new guy

hedan7 · Post by **hedan7** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:54 pm

hey, I'm a new guy. I've been on cpap since the end of june. I went from sleeping 8-14 hrs a night and still falling asleep in the car, at work, and generally feeling like poo all day. Now I sleep an average of 7hrs and wake up feeling great. I haven't fallen asleep anywhere but my room (with the exception of me staying up too long.) I have a few questions.

1. has anyone found a good way to help with the dry throat I always wake up with??

2. I have cats that think my hose is fun to bat around and chew on. I've already had to get a new hose. has anyone else had this issue?

those are the two main issues if anyone has had the same things any help would be appreciated.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:26 pm

Please fill out your profile.

You should have a heated humidifier if you don't.

If you do then are you mouth breathing? This will dry out your throat. Easier to tell if it is possible if you tell us your interface.

Cats? Can't help you.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:36 pm

Hello hedan and welcome!

Sounds like you're off to a great start. Dry throat could be either breathing through your mouth (if you have a nasal mask) or a lack of humidity (do you have a humidifier?). As for the cats, maybe either lock them or your hose up. Some of the folks who post here say they have their XPAP unit in a bedside table drawer and just put the hose and mask in during the day...and don't forget to close the drawer! LOL

Anywho, good luck and keep us posted.

Kajun

This therapy WORKS!!!

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:01 pm

Just wait until the cats start batting around the power cord. They may cure themselves...

CandaceN · Post by **CandaceN** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:25 pm

My cat loves playing with the air coming out of the vent on my mask. I have to lock him outside of the bedroom to get any rest, there is no other solution I am aware of. You might want to check out this article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... apnea.html

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:57 pm

jum001 wrote:(My cats believe it is their mission in life to chew every string-like object into itty-bitty pieces.)
I spray the electric cords and other such temptations with a product called bitter apple. Cats, dogs and other little critters (ie children) really hate the taste and do not return to the chew activity. It's available at any pet store.

Julie

This was posted the other day......in case it'll help with your cat.

Den

hedan7 · Post by **hedan7** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:30 am

thanks everyone, I do mouth breathe but I have a full face mask and humidifier. I'll have to check out that bitter apple stuff. thanks a lot

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:00 am

Well as Oldloggerhead said in another thread he gets a bit of a dry mouth when he uses a full face mask and turns up the humidifier (which gets the mask a bit wet) and has a swig of water in the morning.

I agree that when I use my full face mask and mouth breath it also dries me out a bit. Not like mouthbreathing with a nasal mask, but enough to be noticable.

I can't add anything to what Oldloggerhead said, I think he is on the mark as long as you are using ff mask.

If you want to try a nasal interface in the future, I will say that I thought I was a mouth breather when I started and could never use a nasal interface. I tried the swift (there are other good ones too) and with that air blowing up my nose, and taping my mouth and ace bandage, I am happy as a clam. I would never have dreamed that my nose would work.

ldemmery · Post by **ldemmery** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:59 am

Re the cats:

I too have had the similar problem. Usually when he starts playing with the hose, he's booted out the bedroom by my husband.

Some people have used a hose sleeve made of fleece. Someone in the channel actually makes and sells them or make one yourself, its quite easy. TUbe of fabric and some ribbon to tie the ends. Cats will either hate it or for some reason it deters them.

Lynne

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:12 am

Re your cats:
I can understand the temptation!

I make and sell a fleece covering for any hose. Agreed, that may be even MORE enticing to the cats! However, it is something (however you do it) that would RETAIN the 'anit-cat' 'product', and save your hose.

You could also check your local gardening center for a 'cat propellant" ...(now, that doesn't sound right, does it? Sounds like something that would 'fling' them.)

Mask