Getting My CPAP Machine Monday.

Welcome back to the road Mr Bruce!!

Thanks, Pete. I hope I don't run into you! (Or anybody else) LOL

An update for those of you interested in the sleep apnea world.

I received my ResMed device yesterday and was fitted for a nose-only mask. I can exchange that for a nose/mouth mask if the one I got yesterday doesn't do the job.

Schneider requires 7 consecutive days of usage to be compliant. Last night was day #1. It was actually very successful and I was able to fall asleep and sleep with it during the required 4 hour period. After 4 hours, I woke up to use the bathroom, and didn't use it after that.

Because of the 7 day usage requirement, I'm pushed out 1 more week for orientation. Hopefully, my start date will be Sept. 27, barring any further complications.

Any helpful hints for a new CPAP user from you pros would be appreciated.

After a while, you'll get more used to the mask and it will be easier. Like backing up a trailer, sort of, lol. With time it should not be as much of a hassle.

I made a contraption to hold my hose up above me as I am somewhat restless and turning over and laying on your hose is a major disruption.

You might taking Benadryl (or generic) or Tylenol PM to make it easier for you to sleep through the night. It will be best for your health if you always use your CPAP when sleeping.

What mask are you using? I started out with a Phillips Pico mask and thought that was good for a while but didn't like it after a while and, after trying several different masks, ended up with Resmed N20. The Resmed P10 would have worked for me well except I have a deviated septum.

Sign up for Resmed's service and download their app so you can get daily reports on your AHI score, seal, etc. If you push the big knob and bottom button in at the same time, you can also get to the screen that shows you more numbers. Easier to see that explained on YouTube so search there if you are interested.

Good luck!

Some people fare better if they have the unit on while watching tv or reading in bed, just to gets feel for the breathing against pressure.

I use the Phillips Wisp nasal mask, with the old style fabric frame (none of this DreamWear poo) and have zero issues with mouth leaking.

Apneaboard and OSCAR (Formerly Sleepyhead) were resources that helped me in the beginning to understand why it sucked, and how to ask for the right changes.

Some old school sleep docs refuse to use the auto titration setting built into modern CPAPS, because they think the machines just chase leaks. That's only half truth. The first gen of auto machines did that, bit heck if you can break the Docs of that belief. I was actually "fired" as a patient by a sleep Doc because I refused to take sleeping pills. If I was going to just medicate myself, why was I fighting and pay for a machine? Advocate for yourself!

Congrats!

After a week of using the reservoir filled with water, I felt like I was drowning and quit wearing the CPAP. Then there was a post on here and Kearsey commented that she runs hers dry, so I did that. That has helped me from feeling like I have water in my lungs. It's taken me over a year and a half and I usually wake up tired and cranky still....no comments from the peanut gallery 😉.

Laura

It's taken me over a year and a half and I usually wake up tired and cranky still.... 😉.

Laura

Laura, I emphasize with you. I woke up "tired and cranky" every morning while we were married.

She was tired of my corny jokes and cranky that I was still there. LOL

Harvey,

Thanks for your advice, it helps me a lot. My mask is also a N20 and i think it's the right choice. My first night was 4.25 hours and last night was 5.5 hours. The pressure seems low to me @ 5. I feel like I have to labor to inhale. So, I called my provider to get the machine to increase the pressure to 10. I'm allowed 15, so I think my request is reasonable.

What irks me is that I have to have a doctor approve my request, and that takes time. There is a thread going on TT about the vaccine mandate. The CPAP/sleep apnea thing is no less of a controlling government mandate. Think about how many "government mandates" we endure every day. Do we think about "double taxation every time we go to the store and pay sales tax? Or that government mandates allow the ultra rich to pay little or no taxes?

Anyway, despite my venting, I will comply with the CPAP usage if I can get my butt back in a truck.

Bruce, 5 is a pretty low number but it should not affect the amount of flow, just the pressure it forces if there is an obstruction. My doctor set me at a fixed pressure of 7 and I had no problem with flow except when I first lay down and take some deep breaths. I've recently changed my machine to auto, with base pressure of 7 and max pressure of 13 on advice of others and am trying that out. I don't see a difference in my AHI which almost always below 1 but I do feel less tired in the afternoon. My doctor had advised against doing that and said that using higher pressures than needed can be a cause of central apneas later.

I'm neutral on this being a mandate. If it results in you getting more restful sleep and less oxygen deprivation, it should make you a safer driver. If it is too disruptive to your sleep, then it might not have much benefit. Studies show that sleep apnea can lead to many health problems such as heart damage (heart works harder because of lower oxygen levels) and cognitive function, so this is something people should chose to do on their own. As I commented previously, I found if I wear an oximeter while taking a nap without my CPAP , my oxygen saturation always drops quickly. I have little doubt that this is helping our health. As you get more used to it, it should get more comfortable and less disruptive.

One other tip someone posted on the apneaboard forum, if you're using a nasal mask such as we are, to help avoid mouth breathing, pull your tongue to the back of your mouth and then close your mouth. This becomes second nature after a while.

Laura, I emphasize with you. I woke up "tired and cranky" every morning while we were married.

She was tired of my corny jokes and cranky that I was still there. LOL

That's too funny! I don't have to worry about cranky....he's been gone 7 yrs now.

Laura