CPAP

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I'm on my third unit. Started with a phillips, that one started spraying black stuff in my full face mask. Replaced it with a resmed 10. I liked it so good I got a third resmed 10 as a standby. I have been using the bipap since 2003 right after my heart attack (I was 41). I rarely sleep without it. I say rarely because I don't seem to need it when i doze off on my recliner. Some nights I get so achy in my hips and knees I can't lay in the bed. I move to the recliner and can usually get a few hours of good sleep.

I switched to a nasal pillow type device about 2 years ago. Took a week or so to get used to. Up till then I hadn't ever used the humidifier with no issues. Now I use the lowest setting. I struggle with sinus drainage, have had that all my life. Allergies I'm sure. Takes me usually 30 mins to get to sleep after clearing my throat a hundred times it seems. THe full face mask really became uncomfortable to my forehead. In order to keep the mask from farting and waking me up I had to tighten it down pretty tightly.

On a separate note recently I have noticed that sometimes my machine smells like it has an electrical issue in the air discharge. I have put a air purifier beside the resmed but have since turned it off. Thinking it may be taking up too many amps for the circuit. I think I am going to try a ups next in case I am getting brownouts. I have tried it with or without the humidifier and do not seem to notice a difference. Doesn't happen every night, sometimes not even in the same week. First time I heard it I thought the house was on fire.

On a similar note I am planning a turkey hunt in late April. Was planning on taking a generator with me. When looking up UPS's I found a company that proved battery packs for the resmed. It also has a 60ah lithium battery that should last 10 ish days. I have a 100ah lithium trolling motor battery hmmm me thinks... I am reaching out to the company today and see if I can get their cable and use that. If so it oughta last me the 8 ish days for the trip. only takes 3-5 hours to charge so I may also use it permanently. Time will tell.

 

[gstrom99]

The person who I talked to on the phone asked what kind of mask I want. I told her, one that works with my full beard, lets me sleep on my side & stomach and lets me get up multiple times during the night to use the bathroom. She had no suggestions.

I don't have high hopes, but as long as they don't tell me to shave my beard,

Get the nasal pillows, they don't interfere at all. If/when you have to get up during the night, you just reach over, turn it off, then restart when you get back. Easy peezy.

 

[Redbug]

Get the nasal pillows, they don't interfere at all. If/when you have to get up during the night, you just reach over, turn it off, then restart when you get back. Easy peezy.

If I get up in the middle of the night...I just take the mask/nasal pillows off and get up. The machine will blow a puff of air and stop. When I come back I put the mask/nasal pillows back on and hit the start button.
My question: Should I hit the stop/start button when I take the mask off to get up?

 

[gstrom99]

If I get up in the middle of the night...I just take the mask/nasal pillows off and get up. The machine will blow a puff of air and stop. When I come back I put the mask/nasal pillows back on and hit the start button.
My question: Should I hit the stop/start button when I take the mask off to get up?

I stop it before I take my nose piece off. If I don't it blows a bunch, but I never waited to see if it shuts itself down (which it probably does). My insurance stopped asking for the card info a long time ago. New(er) machines are "connected" to the mother ship now, via app/wi-fi or cellular.

 

[1 Old Man]

Interesting. I hit the stop button and remove the mask. When getting
back to bed I put on the mask and the machine starts automatically.
Guess it's just how the unit is programmed.

 

[Racer4]

If I get up in the middle of the night...I just take the mask/nasal pillows off and get up. The machine will blow a puff of air and stop. When I come back I put the mask/nasal pillows back on and hit the start button.
My question: Should I hit the stop/start button when I take the mask off to get up?

I always turn mine off if I get up. I really don’t have to get up much anymore to hit the bathroom. With the cpap, I’m sleeping soundly until morning. I used to get up a few times each night, not knowing I just wasn’t sleeping very well.

 

[gstrom99]

Interesting. I hit the stop button and remove the mask. When getting
back to bed I put on the mask and the machine starts automatically.
Guess it's just how the unit is programmed.

How does the machine know/sense you've put the mask back on?

 

[1 Old Man]

How does the machine know/sense you've put the mask back on?

I just put on the mask/pillows and start breathing. The machine kicks on and
starts to ramp up to the set pressure. It only takes a few seconds to be fully
operational. I have a ResMed Air Sense 11.