Need Help with my CPAP Machine again ~

I posted once before about my troubles with the Machine.

Because of all the encouragement I received here at DU, I'm still trying.

I gave up a few times because of sinus problems and dry eyes.
Sinus issues seem better and I got a Sleep Mask that seems to help with the Dry Eyes.

I'm still having some questions........

1. The REP just tells me that I need to keep using it but is not helpful AT ALL. He is mean - should I call and ask for another Rep?

2. I'm finally using the pillows but I hear a noise -- is that the air that is escaping from not having a secure seal on the pillows in my nose?

I'm not talking about the oxygen that is suppose to escape through the hole in the tube.

3. I've been able to use it about 2 - 3 hours a night but I can't say I've really gone into a solid sleep with it on~ but, when I walk up in the morning(even with only 3 hours on it, I feel better.

What am I doing right and what am I doing wrong?

Thanks for being so understanding. I really want to use it and I know it will be better for my overall health.

it sucks...but I know people who swears by them
definitely get a good rep and complain about the bad rep

I have to go and see my doctor about getting my pressure down

it is at 15 and blows air into my ears....it is really quite painful...then on top of that I do not sleep on my back...I am a side sleeper.
Every once in a while I get a good night's sleep...and on those days I fell phenomenal..so keep working on your issues until you get it the way you want it...

Do not let anybody push you around. These machines are LIFE SAVING machines...so the only one you should be worried about is you and your life.

I have a lot to work out to, just don't quit

and a smaller number for exhaling. It is called a bi-pap.

I just kept searching the web for more information.
The information that the Rep gave me was more about the device and not much on different ways to adjust to the device.

Does the doctor have to tell the Rep how much Pressure you have set on the CPAP?

I was told if I want my pressure to go down I have to get a doctor approval first...

I was told that I "just made the cut off" for Medicare.

I was right on the border line they said, I am grateful because I know that if I am suffering so many others are suffering as well.

My cousin has severe sleep apnea and she refuses to get the machine. Her husband is begging me to keep trying to convince her to do it. He can't sleep at night for worrying about her not breathing. : (

I want to set an example for my cousin as well as others.

I come across people all the time. I just mention it and then i hear a "me too"

your cousin is cutting off 10 yrs or more of her life expenctancy by not using a cpap
and she is effecting the quality of sleep for her spouse. His life expectancy will be shortened too.
who did you get your machine from? APRIA? That is where I got mine and they told me (when I couldn't afford it) that they have a program for people with no money. I may have to go on it if my insurance doesn't kick in soon. I am still paying for the deductible "and then they will decide if they will cover it"
...bunch of shit right? A life saving device that they "might" cover

..again last night I put it on and it only lasted for a couple of hours. My neice's husband rips his off too in the middle of the night.
I wish there was a better way....but whatever you do keep asking until you get a mask that you are comfortable with...and don't budge till they get it right.

:loveya:

are understanding what to look for. You should feel free to call the rep if you have questions about anything. Fire the guy he's getting paid for a lousy job.

:loveya:
Thanks to everyone, I'll keep you posted on the results.

Thanks to everyone for encouraging me.

He explained so many things to me that were not in the book and the 1st Rep didn't tell me.

He told me to sleep with my mouth closed, I was breathing the air the wrong way.

I got 6 hours of sleep last night for the first time in years.
I was dreaming!

He explained how to put my mask on correctly and when I did the pillows fit like magic.

He told me how to wash my tubes in dish water soap only and hand them up to dry. Let them air dry, never use a towel because you will get lint in them.

I could go on and on and he was so patient.

Should I call and speak to the supervisor about the 1st Rep? I am worried about all the other people that he is not encouraging.

"all the difference in the world" ... "almost gave up" ... He deserves the kudos.

Sweet dreams!

for all the encouragement from DU and the new Rep.

Yes. I will call tomorrow. He even left a message for me today to find out how I was doing.

I missed your earlier post, so i don't understand how the sleep mask was causing dry eyes. The only way that would happen is if the mask is leaking air towards the eyes.

1) yes, find a more sympathetic rep or ask to see a respiratory therapist.

2) if it's a hissing sound, yes, that's air escaping. Try a smaller size nasal pillow. Nasal pillow didn't work well for me. The air blowing into my nose was causing dryness that eventually started hurting my nose (even using warm humid air). So i'm waiting for a nose mask to arrive.

3) that is hopeful! Imagine how you'll feel when you get a full night's sleep with a CPAP that works for you. :)

I would try a smaller nasal pillow, see if that forms a tight seal to keep air from escaping.

Good luck. :hug:

BTW, check out this NYT audio report about sleep apnea. It is quite interesting.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/05/13/health/healthguide/TE_SLEEP_APNEA.html

I was agreeing with everything.

Yes ~ I am tired most of the day and can't sleep well at night.

I live with my 91 year old Mom and I thought she was the reason that I wasn't sleeping well -- I was always getting up checking on her and worried about her.

Now I am beginning to realize that I am just TIRED from lack of complete sleep.

The Tech at the Sleep Study told me that on the last hour she could finally tell that I was dreaming.

I used to dream all the time, even nightmares... now I can't even remember the last time that I had a dream. : (

I'll keep working as hard as I can with my machine.

