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Sleep Apnea
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Newbie

Posted by Sheepcounter on September 07, 2004 at 11:41:12:

Greetings,

I am new to this forum...being newly diagnosed with OSA and a proud now owner of a CPAP machine.

I am experiencing all the problems I have read about in getting the interface figured out. (club dues right!)

Let me begin by saying that the second night of my sleep study was amazing. I expected problems being able to sleep with this machine blowing in my face all night but didn't have any. I was awakend the next morning and felt like a new man the whole day...my wife couldn't believe the change. I had 168 respiratory events with an RDI of 36 the first night.(only logged about 4 hours sleep) I knew I had problems and was getting worse.

I am using an Invacare Polaris EX with heated humidifier at 11cm. I have been back and forth between an Invacare Twilight nasal mask and IQ Gel nasal mask.

The first problems I have had is the mildly claustrophobic feeling of the IQ. The gel seals pretty well but seems to be more difficult to exhale through. I don't know if it't the smaller diameter hose connecting it or the way the hose enters the rigid part of the mask. Don't feel it with the Twilight.

The Twilight worked great for the first few nights but now won't stay sealed against my face for more than a few minutes. It appears that the inflatable part of the mask has lost it's skin clinging properties and slips on the skin into a position that allows jets of air to blow into my eyes. I started on the Large and moved to the Regular sized mask. I figured it was just oily and needed cleaning. The books recommended cleaning with alcohol. That didn't help..even when cleaning any oils from my face with alcohol as well. Worked with it last evening for nearly an hour....loosening, tightening, repositioning, lifting, resetting on my face...to no resolution. I finally got up and put the IQ back on and got a little sleep.

I am going to purchase a nasal pillow (ADAM circuit) design today and see how that works.

I have also had problems with my sinuses locking up after a couple hours of CPAP use...finally turned off the heater last night and just let the air flow over the room temp. water and it was some better...seems the more humidity I add the tighter my sinuses close up.

I have been able to use the system every night for the last 11 nights and am getting some decent sleep....not straight through all night yet but I and am determined to stick with it....just need to get a few bugs worked out.

Anyway...any insight you might have for me and my equipment would be appreciated!


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