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[CPAP] Is it working?
#1
Gross 
Is it working?
Hello, new to the forum.

Was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA almost two yrs ago. (I was exstatic: years of complaints to my doc. about tiredness, falling asleep at class, parties, driving, etc...) I went to a neuro for symptoms of muscle twitching, brain fog, general odd behavior.... after the sleep study, I was relieved.

Used CPAP for 3 months and loved it. Then started having leaks, then allergies, then switched mask, and quit using it all together for a year.

Trying to use it again and am not sure if it is working. Still tired all the time, headaches, exhausted by 6pm. I don't feel any leaks. Sometimes I wake up with my mask on the floor and every morning I have the worst dry mouth. It hurts it's so dry. I keep water by my bed to help with this.

Not sure how I am supposed to know if this CPAP is helping me..... I use nasal pillows. Don't have a sleeping partner to tell me if I am stopping breathing. Any advice?? Thinking-about

Thanks so muchSmile
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#2
RE: Is it working?
Hi bluederby,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for answers to your questions and best of luck with CPAP therapy.
trish6hundred
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#3
RE: Is it working?
(08-31-2013, 10:26 PM)bluederby Wrote: Used CPAP for 3 months and loved it. Then started having leaks, then allergies, then switched mask, and quit using it all together for a year.

Trying to use it again and am not sure if it is working. Still tired all the time, headaches, exhausted by 6pm. I don't feel any leaks. Sometimes I wake up with my mask on the floor and every morning I have the worst dry mouth. It hurts it's so dry. I keep water by my bed to help with this.

Hi bluederby, welcome to the forum!

You have your machine type listed as ResMed IPX1. Not sure what the "IPX1" means on the back label of ResMed S9 machines, but it is not the ResMed model number. On the back label, the model number is the "REF" number next to its serial number. And the model name is the name printed on the top of the unit near the on/off button.

Sounds like you should be using the extra fine air filters for your machine (S9 Filters Hypoallergenic, REF# 36856), not the standard air filters. I hope you are changing your machine's air filter every month.

Do you have a humidifier unit on your machine? If not, whoever prescribed the machine should prescribe a heated humidifier and heated hose.

Take care,
--- Vaughn


The Advisory Member group provides advice and suggestions to Apnea Board administrators and staff on matters concerning Apnea Board operation and administrative policies.  Membership in the Advisory Member group should not be understood as in any way implying medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
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#4
RE: Is it working?
What masks have you tried? I ask because dry mouth could be a hint you are mouth breathing, in which case you might need a chinstrap or a different type of mask. Mouth breathing causes dry mouth and also really reduces the efficiency of the therapy.
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#5
RE: Is it working?
(08-31-2013, 10:56 PM)vsheline Wrote: [quote='bluederby' pid='44098' dateline='1378005981']

You have your machine type listed as ResMed IPX1. Not sure what the "IPX1" means on the back label of ResMed S9 machines, but it is not the ResMed model number. On the back label, the model number is the "REF" number next to its serial number. And the model name is the name printed on the top of the unit near the on/off button.

Sounds like you should be using the extra fine air filters for your machine (S9 Filters Hypoallergenic, REF# 36856), not the standard air filters. I hope you are changing your machine's air filter every month.

Do you have a humidifier unit on your machine? If not, whoever prescribed the machine should prescribe a heated humidifier and heated hose.

Take care,
--- Vaughn

Thank you for explaining the type of machine. I've had it for almost 2 yrs, but was never given a real detailed explanation of the functions. Plus, I have never had a follow up to check on my breathing. I was never even given the results to my first sleep study. I clearly need to go back to the doc. or something..... Do you talk about this with regular doc, or sleep study technician, or my nuerologist that referred me to the sleep study???

Second, my machine says "Elite" and "EPR" by the start/stop button. On the back the REF: 36003 and above that it says S9....

Does this mean I have a machinethat can vary my pressure? Am I able to have access to my sleep quality and stuff?

I do have a heated humidifier; I haven't changed the filter lately (but I also just started using it again). This time of year is bad for me (hayfever).

