Sleep Apnea and adjusting to a CPAP machine: Tips?

Need to correct myself. The pressure of a BiPaP is set to each patients needs. Since I stop breathing mine is set at 18/5. The highest the dream station can be set. That's 18lb in and 5 out. I experienced multiple apnea a night. This starts my breathing in case I stop. Plus the latest I have nasal collapse. I have to breath actively or less air goes into my system. Old age does wonders to us. Makes you wonder why advanced age is so difficult. Sorry to annoy you.

@lolaemma Not annoying at all! We are all in this together and learning as we go is a good thing. My Dreamstation Go is set at 18 for also but when it hits above 14 it usually wakes me up. I've only had that happen when I'm trying a new mask and something is out of the ordinary. My other issue is I'm a side sleeper and have a bad hip on one side that the pain causes me to roll over to the other side after awhile.

@johnbishop- John, I'm always so encouraged by your great reviews especially when they relate to new masks!
Sounds like the ResMed AirFit 20 is still #1 for you. Great job in averaging 8.1 hrs. a day! Happy Zzzz's my friend. Jim @thankful

I desperately need to use my CPAP. HOWEVER, I don't wear it because when I did, I actually don't think I got enough air. I ripped it off in the middle of the night and never put it back on again. I had a smart alec man deliver it and he acted like it was killing him to even show it to me. I never called him back even though I paid big bucks for the machine. I know I should have called and reported him but I have never been one to complain to a company. Resmed is the name of the machine. It is still like new, just sitting in a large container in my bedroom taking up valuable space. I need it badly but I need a person who would help not hinder. I choke and wake myself up during the night every night. I am happy to hear of people having such good experiences. Maybe I will contact the company and ask for another person to help me. My pressure was set at six and that was not enough. I don't even know how to change it.

I had the sleep study at the hospital and have the written report that I stopped breathing 125 times during one night. I couldn't believe it! ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE TIMES. YES, that's right. 75 times my brain didn't tell me to breathe and 75 times my throat didn't work.

@woogie, If you have the prescription from your sleep medicine doctor it should show the recommended air pressure settings based on your sleep study. A local medical supply store may be able to help if you are not able to get help from your doctor. Also you can change it yourself if it's not set correctly according to your prescription. Not sure if this is the ResMed device you have but the method to change should be similar for all ResMed CPAPs. I would discuss this with your doctor first.

Changing the Pressure of a ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset. FreeCPAPAdvice.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHkJuuZuhfc

@woogie relax that's not unusual it just means that you have sleep apnea. You need and will be prescribed a BiPap. It means two different pressures to keep you breathing. I've been using a BiPap for almost thirty years. Before it was diagnosed my snoring was so loud when I went on a woman's retreat to the Maine woods with eight other women in the bunk room all woke up and took their clothes and bedding including mattresses and took it down to the big great room to sleep. In the morning when I woke up I was alone. At the breakfast line other women that I didn't know were wondering what that awful noise was and thought it was a defective generator. I was humiliated but on the way back Aretha said next year we should get a cabin in the back. Everybody else is afraid but you'll scare the bears away. It's funny now.The snoring is the body trying to get air. Apnea are when you stop breathing it sounds like what it is gasping for air.This condition can cause damage to the heart raise your blood pressure from the struggle and cause sudden death. Not all at the same time. It took me years to get the setup that's most effective for me. And a machine with gear that lets me sleep. After losing two hundred lb I had to accept while I was healthier sleep apnea is permanent. Get your rig ASAP Medicare and most ins pay for it. Now if there only was a simple fix for OA.

I read your second post after my previous one. You need to talk to a a pulmonary specialist.. Once they read your report there should be action taken. Do you have insurance? The doctor may be able to help you get a replacement and a BiPap. Your condition is serious. How could this idiocy occur? You are in the us aren't you? It's not your fault please don't take what I said personally. You're not expected to be your own doctor.

@woogie

Didn't you have insurance coverage? Medicare and a supplemental insurance cover 100%.

I used a cpap for more than 15 years, though I didn't have anywhere near as many events as you. For a long time I used a full face mask because until I had surgery for a deviated septum when I was 50, I was a mouth breather.

I always had trouble with air leaks with the full face because of my beard. A few years ago, after another sleep study, my doctor changed me to a Bipap machine. And I started using a chin strap to keep my mouth shut. The doctor wasn't pleased with my mask seal numbers on the report, so I had a mask fitting with the supplier. I tested several nose masks, and took 2 home to decide which was best. I still have trouble with the mask seal, but I'm happy with the new equipment.

I don't know how the doctor knows whether I need a cpap or a Bipap. I never change the pressure settings. I leave that to the doctor and supplier. 6 does seem awfully low, given the severity of your apnea. Mine was set at 12.

Were you given choices about the type of mask? There are lots available, and sizing is important, as well.

If your equipment supplier makes appointments for mask fitting and cpap use, I'd surely recommend it. Unfortunately, there are as many lousy technicians as great ones, so you might want to check out other supplier locations if that's an option for you.

You should be offered multiple styles of masks. You can see them online if you want to be better informed for your appointment. There's no excuse for the way you were treated, and you would do the company a favor if you told them about it. The place I get my supplies from is a medical supply store. The local branch doesn't do fittings or anything like that. They just keep my supplies in stock, but another branch is set up for things like fittings and education.

I have occasional panic attacks at night, and have to take the mask off until the attack passes. I'm glad to say that it's been a while since the last one. Having to rip off the mask is a very unpleasant experience.

Have you spoken with the sleep center where you had the study done? They should be able to get you the help you need.

I hope you resolve this soon. It sounds like you need it.

Jim

I have had the same experience and am not currently using my CPAP. The supplier for my Phillips Respironics Dreamstation was Aerocare. I have had difficulty with receiving assistance in adjusting to a tolerable mask, scheduling of routine overnight pulse oximetry readings, etc. After checking BBB I found they were rated “F” with countless complaints. After describing experience to my physician, she said they had many complaints reported by patients but they were reluctant to recommend another DME provider as many of those were unreliable as well. It seems we must either buy privately and negotiate insurance or Medicare rates and ask your physician to set up pressure settings as an alternative. Also, become familiar when new masks, tubing and filters should be changed out. Of note, I have not been instructed on how to set pressures. I assumed the pressure must be ordered by your physician based on your progress from their download of your results. Best of luck.