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Newbie; the Good the BAD and the Ugly

March 21, 2018, 9:59 am
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Hey Everybody! Total newbie here....

First of all, thanks to all of you who are participating in this forum. I am new to CPAP treatment as of last week) and I have learned so much already from this forum. And I also realize I have SUCH a LONGGG way to go!

Some backstory - I have probably had un-diagnosed OSA for years and maybe over a decade, yikes. Runs in the family. I have also developed a pretty tenacious insomnia patttern since about 2008. (Usually sleep from 10-2 or 3 then awake for a few hours and then back to sleep for a few hours depending on what I time I have clients scheduled for the day). I have tried all herbal and otc sleeping aids like 5HTP, passion flower, melatonin, etc... nothing works. Avoid prescription sleeping pills like the plague since they are so addictive. After reading some of the posts on this site I understand this insomnia may be connected to the OSA. I was diagnosed with moderate OSA.

SLEEP STUDY RESULTS

Low Sp02 83%
AHI 18 hr
PLM 11.8 hr
Sleep efficiency 66.2
Total sleep time 274 min
REM 8.9%
Arousal index 12.9 hr
Awakenings 3.7 hr

I also have a history of SVT and occasional A-fib episodes. I had an ablation for the SVT last October and since then have not had any SVT episodes - YAYY! So for me getting this right is super important as I am pretty sure the a-fib is def related to the OSA.

I am not obese and my neck size is under the

ON TO THE MASKS....

My first mask was Dreamwear with pillows - UGH - couldn't wear more than an hour - the pillows really irritated my nasal passages. Took a few nights off since I did not have another alternative.

Then I bought a Swift FX Nano for her. I wore it one night - the numbers were horrible! (see second attachment below).

Meanwhile I ordered the cushion for the Dreamwear and used that the last two nights and for a daytime nap since I am barely getting any sleep.

My first two reports from Sleepyhead were great on the Dreamwear with cushion! 0 or below 1! Then last night I ended up with tons of clear airway reports. Some of these were def occurring when I was awake. The mask was not leaking and I had all the settings on the machine the same and the fit of the mask was consistent with two previous sessions. I am not a mouth breather and for the last year or so I have been working with the Buteyko breathing technique both while awake and before sleep. I cant even talk with the mask on (it seems like it would be really hard to be a mouth breather with one of these things!) so it doesnt seem like I am mouth breathing while asleep but how can I know for sure??)

You will also see gaps in data - I have not been able to sleep with the mask on all night. Start out with it on then remove for a few hours. Awake at my usual time then put it back on - on for an hour or so before able to go back to sleep.

i am really tired - am considering going to the doc for some kind of anti-depressant like trazadone for sleep temporarily until i can get used to the mask and start sleeping more as I am concerned about my heart.

Help requested!
  • What do I need to address that I haven't already?
  • Any help interpreting these reports or other suggestions are very much appreciated and welcome!
  • Clear airway issue - fine for two days with the Dreamwear then really bad last night.
  • Anyone tried anything (such as a low dose anti depressant) to help with insomnia? If so did it effect your results one way or another?
Thanks in advance!

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.jpg   NIGHT 4 DREAMWEAR CUSHION.jpg (Size: 376.46 KB / Downloads: 17)
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F&P SleepStyle SPSAAN vs Resmed AirSense 10 AutoSet

March 21, 2018, 10:54 am
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New CPAP user, and have somewhat successfully completed the first night. The demo machine I was given to try is a F&P SleepStyle SPSAAN (nasal pillow mask), which I gather is a fairly new model. If I stick with it, the price for the package is $2400 CDN -- very high, and I have no insurance! My wife uses a CPAP (Resmed S9 auto) which we bought from a Canadian on line store. Their current model is the Resmed AirSense 10 AutoSet for $1000. Much better price (for Canada).

Last night I had a hard time going to sleep, which I guess is probably not that unusual for a first try. The only real issue that I had besides the discomfort of wearing something on my face was that when I exhale, just before I finish exhaling, or when I don't immediately follow an exhale with an inhale, I occasionally feel the pressure build up, and air flow leaking out around the nose piece. It sometimes gives a feeling of a choking - blocked airway -- not being able to freely exhale. I understand that this new F&P model is supposedly improved and has an expiratory relief feature which I think is supposed to reduce this issue. In the office setup I complained about the sensation and the technician made some adjustments which did help, but has not eliminated the feeling all the time.

So my questions. Is the Resmed AirSense 10 AutoSet going to be any different? Better or worse? Would I be taking a big risk by buying the Resmed without an actual trial of that model? My wife likes her S9. 

