RichZs

Update: went to the sleep doc yesterday and according to him, my DreamStation automatically adjusts pressure when I'm asleep, and he showed me the data to prove it. I'm pretty sure he's right. He adjusted the pressure down a bit and gave me a new mask, a nose mask, which is much more comfortable. To keep my mouth closed, I use a bit of 3M tape, which is not a problem. I only used it one night, but so far so good. Had it on for about six hours. Only issue was a lot of water coming through the mask. The doc must have messed with the humidifier settings, which I'll have to look at tonight. I also ordered a heated hose which should arrive today, so hopefully that won't be an issue going forward.

Thanks Sierra. Appreciate your feedback. I'll take a look at the manual. I'm going to lobby my doc to get either a DreamStation Auto or a ResMed AutoSet. I'll pay the extra if the insurance won't cover it. Getting a good nights sleep is totally work a few hundred bucks, and it probably won't even cost that much. I'll keep you posted on my progress and am very glad I found this support group!!

All - thanks for your feedback. I have an appointment with the sleep center next week to go over everything. Not sure why they didn't do this prior to giving me my machine and basically telling me "good luck." I live in the US by the way. My mask is some sort of DreamWear full face mask but I can't find it on Phillip's website. To answer some of your questions, yes, I'd gladly spend the $50 or more to get the Auto machine. I'll also try to adjust the SmartRamp feature - it's currently set to four. I can't find any setting for the Flex option, although it's supposed to be there. I think the place I got it may have limited the things I can do with the machine. I seem to have very few options. I have no idea what AHI is or what I'm getting. I'll do some research. I added the app that connects to the machine to my iPad yesterday, so hopefully that'll have some data on it when I get home from work. I remember there was something there about AHI. I'll have more info for you after I meet with the doctor next week. I really appreciate your help. I have a feeling I may need to change to a better sleep disorders clinic . . . . this one is pretty bad at nearly everything.

I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea (how bad it is I have no idea - they just gave me a CPAP machine with very little info on how to use it). I'm having all sorts of trouble with the machine (DreamStation CPAP) with a full mask. I've had it for about three weeks. I have no idea what the pressure setting is or whether the sleep doc even set it correctly. They actually gave me the machine before I had my sleep study, why I don't know. I fight with the mask all night long and wake up all the time because it leaks and is super uncomfortable. I feel like there is too much pressure inside my lungs. My sleep quality is horrible - worse than when I don't use the CPAP at all. I've hoping my doc will call me to discuss my issues tomorrow, but I feel like very little thought went into this whole thing. Now that I've done my research I see that I have a "basic" machine that can't adjust pressure as I need it, probably have a mask that's not right, that the pressure is probably too high, etc. I guess my question is should I ask if I can return my machine for a CPAP Pro, which seems to be a lot better, and a different mask, perhaps one that just goes over my nose?