Dawill4 - Your experience sounds VERY MUCH LIKE MINE for the first few weeks of therapy. It is a struggle, and it takes alot of getting used to. And there were plenty of nights I didn't even mask up, for the first few weeks of therapy.
I tried 8 masks in 6 weeks until I found one I could tolerate all night long. I've been 100% compliant since then (May of 2007), with the exception of 5 days in January when I had the crud so bad I couldn't breathe from my nose or sleep ANYWAY.
Keep trying. Here's my trick - I lay down first. Then pull the mask over to me, and put it on. I use NO RAMP - the ramp made me feel like I was suffocating and not getting enough air. I do use Cflex of 3. I breathe deeply when I'm first starting, and lay there and relax. BTW, I'm on an APAP, running straight CPAP, pressure of 10 cm. Same basic setup as your machine.
In the early months - I would mask up, then lay in bed and read for about 45 minutes before turning off the light and going to sleep. It helped me get used to the mask. I would take slow steady breaths to calm myself down, and get relaxed.
Now I don't do that - I read first, then turn out the light, lay down, reach over, and don the mask and two minutes later I'm out like a light.
Keep us posted and let us know if we can help you any. I'm getting ready to start sending out a new Nasal Aire II Test Drive as soon as some more parts come in the mail. That might be an option for you. It was the mask that finally helped me get compliant.
Another great thing to try is PurSleep: pur-sleep.com
And alot of folks on this board swear by NeilMed Sinus Rinse.: neilmed.com
I understand about the hot flashes - they are probably triggered by the adrenaline rush that is triggered by your body sensing a drop in O2 levels.
Hang in there, girl, it WILL get better. Just keep trying different things.
Huggers,
Babette - also a middle aged gal with a short flash point
HELP! Get too hot, claustrophobic, rip it off after 1 1/2 hr
I am still having problems with the mask. I can't get past the clostrophobia and the suffocating and the hot flash it creates. So in one week the longest I've made it is 2 hours. I've tried wearing it while watching TV etc.
I've called Apria and they haven't called me back. They've been pretty worthless. So I figure I'm on my own finding a mask solution out of pocket.
I've combed the net looking for masks. The most apealing to me is the comfort curve. Does anyone know anyone using the comfort curve? What's the opinion?
Also, after I get this mask thing right and can actually sleep through the night can anyone recommend the best smallest machine because the Mseries is a little big. (however that's the least of my problems!
Thanks again Babette and everyone!!!
I've called Apria and they haven't called me back. They've been pretty worthless. So I figure I'm on my own finding a mask solution out of pocket.
I've combed the net looking for masks. The most apealing to me is the comfort curve. Does anyone know anyone using the comfort curve? What's the opinion?
Also, after I get this mask thing right and can actually sleep through the night can anyone recommend the best smallest machine because the Mseries is a little big. (however that's the least of my problems!
Thanks again Babette and everyone!!!
-
Guest
Try talking to your Primary Doc or your Sleep Doc. Sounds like you have a worthless DME - get your scrips, get some help from your docs, and find out how to get reimbursed by your insurance if you purchase what you need online. After much frustration, I finally talked to the RIGHT person at my insurance, and since then, I've had NO PROBLEMS submitting claims for things I've bought online and getting reimbursed. It may take you several phone calls and continuing to persevere. In my case, I finally had to ask for the Fraud Department before I got to talk to someone with any clue at all who could help me.
Take some time off now and again as you need to. I know others will holler that's not right, but it's what I HAD to do. I also had to take extra medication to get me over the hump. In my case, I needed something to combat the incredible fatigue I had from bad sleep due to ill-fitting masks. Maybe in your case a little valium or something similar might help your anxiety and stress and claustrophobia.
Did I forget to mention I'm claustrophobic, too? I'm terribly claustrophobic. Have been all my life.
I've heard other people recommend using a fan in the bedroom to help with the feeling of being hot and claustrophobic.
Again - everything is just a crutch to help you get to a place where you don't need it anymore. Nothing is a life sentence. Seriously - just take it one day at a time, and do what you can THAT DAY. Don't try to do everything all at once and forever.
Huggers,
Babette
Take some time off now and again as you need to. I know others will holler that's not right, but it's what I HAD to do. I also had to take extra medication to get me over the hump. In my case, I needed something to combat the incredible fatigue I had from bad sleep due to ill-fitting masks. Maybe in your case a little valium or something similar might help your anxiety and stress and claustrophobia.
Did I forget to mention I'm claustrophobic, too? I'm terribly claustrophobic. Have been all my life.
I've heard other people recommend using a fan in the bedroom to help with the feeling of being hot and claustrophobic.
Again - everything is just a crutch to help you get to a place where you don't need it anymore. Nothing is a life sentence. Seriously - just take it one day at a time, and do what you can THAT DAY. Don't try to do everything all at once and forever.
Huggers,
Babette
I'm running the air conditioner at night. I always have a fan or air going. I have to have air moving. Even at work I keep a fan at my desk. I hate it when things are stuffy and I feel like I can't breath. My favorite days are windy ones
Last night I tried some Buspar (anxiety) it didn't really help. I'll try again tonight.
I want to order that comfort curve mask but you can't return them if you don't like them.
My next call will be to an accupuncturist They may not be able to cure this but I'm sure they can help make it better. sigh Btw they are great for hotflashes!
Last night I tried some Buspar (anxiety) it didn't really help. I'll try again tonight.
I want to order that comfort curve mask but you can't return them if you don't like them.
My next call will be to an accupuncturist They may not be able to cure this but I'm sure they can help make it better. sigh Btw they are great for hotflashes!