Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike on May 25, 2009 at 2:49pm

Donna Lyn, congrats on getting your new machine. if your machine starts at 4, that's very low, and is not high enough for most people to be able to breathe normally. I'd start it at a slightly higher setting, like 6 or 7, but that's between you and your doctor. if you can breathe at 4 and it ramps up to 13, all the more power to you.

if you had the humidifier on, the water should have been used a bit and the water line should NOT be in the exact same position as when you started. perhaps you only turned on the humidifier late in the night, so not that much water was used?

it's normal not to feel the increases in pressure as your machine ramps up. the ramp up is often so gentle that you are unaware that the pressure is getting greater.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on May 25, 2009 at 3:15pm

I would fill the water to just below the line.

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Permalink Reply by donnalyn on May 25, 2009 at 3:31pm

thanks mike... i just wanted some reasurance that i was using this in the correct way... like i said.,. i felt the pressure and the cool air .. just not to much of it.. or so it seemed... i think you are right in everything you said.. makes sense.

the water was just below the line.. so i guess that was okay..
i did have to adjust the humidifier later on... it was not preset.. i believe the only thing preset was the pressure.. as per what my dr., thought it should be.

i went to the office to pic up the machine., and the lady that gave it to me tried to explain how it worked and the settings and all., however, once you get it home you get all confused., as to what you should be feeling, (pressure wise).
i just wanted to make sure it is doing what it is supposed to be doing... and that i am getting the right amount of pressure/air that i need... the mask fit good...
well it was just my first night with it... i am sure it will get eaiser as i go along...
i will mention to the dr., that 4 is sort of low to start... maybe he will raise it some..
what about 13 being the highest? does that sound right to you? well for me.. anyway...
what does the pressure go up to in its fullest?
okay... thank you for your time and patience...appreciate your concern..... donna lyn

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Permalink Reply by donnalyn on May 25, 2009 at 3:33pm

one more thing..... if i fill the water up to just below the line.. how much water should be gone by morning? ty

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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on May 25, 2009 at 4:41pm

Hi Donna Lyn, I am a newbie as well.
I experienced the same feeling of having a hard time breathing when the machine was ramping from 4 to my set number, 11. I sometimes skipped the ramping feature and just went full blast.

I don't use much water in the humidifier tank either. I think it depends on your climate (dry or humid) and the time of the year and the temperature in the bedroom at night. I find I have to move my humidity around a little depending on the circumstances I just mentioned. I have mine set pretty low so I don't get that "washout". That is when the hose gets too much moisture in it and starts to give your nose a good washing out. :>D

Hang in there, it gets much easier the more you use your machine. All the little details start to get ironed out. This forum is so wonderful in helping all of us newbies with our questions. It is a great place to come for support and to learn form others. Best to you! bee

donnalyn said:

one more thing..... if i fill the water up to just below the line.. how much water should be gone by morning? ty

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on May 25, 2009 at 5:08pm

I am missing some information. What type of machine, mask, and script settings? Or am I seeing part of a split discussion? It appears I am in my normal state of confusion (the 51st).

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Permalink Reply by Judy on May 25, 2009 at 5:47pm

Isn't there something about the Respironics where you have to turn the humidifier on?? I know w/the Resmeds its just a matter of turning a button to Off or to any setting you want up to 6.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on May 25, 2009 at 6:15pm

On the M Series that I have, there's a humidifier setting of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 0 is off. I usually run mine at 2 and that's plenty of humidification for me.
Judy said:

Isn't there something about the Respironics where you have to turn the humidifier on?? I know w/the Resmeds its just a matter of turning a button to Off or to any setting you want up to 6.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on May 25, 2009 at 6:16pm

the amount of water that's used up depends on the humidification setting. If i fill my tank up to just below the line, about half the water is gone the next morning.

your pressure setting of 13 is a pretty common one, if a bit on the high side. Of course, I'm no judge of what the right setting for you is. That's a call for your sleep study/doctor to make. I'm just saying that 13 isn't uncommon. we have a lady on here who takes a 20 pressure setting, which i think is the highest it goes on the M Series machine. I myself hover from 10 to 12.

donnalyn said:

thanks mike... i just wanted some reasurance that i was using this in the correct way... like i said.,. i felt the pressure and the cool air .. just not to much of it.. or so it seemed... i think you are right in everything you said.. makes sense.

the water was just below the line.. so i guess that was okay..
i did have to adjust the humidifier later on... it was not preset.. i believe the only thing preset was the pressure.. as per what my dr., thought it should be.

i went to the office to pic up the machine., and the lady that gave it to me tried to explain how it worked and the settings and all., however, once you get it home you get all confused., as to what you should be feeling, (pressure wise).
i just wanted to make sure it is doing what it is supposed to be doing... and that i am getting the right amount of pressure/air that i need... the mask fit good...
well it was just my first night with it... i am sure it will get eaiser as i go along...
i will mention to the dr., that 4 is sort of low to start... maybe he will raise it some..
what about 13 being the highest? does that sound right to you? well for me.. anyway...
what does the pressure go up to in its fullest?
okay... thank you for your time and patience...appreciate your concern..... donna lyn

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Permalink Reply by donnalyn on May 26, 2009 at 12:32pm

hi., second night of cpap... pressure was good.. just had a slight problem adjusting the mask all night.. i set the humidity at 2.. that is what is good for me... then , the pressure starts off at 4 .(which is good for me) then goes up to 13 in 20 minutes. if i am not asleep yet, i am leaving it anyway... and just 'breathing" ...
last night tossed and turned all night...

when will or should i feel effects of the extra air pressure i am getting during the night?

how long does one have to use the cpap? is there a time that you don't need it anymore?
thanks , donna

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Permalink Reply by donnalyn on May 26, 2009 at 12:43pm

dan, i have a full face mask. automaticly put on pressure of 4 to start-after 20 minutes works its way up to 13. i have the humidifier on 2.. that is my perscription right now.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on May 26, 2009 at 4:15pm

Hey Donnalyn,

Glad to see some things are starting to click in. You seem to have found a humidity setting you are comfortable with. It may vary slightly, depending on the relative humidity around you, but at least you have established a median.

How did you sleep? Did you rest comfortably? You say you tossed and turned. How do you know? To me tossing and turning is not comfortable.

Do you know how to retrieve data from your machine? If you need help in retrieve it, let us know. We will help you in learning how. If it were I, I would keep a log of the data and your nightly opinions as these will aid in your treatment.

What type of full-face mask do you have? (what brand and style) Is it comfortable and did you try any other styles?

The length of time you use *PAP is totally dependent upon you, the patient. Many factors dictate its treatment, i.e., body weight, habits, and ailments. Some of these can be overcome simply by life style changes such as diet, smoking cessation, etc. Others may require medical alterations or surgery. Everyone is different. The object though is to sleep healthy.

Success stories happen every day around here.

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