DanM

Hi @Nannygoat. A definition of the event types can be found at the following link under the "Common AHI Definitions" section: https://www.mysleepmapper.com/Help/Faq#. A hypopnea event is when the system detects a 40% reduction in airflow lasting at least 10 seconds followed by a recovery breath. A clear airway apnea is when the device detects an 80% reduction in airflow for at least 10 seconds and a pressure test pulse can generate a significant amount of flow (meaning the pressure test does not meet resistance of the airflow). Depending on your machine settings, the device may increase airflow if it senses you are having respiratory events. If your machine is set to adjust the airflow, then you are probably on APAP. If your machine is set at a fixed pressure, then you are on CPAP. For patients who breath through the mouth, the addition of a chin strap may be helpful. For patients who do not respond to a chin strap because they mouth breath too much, switching to a full face mask may be the better option. I encourage you to contact your equipment provider and discuss these issues, as they should be able to help assess the situation and possibly correct the problem. Hope this information helps, and best wishes!

Hi John. I have been told that it is next to impossible for the end-user to clean in the inside of a CPAP machine unless using some kind of cleaning device like the SoClean, which is supposed to sanitize a CPAP machine. There are also aromatherapy kits that may help with the smell, and those can be found by doing a simple internet search for CPAP aromatherapy. Hope this helps!

Hi @IntellectualTanArmadillo1349. I would encourage you to contact your equipment provider to discuss the strong odors you are experiencing and see if they have any recommendations. I sometimes notice the faint smell of plastic whenever I open a new mask or tube, but it generally dissipates fairly quickly. Also, if your new device is reporting central apneas and you are concerned, it may be a good idea to contact your sleep physician to talk about a possible change in your condition. Sleep apnea can change over time. Hope this helps, and best wishes!

Hi Joanie. I commented on your post in the "Introduce Yourself" Forum here: https://myapnea.org/forum/introduce-yourself/18#comment-638

Hi Joanie (@PoliteBeigeAardvark2160). I'm sorry to hear you have an infection. Most CPAP manufacturers recommend distilled water in the humidifier chamber when using CPAP. For cleaning tubing, I have generally only seen recommendations for warm soapy water or a mild solution of vinegar in water. Here is a link to the recommendations for equipment from Philips Respironics: https://www.sleepapnea.com/living/equipment-care/, and here is a link from ResMed: http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/support/treatment-and-maintenance/caring-for-your-equipment.html. If your physician is recommending sterile water, it may be because of your infection, so it may be worth asking him or her if you can use distilled water. Best wishes!

Hello @RationalBurgundyAlbatross1697. I have not run my unit on a battery, but ResMed provides a page that has various links that include power requirements for their equipment here: http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/support/treatment-and-maintenance/traveling-with-your-equipment.html. Hope this helps!

Hi @mary. I do not know anything about this specific device, but there are many oral devices on the market used to treat sleep apnea. The most important thing when exploring these kinds of devices is to work with a dentist who can do a complete evaluation and who can follow your progress to make sure the device is working for you and is not causing any other problems. The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine's patient page is a good place to start if you want to find a dentist or learn about oral appliance therapy. The link is http://www.aadsm.org/PatientResources.aspx Best wishes!

Welcome, @TiredBeGone and @CreativeWhitePanther8716, to MyApnea.Org. Adjusting to CPAP can take some time. Please feel free to post any questions or experiences here on the Forum. @CreativeWhitePanther8716--have you attempted to use a full face mask instead of the chin strap? Many patients who are mouth breathers find the full face mask more comfortable. As far as what else can help, you might consider having an evaluation by and ENT who can look at your airway or by a dentist who specializes in treating sleep apnea. There are several options for treatment, but each is very specific to the needs of the person being treated. Best wishes!

Hi @JaneAM, and welcome to MyApnea.Org. Hopefully, APAP treatment will help resolve your respiratory events, and your level of afternoon fatigue will decrease. Therapy worked wonders for me, although adjusting to it took a little time. As for a mask type, the home care company should assess you to help determine the best type of mask. There are generally three common types--full face that covers the nose and the mouth, nasal mask that covers the nose, and nasal pillows that go just inside the nose. If you can breath through your nose clearly and without obstruction, a nasal mask or nasal pillow can be a good choice. For patients with chronic nasal obstruction who are mouth-breathers, a full face mask is usually a better option. I would encourage you to ask the home care company to fit you will all three types so you can see what you prefer. When the do your mask fitting, the mask should be attached to the machine and the machine should be running so that both you and the provider can check for proper fit and mask leak. A good mask fitting session involves allowing the patient to lay down and trying the mask in various body positions to check fit and comfort. Hope this helps, and please keep us posted on your progress!

Hi @BrianS0179. I wear a nasal pillow and had the same experience when I first started wearing one. The edge of my nose was extremely sore to the touch the first few nights. It started to get better after the first couple of weeks. I would say to make sure your mask is just tight enough to create a seal but not so tight that it feels you are forcing the pillows into your nostrils. They edge of the pillows should be snug around the opening of your nostrils. It is also not uncommon for patients to report waking up with their masks next to them or on the floor, especially in the early days of treatment. Wear time often builds with experience. As for the smiley faces, that may mean you wore the mask long enough during the night to meet minimum requirements for compliance (usually 4 hours). Good luck, and I hope this helps!