The Daily Blowdown

5/12/2011

AHI 3.3
Leak 1.2

Strange, last night didn't seem so bad, must just be one of those nights =)

What I learned: I don't need to fill the humidifier all the way, for the last week I've been watching carefully, and I've yet to use more than 1/3 of the total. Going to be doing 2/3 full from now on.

It looks like I am going to have to invest in a CPAP Pillow pretty quick. When I fall asleep, the mask has a tight seal but when I wake up in the night (only once or twice now instead of every hour), I am leaking at the chin. I have one of Pad-A-Cheek's antileak gizmo's ordered but I still would like to get a pillow in case the PAC doesn't work out. I keep my bedroom pretty cool at night.

STILL trying to decide on the Contour pillow...regular or Max.

Louise

I tried the CPAP pillow, but settled on a buckwheat hull pillow in the end. Mainly because I had been using one for years and years =)

It all comes down to personal preference, so keep experimenting as time and funding permit.

Now I feel sitpud. That's cleared it up for me

5/23/2011

AHI 3.0
Leak 1.2

Extremely dry mouth this AM. Second time that's happened in the last week. I'm going to move the humidity to 2.5 (now at 2.0) and see if that helps.

What I learned:
The dish soap (Method clementine) I'm using to clean the mask before its weekly disinfectant bath (Control II) lingers. I'm going to use unscented soap from now on.

At last! Someone who understands! Thakns for posting!

6/14/2011

Whoops, running all kinds of late today

AHI 4.0
Leak 1.2

Pollen counts must be up =)

What I learned: I definitely feel it when my AHI is over 3.

Had a little nosebleed last night. Still trying to get my humidifier settings right with this new machine.

My buckwheat pillow should be here soon. Ordered 2 zippered cases and some lavendar sachets to put in it. Now I hope I like the pillow! My husband has already expressed an interest in it if I don't. He is using one of those little donut shapped "as seen on tv" thingies.

Louise

6/15/2011

AHI 2.1
Leak 1.2

Much better night last night, but trouble waking up this AM, fell back asleep LOL. Must be playing catch-up

What I Learned: ALWAYS use the snooze button, just in case.

6/16/2011

AHI 3.0
Leak 1.2

Noticed a little leaking around the cheekbones this AM. Will have to keep an eye on that.

What I learned: When I wake up and go back to sleep, the AHI occurrence pattern repeats, so the more times I wake up in the night, the higher (slightly) my AHI will be overall. Example, I feel like my AHI should have been 2.5 today, but it was 3, and I suspect it's because I woke up 2 times last night, as opposed to my once or not at all normals.

6/17/2011

AHI 1.4
Leak 1.2

I'm starting to think the leak number might be "stuck" in the machine. That happened to the AHI number about 2 weeks ago.

What I learned: It may be time to reboot the machine =)

6/18/2011

AHI 2.2
Leak 1.2

Hmm, the lead rate is definitely "stuck" - will see the real numbers when I read the SD card.

What I learned: Humidity at level 2.5 or 3 causes me to wake up congested in the nose. 2 seems to work very well without congestion.

6.20.2011

AHi 1.6
Leak 2.4

Weird one, I was awake a few times last night, which has generally resulted in a bad AHI number. I was sure I was going to be way over 3 this AM. Ah well, a happy surprise is always welcome.

What I learned: At the suggestion of others on the forum, I tried the Doc Bronner's soap during my weekly deep-clean of the gear. Works GREAT on built-up oils, and the smell doesn't linger all that long if you soak the gear afterwards.

6.21.2011

AHI 1.6
Leak 7.4

AHI was very close to last night, but confirmed with the card in my PC that yes, I actually had very close numbers both nights, and it's not the machine readout getting stuck again.

What I learned: Leaks are near zero all night except for about 2 spikes. Each lasts up to 15 minutes, during which the leak rate spikes up toward, and occasionally over the red line. otherwise, no leaks. I suspect I'm turning over into an odd position, but giving up and moving again 10-15 min later.

6.22.2011

AHI 1.8
Leak 3.4

Still a little leaking, might just be time to change the seal on the mask, it's been over 3 months. I have very oily skin, so might be accelerating the process =)

What I learned: My body clock is starting to work again. I went to bed with the intention of getting 6 hours sleep, and woke up just about 6 hours later!