Hi, I'm a newbie, tonight is my first hose-job

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:42 pm

I get my CPAP in a little over an hour. I was (maybe irrationally) afraid I wouldn't make it to today, once I learned a month ago that I had OSA. I knew I had it by then, of course, but I didn't think it was as bad as it turned out to be. Waiting for my CPAP has been torture. Isn't it cool that I get my CPAP on Apnea Awareness Day? It's got to be a good sign.

I really like this forum! I've been reading all about apnea and its equipment almost obsessively, and today found this link. You guys are really kind, supportive, and best of all funny! I appreciate all the advice I've read so far, especially that the recovery and initiation to CPAP is different for everyone. Doctors sure can make you feel like if you're not getting better/thinner/younger, it must be your fault.

Thanks for listening, I'll update my profile when I find out what equipment I get.

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:51 pm

[quote="tangents"].........I was (maybe irrationally) afraid I wouldn't make it to today, once I learned a month ago that I had OSA. ................ Waiting for my CPAP has been torture. .............................

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:52 pm

Tangents,
We are all wishing you a great night sleep. Please, let us know how it goes.

Welcome to the Hosehead world...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:07 pm

tangents, welcome to the board. Yes, please do let us know what you get and how it goes!

hades161 · Post by **hades161** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:23 pm

Welcome to the Club

I wish you the very best on your first night and I got a few pointers for you.

I would recommend putting on your mask and turning your unit on ahead of your bed time and really get use to it. Play with the mask try to get it as loose as you can without leaks. A mirror can help too. Try it laying down too and re-adjust it if needed if you start to feel pain on your face, something is to tight, if you feel air blowing on your face other then under the mask, its to tight in one spot and to loose someplace else. Get use to breathing with it on for like 15 minutes or 30 or so before you go to bed, this way you can also get a read on how much humidity if any you will need. If you live in a dry place make sure you have humidity or you will get dried out fast and painfully. Not a pleasant way to wake up in the middle of the night. I have to use both my humidifier on my unit and an extra one in my room on high. Better to find out before hand and do a fast run to Wal-Greens or a store before you get all set for bed =). Ayr spray is a nice relief if you do get dried out. I bought a nasal spray bottle and dumped it out and cleaned it and use a tiny pinch of sea salt and water as my nasal spray.

Best of luck and if you can't get something to work pop on the forums and look around or join the chatroom here there is normally someone on who can help.

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:23 pm

Welcome Tangents,
You came to the right place to learn, you will find that no matter what problem you may encounter, someone else has had it and probably solved it, its like having one large directory of people spread out thru out the world with experience in the world of cpap, I wish your treatment goes well, and look forward to seeing you on posts, and being an on going member.
Ed

Rabid1 · Post by **Rabid1** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:48 pm

Soooooo, you want to be a HoseHead eh?

Well, not just anybody can be one, you know!

First, we'll have a members only meeting and see if you get voted in. Assuming you qualify, then the fun begins...the INITIATION. (some have said they would have preferred to slowly suffocate).

If, (big IF) you survive the initiation, you'll be taught the secret handshake, and given the keys to Rested Gal's house so you can keep it clean, and make her the occasional gourmet brunch.

Welcome to the board, probie!

thomwg · Post by **thomwg** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:37 pm

Hi Tangents,
I'm new to this site too and unless "you know where" freezes over, I'm going to have my first night with the APAP tomorrow. I understand exactly what you mean about the long wait to get your xPAP. My wait has only been one week but I've been very anxious none the less.
I hope all goes very well and your recovery will be fast. I'll look for a first night report tomorrow..

Tom

bluegrassfan · Post by **bluegrassfan** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:43 pm

That is really good advice from Hades...I sometimes sit around in the evening reading a book with my hosegear on...fighter pilot image, you know. Good luck..

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:44 pm

TOP GUN!

Stinger: And if you screw up just this much, you'll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog $#!+ out of Hong Kong!
Maverick: Yes sir!

more quotes here
http://imdb.com/title/tt0092099/quotes

dsr29 · Post by **dsr29** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:23 pm

I have known Ive had sleep apnea for a year now and have had the machine that log too. Although I still find it hard to get used to any helpful ideas?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:24 pm

dsr29 wrote:I have known Ive had sleep apnea for a year now and have had the machine that log too. Although I still find it hard to get used to any helpful ideas?

Click on the "lightbulb" (above) called "Our Collective Wisdom".....do lots of reading and if you have questions, please feel free to ask.

Best wishes,

Den

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:24 pm

Welcome, Tangents and thomwg. Best of luck to you both. Please do keep us informed of your progress.

Also, check the yellow light bulb icon (Our Collective Wisdom) for hints and tips on this throroughly kinky way of sleeping!

Best wishes!

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:07 am

Wow, thanks everyone, for your heartfelt support! I wish you the very best of luck, Tom, with your first night. I hope you get to sleep until noon tomorrow.

My first night was sure interesting. I set up my machine and tried it on while my husband was at the library, and thought I had everything all set for bed time. What I didn't do was lay down with the mask on, so you all know that my preparations were pointless! My machine is a Remstar M Series DS100 with heated humidifier, and my mask is the Respironics ComfortGel.

There's a hose swivel on the mask that seemed to have a mind of its own! Tonight I'm going to figure out a way to anchor that puppy toward my forhead because I'm a side sleeper and it kept pulling at the seal. I slept on my back at first, and must have had my mouth open becausse I woke up with Arizona dust mouth. A trip to the bathroom, and then - oh no - I had to put the mask back on in the dark.

Once I got the mask to seal on its side, I got some great sleep. In fact, my alarm played for 17 minutes before my husband realized that I was oversleeping and came to wake me up. Groggy and headachy, but I guess that's normal? The best part was that every time I awakened, I could hear my husband in a deep sleep. He will never admit that I've been robbing him of rest, but I know better.

So, Tom, heed the advice of our new friends to wear it for a while before bed, and adjust the headgear in your sleeping position. If your machine has a ramp function, it's a little more natural while you're awake to have the pressure lower. Good luck to you!

Rabid1, I figure I'll be ready for Rested Gal's gourmet breakfast in a few months!

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:06 pm

[quote="tangents"].................. A trip to the bathroom, and then - oh no - I had to put the mask back on in the dark.

Once I got the mask to seal on its side, I got some great sleep. .............

Hi, I'm a newbie, tonight is my first hose-job

Hi, I'm a newbie, tonight is my first hose-job

Re: Hi, I'm a newbie, tonight is my first hose-job

Hello

Re: Hello

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4