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. For what it is worth I was diagnosed with an AHI of 37.3/hr. My provider has restricted my access to data, but I think I saw an AHI of 6 flash on briefly when I shut it down this AM

Ron
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Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto Setting for Cpap

March 21, 2018, 12:35 pm
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I was prescribed CPAP settings 4-9 with EPR 2.  Need to make sure I have this thing setup right as I'm not 100% sure my Dr's cpap department is doing it right.  Any help on the settings would be helpful.
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ResScan data import question

March 21, 2018, 1:29 pm
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Reference v-5.8.0.9556; Is there a way to import the sleep data from the hard drive location (where it was previously downloaded with flashair) other than copying it to a SD card so the ResScan will recognize it?

Thanks in advance..
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Some help for a new guy please

March 21, 2018, 3:00 pm
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Hello everyone greetings from Canada, I am new to this site and new to the sleep apnea treatment. I have a few questions and I am hoping I am at the right place in this forum? 
Firstly I have moderate sleep apnea 21 events per hour during the sleep study. I started therapy with a rental dreamstation about two months ago. I had heard that it was pretty much a lifesaver and it was going to help me a lot having more energy during the day but I find myself sleeping so well now that I have a hard time getting out of bed! I just want to sleep! I feel groggy and even more sleepy than before therapy? Is this normal at first? It seems like before therapy I was running on “nerves” or adrenaline or something and I suspected sleep apnea for at least the past ten years or so but my family doctor just didn’t believe in sleep clinics or apnea! 
Could it be that I feel so tired because my body is recuperating from so many years of bad sleep?
Will I eventually feel refreshed?
Any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated.
 By the way my 90% pressure is at 6.9
My 30 day AHI average is at 4.6

Ok so I also have other questions about this machine dreamstation... My rental ends this week and I was thinking of trying the air sense 10 apap from resmed. Any body have any experience using both ? Like which they prefer? Believe it or not before the rental of the dreamstation I tried a resmed s8 and my AHI index was actually lower with the old machine than this new one? So of ofcourse I am wondering irbid resmed technology is more  sensitive?

Thanks a bunch!
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New CPAP user...Any help with sleepyhead results appreciated!!!

March 21, 2018, 7:36 pm
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I have been using the Aircurve 10 VAUTO for about 2 weeks now. Last night was the first time I was able to keep the mask on for over 7 hours. Any help or suggestions with my machine settings would be great! Here are my sleepyhead results from last night. I am using a nasal mask. Thanks again!

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Peru Travel w/ Resmed AirSense 10

March 21, 2018, 7:59 pm
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Has anyone traveled to Peru with the Resmed AirSense 10? Did you need make any adjustments for altitude in Cusco, Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley? Thanks.
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Questions re Dreamstation and Airsense

March 21, 2018, 9:07 pm
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I am going to get either a Resmed Airsense A10 Autoset (probably for him) or a Dreamstation Auto. I have experience with both their predecessors so I know some things to check on. Here are some questions that I can't find an answer to:

1. Assuming I use just the data card to transfer data from the machine to my computer, for how many days will the machines retain complete data rather than just basic data. For example, my old PRS1 would keep full data for the most recent 30 days, where my (now deceased) S9 Autoset would keep full data for only seven days. Afterwards both machines would keep only AHI, leaks, minimum, maximum, median and 95%. I check my data with Sleepyhead, but sometimes I get lazy and don't check it for a long time.

2. What is the water capacity of the humidifier? Yes, it's not a big deal, but remember, I'm lazy. The fewer times I have to fill it, the better.

3. Can you set the clock? I mean really set the clock, like minutes, not just the hour. And dare I hope that it understands daylight savings time and adjusts itself automatically? Or, dreaming here, that it listens to the radio broadcast from the atomic clock?

4. I see that Resmed finally figured out that putting the hose connection on top instead of the back was a good idea. Does the connector swivel like the connector on the Dreamstation?

5. I understand that the Airsense uses some kind of cellular connection to send data automatically to the DME and it cannot be disabled except by putting the machine in airplane mode. I understand less about the Dreamstation's wireless connectivity. My dim grasp of it is that it uses wifi so it has to connect to your home (or nearby) wifi network. I find this less objectionable (assuming I am right) because then I could connect to the wifi with my computer and download data for Sleepyhead, while blocking a DME from getting past my firewall. Someone please clarify this for me.

I am collecting other data as well and eventually plan to make and post a chart-like comparison. Smile
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Drinking [alcohol and AHI]

March 22, 2018, 3:16 am
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Wow, just checked last nights data and it was over 5. I had two martinis last night. After seeing the data, I will definitely stick with one and maybe just quit. Unsure This was an eye-opener. The good news is that my ultimate chinstrap stopped all my air leaks. My normal AHI is usually barely over one and many times it is less. I think the new chinstrap will drop it well below 1 as I was having large air leaks from mouth breathing.


