Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea
Help Needed [am I doomed?] - Printable Version

+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Help Needed [am I doomed?] (/Thread-Help-Needed-am-I-doomed)



Help Needed [am I doomed?] - jennie54 - 10-11-2016

My pressure setting was just upped to 13. It started out at 9, then upped to 10, 11 and 12 over the course of 6 years that I've been using CPAP therapy. Before CPAP my AHI was about 20 events per hour, now I still have 8-9 AHI's per hour. I would think that after all these 6 years using CPAP nightly that my AHI's would have improved significantly. I also use the Fisher & Paykel Simplus full face mask and I seem to be up half the night adjusting it as I move around continuously during the night. I probably get only 2-3 actual hours of sleep at night even though I may be in bed 7 hours! Never have any quality sleep and unlike you am still very tired during the day with little energy. Everyone I know that has sleep apnea and using CPAP have raved about what a difference it's made in that they feel so refreshed and rested during the day now and don't feel like they need a daytime nap. I get so tired during the day that when I'm driving I close my eyes and rest every time I'm at a traffic light just to get a few seconds of rest. My insurance company rarely pays for new equipment for me but I'd like to be able to have a machine like you have that adjusts the pressure automatically when you sleep. I have a very difficult time breathing out (exhaling) against the air and that also keeps me awake a good part of the night. Am I doomed or do you think I should just continue to fight through the discomfort I have with my mask and my extreme lack of sleep???


RE: [split] Help Needed - Sleepster - 10-11-2016

(10-11-2016, 05:44 PM)jennie54 Wrote: Am I doomed or do you think I should just continue to fight through the discomfort I have with my mask and my extreme lack of sleep???

I think that you could be doomed if you give up!

There are some things you can do.

1. Software. Sleepyhead is good, especially for your machine. Your profile says you're using ResScan, but that can't work with your PRS1 machine. Software will help you determine whether pressure increases really were the right thing to do, and help you get your AHI lower. It will also let you know just how bad the leaks are.

2. Better-fitting mask. Work with your equipment provider to get a better fitting mask. Why are you wearing a full face mask instead of nasal pillows?

3. Craigslist. Keep your eye out for a better machine. An auto-adjusting bi-level machine will help you exhale against the pressure.

(Note that I moved your post to a new thread to help others see it.)


RE: [split] Help Needed - Sleeprider - 10-12-2016

I recently saw new Philips Dreamstation machines for $427 and new Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for $650 on Amazon. Good deals are also available from Supplier #2. If your insurance is high deductible or you can't get something from them, have your prescription in hand and save for a better machine.


Help Needed [am I doomed?] - PaytonA - 10-13-2016

Jennie54,

I had the same problems with having to readjust the Simplus mask through the night. I found a simple fix for me. After I have the mask adjusted properly and with the machine on, I gently pull the mask away from my face slightly so air is escaping from all around the perifery of the mask. Then let the mask back down onto my face. This ensures that all of the cushions get inflated and will be effective.

Another thing to pay attention to is the tightness of the upper straps. Most people get the best results with the forehead stabilizer not quite in contact with their forehead. This depends on how much drop there is from your forehead to your nasal bridge. You want it so that the roll-seal at your nasal bridge is about in the middle of its travel so that it has the best chance of doing its job.

I hope some of this might help you. I know it helped me.

Best Regards,

PaytonA