Hi
I got my cpap on monday 5/5/08 and have found out that this is no fun. I only can wear it about an hour a night and then I find it on the floor in the morning. I have been reading the collective wisdom. If anyone has any more Idaes please help
new to cpap
6 posts
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Oh, BrotherTony, if you're looking for someone to tell you it will eventually be fun...it ain't gonna happen. I'm sorry. But will it eventually be more tolerable? Yes.
It's NOT fun. It's NOT easy. It is, in fact, a major PITA. (And if you are a clergy member, referencing the "brother", then I apologize for that reference.) But it keeps us breathing, hopefully with less jolts to our systems, and there actually are people out there who say eventually they wake up refreshed, with more energy for all the pleasures of life. I'm not there yet, but I'm not giving up.
If you've already read the Collective Wisdom, then you're already ahead of the game. Some people say the Pur-Sleep essential oils help them tolerate the mask. The owner of the company, as I understand it, is "one of us". You can check it out on the Pur-Sleep website (not to be confused with PureSleep) or at cpap.com. It's supposed to make having to sleep with a mask over your face more...well, pleasant might be pushing it...tolerable. (Sorry to overuse that word, "tolerable", but that might be as far as we can take it with this CPAP stuff.)
I am still new to this, too, so I don't have a lot of wisdom to share with you...except that I've read enough of these postings to know that you are not alone in your frustration. We are here for you. Vent any time you want. And give yourself credit for making it an hour!! Yay!!! (Pat on the back.) Maybe tonight you'll make it an hour and a half or even two. And hopefully some of the more experienced CPAPers will chime in with suggestions for you. But I mainly wanted you to know that it's a journey worth taking for the stress you will save your body, and someday you might even join the group of people who swear it's opened up a whole new wonderful way of moving through life for them!
Hang in there, and take care!!
Peggy
It's NOT fun. It's NOT easy. It is, in fact, a major PITA. (And if you are a clergy member, referencing the "brother", then I apologize for that reference.) But it keeps us breathing, hopefully with less jolts to our systems, and there actually are people out there who say eventually they wake up refreshed, with more energy for all the pleasures of life. I'm not there yet, but I'm not giving up.
If you've already read the Collective Wisdom, then you're already ahead of the game. Some people say the Pur-Sleep essential oils help them tolerate the mask. The owner of the company, as I understand it, is "one of us". You can check it out on the Pur-Sleep website (not to be confused with PureSleep) or at cpap.com. It's supposed to make having to sleep with a mask over your face more...well, pleasant might be pushing it...tolerable. (Sorry to overuse that word, "tolerable", but that might be as far as we can take it with this CPAP stuff.)
I am still new to this, too, so I don't have a lot of wisdom to share with you...except that I've read enough of these postings to know that you are not alone in your frustration. We are here for you. Vent any time you want. And give yourself credit for making it an hour!! Yay!!! (Pat on the back.) Maybe tonight you'll make it an hour and a half or even two. And hopefully some of the more experienced CPAPers will chime in with suggestions for you. But I mainly wanted you to know that it's a journey worth taking for the stress you will save your body, and someday you might even join the group of people who swear it's opened up a whole new wonderful way of moving through life for them!
Hang in there, and take care!!
Peggy
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brothertony
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 11:29 am
- Location: Dacula
- Contact:
Thanks
Peggy
Thank you for replying. Yes I am part of the clergy and it is no problem. I spent 12 yrs in the US Navy, I have heard just about everything. By the way I knew this was not going to be fun. When I was in the navy we had to wear gas masks while drilling, we affectionatly(sp) call this "sucking rubber" I fugured I spent 12 yrs sucking rubber so this shouldn't be much different. well trying to sleep is a different story
Thank you for replying. Yes I am part of the clergy and it is no problem. I spent 12 yrs in the US Navy, I have heard just about everything. By the way I knew this was not going to be fun. When I was in the navy we had to wear gas masks while drilling, we affectionatly(sp) call this "sucking rubber" I fugured I spent 12 yrs sucking rubber so this shouldn't be much different. well trying to sleep is a different story
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Oh, gosh, BrotherTony, if you could tolerate sucking rubber for all those years, you can DEFINITELY do this! In fact, I'll bet you can handle just about anything, especially since you've got a direct line to The Big Guy and know He'll give you the strength and support to get through whatever you need to get through.
But definitely finding the right mask is a struggle, and hopefully you are working with a DME provider who will let you exchange yours out until you find something that works. If not, cpap.com offers return insurance on their masks. You have to pay 30-50 bucks, depending on the cost of the mask, but at least you can return it if it doesn't work for you and you don't have to lose the whole amount on something that is useless. (I was too cheap to do it and regretted it.)