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Humidity and temperature settings-need help

March 22, 2018, 5:26 am
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I have a ResMed auto set and a ResMed n20 nasal mask

Currently I have the climate hose set to Manual with hose temp at 80 and humidity level at 4.
Room temperature is 62 degrees

I am getting more than the usual “moisture” in the nasal mask which sometimes wakes me up as I feel like I am struggling to breathe.

Any recommendations on changing the settings.  I have tried the auto setting for both tube and humidity and did not like that at all.

Thanks,

Mike
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difference between APAP and BI Pap

March 22, 2018, 7:36 am
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What is the difference between APAP and BI Pap and ASV please?
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How to adjust the full mask usage

March 22, 2018, 8:27 am
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My mom (around 70) is using the ResMed Airsense 10 autoset for Her for 4 months and stopped for 6 months as not able to adjust. Now she is trying again. Her complaints is when she lost conscious, then with mouth and nose breath, the air in the mask seems too strong and woke her up (She has sleep disorder and sleep onset insomnia) and hard to fall sleep again. Also nose get congestion. So i did ask her to use nasal wash and the OTC steriod Fluticasone twice a day.  Please advice if anything can help her adjust the mask usage.  Please let me know any suggestion.  thanks a lot
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Pressure issue

March 22, 2018, 9:36 am
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Hey you guys, first of all I would just like to say sorry in advance...I'm new here. 

Anyway, I was put on a Auto Cpap about a year and a half ago. I sleep through the night alright, but I still wake up tired (like head in a fog tired). I use a ResMed s9 auto and a amara view full face mask. I've tried different masks, but the amara seems to be the more comfortable/less likely to leak on me.  My pressure is set between 15-20 (the max). On average my AHI is 3. Usually my average pressure is 17.

However, these past few nights it's gone up to 19.8 and my AHI has gone up as well. I don't notice any leaks, I've been trying to use breathe right strips because I thought maybe I was just stuffy. Didn't help. Tried to use a chin strap because I thought maybe my jaw was getting too relaxed or something. Didn't help. And now I'm more tired than ever! Currently waiting on my doctor to give me a call back because I want another sleep study (hopefully insurance can cover this one).

But do you guys have any tips? Any helpful advice on how to get this to go down or improve my sleep quality? Or just any "I've seen this happen and it was ___" advice.

Thanks you guys!
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Resmed AirFit P10 Maximum Pressure??

March 22, 2018, 3:49 pm
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I have a P10 nasal mask on trial, and I was told by a sales rep that it was only good for a maximum pressure of 10 cmH2O, and above that leakage was excessive. I found one place on the Resmed site that claimed it was good up to 18 cmH2O. Curious as to what actual user experience has been? I have one one trial, and the machine says leakage is normal, but I have heard it leaking from time to time. My machine min-max is 6.5-20.
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Durability of Resmed P10 Mask/Pillows

March 22, 2018, 9:12 pm
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It has been a while since I posted here, but I thought I might make this post to pass on my experience & possibly cause the eyebrows of the many US based members used to receiving regular replacement pillows & masks through the US insurance system to raise.

What I have to report may not be 'news' to many, but it sure shows (in my view at least) that the US insurance system is taking someone for a ride & presumably making money out of doing so, whilst ensuring insurance premiums are higher than they really need to be!

Like the majority of Australian CPAP users I have to pay for all my equipment, & have found it cheaper to buy over the net from the US than from Australian retailers.

I recall reading here that many US users get replacement nasal pillows every few weeks from their Insurance.

My purpose for posting my experience is to highlight (to anyone who cares) the wastage of resources involved in that practice.

I have been using a P10 since April last year, almost a full year of use. I have endeavoured  to wash the mask & pillows daily using a pleasantly fragranced dishwashing liquid, but for the last 7 months of this time have been travelling in our tiny off road camper trailer (wife & I are what are known as 'grey nomads' in Australia - retired & full time travellers). Sometimes windy & dusty desert conditions, & occasionally sheer laziness has seen the daily mask clean left for up to a few days at a time. (I can feel the cringing from here ... ha ha).

Today is the first time any part of the mask has been replaced ..... the head strap which had eventually stretched beyond the capability of the little plastic clips which get supplied with a new mask to take up the stretch. The main mask itself is still fine, as are the only set of pillows I have used with it. I have spares for all, but have felt no need to use them until changing the head strap today. The pillows are still soft & pliable & seal without problem. My AHI results have remained consistent throughout. No holes in the mask or tube.  All have been used every night with only 3 or 4 exceptions when I used the Respironics Nuance mask on cold nights. (I call the Nuance my 'cold weather mask' as I can use it in the conditions where breath condensation blocks the micro mesh of the P10).

