11-22-2017, 11:02 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-22-2017, 11:04 PM by enlyghten.)
New User
Good evening folks,
I've had my Resmed Airsense 10 Autosense for just under a week now. I found your fine website a couple days ago and have been tearing through the forums. I've downloaded SleepyHead and have a single night's data so far.
My history:
I had sleep studies about 5 years ago in the service. I had the sleep apnea surgery (removed some of the soft palette, uvula, and tonsils) and was re diagnosed with sleep apnea with another sleep study after the surgery. Continuing on to get a machine turned out to not be worth the effort at the time, so I let it slide. I got out and got a desk job and gained a significant amount of weight and the apnea has became a real problem. I've recently broke down and saw a doctor and was prescribed my machine without another sleep study. I lucked out with a good machine before finding this forum.
Off the machine I snore nearly constantly and my wife says that I often stop breathing to the point that she has nightmares of waking up and finding me cold. I've been getting used to my machine over the last week; I haven't noticed a significant benefit, but I understand it's early days yet. I wake up several times a night as I'm dialing in the mask and dealing with damnable itches under the mask - none of which seem less than life threatening at the time =P
My information is on my profile. I don't have a ramp to start - I start at 8 and can be sure there are no leaks at that pressure before I try to fall asleep. I think the leaks shown in my pic are mask adjustments and from jamming a finger under the mask to deal with an infernal itch. With my limited knowledge, the charts seem quite good, but I'm more than open to any questions and/or suggestions.
Thanks in advance for reading and I appreciate any help or comments.
Incidentally, I have 4 messages but I can't post images until I have 4 messages. I'll try to respond with my SleepyHead picture.
Negative on the image. I'll try again in the morning - with an additional night's data.
RE: New User
Hi enlyghten -
Your title has changed from "New Member" to "Member", you should be able to post links now. If you experience problems, try adding a space in the URL link. Something like, "http s://".
11-22-2017, 11:12 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-22-2017, 11:14 PM by enlyghten.
Edit Reason: Spelling
)
RE: New User
Thanks, Crimson.
RE: New User
It looks pretty good. How do you feel?
RE: New User
I don't feel appreciably better, but that may be because I'm still getting used to the mask, etc. My wife tells me I'm less cranky, though. Hopefully that's not wishful thinking.
The mask isn't terribly comfortable. I have to cinch it down pretty tight to keep from getting significant leaks and that leaves my face a bit sore. I'll take it in trade if I can get used to it and sleep better, though.
RE: New User
G'day enlyghten. Welcome to Apnea Board.
The results (as measured by the numbers) are exceptional - well done! It does take a while for the benefits to show, especially if you've had apnea for a long time. The first thing many people notice is they don't need to go to the bathroom 3 or 4 times a night.
The mask is the hardest part of the therapy. Every face is different, and there are a lot of different mask types and styles available. Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to get one which fits properly, doesn't leak and is comfortable. You shouldn't have to tighten the straps so much that it hurts - that in itself can cause headaches and disturb your sleep. The straps should be firm but not tight. Maybe time to pay a visit to your friendly local DME and try a few different masks. Make sure you try them in a lying position with pressure applied.
11-23-2017, 03:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-23-2017, 03:09 AM by ajack.)
RE: New User
your numbers are great, but call me OCD, I'd set your min on 11 for a while, because it's around your Med and the 95% was 16. If you have a bad night, it will adjust quicker
where does it hurt? bridge of nose is common. There are plenty of over the counter thin tapes, (kt or rocktape or some generic stuff) you can put on your face where it rubs, till it settles down. What you don't want is to break the skin.
there is a mask adjustment link in my sig and there are lots on youtube about mask fit
If in doubt, buy another mask, you are going to finish up with a box full anyways. The machine is the cheap part in the end.
RE: New User
Hi enlyghten,
Welcome to the forum for Hoseheads!
I was going to say to raise your low pressure a bit, how much is up to you, I was going to suggest you raise it slowly so as you get used to it being higher, but I see you do not use the Ramp, so you might want to try 10, then move it up after a week or see what happens in your data.
The closer the low pressure is to the higher the less it will disturb you when the pressure goes up, also the slightly higher pressure will help keep your airways open for longer before you have an event.
If you wish, you could just put it up slowly from where you are now, 1 every couple of nights.
Your mood will change as you get back nearer to normal, so the fact she has noticed shows it is slowly working.
I am NOT a doctor. I try to help, but do not take what I say as medical advice.
Every journey, however large or small starts with the first step.
RE: New User
I agree with ajack on increasing the min pressure to 11cm. It would give the machine a jump start on the flow limitations.
As far as masks you might want to try a nasal pillow mask. You don't have to worry about that itch.
Here's a good link about masks. http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ask_Primer
RE: New User
I was going to suggest Nasal Pillows, but usually people have FFMs for a reason, they may be mouth breathers!
I am NOT a doctor. I try to help, but do not take what I say as medical advice.
Every journey, however large or small starts with the first step.
|