Frustrated

[Hosehead4ever]

I keep taking the mask off and turning off the machine. I've tried taping a dixie cup over the on/off button to keep the machine turned on because at least then the boyfriend would hear if the alarm went off. No joy. I'm apparently very determined to turn it off in my sleep. I'm also very determined to make this work. I am Not giving up because my subconscious decides it doesn't like wearing the mask. But I am frustrated by it.

I can't safely move it very far away from the bed because of it being stacked on 4 milk crates and needing them to be supported on two sides by the bed and wall however I am going to remove one of the milk crates to make me have to reach a little farther down to turn it off.

Hopefully I will come up with a fix Soon because it making me a little crazy!

[nanwilson]

Katy
Instead of taking off one of the milk cartons why don't you just turn one over....over the machine, then tie it to the bottom one. You would probably have to cut a hole for your hose to route through...but hey...it is now in its own cage
Nan

[Hosehead4ever]

Hey, that's a great idea! And cutting a hole is no problem. Don't think I need to tie them together, but I'll try that too, if it doesn't work without doing so.

[Bigd]

Hello
I cant tell you just how frustrated I became at times when I first got my machine. One very bad night after dealing with leaking mask and waking up multiple times feeling like I was going to suffocate I threw the machine up agenst the wall. Fortunately Resmed makes rugged equipment and it survived. I to was determined not to let my subcounches or in this case my sleep deprived conches win out . If I didn't know how much good CPAP therapy does me I would just not use the machine. Just be persistent. No matter how the previous nights therapy went , tonight is a new night . Have a great nights sleep
Bigd

[archangle]

Maybe someone can start selling CPAP safes. Get one of those little electronic combination lock safes, cut some holes in the sides for ventilation, hoses, electrical cords, etc. Turn the machine on, close the door, and you've got to be awake enough to work the combination in order to turn it back off.

It would also have the advantage of keeping the cat off the controls, knocking the machine over, etc.

Next item, combination lock mask headgear.

[Hosehead4ever]

That's a fabulous idea. I really like the combination lock headgear idea. If it can be done, I'm sure someone on this board will do it.

[Otter]

I can't safely move it very far away from the bed because of it being stacked on 4 milk crates and needing them to be supported on two sides by the bed and wall however I am going to remove one of the milk crates to make me have to reach a little farther down to turn it off.

Why not put the machine on the floor under the bed, perhaps with one of he milk crates over it as Nan suggested? Not only would the machine be harder to get to, you wouldn't have to worry about knocking it off your crate stack.

If your boyfriend doesn't mind the guard duty, consider putting some sort of alarm in your path. A big windchime hanging on the side of the bed where your machine is might help. Or an electronic alarm could be rigged fairly easily. In fact, it could be simply electric. Just put a mercury switch on the milk crate cage so that if you move it, a buzzer or bell sounds. The switch I'm talking about is your basic pinball tilt sensor. They're used for all sorts of things, and are cheap at discount electronic supply sites.

Or if you can find a reasonable way to route the tubing, you could put the machine on his side of the bed.

[Janknitz]

OK, I'm just having fun here now:

How about a dog collar so you can't reach your mask and take it off???

I had a cousin who became an electrical engineer. When he was a kid, his favorite thing to do was wire things up to deliver an electric shock. I will NEVER play the game Operation again because instead of the nose lighting up and buzzer going off, the game gave you an electric shock if you accidentaly touched the metal with the tweezers. I suppose someone like him could rig up your headgear that way. YIKES

[Hosehead4ever]

Otter, I have a loft bed about 5' from the top of the mattress to the floor. Too far with my hose but possibly if I could get a 8 or 10 ft hose. But gonna try taking one milk crate out first.

[msradar65]

I think the putting the machine inside the milk crate and having the hose come through the sides is a good working idea. You could possible rig up some sort of hinge and locking system so you can turn the machine on, lock the crate close and not worry about it for the rest of the night.

It took me about 3 months before I finally stopped messing with my mask. I would on occassion put my hands in my face to move my hair out my face and pull of the mask. I learned to tie my hair back when I sleep. I also would put the mask back on as soon as I got a blast of air.

Now that I put pad a cheek barrel cozy on I don't mess with it at all.

[Guest]

Your looking at this from the wrong end, instead of hiding your machine wear some mittens with string or even tape your fingers up and then when your ready get someone to turn the machine on for you.

[Hosehead4ever]

This is driving me crazy. Last night, I took off the mask, disconnected it from the hose, tossed the mask on the floor and unrouted the hose from it's make-shift hanger. And I DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF IT!!! I woke up some time in the middle of the night and realized this and put it all back together except for rerouting the hose. But it is driving me nuts.

On top of that, I ordered a Halo chin strap and it's way too big. *sigh* Last night seems to be the first time Aerophagia has been a problem too.

I've gone back to using my nasal pillows because the Mirage Liberty that Uncle_Bob gave me is leaking like crazy after a couple of really good nights. But the nasal pillows leak because the strap slips off my head.

Help? Any suggestions? I'm not feeling bad in the morning, so I think I'm getting better sleep overall, despite these issues, but it's frustrating that I'm having such a hard time getting this to work.

[rubymom]

Hi!

I'm not a frequent visitor to the forum anymore, so forgive me if this is addressed elsewhere.

As a Mirage Liberty user, I'm wondering if you have abandoned that mask completely or if you think there are things that can be done to make it work for you? Where exactly was it leaking? I've used the mask successfully for a couple of years now.

[gasp]

Good job keeping at it! It took many, many masks for me to come upon the one that worked best for me. I cringed the first time I saw the mask I have now used for probably close to 3 years. Keep up the good fight : )

[chunkyfrog]

The milk crates sound like such a good idea.
I think I would use a couple of zip ties on one side as a hinge, and put a cheapie padlock on the side closest to you.
Should you lose the key, you can cut the zip ties.
Hide the scissors at night.