New to the Group I got a Question

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:41 pm

GeeTeeTag, I think the "20 questions" comment was because it's so much easier to help someone if we know as much as possible about the problem. Also, at least for me, being able to pinpoint a problem, doesn't always mean an answer can be figured out without advice or help.

I'm guessing you think you're waking up a lot because you're uncomfortable. Knowing the specifics of what exactly is uncomfortable might help us help you figure out a fix: nose, face, head, neck, claustrophobic, feel like you can't breath good, air too cool/hot, headaches, the whole mask just doesn't feel good, you can't sleep in the position you want to because of the mask, straps hurt your face....and so on.

For example, the one mask that I liked the best, and still wear--Hybrid--leaked bad at the bottom around the chin. I learned here about cutting off the chin cup at the bottom of the mask. That solved the problem. The air from cpap was so cold at first, I was miserable. I found out about heated hoses, and once buying that, the air has never been too cold again. These problems (and more!) have been solved from advice I've received here, or posts regarding other people's problems.

Oh, and I don't think you said if you ever did get a humidifier, just that you thought maybe not having one might have been part of the problem. Did you ever get one?

This is a great place for help and support---wouldn't have made it otherwise, I don't think.

Pam

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GeeTeeTAG · Post by **GeeTeeTAG** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:04 pm

I do have a humitifier, no headaches, cant tell if the air too cold or hot- not sure. The mask does not hurt. I start off sleeping on my back and then my side. The hose is hanging from above. Maybe it just not to be to sleep through the night. Does Room temp have anything to do with it all? I have a ceiling fan on low just for cool air since the ac unit outside my window is too loud.

Claire · Post by **Claire** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:14 am

I'd like to put a word in here for the benefits of exercise.

I don't know if you exercise regularly or not, but I find that walking, weightlifting, and swimming (my tortures of choice ) help me sleep more soundly.

On nights when I don't exercise during the day, I notice that my mask bothers me more than usual.

Not to mention all the other benefits of exercise which we all know ad nauseum.

echo · Post by **echo** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:31 am

Anonymous wrote:it does'nt hurt or pinch, what bothers me is all of the above. Uncomfortable if my head moves to the side which awakes me and keeps me from sleeping.

Are you trying to say that basically you're fine with the whole setup, but after you fall asleep, and start moving around, you start dragging the hose around, which probably pulls on the mask, and wakes up you? Sounds like a simple enough explanation to me.
It's uncomfortable because the hose is pulling your mask in your sleep.

I don't know how high your hanging thing is, but maybe try lowering the hanging part a bit lower so it's less than 6" above your head, and give it some slack so that when you move it doesn't pull the mask up and away from your face. Also maybe move the hanging part towards your chest or stomach more, so that it's not sitting directly above your head. That will also avoid that it pulls up too much.

Fix the hose onto the hanging part if the hose keeps sliding back up and pulling on the mask, or maybe try a hose cover, which will give it more friction and maybe stop the hose from being pulled up.

Alternately, instead of threading the hose above your head, try clipping it to your blanket (again, with some slack on the mask end), then you won't have it being pulled up.

GeeTeeTAG · Post by **GeeTeeTAG** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:43 am

Good news! I called the company of the cpap equipment and he came over and checked out my machine. It is set to 5 cm. He suggested that the heated humidifier be set to low to non and readjusted my mask by 1) changing out the nasal pillows from small to med size and 2) the hose was hooked to the mask over my head (his original set up) and now it is not and it moves freely. I can sleep on both sides. He loved the way I had my hose hang over my head with a hanger (saved money there). I had the mask on all night = 7 hours. Yea, Yippee, Wahoo. Hopefully that last question - My nose was a little dry and I remember that I felt some moisture a few times. So does that mean the machine needs to turn up or what?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:05 am

Congratulations, TAG. That's very yippee!

I would try not to make changes for a few more night, till you get a better sense of what's going on.

Way to go!

O.