Thanks everyone.

Regarding the rep, I'm assuming you're not looking for a cheerleader, you're looking for a technician. If he can troubleshoot, great, ignore the facile advice. If he can't fix the problem, get a new rep.

The pillows will improve the fit but not make it perfect. It should, however, get it better. Are the pillows the right size? In the meantime, are the exhalation ports at all gunky, and making the sound?

There's a few other options that might make the thing more bearable, changes in the delivery setup, or perhaps bipap, should you fix these problems and not be able to adjust. There's no magic, though.

I think you're looking at a prolonged period of adjustment no matter what you do. It's like when I moved to a small town in West Virginia, and I was kept up at night by cows for a few months until I adjusted. Only your cow is in the room. So in the end, the mean rep is giving you the right advice, but I'd get a new one once he's run out of ideas, if for no other reason that he sounds like the type of person who would dig in his heels rather than entertain the possibility of mistakes.

Three hours is no small feat.

I tried the larger pillows but my nose got sore. Maybe it was a better fit, I'll try to experiment.

I will definitely try for a new Rep, he hollered at me and I don't do well with that form of instruction unless it has a CARE component to it. : )


What is Bipap?

Yeah, if he's yelling at you and not fixing the problem, dump him. The only time someone who's helping you should yell at you is when you and s/he know it's for your own good and momentarily necessary, like the last mile of a long run or the last two minutes of childbirth.

Bipap is a method where there's a higher inspriatory pressure and lower expiratory pap. I don't think it would help in your situation as opposed to cpap, but my point was that there are ideas that someone on your team, the physician, respiratory therapist, techs at corporate, senior reps, someone in that group, will be able to think of that might be able to fix some of the problem. I still think it's getting the right equipment combination in your case, along with gradual accommodation. But I could be wrong.

I want to feel that we are the foot soldiers for this condition.

We need to keep trying and not give up so that others will be willing to try it.

I know about 4 people that need to be on CPAP machines right now.

in your machine.

Absolutely get a new rep. I fired mine and went to another place. Some of them are creeps.

The noise is probably air escaping. If you do not have a full mask sometimes it's better to use a full one for a better fit and quality of use.

Do not get discouraged. If you feel better that is great. There is some time that passes in getting used to it and fitting it properly for your face. You might try it without the special pillow and try sleeping on your side.

And again fire the rep and go to another place. Tell your doctor that you are not happy with the rep you are recieving from the rep.

Oh I see you wear a nasal pillow. Try a full mask and make sure a good fit. It's works much better than the nasal pillow and you will get used to and want to wear it after a great nights sleep.

I'm getting ready to go to sleep and I'll think positive.

: )

so I tried the pillows again.
This time I read on the web that I should just gently "stuff them" in my nostrils.

That seem to work a lot better.

Txs

different to your sinuses unless with the nasal one you are opening your mouth to breath at night. That is why a full mask is better for you. The air may be too high at 15 and is drying out and irritating your sinuses with a full mask because you are probably not being affected by open mouth as with the nasal mask. And so are truly using the machine at optimal level as your mouth is covered to with the full mask.

A Bipap could set your air at say 15 in and 9 or 10 out which is easier for some and feels more comfortable without all the suction that goes on if it's straight 15. Hope I'm making myself clear. I have used all three machines, the CPaP the BiPap and the auto SV which most do not use and is for complex apnea.

I've got to check ~ all the guy did was bring the machine to my house,show me the items and told me to read the directions.

Then he dropped off the Small size pillows and the Nose Mask.

No explanations, nothing.

Dura Tears is an ointment you put into your lower eyelid just as you're going to bed. It keeps your eyes moist all night.

Celuvisc is a slightly thinner preparation if you don't need anything quite that thick. They come in individual doses so you don't have to worry about contaminating anything between doses.

Even regular artificial tear formulas might work well enough. BiOn is my favorite, although the others do work well. They come in individual as well as multiple dose packages. The individual dose packs don't have preservative and some people do report mild stinging with preservative.

The combination of one of these with the sleep mask should resolve the dry eye issue completely, at least at night.

There will likely be some air leakage, the seal isn't meant to be an air tight one.

Since you feel better with 3 hours' sleep with the CPAP versus longer sleep without it, I think you've answered your own question, there. All I can tell you is what the rep did, just keep wearing it until it becomes a normal part of you at night.

Your heart will thank you for it.

things are so much improved.
And, guess what?
My cousin came over to see my machine with her husband ( she had been diagnosed with apnea but never got the machine.)

She has promised me that she will order the machine when she gets back from vacation. I am so grateful.

What I think really made her decide was me telling her that it is as harmful to the spouse to not get sleep as it is to the patient.

Her husband was standing behind her and he gave me the biggest txs with his eyes you can ever imagine.

or does it reduce pressure when you exhale? The newer machines relax the pressure when you exhale. It makes a huge difference. As for the sinus issues; if your sinuses close down fugeddaboudit. The damned thing will blow your ear drums out. If you're having trouble with the fit, go back to the Doc who prescribed it. He probably knows more about it than any tech.

but the Rep has never called back to see if everything is OK.
It's been almost 2 months.