Yes I know I got to wear it

YELLOCD - If I understand you correctly, you're wondering why you feel better with only 1 hour of sleep without CPAP than a full night's sleep where 1 hour of it was with CPAP. In that scenario, seems you tolerate the absence of sleep more than several hours of the onslaught of stress hormones and low oxygen. Longer sleep doesn't always translate into more rest, and the benefit of 1 hour of CPAP is greatly outweighed by the following hours of misery (whether aware of it or not - read your sleep study). And it's the misery you wake up from.

someone said ....

If you choose to treat your sleep apnea, don't try CPAP. For most people, success with CPAP requires a determined commitment. If you don't make that commitment, you are very likely to only frustrate yourself and fail to ever achieve a good therapy.

cept they underlined try ...thanks for correcting the way I ask for help, thats not what I was looking for...if I didnt want to do this I certainly wouldn't.

Maybe I misinterpret your intentions and your trying to help, and maybe you should consider how foggy (I assume) some of us are...I am grateful for the other comments and will try them....TRY I mean try when I say it...dunno what you think I meant...I am about as sharp as a mashed potato sandwich, and think about that Mr way with words.

I would prefer to have assistance from these people who are supposed to come and help but all they do is ignore me until they think I need assistance, ...tried to sett the alarm by using the instructions that were posted for me ( thanks) but the option of alarm didn't seem to come up...is it possible I gave the wrong info concerning what machine I have? I cannot even se what I listed I have a resmed auto II and I switched back to the mirage mask. it did go through options about hours, ...some level ... and mask ( I assume) ...If you know where I can get instructions(if I do have the incorrect ones) or some kind of delail I can more clearly understand .. I scrolled up untill it stopped, and back down and saw nothing ... I really am impatent, iratable and was woken up to water coming up my toilet (water that was colored to look like mud) well 4 hours later I cannot recall what happened during the night/ if I woke up? all I know is the toilet and tub and floor are clean and I am attepting to set this machine when I have the urge to throw it out the window. basically I dont want to die and am slow/ I cannot think ...god forbid I drive to 711 4 blocks away ...I wanted somthing sweet to kinda help wake me up but I am just going to see if a nap helps ....I seached out resmed auto 2 and ...it was not alot of help ...I talk about giving up on this but I have no other choice that I see if I want to live .... I would like to see my son get married, nieces and nephews... I appriciate the patence of you guys... nap time...

YELOOCD, there are many many folks here who can patiently walk you through one step at a time with your machine. I would if I could, but have a machine that has little in common with yours.

Do you have a family member or neighbor who can assist you with the machine in hand while writing your questions on this thread? My heart is sure with you, as I am sure so many others here would say. We do remember and still have those moments of mashed potato brain! And it will get better!

YELOOCD wrote:I would prefer to have assistance from these people who are supposed to come and help but all they do is ignore me until they think I need assistance, ...tried to sett the alarm by using the instructions that were posted for me ( thanks) but the option of alarm didn't seem to come up...is it possible I gave the wrong info concerning what machine I have? I cannot even se what I listed I have a resmed auto II and I switched back to the mirage mask. it did go through options about hours, ...some level ... and mask ( I assume) ...If you know where I can get instructions(if I do have the incorrect ones) or some kind of delail I can more clearly understand .. I scrolled up untill it stopped, and back down and saw nothing ... I really am impatent, iratable and was woken up to water coming up my toilet (water that was colored to look like mud) well 4 hours later I cannot recall what happened during the night/ if I woke up? all I know is the toilet and tub and floor are clean and I am attepting to set this machine when I have the urge to throw it out the window. basically I dont want to die and am slow/ I cannot think ...god forbid I drive to 711 4 blocks away ...I wanted somthing sweet to kinda help wake me up but I am just going to see if a nap helps ....I seached out resmed auto 2 and ...it was not alot of help ...I talk about giving up on this but I have no other choice that I see if I want to live .... I would like to see my son get married, nieces and nephews... I appriciate the patence of you guys... nap time...

YELOOCD,

I think that most, if not all, of us do understand how difficult this is for you right now. I know that before effective CPAP treatment I felt like I was thinking in circles, like there was a thick fog. I couldn't concentrate on anything. I often had difficulty comprehending even simple things. (I am actually a very intelligent person; my brain just wasn't working right!) Some people are suffering from depression too, as it is often a side effect of sleep apnea. Many of us have felt this way, so you're not alone. Things can get better!!!

