British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Hi :)
It seems like I'm luckier than some folks, getting used to cpap the last couple weeks I mean. Think I got given the right size and type of mask for me from the start though, which is a bonus.
So, I'm a bit wary of saying I'm doing ok with it, in case it suddenly all goes pear-shaped. [size=50]But I'm doing ok with it[/size] :D

The thing I'm having most bother with right now though is where to put the bloomin hose, not crucial I know lol, just a bit of a nuisance. I sleep on my left side which puts the machine behind me, so I've tried the hose going up and around/under the pillow, or down with it kind of tucked under my arm.
Last night though I faffed on with it that much I ended up nearly pulling the machine off the cabinet altogether, and I doubt it would bounce.

I googled this s8 autoset spirit machine, best part of £500 to buy.... :shock: so just in case I kill it :shock: I'm wondering is the machine classed as the hospital's responsibility, or mine when it's in my home, and has anyone got theirs insured for damage? I did a quick search for insurance on here, was mainly about the car or holiday sort though.

I tried what you suggested and things were a bit better, not so many leaks, so I have left the straps a bit tighter. The night before last it was worse but I had moisturiser on my face and I am pretty sure it caused the leaks again. Last night no moisturiser, a carefully washed mask and I slept with fewer leaks.

Could you mark where the straps are fastened now, maybe put a small stitch in the material so you don't lose where the specialist has set them, then you could try adjusting them a small amount at a time.

If you can't get it any better you can always put them back to where you marked them :D Maybe worth a go?

Dee, I usually sleep on my side but tried to sleep on my back last night. I thought I would try to get used to it on my face before trying to sleep on my side. You have encouraged me to try side sleeping tonight. Hubby asked me if I have to sleep on my back all the time :D

I was interested to hear that you adjust the straps yourself. Mine were adjusted by the specialist and I was told not to adjust them as they are now exactly correct for me. I really wanted to tighten up a bit last night.

Hi :D

Well I took the machine back yesterday for them to get the information from it, and the sleep technician was really pleased with how long I'd managed to use it.
She told me the pressure had varied considerably over the four nights and she gave me an auto machine rather than a one fixed at the highest number. I think that's what she said - but this is the one I can call mine anyway :D

I'm a side-sleeper, and had a fair amount of leaking from the mask the first night, mostly round my nose and eyes. Don't think it's anything near perfect fit yet, but I'm putting it on quite slack before I switch on and lie down. Then I adjust the straps, and get a hold of the front of the mask and ease it just a little bit away from my face all round, and let it settle back down gently. Maybe it helps, or maybe it's all in my head lol

Feeling quite positive so far - hope that's not tempting fate :roll: any questions I'll shout for help lol

Hi Dee, You and I seem to be following a very similar path at the moment. I received my trial S8 machine today and have to report back next Tuesday. I hope you are getting on well with yours and I look forward to receiving reports of how you are managing.

Just back from a break Dee, and hope that your appointment went well and that you feel more in control of your equipment.

Please don't hesitate to post - or pm - if you need help with the equipment. We've ALL been there, and the S8 is quite a forgiving piece of equipment .... I really enjoyed mine (my tech recently upgraded me to an S9 but you will do fine cutting your teeth on an S8!).

[quote="Dee"]I got the results of my sleep study yesterday, I'm glad I'd read and learned as much here or I probably would have been panicking a lot more. A lot.
I have severe sleep apnoea, 52 AHI - I think my ears stopped listening after I heard that. I left the hospital with a Resmed machine that I have to take back on Tuesday for them to get information off, and there's a support team I can call if there are any problems... during office hours.... that probably doesn't include Bank Holiday weekends :-?

So, a quick demo of how to use everything from the technician, a Resmed s8 machine, a Resmed Mirage Quattro mask and user manual, a ResScan data card that no-one mentioned was in the case, and I'm pretty much left to it till Tuesday!
And the least said about how I got on with the mask the first night the better - I'm determined to get it right, tonight will be easier :D fingers crossed.[/quote]

52! Blimey :shock: I thought I felt bad at 20!

Please keep us updated on how you get on as you may experience similar first use problems that I will probably encounter too 8)

[quote="Dee"] I didn't expect instant overnight success, and it was more than likely a happy accident that the mask didn't give me so much grief last night. I actually felt like I'd had a bit of a lie-in this morning :D
Been a long time since I woke up anything other than k-nackered lol.

Dee[/quote]

Just wait till you ACTUALLY DO have a lie in Dee - the feeling is fantastic!!! I wake up refreshed now every morning and raring to go. The mask is like a second skin for me now - I automatically reach out and put it on after a read every night and have never had problems keeping it on overnight (although at the biginning I would happily have taken it off and thrown it across the room!). It is definitely now a very good friend!
I am sure there will be good nights and bad nights over the next few weeks (I remember thinking I had cracked it after about week 4 and then suddenly having about 4 or 5 nights of virtually no sleep with the mask which was depressing to say the least). But you will get there!!!

Michael

Hi again Michael,

Thanks for your encouragement, it's a huge help to read how other folks cope with first getting diagnosed and then starting on cpap, I've been reading your posts.

I didn't expect instant overnight success, and it was more than likely a happy accident that the mask didn't give me so much grief last night. I actually felt like I'd had a bit of a lie-in this morning :D
Been a long time since I woke up anything other than k-nackered lol.

Dee

Hi Dee,

I panicked too when I was diagnosed (with an AHI of 66) and happily found this forum that was a tremendous help. The journey ahead is not painless and I struggled with the machine and mask for a few weeks, then suddenly it all kicked in and my goodness did I feel so good.

It is so amazing to get my previous life back and to have an energy level that I never really envisaged would be possible again during the two previous years up until diagnosis.

You have done everything right. A positive attitude is a tremendous help and you will get there!!!You are not alone and I wish you every success on the journey ahead.

Michael

I got the results of my sleep study yesterday, I'm glad I'd read and learned as much here or I probably would have been panicking a lot more. A lot.
I have severe sleep apnoea, 52 AHI - I think my ears stopped listening after I heard that. I left the hospital with a Resmed machine that I have to take back on Tuesday for them to get information off, and there's a support team I can call if there are any problems... during office hours.... that probably doesn't include Bank Holiday weekends :-?

So, a quick demo of how to use everything from the technician, a Resmed s8 machine, a Resmed Mirage Quattro mask and user manual, a ResScan data card that no-one mentioned was in the case, and I'm pretty much left to it till Tuesday!
And the least said about how I got on with the mask the first night the better - I'm determined to get it right, tonight will be easier :D fingers crossed.

Hi,

Thanks for your replies, and if sleeping sitting propped up in bed isn't likely to make any difference, I might as well be lying down comfy then lol

Have to say I've never tried those nasal dilator things, but I couldn't tell you how many of those bloomin nose strips I bought, and found stuck on the pillow-case or in my hair next morning, what a waste of time and money they were :roll: and the sprays made not a blind bit of difference either. Not even prescription ones.

You're right about the advice and support here, really helpful and reassuring for new folks - :D thank you :D

LOL yes, I bought a kind of foam wedge thing and tried that. Terribly uncomfortable, gave me a bad back and made no difference. Also tried numerous 'nostril expanders' and a MAD which didn't work either.

I asked some very random questions Dee :)
The people on this site have proved to be an invaluable source of advice :D

There are definitely no stupid questions :lol:

I've tried sleeping upright too but it didn't work for me. I've tried sleeping in all sorts of different positions but with no change. Others may have had different results.