Gandalf, I am soooo glad to hear that you are eager to use your machine and make it work for you. I've slept with one since the late 90's and dedicated to it and helping others use theirs. I can't help you wih the software suggested by "Sleep" as my doctors and equipment providers really nixed the idea of my having access to my data. I'm going to have to rectify that, right away, and would encourage you to do the same. Two thiing you've said make me think you are still experiencing apnic events. The first is erratic-off-again-on-again sleep results. The second is a headache in the morning. Prior to the CPAP, I had daily headaches and the more I tried to sleep the worse were the headaches. I have a full beard and moustache and have no sealing/leakage problems when the mask is properly situated. On that subject your use of the word "tight" makes me wonder that your mask's sealing surface, while padded, has no tightness adjustment other than to squeeze the padding? My first nasal mask was of that type and was disaster for me I could almost never keep it adjusted. Even a haircut changed the fit. My sleep doctor, hearing my complaints, prescribed a full-face mask. Again, bad move. I can't recall how, but finally got fitted with a ResMed "Mirage." Hooray! Its upper mount is adjusted to rest on your forehead, tightened via straps around the top of your head. But the beauty of the design is that the triangular mask portion "floats" over your nose. Two lower straps hold the bottom of the mask body close to your nose but not touching. The mask seals with a soft, thin, flexible, "bladder" that extends under air pressure against your face. The result is that their is very little pressure around your nose, and the seal is great, adapting to the contours of your face My final two suggestions are that you route the hose for your maximum comfort. Bring the hose up vertically between your pillow and the headboard (or affix it to the headboard) such that the hose arches over your head to your face. That way, with the hose swiviles, you are free to roll on your side, turn your head, etc. without having the hose tugging on the mask. The last is the ramp. I don't bother with that delay knowing if the mask sealed. I equilibrate my lungs and body to the machine by immediately inhaling a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds before exhaling, and I'm off to sleep. (I apologize for the length.) Good luck!
