Newbie and freaked out

doxiedad · Post by **doxiedad** » Fri May 23, 2008 6:55 am

My wife loves it because she gets to sleep now and not stay awake all night making sure I breath. So for the price of one CPAP we both feel better.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:37 am

Needsdecaf wrote: ... It is funny, but I am on my 3rd mask now (well I have two primaries) and I have to say last night as I put the mask on in the bathroom, I thought that I couldn't believe that I would be so used to just strapping the thing on but it's a completely normal part of the routine now!!! ...

Hey, NeedsDecaf, you will find you get a MUCH better mask fit if you quit admiring yourself in your mask in the bathroom mirror and instead put it on WHILE YOU ARE LAYING DOWN!

Remember the law of gravity?? Yeah, well, our facial tissue obeys the law of gravity as well so the mask fit isn't the same while upright as it is when laying down. Honest injun. I wouldn't BS you about this.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:07 pm

I second Slinky on this. I finally figured that out. Now I mask up while lying down. I've got my configuration in such good shape I can lie down, mask up, and don't have to adjust ANYTHING. No velcro, no clips, nada. I rule.

LOL,
Babette

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:24 pm

Good going, Babette!!!!!

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:27 pm

Do you have any tricks to making your mask last all night then without needing to be adjusted? I hit that 3:00 hour and the farts start (meaning the mask, but the other possibility can't be excluded either). And I have to say somebody could make a fortune if they came up with silent velcro. In the middle of the night, already nervous about waking my spouse up with the mask honking, that velcro ripping sounds SO LOUD!!!!! Between the sounds the mask and velcro make and the endless sounds erupting from me personally, I am SO tired having saying "sorry", and I would think my husband is going to be wondering how we can be adding another bedroom to the house soon.

Peggy

dreamchick · Post by **dreamchick** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:16 pm

Ado:

Like everyone else says Chill. CPAP is all about attitude, the right equipment and a supportive partner. I asked my husband how he feels about it and he says.

1. Any noise the machine makes is quieter than my snoring
2. He does not have to stay awake all night to make sure I will start breathing again so he gets more sleep and feels better.
3. Sexy is having your partner alive, well rested and having a far better attitude than ever.

We have been together 32 years so sexy takes on a whole new meaning now.

Good luck, let us know how you are feeling and keep coming back for support and information.

DC

Ado · Post by **Ado** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:07 am

Thank you all so much for the wonderful support and advice.

i finally took possession of my first loan machine which is a ResMed spirit APAP/CPAP. the tech set it on 8.6 pressure and will convert it to APAP after a week in the CPAP mode.
my first night with it last night went better than i expected. i chose a swift nasal pillow system and it was pretty comfortable although my nostrils are a little sore. im told that is normal and will get better as i get used to it.

I feel ive had a better sleep than normal, although i cant in all honesty say that i feel dramatically better. but from what ive read and been told, this is a normal thing.

took a while to get used to the sensation of the air being forced up my nose, but it did feel good to be breathing nice and cleaf.
My partner is yet to see it but i'll let you know how it goes.
cheers
Ado

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:45 am

Way to go, Ado!!! Sounds like a resounding success on your first night!!
Congratulations for getting through it so successfully!!

Peggy

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:14 am

Slinky wrote:
Needsdecaf wrote: ... It is funny, but I am on my 3rd mask now (well I have two primaries) and I have to say last night as I put the mask on in the bathroom, I thought that I couldn't believe that I would be so used to just strapping the thing on but it's a completely normal part of the routine now!!! ...
Hey, NeedsDecaf, you will find you get a MUCH better mask fit if you quit admiring yourself in your mask in the bathroom mirror and instead put it on WHILE YOU ARE LAYING DOWN!

Remember the law of gravity?? Yeah, well, our facial tissue obeys the law of gravity as well so the mask fit isn't the same while upright as it is when laying down. Honest injun. I wouldn't BS you about this.