Thank you for any info you can provideSmile
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#6
RE: Is it working?
(08-31-2013, 11:52 PM)eviltim Wrote: What masks have you tried? I ask because dry mouth could be a hint you are mouth breathing, in which case you might need a chinstrap or a different type of mask. Mouth breathing causes dry mouth and also really reduces the efficiency of the therapy.

I started with one that covered just my nose. Initially, It was awesome. I couldn't wait to go to bed.... Then leaks began occuring, had to replace mask before due, second one (just the same style) kept leaking... Switched to nasal pillows (Swift for her). It took some adjusting to, but I really like my ability to move and turn in my sleep.

I will not use the nose and mouth mask. I get claustrophobic (panic set in just trying it on....). I may have to try a chin strap...

Thank you!
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#7
RE: Is it working?
bluederby, welcome, the S9 Elite is a straight CPAP with Easy-Breathe Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR). That means you can change your pressure but it will be continuous at that pressure. The next model up, the S9 Auto set is the one I have and we can have a low pressure setting and a high pressure setting and it automatically adjust to what is required.
Your CPAP will allow you to use either the Sleepy head software or ResScan software to see your data. I prefer Sleepyhead and you can download it for free on here or from the sleeyhead website.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhe...rce=navbar

You will need a card reader so newer PCs have them built in.
You can look up Sleepyhead on YouTube and watch a video on how it works.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_qu...mJG7NE19FA

The more you can take your therapy into your own hands the better.

Give it a go and let us know if you need any help.
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#8
RE: Is it working?
Thank you! Downloaded Sleepyhead yesterday, I only had two weeks worth of data (as I found the ResMed SD card only hold 365 days worth of data and I stopped using the machine this time of year last year....) I have no idea what my original sleep study said other than that I was told I had moderate-to-severe OSA

Question, on what my numbers may mean..... I still feel pretty crappy, wake up with the familiar headache, tired all day, and exhausted by 6 pm.

CPAP Statistics as of Sunday, September 01, 2013
16 days of CPAP Data, between 8/15/2013 and 9/1/2013

Average Details
AHI 3.1
Hours per Night 06:14
Pressure 13.00
Average Leaks 14.99
95% Leaks 49.20


Also, it appears I have overwhelmeningly CA events, plus my average hours is decieving (one day I over slept, about 10 hours. Most days I rip of the mask around 4 am in the morning and go back to sleep.... I know I am doing this, but am in a haze and can't stop myself... I am a mouth breather too. Will be getting a chin strap soon. But my AHI is reasonable, why do I feel so horrible. Plus I can get really irritable during the day and mess up my words A LOT.... Frustrated! I hate sounding stupid. I teach high school ELA as well, so my mis-ups on words doesn't play well when teaching....
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#9
RE: Is it working?
(09-02-2013, 10:32 AM)bluederby Wrote: Question, on what my numbers may mean..... I still feel pretty crappy, wake up with the familiar headache, tired all day, and exhausted by 6 pm.

First I can hear the frustration in your words and you are not sounding stupid so don't say that, your mis-ups are coming from the lack of oxygen to your brain from the sleep apnea.
By the sounds of it you have finally realised that you need to make CPAP work for you which is a good positive step.
Once you realise that and are willing to give it a proper go things can only get better.

Now, the chin strap it probably the first step, it sounds like your treatment is not fully working. That is why you are still feeling horrible.
This also takes months of continous use before you amy see some of the effects.
It is possible your pressure settings are no longer correct seeing you haven't used it for a year.
Also, you are saying your CA is overwhelming, it is possible you have the wrong type of CPAP.
When was the last time you saw your sleep specialist? I think you need a full review.
Remember this is your life we are talking about here.

You also have to realise this is a long journey and you have just started, again. Everytime you go off CPAP you have to start again, so don't be naughty and stay on it, we can help and support you though itSmile
Soon you will be able to post your data and graphs on here and we can have a look at it with you.
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#10
RE: Is it working?
(09-02-2013, 10:32 AM)bluederby Wrote:
Average Details
AHI 3.1
Hours per Night 06:14
Pressure 13.00
Average Leaks 14.99
95% Leaks 49.20


Also, it appears I have overwhelmeningly CA events,

With a AHI below 5 you do not have a large number of events, CA or otherwise.

I agree that you may need a chin strap to get your leaks under control.
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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