3 nights on.... have a few questions..

[Ulrika]

Ok so I have been using my CPAP for 3 nights now first night had lots of leaking and my eyes got sore, second night was really good, same with last night but I have a bit of a sore throat in the day time, not really sore but enough to know that it's had air blasted through it.. and my cheeks felt a bit tender from the pressure of air as well Is this normal?

I have large tonsils and I am a mouth breather and I have to lie on my back, today I actually feel a bit worse like a bit of headache and groggy but I don't dislike the mask. I think it is set on 6 - 14? I had it all set up for me (I am in Australia... I was able to take a sleep study unit home to measure the frequency of apnea's etc) so they set the CPAP accordingly.

I am wondering if it's working properly or not... I am booked in to go back after 2 weeks when they will look at the data in the machine to see if its working alright. Can I do something wrong.. so far I just press the on button - could it be set too low and I am still having times I am not breathing?

[PaulaO2]

Which machine do you have? As long as it does not have Escape in the name, it is data capable and, using either ResScan or SleepyHead software, you can view the data yourself.

And still keep in mind this is only the third night. You are still adjusting.

Put some lotion on your face right before bed and put some more on after your shower. It might help. Just nothing petroleum based (like vasoline) as it can damage most masks.

[zonk]

You can check AHI, pressure and leak data at the S9 LCD screen
http://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-s9-cpap-setup

I didn't had much luck with full face mask leaked like a sieve and ended with up with nasal mask and chinstrap much better but everybody is different. Ask your equipment provider to try other types of masks and even nasal mask at home and some do get samples from manufactures to give to patients and probably they might charge for cleaning the mask but would take off if you the mask from them.
Mask is the key to effective therapy and its preferable to get the leak below 24 L/min as ResMed say leak above it would affect the accuracy of the S9 data and compromise the therapy. Take your time and read through and as they say Rome wasn't built in one day
http://www.resmed.com/au/service_and_sup...c=patients
How to achieve the perfect mask fit by jeffy1958
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...erfect+fit
ResMed mask fitting instructions
http://www.resmed.com/au/products/masks....c=patients

[Ulrika]

thanks for the links... I have had a bit of a look around - I dropped into the place I got the CPAP machine from and they said it sounds all like adjustment issues - they said that the fact I don't feel like it's not working much (when I wake I can't really feel it like on the first night) means I am already used to it and it is normal to feel a bit dry and sore and suggested I put up the humidity a bit. I don't think I could use a nasal pillow as I find it hard to breathe through my nose anyway, I really like the mask - hoping that it will continue as well as it has and the slight niggly problems I am having go away.

[PollCat]

Please keep us apprised of you progress, Ulrika. We like to know how our members are doing.

[zimlich]

Keep up the good work. It takes time to feel better, some longer than others. Just use it all night, every night. Keep us posted. good luck.