CPAPtalk.com

Since this isn't Penthouse Forum I'll restrict my comments to my CPAP experience which began 3 days ago. First some info and then I have a few questions for those of you with more *ahem* experience.

I got the results from my sleep study and was shocked (as was my doctor - said it was the worst case he'd seen. Thanks for the reassurance doc.). My AHI was I think 128 (don't have it in front of me but ridiculously high anyway). I mean, I knew I snored load but geez! Went to my doctor primarily for the snoring problem but when we started going over symptoms - falling asleep driving, in meetings, reading, watching tv - I started to suspect something more serious - at least more than could be attributed to being the new father of a 9 month old baby boy!

So I immediately started cruising the sleep apnea and cpap sights to find out what I could, so I've been lurking around here for a couple weeks. At first I was really dreading the Darth Vader look every night but the more I read and the more I thought about it I actually started to look forward to trying something.

So, as I mentioned I got my CPAP three nights ago - Remstar Lite with and Ultra Mirage Nose Mask. My pressure's at 13. Exhaling is a little difficult but not as bad as I thought it would be - I really don't notice it after awhile.

Still having trouble falling asleep at first but once I get to sleep - wow. I starting having dreams again (which was a little startling at first). My wife moved back into the bedroom - and she doesn't even need earplugs anymore! My sleep's still a little broken up at night due to the mask but I still feel better. Maybe not a huge burst of energy like some describe but a) I was able to actually get out of bed in the morning, b)I didn't have to slap myself awake in traffic this morning and c) I've been at work all day and haven't dozed off yet (despite sitting through a boring 3-hour meeting). Maybe I'm not Superman all of a sudden but that's enough for me to keep going. So now a few questions:

1. Despite all the options for machines and masks the therapist that came didn't really give me a choice other than maybe full mask vs. nose. So if I want to try something else - how does that work? Can I experiment with different units and masks (he doesn't seem to carry much of a variety) or am I pretty much stuck with what he gives me?

2. Kind of related to 1 but I travel a lot. It'd be nice to have a second smaller unit to travel with. What if I'm willing to pay for it myself? Can I just go buy one? Therapist said he used to carry some but they all broke within the first year so he quit. Anyone have any experience with these?

3. Related to 2 but assuming I keep what I have any suggestions for travel? I like to travel light when I can and therapist said not to check the unit anyway since it's kind of fragile. It came with a carry case but it's kind of bulky.

4. I also like the outdoors - camping and backpacking. Would love to sleep in the same tent as my wife! Any suggestions? I know the travel one runs on batteries but how many nights would it go (assuming I want to lug the thing in the first place)? I suppose for car camping I could run an extension cord from the car but I'd worry about draining the battery. Please tell me I'm not doomed to be anchored to an outlet the rest of my life!

Thanks for all your help. This really is a great site and I've learned so much already.

xzombie.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage, CPAP, AHI, Travel

-) Congrats on the baby - a lovely age & lasts such a short period.

-) RemStar lite - good robust reliable CPAP machine

-) Pressure od 13 is starting to get into the 'challenges' range (mask management etc)

1) Re masks - sometimes the therapist will allow you to try different masks but often they say you have to supply your own. Do try an Ultra Mirage f/f mask if you get the chance. Reason is that if you prove to be a dominant mouth breather you may find yourself switching to the f/f mask to get a better nights sleep.

2) The new S8 Escape is a low cost and excellent travel machine as is the PB420G or S (S model supports software reading of the stored info but only really needed if you want to do self evaluation on a night to night basis (some of us do & some don't care). S8 displays some details in its led display.

3) Don't know re the RemStar Lite for travel. I think most folk take their machines as carry on luggage.

4) Almost all xPAPs now have a 12v battery connector & if you purchase a 'gel cell' battery (motorcycles use them) you can run an xPAP off it & recharge from the car during the day. If you also want to run a h/h while camping, you will need to purchase an 'inverter' which converts the 12v DC battery power into 120VAC for the h/h.

Cheers

DSM

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap machine, Power, Travel

I've travelled a number of times in the past 2 months with my PB420e, which is small and lightweight. No problem so far. The others in the 420 series are just as small and light or lighter. All are of such high quality that you can use them as your one-and-only unit, not as a secondary for travel.

They operate from 12V DC, so it is easy to get a battery to power them on camping trips. The weight and size of the battery would be an issue for backpacking though, as would recharging the battery. I've read of people running around 3 nights with the proper sized deep cycle battery.

If you pay for it from cpap.com, you can get whatever you want; CPAP or APAP of whatever make and model. If you use billmyinsurance.com then you might not even have to pay for it (all).

Congratulations x-man zombie on your success. You'll continue to improve over the days, weeks and months ahead.

The dreams you are experiencing are normal and caused by REM rebound -- your body trying to make up for lost time by having more REM sleep than normal. That will go back to normal after a bit.

Given time you might even find that your body is trained to fall asleep when you put the mask on. Mine got that way; I put the mask on and it is lights out within minutes. If I make it to bed before my wife, we won't even get a chance to say good night! .

You might also want to check out the S8 Elite with EPR (expiratory pressure relief).

As far as travel/camping - "Inbuilt power supply and auto mains switching or DC input are ideal for travel. 12V or 24V DC input via ResMed's optional DC-12 converter."


http://resmed.com/