Newby and thanks too all in advance for info you guys have given

[Hueypilot]

Hi all,
New to CPAP and apnea and all that it entails. (2 weeks on the gear)

The info I have got from this board is amazing, so congrats to those that set it up and those that participate!

A couple of quick Questions if I may:

I have downloaded and installed sleepyhead; Could someone please tell me what the ideal minimum stats that I should be aiming for? Apologies if there is a idiots guide to SH i just cant find it!

Could you point me too a site/link/thread that demystifies CPAP for the lay person? Have friends and family members that need CPAP but have a "stigma"when it comes too discussing/using CPAP. Thought that as a CPAP user they might be more positive towards treatment if I could provide them with the info.
Thanks again

[zonk]

Hi Hueypilot
there is nothing mysterious about CPAP, just a simple blower keeping your airways open so you can breathe while sleeping

As for what to look for, AHI below 5 and stuff like that, but most important getting good night sleep and feeling better the next morning
For most people, "feeling better" can take some time and comes in stages, until one morning you wake up and get that good feeling

[DeepBreathing]

G'day Hueypilot, welcome to Apnea Board.

As Zonk said, the main target is a good night's sleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Clinically you need an AHI (apnea hypopnea index) less than 5 and no major leaks from your mask.

The second thread at the top of this main forum will tell you all you need to know about Sleepyhead. The first few pages are in the form of a tutorial, and the other 50 pages are discussion. There is also an apnea wiki - link at the top of this page - which will also have plenty of useful information.

[Hueypilot]

DB and Zonk,

Thanks for responses, forgot to mention I'm getting a great nights sleep and are feeling a lot better in the mornings. AHi is under 5, Just want to make sure I have my gear tuned the best it can be: will disgest SH info.



guess I got lucky with gear and mask!

Thanks again

[trish6hundred]

Hi Hueypilot,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you with your CPAP therapy.

[Shastzi]

I have been on the hose since '12 and am retuning to make sure I am still optimal.
(things change over time!)

[quiescence at last]

keep some stats along with the data SH provides.

helpful ones are - special feelings or issues, like how you felt, first dreaming, first sleep thru night, reduction in number of potty breaks, reduction or loss of acid indigestion, clear thinking, increased energy, gaining ability to concentrate.

when you get the SH data, get acquainted with how your pressure changes thru the night, the component parts of apnea and hypopnea index (AHI), learn the difference between clear airway (CA) apneas and obstructive apneas (OA), and what the machine does when it sees each.

welcome. we hope you enjoy and learn from this forum.

QAL