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adjusting to BiPAP

Posted by needzzzz on January 06, 2005 at 12:19:51:

Hello, all.

If you recall my posting a few months ago (no reason why you should....), I'm a 37 y.o. male, not overweight, and diagnosed several months ago with idiopathic CSA. I have finally navigated the madness of my HMO and gotten a BiPAP machine.

Last night was my fourth night hooked up to the machine. It's going to take some time to get used to, but I think it's helping. I'm not feeling quite as tired in the afternoons/evenings, and I think have more energy than before....

Here are some observations, I'd be curious to hear others' thoughts:

(1) While I've always had vivid dreams that I can remember the following day, they have seemed to increase in degree and quantity over the past four nights. Is that typical?

(2) When I first put my mask on and turn on the machine, I can definitely feel it kick up to 8 after an exhale and down to a 4 after an inhale. But in the middle of the night, a couple of times I've woken up, and it seems as if it's stuck on 4 over the course of a few respirations, so I purposefully hold my breath, then it seems to kick up to 8 again. I say "purposefully" because I'm half awake half asleep, and who knows what I'm really doing/what's going on. Is there any reason why it would stay on 4 for a few breaths and not kick up to 8?

(3) My sleep quality has been up and down the past four nights. First night, not so well. Second night, amazingly well. Third night OK. Fourth night, not so well. I guess it's just a matter of getting used to the mask, tubing, etc.?

(4) [excuse the bluntness] Each night now, I've woken up a couple of times in the middle of the night with a raging erection, something that is out of the ordinary for me. Is that some sort of weird side effect? Not that I mind!

(5) Re: Cleaning. I don't have a humidifier on mine. Do I still need to use vinnegar on my weekly cleaning? Or is that only for mineral buildup caused by a humidifier?

That's it. Overall, I'm pleased and I think that once I get accustomed to the BiPAP it will be really good for me.

Thanks.

Richard.



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