I have to say that I am impressed with the durability of the mask & pillows, I had not expected them to last this long, especially given my occasional slackness in caring for them. No special storage. Every day they have just laid on top of the bed & have travelled in temperatures ranging from sub zero to over 40 degrees.C.

For what it's worth, my Devilbiss DV64 Intellipap machine, bought to use directly off 12v solar charged batteries when we are 'on the road' has been faultless. I would choose the same again.
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What's your favorite epr settings? 1 2 3. Med or fast return?

March 23, 2018, 4:21 am
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Thoughts on my latest charts

March 23, 2018, 6:58 am
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Hi all,

I was just wondering if I could have your thoughts on my latest charts -

A quick summary, I have been on therapy since 24th of July 2017 and displayed signs of centrals from the start. Doc said this is common and to give it three months. Reduced epr from 3 -2 - 1 as per advice from here and set a pressure range 8-14, I have seen the doc many times and he now says eureka I am cured! I feel better than when I first started treatment but for sure not 100%.

A few have commented on previous threads but as always I appreciate your input and thoughts.
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Another Newb... First Night

March 23, 2018, 7:29 am
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Hi Y'all,

I've been lurking around here for about the last 5 days, since my Cpap titration test.  I've learned sooooo much, you all are AWESOME!!!

So, diagnosed with OSA in January.... via home sleep study.  I was actually shocked, not so much that I had it, but that it was 'moderate' (w/ 23.9 AHI).  

Small framed, small neck, a bit underweight... I've always been small, but I've always had 'sleep issues'... always tired, even as a teenager, always snored, even as a child... loudly... my family would ridicule me for being so loud and being so little.  Tonsils and adenoids still intact.  Anyway, in 1990, I fell asleep at the wheel... didn't hit anyone else, but I hit a concrete culvert and sustained injuries to my face and back.  From there, the usual sleepy-ness when driving (I traveled quite a bit for work at one point)... I can remember driving in agony, I can remember sitting at my desk at work in agony... so so sleepy all the time.  In the last 2 years, I've been noticing memory issues, brain fog, daytime sleepiness/naps and ridiculous fatigue, so much so that I just feel lazy.

At 36, I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension...  yep.

So here we are... Here I am... 10 years later...  probably getting to the crux of it all at this point.  So grateful, to be having the chance.

As I stated above, I've been on here reading, investigating, learning...  I have a great attitude, I've been 'excited' (?) to get a machine and get this thing going... I want some relief, I want another 40 years full of life and energy.  

I actually felt like I slept in my Cpap titration test... I did have a few small episodes of claustrophobia, or the feeling that I might suffocate.. but I knew it was a head trick and dismissed it every time it tried to surface.... but after I got home, about 10 minutes in the door, I felt like I had been hit by a Mack Truck.  My sternum ached, my ribs hurt, but all was fine the next day.  Overall, the mask feels good and the air feels good... minus the brief head tricks...  last night I didn't sleep good.  Why?  I'm so tired today, I don't feel like I got a lick of sleep.

Granted... last night was my first night... LOL.  Maybe my expectations were/are set too high.  I know, I know, "just stick with it"... Trust me I will.  I woke up after 4.9 hours of sleep and my AHI was 3.1, so I laid back down and finally fell asleep again... woke up after 6.39 hours with an AHI of 2.4.  That was the best I could do.  I am sooooo tired and dragging a** today.  (But, I'm Compliant!!)  
**I also turned my humidifier and heated hose off.  Maybe I'll give that a go tonight.

Another thing, I know about the differences in the Dreamstation and ResMed Air, according to some of the more popular members who post here.  However, the Dreamstation is the only machine offered at my DME, so I didn't really have a choice in the matter.

Sorry for the long post, was not my intention, but I am happy to have a place to vent.  Thank you all.  Also, I fully intend on downloading the Sleepyhead... at some point today, I will do just that.

Happy to be here,

DreamBreather  Coffee
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Hi

March 23, 2018, 8:45 am
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Just wanted to say hi , been a lurker for awhile figured it was time to join .
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Wanting to say hello and first night!

March 23, 2018, 8:50 am
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Hi,
My name is Sy Art, I am 56 years old. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and the study was done in my home. The AHI was 15, so I guess it is borderline between mild and moderate; the lowest oximetry number recorded was 70. I usually wake up with a headache and hangover.

Las night was my first using a auto dreamstation with a full mask; woke up tired but no headache or hangover. I installed Sleepyhead and the results of the first night are attached. I will appreciate your help in interpreting the results, and any advice and help will be most welcome.

Thank you for your help!
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