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New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
#21
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
Hello everyone, it's me again. I received my CPAP and  mask yesterday and tried it out for the first time yesterday. The pressure is autoset to a range between 4-20 cmH20. The humidifer is autoset too. I tried to go to sleep while using it for the first time yesterday afternoon (a nap). I was pretty comfortable with the mask -- didn't feel anxious at all -- but lay there with my eyes closed for 50 minutes. Usually if I lie down in the middle of the day, I fall asleep but not this time. No sleep. 

I tried again last night. I applied the mask incorrectly and had a leak, which I did not realize. I lay there for about an hour. Could not fall asleep. My throat was dry. At times I felt shortness of breath and felt a bit panicked but in every case I was able to calm myself down and relax. I was very congested in one nostril. Did a lot of breathing through my mouth. Finally removed the mask and got up. Felt light-headed and a bit nauseous. Checked the machine and realized I had had a leak. Perused the Internet for half an hour. Saw that other people have had problems on their first night. Decided not to give up hope. Tried again. This time I pulled the mask tight and checked to make sure there was no leak. Lay there for another 45 minutes. Could not fall asleep. Gave up. Removed the mask and went back to bed. Instantly fell asleep with no mask and no CPAP machine. 

I should note that I generally have no difficulty falling asleep at night. It's only something I've experienced while on the CPAP machine. 

What am I doing wrong? Is the pressure correct? Since I felt stuffy, should I turn the humidifier up? Any other tips? I badly want to make this work if possible.

Reminder: I was able to fall asleep with the same mask at my in-lab sleep study last week. It did take a long time (about an hour I think), but I fell asleep for about an hour. The technician told me the optimal pressure was 12cmH20.  I still have not received a written report.
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#22
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
(01-14-2020, 01:22 PM)Aa438sj Wrote:
What am I doing wrong? Is the pressure correct? Since I felt stuffy, should I turn the humidifier up? Any other tips? I badly want to make this work if possible.

Reminder: I was able to fall asleep with the same mask at my in-lab sleep study last week. It did take a long time (about an hour I think), but I fell asleep for about an hour. The technician told me the optimal pressure was 12cmH20.  I still have not received a written report.

If the technician told you that, 4 is super low for you.

Do you have EPR on?
Caveats: I'm just a patient, with no medical training.
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#23
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
Don't despair! You will absolutely be able to sleep with the machine. Here are a couple of ideas; I'm sure the experts can give you more.

Many people feel as though they are not able to breathe enough at lower pressures. I would try raising your minimum to 6 or 7. To do this, access the manual for your machine via the link up at the top.

Are you using EPR? This feature drops the pressure when you exhale, which for many people makes the experience much more natural. Let us know the current EPR setting so the experts can advise you.

Try using the machine and mask during the day outside your bedroom while you watch TV or read. This just helps your body (and mind) adjust to a new experience.

About humidity and stuffiness: for some people lower (or none) humidity works best, for others higher is better. So just experience to see what works best for you.

Hang in there and keep us posted, would you?
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#24
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
EPR Level was off. I can turn it on. What EPR Type and EPR Level do you all recommend?

I have reset the minimum pressure from 4.0 to 6.0.

I set the humidity level at 4.


Ramp time is "Auto" and Start Pressure is 4.0.
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#25
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
Your min pressure should be 4 + EPR to start.  That will leave your EPAP, your exhale pressure, the pressure that manages obstructive apnea,  at the "prescribed 4", 
I would set the initial EPR=2, so min pressure = 4+2 = 6

Also you have no need for a ramp at these pressures so turn ramp off.
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#26
Smile 
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
thank you so much! I will try this.  
Thanks
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#27
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
I am preparing to go to sleep. The connection between the mask and the cord is leaking air. Anyone know how to fix this?

(01-14-2020, 10:29 PM)Aa438sj Wrote: I am preparing to go to sleep. The connection between the mask and the cord is leaking air. Anyone know how to fix this?

I meant to say the connection between the mask and the hose is leaking air.
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#28
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
Wrap the leak with tape, electrical tape would be my choice.
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#29
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
There is an intentional vent built into the mask or swivel where it connects to the tube. There are quieter masks available where the air-leak is not as apparent. If you don't need full-face the Resmed Airfit P10 pillows have almost no perceptible venting. The Resmed Airfit and Airtouch full face masks now use a quiet swivel that may help. The venting is needed to prevent rebreathing exhaled CO2, but some designs are better than others.

Edit: do not wrap the leak with tape as suggested by Bonjour unless you are certain it is not a designed vent.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
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#30
RE: New to board; please help me prepare for my appointment with sleep specialist
I know this is a bit late, but I had a leak issue when I reconnected my hose to my mask after washing it.

Never experienced this before, but I flipped the hose around and everything was fine.

John
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