Brand new user question

[ukflyer]

Hello everyone,
I am new to all of this. I got my machine yesterday, and tried it out last night for the first time.

Do not feel any different yet and wondering if it is working right. Pressure seems low but it is supposed to be fully automatic; a sleepcube.

Questions: Do I REALLY need to clean the hose, mask and humidifier every day? That would be such a chore that I can foresee not using the machine.

Is de-ionised water the same as distilled? I bought this at the last minute from a garage as the supermarket did not have any.

I understand this records how bad/well my OSA is doing.How can I get this information out of it. It has a data-port on the back. But also gives status codes. I got it from Intus.

I have the Philips comfort gel full face mask but it does not seem to like me sleeping on my side. How do you know if you can use the nasal mask instead of a full face?

Do a high percentage of people lose weight? I really hope I do! My dream is to get slim enough to where I no longer have OSA.

I will write a fuller post shortly about my journey to this point.
Best wishes everyone!

James.

[symmit]

Hi and welcome!

It can take time to get used to the therapy but it's worth it. The sleepcube is highly recommended around here as a compact and reliable machine, and if you've got a humidifier too then well done!

You can ask your clinic to supply a nasal mask to try it, I'd try and get used to the therapy for a couple of weeks first, sleeping on side is possible with a full face mask I manage it fine with a F&P Forma mask, but my everyday use I use a sleepweaver which is brilliant for side sleeping. Try arranging your pillow so your cheek is on the pillow but the mask is off the edge - there are "cpap pillows" available but I use a firm Ikea memory foam one just fine. If it's Intus that are supplying you you may want to talk to them about masks - they're very helpful.

Water - search the forum, there's loads of debate about what to use but I'm using cooled water that has been boiled - others use bottled, tap or distilled. The main thing is make sure it's fresh every night and that the humidifier is clean and limescale free.

Cleaning - there are mask wipes you can get and I cheat and use them, I only clean the mask once a week fully, or nightly if I have a cold. The sleepweaver gets washed every two or three days. I'm cleaning and disinfecting the hose monthly but the recommendation is more often!

CPAP alone is unlikely to make you lose weight but it will help, I'm eating a lot less and not on the sugary drinks as the proper sleep negates the need to get energy other ways during the day, this is having a huge knock on effect of having more energy making it easier to walk or use stairs more often, and of course reducing food intake helps too.

Data - Intus can review the codes and help you get the settings best for you - on the default "wide open" setting it's very gentle and will ramp up as required, this is great for starting and may be enough for you but depending how bad your apnoea is you may need a higher minimum pressure.

Good luck and enjoy your sleeps!

[James @ Intus]

Hello everyone

Hi and welcome, thanks for joining!

Do not feel any different yet and wondering if it is working right.

As they say, Rome wasn't built in one day! Very few claim great benefits the first morning after.

Pressure seems low but it is supposed to be fully automatic; a sleepcube.

The SleepCube Auto is a fantastic machine. The pressure will almost always be low when you look at it, because you can only look at it when you are not asleep. We had people think the machine was broken because if they hold their breath, it doesn't do anything. Well, the machine is more clever than that. Trust it works, or indeed, get the SmartCodes looked at (see below).

Questions: Do I REALLY need to clean the hose, mask and humidifier every day? That would be such a chore that I can foresee not using the machine.

Most people don't do everything every day in terms of CPAP and mask cleaning. The mask is more important as regular cleaning will prolong its life, increase comfort, retain a good fit and decrease skin issues. The machine only needs its filters replaced when they discolour. Most clean their hoses twice a week or so.

Is de-ionised water the same as distilled? I bought this at the last minute from a garage as the supermarket did not have any.

No. Distilled means pure, de-ionised says nothing about purity, just about the ions being altered. You can have some really manky de-ionised water. But most de-ionised water has also been purified so most likely, what you have there is OK. Otherwise, bottled water will be fine too.

I understand this records how bad/well my OSA is doing.How can I get this information out of it. It has a data-port on the back. But also gives status codes. I got it from Intus.

There should have been a manual/insert about SmartCodes telling you how to call them up on the screen. Write them in an e-mail and send them to us and we fill do the CPAP data report for you. Instructions on that link.

I have the Philips comfort gel full face mask but it does not seem to like me sleeping on my side. How do you know if you can use the nasal mask instead of a full face?

The data report will help tell whether a lot of air escapes through your mouth. It's what DeVilbiss call the Exhalation Puff Index, clinics call it mouth venting. If that index is high, and you don't want to use a chin strap for example, then a full face mask be the wiser choice. Until you start CPAP, it's hard to know. If you have regularly blocked nose or wake with a dry mouth, we usually advice a full face mask right away.

As per the other reply, you can try and change your pillow to better accommodate the mask. We even do special CPAP pillows for this purpose.

Do a high percentage of people lose weight? I really hope I do! My dream is to get slim enough to where I no longer have OSA.

Most people will feel more energised after 7-10 days on CPAP. That's when they decide to join the gym, become more active etc. so weight starts to come off. It surprises us at times how few manage (or want to) ditch the CPAP in time though. You may find CPAP can actually be quite comfortable in the end, tolerable at least, and that you just accept it in your life without feeling the need to really push the weightloss. But weightloss is always advised, if weight is an issue for you.

I will write a fuller post shortly about my journey to this point.

Always good to hear people's stories as they tend to be great inspiration for others.