Just got my Machine

[PaulaO2]

Yup. If you sleep with someone, you'll get giggling for the first few nights but then they'll eventually get over it. The lack of snoring is well worth having you look and sound like a mix between the Borg and Darth Vader.

I read a lot of folks who hate CPAP and masks because they look like an idiot. Or think they do. Who cares?? You're asleep! So is your bed partner! And if your bed partner is such an arse to joke more than the first night or two, kick 'em out! This is your health, your life, not a beauty contest.

[jonesmelissa]

Just wanted to ask if what are the advantages of having this cpap machine than other machines?

[PaulaO2]

Do you mean that machine in particular or that is it an APAP vs CPAP?

The Remstar he has is cheaper and it has A-Flex, which is their brand name for exhalation relief. Data is available on the screen vs needing to see the data on the card.

The ResMed S9 Autoset is comparable. Their exhalation relief is called EPR. Data is available on the screen but not as much as the Remstar.

I asked for advice in which machine to get between the two. I got some good advice!
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...vs-S9-Auto

[mikael26288]

Well my first night didn't go too good. I think is was because I took a nap in the afternoon before bed time, so it took forever to go to sleep.

I had to take the mask off at 12:30am because I was very conscious of it. It seemed like I was concentrating on breathing in and out, and when I was relaxed enough to not think about it, I would freak out and think, "Did I breath.", and would end up taking several deep breaths in and out until I calmed down again. That happened several times until I couldn't take it any longer.

Early this morning I woke up and put the mask back on for about an hour until it was time to get up.

My wife has had her machine for about 3 months. When she first got it, I told her that she looked like a Jedi Starfighter with the mask on.
So now, that I have mine, I have joined forces with her Starfighter Army. LOL

She told me that now we need to get some of those Light Sabers that have light and sound, so we can have fun at night with them while we are masked up. LOL

When my wife got her PR REMstar Pro, I learned all about it, thanks to this forum, so I know mine pretty good already also. At this time I am going to leave the setting where they are. But I do know how to change all the setting.

[kitley]

MJBEARIT....you said it perfectly...your machine will become your new best friend. I am about 8 weeks into CPAP...and 1 week with my purchased one, rather then their loaner machine. I could almost hug my machine when I get into bed. Although it is a huge adjustment, besides helping the apnea, it also seems in my case to be helping with other sleep issues...ie hours and hours of bright eyes wakefullness...or sleeping 10 minutes and thinking I have slept all night, and not being able to go back to sleep. Yeah, I love it!

[PaulaO2]

If you are awake, you are breathing. Just remember that apnea events happen in our sleep. I understand what you mean, though.

Being conscious of the sound and rhythm of your breath is common when first starting. The sound is different, there's the rhythm of the sound from the machine, etc. I found it was much easier to include that rhythm into a kind of meditation. I am very visual and that in/out I see as waves on the shore.

And it is okay if you can only do an hour or so each night. Try to slowly increase that until you can sleep the entire night through.

[mikael26288]

Well my second night went nicely. I was able to get some good sleep.
I didn't think about breathing as much last night.

But I have a couple of questions.
In my info screen under "large leak" it has 17% but I don't have a leaking mask.
What does that mean.

And how long does it take for the AHI to give you an accurate reading after you start using your machine. My AHI average for both 7 days and 30 days is. 31.5, but I have only used it for about a night and a half.

At my sleep test my oxygen was at 82% a lot better then my wife or my sister's test.

[mjbearit]

I would just continue to use it for a week or more before I worry too much about the numbers. You need to get used to the machine and it needs time to gather enough data to actually put out some meaningful numbers. CPAP therapy is something that requires patience and perseverance. I know that my mask does not leak unless I roll over a certain way, and several times I have been awakened by my bum hip only to find an airflow from under my nasal pillows. Not really enough to wake me up, but there anyway. My machine does not give data, but I have read several people talk about that leak display and I gather it does not always mean what one would think!

[PaulaO2]

Not sure about the leak but that is a high AHI.

But like mjbearit said, give it ten to 14 days before you seriously view the data. It takes a while for your body to adjust and a trend to appear.

[mikael26288]

Think I figured out why I had those numbers in the info screens.

Since I lost my central vision back in 2003 I have let my beard and mustache grow out because it is hard to shave with only low vision.

I did shave off my mustache for my second sleep study with the nasal mask and have since been letting it grow back out.

I found out from the health care guy that called to check on me, that I can't have any facial hair where my mask sits. Because the mask will leak a little even if I can't notice it.

I shaved the mustache back off and took a hour nap, my "large leak" and "AHI" numbers went way down after the short nap. I expect they will go down even more as I use my mask without the mustache.

I will truly miss the mustache. I went from looking like a Mountain Man/ Biker Dude to an looking like an Amish Man.

It will take some time to get use to the new look.