What first-time questions do I ask the doc?

[Acheron2010]

Well, good morning. Thank you for your kind words of welcome and sage advice. Bonjour, thank you so much. Having a beard I was intimidated, and the selection of machines was like selecting your first car. I appreciate your wisdom and experience to ease my journey.

My sleep study showed an RDI of 36.7.
Hypopnea index 33.2
Apneas 19
Unclassified 6
Obstructive 10
Central 3

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Last evening I picked up my Resmed Airsense 10 with Autoset and a Phillips DreamMapper mask. We agreed to try the minimum to full mask approach before I did any beard trimming. I was shown the basics of operating the equipment and how to wear the mask, and did my first 6 hours of sleep.

Thanks to you wonderful folks I downloaded the Sleepyhead application, which this morning showed me an AHI of 3.34 and a mask leak rate of 16 percent. I am a side sleeper, so have to figure out a good head/face position that does not move the mask in my sleep. Pressure setting is on 5-20, and my overnight average was about 7.6. I still have to figure out what "normal" feels like, but I am on the first step of my journey.

Thank you for this board. You've been holding my hand the whole way, and I appreciate you.

[KSMatthew]

Isn't DreamMapper their smartphone app?

DreamWear is a mask.  If that's the one you have, nasal pillows, that's a reasonable place to start.  They generally give a little extra leeway on sidesleeping because they can maintain a little better seal when being moved around.

One of the things that will happen is that you'll end up messing with strap tension and placement for a while.  First it will be too loose, then too tight, then too high or low.  Eventually, you'll get it figured out.

[Acheron2010]

Yes, the Dreamwear nasal mask.  Thanks.