You list your machine as a ResMed S8 Vantage EPR Auto. If that is correct, then this webpage may have the information you need: http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm. And I'm sure that there are people here that can clarify anything you don't understand. You may want to start a new thread to ask for any specific help you need with the machine settings.

Here are the basic directions for the machine you have, from that web page. There are many clinician setup manuals available there too (for many machines), so you may want to download one of the S8 Auto manuals. There are more advanced clinical manuals available by emailing from that page too. They explain more about what each option means. Just be sure to write down the original settings before you change anything, in case you need to restore the original settings. And try to step through everything slowly. It's a little confusing at first, but it makes more sense once you're doing it.

ResMed S8 Series
To get into the provider setup mode in a ResMed S8 CPAP machine - such as the S8 Compact, S8 Elite or S8 AutoSet Vantage - follow these steps:

1. press the right and down arrows simultaneously for about 3 seconds until the word "clinical" appears
2. select Menu

Use the left and right arrows to cycle through the settings and use the up and down arrows to make adjustments. Below is a list of settings you can cycle through on an S8 AutoSet Vantage automatic CPAP machine. There are four groups of settings which have adjustments and data within them.

Settings
• CPAP Mode
• Minimum CPAP Pressure
• Maximum CPAP Pressure
• Maximum Settling / Ramp
• Mask Type
• Tube Length
• Humidifier
• Smart Start
• Leak Alert

Results
• Efficacy Data
• Usage Data

Options
• Smart Data
• Reminders
• Factory Defaults
• Erase Data
• Date
• Time
• Menu Type
• Language

Servicing
• Run Hours
• Serial Number
• PCV Number
• SW Number
• BR Number

You specifically mentioned not being able to find "Alarm". I think you're talking about "Leak Alert", so you will find that there. It can be set to either "ON" or "OFF". Just so you know, you cannot use the "SmartStart" feature at the same time as "Leak Alert".

You can set "Menu Type" to "ADV". And under Smart Data, set Mask Fit, Pressure, and Usage to "ON". That way, once everything's set up the way you like it, you can review all your therapy information by just pressing the left and right arrows simultaneously for about 3 seconds. You don't have to deal with that right now though.

I hope you will be able to report that you're feeling much better soon! In most cases we've had sleep apnea for many years, so we need to have patience. It can take a while to get things worked out. Don't give up, keep learning about sleep apnea, and keep asking questions. The more clear and specific you can be, the easier it will be for people to help you.

~ DreamOn

OMG, DreamOn--I went blurry-eyed when I saw the list of settings you wrote above for that machine, and I've been fairly successfully using cpap for 15 months!! Exactly a year ago when I switched to my Puritan Bennett 420E and had some huge problems show up, I remember that the most helpful thing for me was getting a PM from 2-3 of our experienced folks with my particular machine, telling me exactly what to punch in for each step of the settings. Couldn't have figured it out otherwise. I'm hoping that someone will do that for YELOOCD.

plr66 wrote:OMG, DreamOn--I went blurry-eyed when I saw the list of settings you wrote above for that machine, and I've been fairly successfully using cpap for 15 months!! Exactly a year ago when I switched to my Puritan Bennett 420E and had some huge problems show up, I remember that the most helpful thing for me was getting a PM from 2-3 of our experienced folks with my particular machine, telling me exactly what to punch in for each step of the settings. Couldn't have figured it out otherwise. I'm hoping that someone will do that for YELOOCD.

It helps to see what options are available on the machine! I was confused and a bit overwhelmed at first, but it does make more sense once you're stepping through it on the machine. If YELOOCD has any specific questions, I'm sure someone around here has the answer! The manuals available on that website can be very helpful too, especially the more advanced clinical manuals. It's all explained there.

It does help to have someone guide you around this world of CPAP, that's for sure! I'm so glad we found this forum!

~ DreamOn

Plumbing problems are a BIG deal even when operating at full capacity. So is trying to trying to work thru things like machine settings, when one is so compromised from poor sleep. Putting the two together... whew! I'm sorry I have no sage wisdom to offer, just an understanding of the frustration, and even desperation, that can accompany this. I don't know your DME or doctor situation (who is ignoring you), but it does sound like you could use an advocate to hold them to task to see you through to achieving therapeutic treatment. But it may be that with the help you receive here you won't need to go thru a hassle that should not have been necessary. Sure hope things improve for you soon.

