New to CPAP

TeKef · Post by **TeKef** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:12 am

I started my cpap therapy 1 week ago. My wife tells me she can't hear me snoring anymore, but my leg jerks and kicks still bother her. While I feel I'm sleeping better overall, I still wake during the night and I don't feel rested the following day. I'm still tired during the day and almost fall asleep at work.

I started having some irratation on the bridge of my nose after 2-3 days, it's actually a little sore and a little sensative to the touch. Nice reddish spot there. Now I'm feeling the same sensitivity just under my nose. I have a mustach and beard so I can't see any redness, just feel the irratation.

Anyone experience the same????

TheShootist · Post by **TheShootist** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:23 am

TeKeF

HOWDY......Well we both have a few things in common. I am too on Long Island and also I have only been on CPAP since July 25th. I can offer you this information......Not being a pro on the subject of using CPAP yet, but have read and studied much literature on the subject what I can say in my humble opinion is the CPAP is not an instant fix-all. Just like any medicines different people react to differently to the same presciption. Just be paitent my friend and see what happens.

Personally, my leg jerks stopped on the first night and haven't happened since. It took me 3 or 4 nights to actually find the perfect resting spot on my face for the mask and now I sleep the entire night without waking up. The only complaint I had was that I had the infamous "DRY MOUTH and we are talking DRY!!!" I called my provider of the machine and also looked in this message board and everything pointed to getting a chinstrap which I did through this website. That solved the problem that first night.

In closing, I will tell you of a VERY informative CPAP support group I attended right before I recieved my machine that was EXTREMELY informative. It is held about every three months at the Winthrop Community Center at 101 Mineola Blvd. in Mineola. I know the next one is on October 22nd @ 7pm. I don't recall the number offhand, but I can get it for you if you care for it. If so just leave a post on this message board and I will get it for you. You just call them and make a reservation. Snacks and refreshments are served and they have representatives from various CPAP suppliers there in person.

I wish you all the best with your treatment

TeKef · Post by **TeKef** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:35 am

Shootist,

Thanks for your reply and the encouragement. I'm determined to continue the CPAP treatments as I really want to sleep better. I experienced the dry mouth thing (very dry mouth) the second or third night and turned up the humidifier. That did it as I haven't had the dry mouth since.

If you could find the number for the CPAP support group meeting in October I would very much appreciate it.

I'm still looking for anyone who has experienced the skin irritation from the mask. The bridge of my nose and just under my nose are sore and sensative to touch. I don't believe my mask is too tight, as I've adjusted it and it does feel comfortable to wear. It's just the soreness the next day that seems to be getting worse. Help please.

TheShootist · Post by **TheShootist** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:49 am

TeKef

In my previous rambling post I forgot to give you my experience with my mask. When I went to pick up the equipment and the health provider, the person showing me how to use the equipment showed me how the mask should be placed on the face and how the adjustments should be made to it. After the first couple of nights I wound up with redness and soreness on the bridge of my nose. But then after doing some reading on this website about how my mask, it was only then I learned that the person at the health provider instructed me improperly on how my specific mask should have been placed on my face.

Ever since then I have had absolutly NO REDNESS or SORENESS in the morning!!!

I will get you that phone # for the CPAP class and post it here tomorrow morning. Hope to see you there.

gt

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:01 pm

Meanwhile, two other options: check under the Red Ball w/the Question Mark in it at the top of the page and scroll down to the Mask Fitting tips. There may be info there that will help you.

Second: do a google search on PADacheeks or look her up w/a PM search. She makes some excellent pads for the bridge of the nose and for the straps for those that have strap rubbing problems.

Oh, and a third suggestion to tide you over: Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs from most any drug store, WalMart, etc. Roll one in your hand to form it into a thin rope or tape and lay that on your mask in the area that is bothering you (this works for leaks too). Then put your mask on.

TheShootist · Post by **TheShootist** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:46 pm

Good evening TeKef

The phone # for the Winthrop CPAP Patient Support Group is 516-663-3907. The address once again is 101 Mineola Blvd which is at the corner of 2nd St.

Hope to see you in October.

gt

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:01 pm

That soreness happened with my on the bridge of my nose and underneath. Simple thing is this, your facial skin is not used to having a gel cushion pushed by a mask on it, give it a few weeks and it will "toughen up" to this. I also use Eucerin with Aloe. Find that or a similar, but good moisturizer to put on.
Another thing, loosen the top straps a bit, tighten the bottom some more.

If the mask is not comfortable or not sealing, try a different one.

TeKef · Post by **TeKef** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:09 pm

Shootist - Thanks for the number.

Insomniyak - thanks for the info. I called my DME today and I'm going for a mask fitting next week.

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