I will tell you a little secret. At some point, somebody is going to say, "Hey, fill out your profile so we know what equipment you have and what pressures you're dealing with." So if you take a minute to fill that stuff out, the more knowledgable people on the forum may be able to help you set up a better ramp or suggest a better mask, details more pertinent to your situation.
I have a feeling you're going to do just fine, BrotherTony, especially since you found this forum, which really is a blessing to so many.
TTYS!
Peggy
But definitely finding the right mask is a struggle, and hopefully you are working with a DME provider who will let you exchange yours out until you find something that works. If not, cpap.com offers return insurance on their masks. You have to pay 30-50 bucks, depending on the cost of the mask, but at least you can return it if it doesn't work for you and you don't have to lose the whole amount on something that is useless. (I was too cheap to do it and regretted it.)
I will tell you a little secret. At some point, somebody is going to say, "Hey, fill out your profile so we know what equipment you have and what pressures you're dealing with." So if you take a minute to fill that stuff out, the more knowledgable people on the forum may be able to help you set up a better ramp or suggest a better mask, details more pertinent to your situation.
I have a feeling you're going to do just fine, BrotherTony, especially since you found this forum, which really is a blessing to so many.
TTYS!
Peggy
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brothertony
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 11:29 am
- Location: Dacula
- Contact:
Peggy
thanks, I will have to look at my equipment and fill out the profile. I can tell you I have 2 masks right now 1 is a nasel mask with a chin strap because I keep my big mouth open and the other is a full face mask. I am working with the full face mask , because frankly I don't like the chin strap so we will see where this all leads. and you are right I am relying heavely on the Lord.
thanks, I will have to look at my equipment and fill out the profile. I can tell you I have 2 masks right now 1 is a nasel mask with a chin strap because I keep my big mouth open and the other is a full face mask. I am working with the full face mask , because frankly I don't like the chin strap so we will see where this all leads. and you are right I am relying heavely on the Lord.
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| Additional Comments: basic Chin Strap | ||||
Hi Brothertony,
I found the right mask after spending about an hour with the nurse at the medical supply company where I was sent to get my equipment. She tried many masks on me and I was able to find the one that was the most comfortable. Because I can breath through my nose I was fitted with a nasal pillow mask. I was given a nasal mask to begin with but the person who worked with me the first time didn't spend the time needed to see if it truly fit or if it was comfortable. Some people on this site told me that they had gone through several trials with masks before they got one that fit. For me, the nasal pillow is less confining and I am able to lie on either side without the mask pulling off. I keep the machine on the floor beside my bed and I have a 6 foot hose.
Restless leg syndrome may also be part of your sleep disorder. If you are rolling around in bed and knocking the mask off because of it, then that issue should be addressed by your physician.
I have only been on CPAP for a little over 6 weeks. Now that I am getting some good sleep with my mask, I realized that I had been dragging myself around for a very long. I had stopped doing the things I loved because I was too tired. Now I can read novels again without falling asleep and I actually can stay up and watch tv in the evening when I get home from work. Best of all, I don't need a 3 hour nap on my days off anymore. CPAP has changed my life for the better. It is worth the effort to keep trying to get use to the mask because the benefit outweighs the hassel. It's just like learning to do anything, keep practicing and finally you will get the hang of it...but only if you get a mask that will work for you. Don't give up. Go back to the medical supply place and find someone who knows how to work with CPAP. Good luck. Anneie
I found the right mask after spending about an hour with the nurse at the medical supply company where I was sent to get my equipment. She tried many masks on me and I was able to find the one that was the most comfortable. Because I can breath through my nose I was fitted with a nasal pillow mask. I was given a nasal mask to begin with but the person who worked with me the first time didn't spend the time needed to see if it truly fit or if it was comfortable. Some people on this site told me that they had gone through several trials with masks before they got one that fit. For me, the nasal pillow is less confining and I am able to lie on either side without the mask pulling off. I keep the machine on the floor beside my bed and I have a 6 foot hose.
Restless leg syndrome may also be part of your sleep disorder. If you are rolling around in bed and knocking the mask off because of it, then that issue should be addressed by your physician.
I have only been on CPAP for a little over 6 weeks. Now that I am getting some good sleep with my mask, I realized that I had been dragging myself around for a very long. I had stopped doing the things I loved because I was too tired. Now I can read novels again without falling asleep and I actually can stay up and watch tv in the evening when I get home from work. Best of all, I don't need a 3 hour nap on my days off anymore. CPAP has changed my life for the better. It is worth the effort to keep trying to get use to the mask because the benefit outweighs the hassel. It's just like learning to do anything, keep practicing and finally you will get the hang of it...but only if you get a mask that will work for you. Don't give up. Go back to the medical supply place and find someone who knows how to work with CPAP. Good luck. Anneie
6 posts
• Page 1 of 1