Kind of hard to tape your nose to the nasal pillows without a mirror.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:15 am

[quote="Ado"]Thank you all so much for the wonderful support and advice.

i finally took possession of my first loan machine which is a ResMed spirit APAP/CPAP. the tech set it on 8.6 pressure and will convert it to APAP after a week in the CPAP mode.
my first night with it last night went better than i expected. i chose a swift nasal pillow system and it was pretty comfortable although my nostrils are a little sore. im told that is normal and will get better as i get used to it.

I feel ive had a better sleep than normal, although i cant in all honesty say that i feel dramatically better. but from what ive read and been told, this is a normal thing.

took a while to get used to the sensation of the air being forced up my nose, but it did feel good to be breathing nice and cleaf.
My partner is yet to see it but i'll let you know how it goes.
cheers
Ado

dreamchick · Post by **dreamchick** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:53 am

Ado:

Congratulations! You did just fine. You made it through the night and don't worry you will feel better. I took me about a month to notice a real change. That change was worth waiting for! Keep at it!

goose · Post by **goose** » Tue May 27, 2008 1:08 pm

Right on Ado!!!!!!!
Night number one a success....they get better!!!
They can also be not so successful, but don't get discouraged -- I've had so many ups and downs during my first year I've gotten used to it.....
Some nights I seem to wrestle with the mask, and other nights it just stays in place. I use a Headrest and on some nights I switch out to my old ComfortGel.....I would always recommend having backup masks to switch to. I also have a Full Face for those ultra-congested nights, but it doesn't seal very well so it doesn't get used much (I have facial hair which can prevent a good seal).

A saline rinse can also help. Google on Neti Pot. Works for me.

Your nose will get used to the pillows, and as needsdecaf said -- Ayr gel or Lanolin (in the baby section (brand name - Lanisoh)) will relieve some of the irritation.

I also use Mac's silicone earplugs to help with the seal on occasion. Just a pinch on each pillow works great -- roll it out to a very small roll and make into a doughnut that will fit around the pillow. If you search the board you'll find more info about Mac's.

Congratulations on your first night!!!! You're doing great!!!!
take care
cheers
goose

Ado · Post by **Ado** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:36 pm

Well, my second night was not good at all. the nasal pillows on the swift hurt my nostrils so much i ripped the f###ing thing off my head and slept without it

now i feel like crap and can hardly keep my eyes open. i tried nasal gel, KY, eveything i could think of. it also makes a lot of noise on the inhale - is this normal? the machine itself is really quiet but the mask makes me sound like darth vader.

im going back to the sleep clinic where i will try a different type of mask - one that fits around the nose instead of up it. im hoping to find a more comfortable mask and perhaps one that is a little quieter.

I understand now what you guys mean about finding the right type of mask being the most difficult bit.

i'll keep you guys posted and thanks again for the support.

Ado

gasparama · Post by **gasparama** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:43 pm

If there is any way that you can get a nasal mask as well as the nasal pillows mask, you might be able to adjust better. You can use the lanolin and/or AYR gel in your nostrils to facilitate healing and wear the nasal mask during those few nights. Gradually, you will probably be able to adjust to the pillows. You don't need to stay off therapy during the meantime.

Please keep on posting and reading. The help around here is unbelievable!

I have to tell you that my husband is so glad to not have me kicking all night and jumping up with coughing and gasping for air. Life on CPAP is better for everyone. I actually look forward to getting the mask on and falling asleep every night.

We all are so fortunate to have this lifesaving therapy. Apnea had a part in killing my father and my husband's uncle. I'm thankful for the help, even though it's taken me a long time to settle into a routine with it.

Ado · Post by **Ado** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:47 am

Went to the sleep clinic and they gave me a new Swift II which is apparently much quieter then the Swift 1 - but im sure to have the same issue with sore nose etc. but they also gave me a nasal mask to try too in case i got tired of the swift. not sure what type it is but it has an adjusting knob at the top of the head gear at the front.

wish me luck for tonight. i'll report back tomorrow.

cheers

ado

Mask

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