the board, numbers of posts, and reputation for helpfulness have earned their posts special consideration from those of us like you and me who are just starting out. I have only been on the hose for a little over six months myself.

jeff

Make sure it is an Elite II, not just an Elite. The Elite II is a significantly better machine.

Great. Got it-that's what I needed to know. Thank You!
Amy

AmyE wrote:

Make sure it is an Elite II, not just an Elite. The Elite II is a significantly better machine.

Great. Got it-that's what I needed to know. Thank You!
Amy

Stick around. You'll be helping someone else with this stuff one day!

May it go well for you.

jeff