Kathy

YELOOCD,

I SO feel for you; I was there (brain fogged, exhausted, miserable) a month ago, asked for help on this website, and got two negative responses right off. However, I kept persisting, and since have had some very friendly and helpful advice. And reading others' posts has been very helpful! I chose my pen name because my goal is to be a happy sleeper.

Some things that have helped me; like others say, I've made a commitment to making using the cpap work. Having said that, I start with it each night, and give myself permission to take it off if I begin to get angry at it. I keep a log in the morning about what the problem was, and search posts on line for solutions to that problem, and try the solutions. I've gradually been able to increase my time to 7-8 hours most nights with the mask on.

Then, I got help from a really good respiratory therapist. I recommend Mark from Cpap.com. (I have no investment in the company.) He had lots of practical advice and knew where to get started with all the problems. I save up questions, and he calls me back every two weeks to check on my progress and give further advice (the service is for a series of 3 calls).

I also need positive feedback by the numbers. I also have a Resmed S8, but a slightly different machine than yours. I called my DME company and asked them to walk me through how to let me have access to the "clinical menu". From there, I can get to the results section and track my nightly improvement of AHIs. I started at the sleep lab with 32/hour, and I'm down to an average of 8. Any decrease is good for your brain, and your energy, and will start you feeling better, even if it's only for part of the night. My goal is to get to an AHI less than 5/hour for as many hours as possible each night. I have a good friend who listens to me complain and process this stuff, and keeps me logical. So I'm willing to keep trying to improve my numbers, which keeps me putting the mask back on each night. (Adjusting the flow helps lessen the numbers, and for more info on that, do a search of postings.)

I want to enjoy being on the planet for at least another 30 years. The cpap journey is worth that. Best wishes,

Happy Sleeper

well the alarm is set...

YELOOCD wrote:well the alarm is set...

Yay!

I hope that you get all the kinks worked out so you will get the best results from your therapy. And I hope that you'll be feeling much better really soon! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Most of us have had to deal with challenges along the way.

~ DreamOn

geez I thought I posted this already, i didnt seem to wear it any longer than before the alarm, not sure if it woke me enough to shut it off or what...trying again...if I di post this and cant see it...I am sorry for reposting....also looking at alternatives to the machine since I dont seem to tolerate it...whatever there is, I have no idea.

Does anyone here use anything besides CPAP?

YELOOCD wrote:geez I thought I posted this already, i didnt seem to wear it any longer than before the alarm, not sure if it woke me enough to shut it off or what...trying again...if I di post this and cant see it...I am sorry for reposting....also looking at alternatives to the machine since I dont seem to tolerate it...whatever there is, I have no idea.

YELOOCD,

Mowgli gave you the other sleep apnea treatment options. Personally, CPAP would be my first (and best) choice and the choice of most people around here.

I can sense how frustrating this is for you, and how tired you are. I feel your desperation. I know that many others here have overcome the challenges you're facing, so I do believe that things can be worked out if you don't give up. It sounds like you're willing to keep trying for a bit longer.

The only suggestion I have for you at this point is to evaluate any medications -- over-the-counter, prescription, herbs, alcohol, etc. -- you may be taking. It's possible that something is sedating you too much, and that's why you're having such difficulties with almost-unconscious mask removal and not responding to the alarm. Before you give up on CPAP completely, I hope you will consider that and talk with your doctor if you need to.

Half the battle will have been won once you can overcome removal of the mask during the night. From there, you can work on the small adjustments that may be needed to get optimal treatment, and hopefully that will improve your outlook and the way you feel.

I wish you the best,

DreamOn

Do you think this mask would be intended to wear with dentures or without? I have had uvualplasty, septualplasty, exended tonsilectomy, spelled all of them wrong... I dont need a sedative, I usually can fall asleep fairly easily, and have been told I am up drinking soda or eating something every couple hours though I rarely leave the house (except during a ambien episode which is why I stopped taking it) I tried benydryl to maybe sleep deep enough to NOy pull it off ...I take IBU 400 mg it dont make he tired and lithium for bipolar, niacin, ...not sure ...no drugs or alcohol for 8 years