Is there any "attractive" CPAP equipment out there?

[san_fran_gal]

Thanks for the amusing, oft-helpful responses! I agree that function is more important than form for these devices, but I can't help but want to feel less medicalized when using them. I like the idea of a gentle scent (in the humidifier?) and will check out that website further. (Is it safe? OK for machine?) I may take a pass on the gas mask look -- my daughter was already startled enough when she saw me in the contraption this morning.

The idea of a CPAP cozy is pretty fun. Heck, my funky tea cozy might actually do the job. Or how about some company develop a line of "skins" (akin to what you can get for some cellphones) for CPAP machines?

I managed to get thru the night with my CPAP for the first time! It wasn't a great night, and I woke up with leaks and puffy cheeks and swallowing air many times (I now feel bloated and kind of yucky). This morning the mask indents are deep and my skin is kind of dry. But I made it through the night! (I decided against the Ambien, because at the sleep center it gave me an odd little hallucination, and I didn't want this -- or more -- to happen at home.) Forgive my newbie-ness, but in what forum should I address these more "practical" topics? Or maybe I should just keep searching for answers to my specific problems from others' posts...

[Tcamillemars]

I bought a fleece hose cover, and put travel stickers all over my machine. I'm going to make a fabric bag to stick the mask in during the day. I wish the masks didn't make me look like such an alien, but there just isn't much that can be done, so I call my mask Darth and pretend I'm making a fashion statement. Add in an ugly flannel nightgown, and I'm sure I'm the sexiest mama in town!

[san_fran_gal]

I just found this!
http://www.viasyshealthcare.com/prod_se ... prodID=147 These kind of remind me of bowling balls, but I like the idea of taking the machines out of the beige/grey spectrum. I have no idea if these are good machines, and I can't change mine at this point, but I think it's great that there's someone thinking of function and form!

[Paul56]

Something to consider... it might be easier to get through airport checkpoints with a machine that looks more like a medical device than one that looks like a ghetto blaster.

I don't want to be held for hours in interrogation trying to explain this multi-colored device is really a medical necessity while they look at me like I"m full of... well you know what.

Border crossing agents/customs agents can and often will cause people crossing borders grief. Recently had a fellow from our division in Texas come up to the Canadian facility... he brought his 3 year old daughter and laptop with him.

He was accused of running off with his daughter and of being a child pornographer after they found a picture of his daughter nude in the bathtub... talk about being presumed guilty rather than innocent until proven guilty.

[stacia123]

This leads me to a completely shallow-sounding question: When will the manufacturers of CPAPs and chin straps and all those doohickeys start making some equipment that's relatively attractive, especially for women and others who like more hip design? It would sure seem less medical and "manly" if my CPAP machine weren't industrial gray. I could go for a cool color on my mask, too. I was using a chin strap for a while that was black, and I know they come in red and blue, but how about a cool brown with pink circles, or something more hip?

I was lucky enough to like the black of the machine I have, but I didn't like the doofy looking hose. Since I need a hose cozy anyway (to hopefully help with rainout) I'm making myself a black one. You could maybe check out some of the retailers who make a snugglie thing to go over the hose and see what their patterns are, or make your own. Same with Padacheeks. You could probably make your own straps if you're good with sewing Velcro and stretchy fabric. Of course, this all means making your own stuff. Finding funky medical supplies is difficult; I had a friend who wanted a sleek wheelchair and could only find one from ordering online several states away, and insurance wouldn't pay for it.

As for masks, all I've ever seen were clear plastic with maybe some kind of blue liner inside.

[echo]

Forgive my newbie-ness, but in what forum should I address these more "practical" topics? Or maybe I should just keep searching for answers to my specific problems from others' posts...

hey san fran girl! just go to the main forum by clicking "Home" at the top, and then click the big yellow/orange "post a new topic" button -- there's only one forum here so you don't have to worry about which forum to post what question in.

But you've hit upon a great idea there- DO read others' posts! And do check out the articles under "Our Wisdom" at the top of the page, under the yellow light bulb. Plenty of good reading there to keep you occupied for a while (and don't forget to check out the CPAP humor ). Happy reading

[Bearded_One]

Don't put anything in your humidifier except for water. There is a product called Pur Sleep that that some people use to scent the air. A Pur Sleep kit consists of small bottles of scented oil and a absorbent pad. You put a few drops of the scented oil on the pad and put it near the air intake of your CPAP machine. Pur Sleep is sold by cpap.com.

[Pad A Cheek]

So you want color and style???










Did you mean something like this????


Karen

[san_fran_gal]

OMG, Karen, those sure are colorful! Did you make them?

THanks for the advice about the PurSleep, bearded one.

And I hadn't thought of the airport scene with some funkadelic cpap equipment going thru security! I'm hoping I can just get away with a dental device when traveling (I have pretty much UARS, apparently), but I will keep that in mind if that doesn't work!

Stacia123, good luck with your black hose! (Of the cpap, not nylon, variety...)

[Pad A Cheek]

Yes I surely did make these. I can say they are very very soft as well as colorful.

It is what I do. Kinda like tigger, it is what I do best.

There are loads more color choices and fabrics available for all kinds of solutions.


Karen

[roster]

..........

I managed to get thru the night with my CPAP for the first time! It wasn't a great night, and I woke up with leaks and puffy cheeks and swallowing air many times (I now feel bloated and kind of yucky). This morning the mask indents are deep and my skin is kind of dry. But I made it through the night! (I decided against the Ambien, because at the sleep center it gave me an odd little hallucination, and I didn't want this -- or more -- to happen at home.) Forgive my newbie-ness, but in what forum should I address these more "practical" topics? Or maybe I should just keep searching for answers to my specific problems from others' posts...

IMO, excellent decision to drop the Ambien. It just is not good for human health.

Regarding the non-fashion problems, please fill out your equipment profile and then we can give you some specific advice on the therapy topics you mention.

Regards.

[carbonman]

OMG, Karen, those sure are colorful! Did you make them?

It is what I do. Kinda like tigger, it is what I do best.Karen

SFgal, PC is the best, but don't ever forget, she is also, Da BOSS!

[DoriC]

If you have a Question, Karen always has the Answer!! She is our secret weapon!

[san_fran_gal]

Wow, Karen, good work! If I find myself needing any pretty and comfy strap covers, I will knock on your door (or click on your website, if you have one!). Especially since you are apparently da boss!

Rooster, I agree about Ambien. I have to admit that two nights ago, when trying to befriend my CPAP with a new mask, I did take a 5 mg Atavan (is that the name?) I had gotten a couple of years ago for a little dizziness/ear thing I was going through. It definitely helped me sleep in a not totally nightmare-ish way. I did throw my neck out, unfortunately, when trying to adjust the mask in the middle of the night in some oddball position though!

Last night i tried sleeping without the sleep aid, and I probably got a total of two hours of sleep. Wahh. Leaks, and all that jazz... When I turned toward my hubby to sleep, my mask front ended up blowing a strong, cold stream of air on the poor man's face, so I tried burying my mask under a sheet, and it was all pretty much a mess. I am very worn out today -- something that I don't usually experience without CPAP! (Fashionable or not!) I somehow usually have a good amount of energy, but not with CPAP. Isn't that the opposite of what's supposed to happen? I think I've managed to put my equipment types below...

[Lee Lee]

By the way, the Pur Sleep is AWESOME! I use the Peace and the Rosa scent mixed together. I used to wake up at 3AM every single night. Not so much anymore.
You really should do yourself a favor and give it a try.
Lee Lee