Finally adjusted and rested.

Namovicz · Post by **Namovicz** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:56 pm

I am finally at a point that I love my mask and cannot sleep without it. I could see a real difference in being less sleepy while driving right away. I am so thankful for that all by itself. BUT, now I am able to go through a whole day of work...wide awake and energetic till 5:00. I have noticed a huge improvement in my ability to concentrate. I did not realize just how impatient I was with people before the cpap...now things just roll off my back much of the time. My family and co-workers have both seen the difference in me.

The only thing that bothers me is the mildew smell I clean my mask every other day and hose every week. I have read posts about using vinegar and baking soda, so I will try that tonight. I have used the Pur Sleep starter pack with limited success because I am not wild about the scents. I have ordered the oil with the vanilla scent in hopes that I will really like it.

This forum has been a great help to me for my first two months of therapy. Thank you all.

Panhandler · Post by **Panhandler** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:09 pm

Way to go!!

I hope lots of newbies see your post and realize that they need to put in a little effort and eventually things will come together.

Regarding the musty oder, have you checked the filters? Some of those outside smells hang around in them. Like the night there was a skunk active in the neighborhood. Aargh.

Namovicz · Post by **Namovicz** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:27 pm

The filters are good. I just don't think that the hose ever really dries out. I use the humidifier at a setting of 2 and I can always see water dropplets in there when I go to use it the next night. It does make sense if there is mildew...I guess.

Funny story. The intake used to be right up against my German Shepherd's kennel next to my bed. She got up at one point..walked into her kennel and walked right back out. Seconds later I was hit with the WORST odor coming though my mask. She apparently let one go while she was near the intake. It smelled so bad she couldn't even stay in the kennel! I ripped the mask off and when the nausea passed I put it back on. The smell never had the chance to escape the hose because I had turned the cpap off right away. So I got hit with the smell twice. I have since moved the machine.

echo · Post by **echo** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:32 pm

That's great to hear! Hope it all continues to go well, and if you hit some snags (like I have), then you know the forum's always here for you
Happy sleeping!

p.s. for drying out the tube, some people use their CPAP to dry it out... once in an emergency, i took a half liter water bottle, cut it in half, put the top (drinking) end into the hose, and fit my hairdryer into the other end, put it on high (but "cool" temp), and it was dry and slightly warm in minutes. Just make sure that's it's not so warm that it damages the hose.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:46 pm

Namovicz wrote:I am finally at a point that I love my mask and cannot sleep without it. I could see a real difference in being less sleepy while driving right away. I am so thankful for that all by itself. BUT, now I am able to go through a whole day of work...wide awake and energetic till 5:00. I have noticed a huge improvement in my ability to concentrate. I did not realize just how impatient I was with people before the cpap...now things just roll off my back much of the time. My family and co-workers have both seen the difference in me.

The only thing that bothers me is the mildew smell I clean my mask every other day and hose every week. I have read posts about using vinegar and baking soda, so I will try that tonight.

Not together, I hope!

Congratulations on your success. It is so good to hear that someone is doing well; it reminds us that it can be done!

Good luck with the scent problems. Out here in the desert mold is one issue I don't have to deal with. If I did, I think I would try the Clean scent: perhaps the peppermint could cut through it. You might also try mixing the oils like a drop of the Peace with a drop of the Spice. The Creme is nice, especially when mixed with the Spice.

Susan

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:41 pm

Namo....

I built a hose/mask drier out of a computer fan installed in a boot-drier. Every morning, I shake the condensation out of my Aura....then, disconnect the hose from my CPAP machine.....and connect it to the drier hose.

Mildew must have moisture to live......and my hose/mask is absolutely dry in an hour or so. I leave the little blower on all day.

Works great....no stink.

Gerald

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:03 pm

Congratulations, Namo, on such quick success w/your CPAP!!!

Now pardon me whilst I choke and snorkle and have one h*ll of a good laugh at your tale of your GSD, his crate and his "wind". Can't help it, LOVE that tale!!

Namovicz · Post by **Namovicz** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:04 pm

All really good ideas that I will work with. It is amazing how inventive people on this forum are. I like the idea of combining oils. Also, the drying ideas are very good. I thought I was slick spinning the hose like a helicopter blade to dry it after I wash it. It never dries it totally so I still have to hang it up. I will put the hairdryer method to use tonight.

Namovicz · Post by **Namovicz** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:15 pm

Slinky wrote:Congratulations, Namo, on such quick success w/your CPAP!!!

Now pardon me whilst I choke and snorkle and have one h*ll of a good laugh at your tale of your GSD, his crate and his "wind". Can't help it, LOVE that tale!!

Panhandler · Post by **Panhandler** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:47 pm

One thing I came up with for drying the hose is an idea I first saw used by a clarinet player...a cloth patch on a string, with a weight at the other end. I made one with about 7 feet of nylon twine, a fishing sinker and a few pieces of synthetic chamois. I drop the sinker into the hose and let it pull the string through, then ease the chamois into the tube and pull it through. It dries it pretty well.

I've seen the same idea as a product on some of the online CPAP sites.

Finally adjusted and rested.

Finally adjusted and rested.

Re: Finally adjusted and rested.