New using CPAP - Sleep Disorders Message Board

hamiltonkrewe · 05-28-2007, 06:37 PM

Hello my name is Dave. After years of unexplained weight gain and high blood pressure my doctor referred me to a pulmonary doctor who in turn sent me for a sleep study. I was asleep for only two hours and they woke me up and put on a CPAP. They gave me an Ambien that put me back to sleep for 6 more hours. I felt great when I awoke!

The doctor finally got the report and they said I have severe sleep apnea and sent in a prescription to Lincare for a CPAP. Tuesday I got a Respironics with heated humidifier, M series. I’m using a Resmed Mirage swift Nasal mask exactly the same as the one I used at the sleep study.

I’m having some problems. First I’m still very tired and still take at least one nap a day in which I even wake up more tired. I read the thread here “Still wake up tired” and will look to see if I am doing any of those things, for instance I‘m not currently wearing a chin strap. Second since On CPAP I have not slept more the 2 hours straight without waking up. I have though in those periods dreamt.

I was looking at the CPAP screens, It said I have had only 4 sessions. That's not right I bet including my naps the number is close to 20. It says my “System Leak” is 43.4 What does that mean? Does it mean my mask was leaking or mouth breathing? It says my Apnea/hypopnea index average for the past 7 days is 2.5. Does that mean the CPAP it correcting that many or was not able to correct those? It says my 90% pressure is 14.4

I was hoping to feel a lot better by now my diagnosis made so much sense. Any opinions?
Dave

mkgbrook · 05-28-2007, 10:16 PM

Contact the respiratory nurse with you sleep specialist.. she will be able to look at your case and possibly get you some trial masks.

I am betting you are mouth breathing or rolling onto your belly and dislodging you mask. My husband and I can not use the nasal mask and my son luckily was young enough to train to sleep with his mouth closed. Chin straps never worked for my husband and I.. we could just open our mouth easily.

I have like the gel cushion masks the best.. full by Mojo and nasal by respironics I think.

Good luck.
MG

bailey46 · 06-01-2007, 11:51 AM

Hi Dave. My husband got his CPAP about a week ago and has been working thru some issues, too. He was having trouble getting a good seal on the mask so took it back to the durable medical equipement place that provided the CPAP and they gave him a nose piece and chin strap. I've noticed since he's been using the nose piece that he still snores a bit but he does not stop breathing the way he used to. He's had to make several adjustments, including tightening the chin strap to keep from mouth breathing, and seems to be doing better. I am wondering if the leakage number means that the mask is leaking nearly 50% which might mean you need to adjust the mask and headgear. To be certain, I'd take the machine and mask back to the place you got it from and have them check not only the machine's operation but also how well your mask fits. I'd also suggest a chin strap. From what my hubby and I are learning, it does take time to get everything optimized, and if you can be patient through the process, it's well worth it. My husband says he feels much better now that he's making some adjustments and getting used to the machine. I encourage you to stick with it and be patient, and especially to ask lots of questions of the place that provided and trained you on the use of your machine.

Best of luck to you!