Newbies first 5 days

[Unclebuck470]

Well, 5 days down and last night was the worst.2 plus hours and couldn't fall asleep finally took off the mask and fell asleep. I did keep track of the reading for the week, just not sure how to understand them

Date Press Leak AHI AI HI Hours

11/21/2009 11.4 0.30 13.1 1.9 11.2 7.30
11/22/2009 11.8 0.26 11.9 1.0 10.9 5.46
11/23/2009 11.0 0.32 7.4 1.4 6.0 4.09
11/24/2009 12.2 0.12 8.8 2.0 6.8 6.46
11/25/2009 11.2 0.16 13.2 1.8 11.4 5.16
11/26/2009 10.6 0.06 39.4 4.4 35.0 2.14

Thanks for any input

[KatieW]

That's good that you wrote your numbers down, but wow, that's hard to read. I made a chart for you.




I hope the more experienced folks here will give you some input.

[Unclebuck470]

Thanks, I did have it in a chart using excel but guess when I transfered it didn't work right

[JohnBFisher]

That's good that you wrote your numbers down, but wow, that's hard to read. I made a chart for you.



I hope the more experienced folks here will give you some input.

Thanks Katie! That makes it much easier.

Now, I don't know anything about the ResMed S8 Auto series, but I bet the orginal poster might have some of the answers if we use the Socratic Method. So, I'm going to play dumb and ask a few questions:

1) I note AHI value bounced all over the place. Did you feel better after the nights of the 23rd and 24th or after the night of the 26th? (We can probably guess that answer that question, just based on the original post and the hours).

2) Did sleep positions change between those two different nights?

3) Did you drink more alcohol (or have some other central nervous system depressant) prior to last night that you did not have in those previous two nights?

4) Do you know if you were snoring more last night? Did your throat feel sore compared to the previous nights?

5) If you have a partner, did they report any difference between those sets of nights?

6) Has the weather changed? Is it drier now than previously?

7) Did you have more problems with nasal congestion last night?

Okay, that should get the ball rolling...

[DreamOn]

Well, 5 days down and last night was the worst.2 plus hours and couldn't fall asleep finally took off the mask and fell asleep. I did keep track of the reading for the week, just not sure how to understand them

Date Press Leak AHI AI HI Hours

11/21/2009 11.4 0.30 13.1 1.9 11.2 7.30
11/22/2009 11.8 0.26 11.9 1.0 10.9 5.46
11/23/2009 11.0 0.32 7.4 1.4 6.0 4.09
11/24/2009 12.2 0.12 8.8 2.0 6.8 6.46
11/25/2009 11.2 0.16 13.2 1.8 11.4 5.16
11/26/2009 10.6 0.06 39.4 4.4 35.0 2.14

Thanks for any input

Welcome, Unclebuck! It looks like you've been making fantastic progress at reducing leaks! I'll leave my comments at that, since there are many more experienced people that can give constructive suggestions regarding the rest. I would like to know how you are feeling since beginning CPAP. The numbers do tell only part of the story.

~ DreamOn

[Unclebuck470]

1) I note AHI value bounced all over the place. Did you feel better after the nights of the 23rd and 24th or after the night of the 26th? (We can probably guess that answer that question, just based on the original post and the hours).


Didn't really feel better after any of the nights


2) Did sleep positions change between those two different nights?

NO

3) Did you drink more alcohol (or have some other central nervous system depressant) prior to last night that you did not have in those previous two nights?

Don't do alcohol at all and no central nervous system problem.

4) Do you know if you were snoring more last night? Did your throat feel sore compared to the previous nights?

Full face mask and no sore throat

5) If you have a partner, did they report any difference between those sets of nights?

No differents

6) Has the weather changed? Is it drier now than previously?

no

7) Did you have more problems with nasal congestion last night?
no

[JohnBFisher]

... 7) Did you have more problems ...
no

My sincere empathy. It took me a couple years before my problems became clear enough that the sleep study could clearly show problems. I sure hope you are able to settle into a routine that will make it work better for you. If not, don't be afraid to go back to the DME and ask questions. You might need to see your doctor again.

However, it really is that important. The numbers are overwhelming.

[Dan on CPAP]

I'm on day 14 now and I'm adjusting ok. However, i've been sedating myself with over the counter Valerian root, Kava Tea and Tylenol PM. I'm having anxiety issues with this CPAP/mask thing and have found the mask in my hands, on the floor and don't know when I did it. I'm going to tape it on tonight, so that hopefully I'll feel it when I take it off. Good news is the sleep I'm getting is quality and I'm feeling rested in the morning and a lot less grumpy. Hang in there, just wanted to share what I'm doing to get used to this treatment.

[DreamOn]

I'm on day 14 now and I'm adjusting ok. However, i've been sedating myself with over the counter Valerian root, Kava Tea and Tylenol PM. I'm having anxiety issues with this CPAP/mask thing and have found the mask in my hands, on the floor and don't know when I did it. I'm going to tape it on tonight, so that hopefully I'll feel it when I take it off. Good news is the sleep I'm getting is quality and I'm feeling rested in the morning and a lot less grumpy. Hang in there, just wanted to share what I'm doing to get used to this treatment.

Dan,

Good to hear that you're getting good sleep and feeling better during the day! Keep working on the mask issues. Sometimes it does take time to adjust. Or you may need to try another type of mask. Many DME suppliers have a 30-day mask-switch policy.

~ DreamOn

[shambharwani]

Well, 5 days down and last night was the worst.2 plus hours and couldn't fall asleep finally took off the mask and fell asleep. I did keep track of the reading for the week, just not sure how to understand them

Date Press Leak AHI AI HI Hours

11/21/2009 11.4 0.30 13.1 1.9 11.2 7.30
11/22/2009 11.8 0.26 11.9 1.0 10.9 5.46
11/23/2009 11.0 0.32 7.4 1.4 6.0 4.09
11/24/2009 12.2 0.12 8.8 2.0 6.8 6.46
11/25/2009 11.2 0.16 13.2 1.8 11.4 5.16
11/26/2009 10.6 0.06 39.4 4.4 35.0 2.14

Thanks for any input

UncleBuck,

I am a newbie (just over a month). In the beginning it is difficult to get used to having something on your face and that too being tied tightly. Worse if you are a stomach sleeper. For me I had to tell myself over and over the alternatives or the results of no therapy were not acceptable. I also realized that the range in minimum and maximum pressures were causing me to wake up, so I set the machine in CPAP mode, used the A-flex mode (EPR) and ramp. Currently I have set the machine in Auto with min. pressure at 14 and max. at 18 (my 90% pressure is bet. 16-17), A-Flex is still at 3, ramp-up pressure is 8 for 15 mins. So actually what you have to do is get acclimatized to the machine/mask and experiment with what is comfortable and gives you the best results and soon it won't bother you.