Marg's Page

It's cheaper than 'phone-a-friend' though, bearing in mind it's all online.  Great that we have people like Terry from Oz and others from US, so the forum is manned more-or-less 24/7.  Off to adorn my CPAP attired now.  Good Night from the UK.

So pleased you're getting help on the forum Marg, and great that Terry jumped on board, bearing in mind he's for your part of the world :)

In these early days, your AHI of 5.2 is a good sign, and once you get the 'right mask for you' or are able to address the leak issues on your current one, this should improve.  It's difficult to say if you'd be better with APAP, which is why I strongly recommended you go for an APAP so you have the choice.  Some people use CPAP most nights, and switch to APAP on the nights when they've eaten too late, have had some alcohol or have nasal issues etc.  Some people far better on straightforward CPAP and others on APAP.  This will take time to sort out for you.  If you do use APAP, the settings need to be set not too far wide apart.  Some clinics don't set them and leave them on the wide open settings, which for most people doesn't work.  For example, if your pressure works well at say 12, then setting the APAP at say between 11-14 often gives far better AHI results.  There's also a chance that if your current CPAP pressure of 10 was raised slightly, your AHI could be even lower, but best to work with your medic on this at the moment.

When I first started out, I always used the ramp setting, but now I never bother with it as I've got so used to the pressure that it doesn't bother me at all.  Some nights I even pull my mask away from my face to check it's blowing, as I don't feel it at all LOL.  You'll see what I mean when you're well into your treatment.

Once you've sorted all of this out and are on successful treatment, your health and tiredness levels will improve.  Onwards and upwards.....

Kath

Marg, I would always purchase an APAP machine, and that way you have the benefit of being able to use it both as an APAP or a CPAP (the APAP varies the pressure, so that you can have it blowing at minimum pressure and it will only raise when it sense an apnoea.  The CPAP is one constant pressure, which will blow at your prescribed pressure all night).

The mask liners Terry is talking about are called RemZzzs, and we can't sell them anymore, as another UK supplier has got sole rights now :(  However, you would be better purchasing them in Australia direct from www.remzzzs.com  Like Terry's told you, if you buy just the sample pack of 6, you can use them as a template to cut round and use your own material - like an old t-shirt, which will last a lot longer and can be easily washed.

The Hose Lift is an absolute Godsend, and we sell lots of them to Australia.  They help keep the hose away from you during the night, and it swings from side to side to allow you to move.  The link is HERE if you're interested.  I also swear by the Mask Cleaning Wipes which you might be able to get in Australia.

Like Terry says, most brands are similar, but I've personally tried most of them and appear to fare better with the Respironics System One, but the Resmed S9 is good too.  For some reason I breathe better with the Respironics one, which is why I got it.

Feel free to start a new discussion for any help you need.  You are doing well at this early stage - I struggled for quite a while.  You can read my story on the website HERE

Keep up the good work :)

Kath

Terry, Marg is in Australia like you, so you'll probably no more about the health system than us :)

Welcome to the forum Marg, and great to see how Terry's been helping  you.  Am just on my way back from a business trip and the train's pulling into the station, so will be back later......  Kath