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Thank you for the replies. I do have a humidifier, and it's possible one night it got overfilled. It's more likely the hose got looped or something caused moisture. I cleaned all the equipment and let it dry thoroughly. No more clunking.
I was woken multiple times by a clunking noise. Finally I had to give up and take off the mask for the night. Could this have related to water in the tubing? Why would that happen? What else might it be?
Just to add one more voice -- my score was 13, although I had periods in the night above 70. My doctor recommended CPAP. I sleep so much better! I used to wake often, end up getting up to go to the bathroom, lie awake before falling asleep, etc. Now I often sleep though the night. If I get up, it's only once, and I can go to sleep again. I adjusted well and have outstanding compliance, so I believe I'm getting maximum benefit. Pay more attention to symptoms than to score.
I had this problem -- you described it exactly. It happened for a while and then just stopped. I think it was part of adjusting to the CPAP. Because I was having trouble opening my mouth I started taping. For a while the air escape continued to happen (cheeks puff out and air finds a way out) but eventually it stopped. I sleep perfectly now. I still tape but I'm extremely comfortable with it.
FYI, I described this initially to my doctor and he thought it might just be part of the adjustment. He did prescribe another mask, not full face, but I never ended up using it and I have stayed with the nasal pillow.
I also struggled with mouth breathing but wanted to use a nasal pillow. I learned how to tape my mouth and eventually adjusted. I have become extremely comfortable now, sometimes forgetting I have the tape on. At first air escaped even with some taping, so I did have to stick with it for a while. As for your experience with the store, please go find another store or buy on line. There's no need to deal with a nonresponsive or unpleasant sales person.
I never once thought I had sleep apnea. I was tired during day and could nap in an instant but never fell asleep driving or anything more dire. I was aware of waking during the night but thought that was just my normal. I was sent for a sleep study because my dentist gave me a small oral appliance and I suddenly was waking up, gasping for air. It wasn't all the time, and mostly when I was on my back. I just thought the appliance was wrong for me, but she insisted I go. Lo and behold, I tested positive for sleep apnea. Overall mild score but severe when I was dreaming and on my back. So just because you don't see your symptoms as that significant doesn't mean you couldn't have apnea.
I started with the CPAP and started sleeping through the night. I didn't even do this as a child. Now I either sleep through the night or get up once to go to the bathroom. I love how I feel sleeping and waking. Yes, I'm still sometimes sleepy in the daytime. I have an active life, and a little 15-minute nap sometimes feels good. But I'm not falling to pieces by the end of the day. I can also tell how much better my breathing is at night.
Definitely get tested. The fact that you woke up gasping for air even some of the time may be significant.
I also pay for my equipment (got a break on the machine itself, but no replacements in the future). I can't imagine replacing on the schedule recommended so I'm relieved to hear people speaking out about this. After trying two other masks, I'm sticking with AirFit10 nasal pillow and hope to use this one for at least 6 months and maybe a year. I asked a supplier whether replacement was about breakdown in materials or hygiene, and she said mostly hygiene. But since I keep my supplies clean and don't share them, I am comfortable with longer use. It makes me a little crazy that Medicare and maybe some other insurances are paying so much for replacements that probably aren't needed, to say nothing of the waste that is created.
Thank you so much. Where do I get Sleepy Head? Is it an app? downloadable?
I've a few times had that red circle but that was for something really big and weird (I tried a new mask and didn't have things right at all, and the machine just shut down eventually). I do see the leak data but I don't exactly know what to make of it. I have had problems with my mouth opening. I tried taping the past two nights and had much better scores. But I'm interested in learning more of the details. Thanks for your help.
I use the nasal pillow AirfitP10 with the Resmed Airsense10. When I'm sleeping on my back everything is clearly working as it should. But I have problems with my leakage when I go on my side, as shown both by my scores in the morning and the sounds I get from the CPAP. I tend to be woken up by the change in sound and the sensations I get. The mask doesn't fall off and I'm not having a problem with the head gear.
I'd appreciate any feedback about reducing the leakage. I'm fairly new to the CPAP. My overall AHI score was mild (a little above 13) but when I was on my back at certain times of night, dreaming, my scores were severe.
Also, my apnea scores with the CPAP tend to be low. If that's the case, how much of a problem is leakage (except for the fact that I get woken up, which is not helpful)?
Thank you so much - great site and forum!
Thank you for replies. I'm relieved that people are not responding with stories of how our CPAP make us sick! I appreciate the suggestions and will see what happens as I move forward. I'm sleeping quite well now, so that's encouraging.
