If you were me ... ?

123.Shawn T.W. · Post by **123.Shawn T.W.** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:33 am

I did not even use the Ativan last night, just 3mg meletonin combined w/Valerain root that I've been taking on and off for years ... Actually I'm sitting at home waiting for a load ... I would not take the Ativan on the road because it is from an old Rx from a Dr in Mexico ... Don't want to take any chances with DOT

No tobacco of any kind ...

No other meds, except for maybe once per week ibuprofen for headache ... No Rx meds ...

Yes, it think I'd like to try the Swift FX, but Cyndi is enjoying it now, and has claimed it! We do have another one coming thanks to Silvia! Which I want to get a large pillow for and try!

Hopefully tonight ... Wherever that may be ... I'll get to use the Mirage Micro ...

I think part of my problem is it takes me awhile to adjust to changes with my sleep ... For instance I get use to not running the truck engine at night to sleep because I'm up North, but I drop south where it is humid or hot, I run the truck, and it takes me a few nights to get use to the viberation of the engine running ...

During my first sleep study they noted that I had a total of 20 limb movements and no arousals, and during my titration I had 93 movements, with 8 arousals ... of course I slept quite a bit longer on the titration

123.Shawn T.W. · Post by **123.Shawn T.W.** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:39 am

Med OptiLife Pillows:

I fiddled around with them, but just couldn't get them to seal, even had my wife look at them ...

First sleep study:

Second study (titration):

lazer · Post by **lazer** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 12:47 pm

Pugsy wrote:
lazer wrote:Changing masks so often already? (Again, unless something is gouging your face or keeping you up all night, give the mask at least a week, maybe longer, to adapt to it and have a fair way of reviewing it)
In this situation it was me who strongly advised trying multiple masks right now. His first choice was the Quattro which is hard for a newbie anyway and especially hard to seal with a beard. All that ugly clutter and stuff that looks so horrible on the reports...I was hoping that it was poor sleep related to poorly fitted mask disrupting sleep. I think he tried it several nights.
I saw no sense in continuing to use a mask that he says he fiddles with for a good bit of the night and the leak line was all over the place and no where near what his vent rate at his pressure should be. It simply wasn't working. Sometimes we know real quick if something won't work and no sense in wasting time right now fiddling with it.

We can't evaluate the other data till we get good solid sleep with a decent leak line.
Trying to fix the mask issue needed to be done anyway. The Quattro wasn't working out well at all.
So I suggested trying all that he had handy to see if we could get a decent leak line and then evaluate the other stuff. Mainly I wanted him to be able to try a nasal pillow mask because it is easiest to get and keep a good seal. Less chance for sleep disruptions. Unfortunately the nasal pillows he has are too small.
So yes, we are in experiment mode here and not into giving him a lot of time with each trying to mess with it.
I figure try them...pick the best of what he has and then work on perfecting it.

You know there are always exceptions to the rule. If his reports hadn't been so awful looking and his leak line so awful looking...yeah give things time but in this situation....drastic measures.

I kinda understand what your saying and especially regarding the switching of masks.

What caught my eye mostly was the pressure changes not even a full week in.

I guess I got lucky with the mask issue and many thanks for you getting me off on the right path with that of course

Still worry about so many different changes to things so quick and at one time. (How to get any reasonable data doing this and especially during the adaption phase...)

But your advice should win out so Shawn should be able to trust in what you are telling him.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:23 pm

Part of the problem with the Optilife and the medium pillow is the headgear. It just isn't easy to get it all lined up right even if the nasal pillow was a perfect size. There's just so much "stuff" there to have to adjust and the least little thing can totally throw everything off.

I used the Optilife during my titration study....all 156 minutes of it. Darn lucky to get that. The Optilife was the only nasal pillow mask they had for me to use. They gave it to me to take home. Used it a few nights (or I guess I should say attempted to use it) until I got with the DME and got my Swift LT (Swift FX wasn't available). Never touched it again and eventually gave it away. It works great for some people but I never could get the adjustments right, especially that chin thing. The Swift LT I got right pretty much within 5 minutes.
It is especially difficult trying to adjust all these masks yourself with no one with experience to help you.

Will keep plugging away to see if we can get your overall sleep pattern to settle down a bit. Have to find a good mask for sure. I have slept in a sleeper in a big truck. It isn't easy at all. First of all the mattresses are total crap and add in the engine noise/vibration or even APU noise, it really messes with sleep in general. Nothing at all to promote good quality sleep...makes a person sort of "hyper aware" all the time...not really able to get into good sleep. You get in that habit and bring it home with you. By the time you might have adjusted to sleeping at home and get better sleep you get to go back out on the road and start all over.

123.Shawn T.W. · Post by **123.Shawn T.W.** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:41 pm

Yeah, I got this 2012 truck last year ... The mattress leaves a lot to be desired! I have 1.5" dual density foam topper.

If you were me ... ?

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