Any Suggestions on First Night

[SleepyManMD]

Hi All

Well my doctor, insurance and DME did well. I went and picked up my Resperonics M Auto with C-Flex today. They gave e a Fisher Paykel FlexiFit 407. The lady Fran at the Dr GAVE me a Comfortfit Gel nasal mask from resperonics. Does anyone have suggestions or my first night? Dr gave me Lunesta. Will I need i? I am open for all suggestions.


Thanks

Ken

[tom@]

One suggestion that helped on my first night (3 weeks ago) was to put the mask on before bedtime and sit and watch tv or read to get used to the mask. That way you are not fighting with the mask as much while trying to fall asleep.

You will probably have issues, but hang in there.

[rested gal]

Sounds like you're ready.

Tom's suggestion about using the mask and machine for awhile before you go to bed, to get used to it, is a very good one.

Let us know how your first night goes -- problems if any -- and there will be plenty of helpful suggestions, I'm sure.

[alnhwrd]

Congratulations! I would suggest that you put together all of your equipment RIGHT NOW, including your mask, hose etc, then put it on, lay down in bed and move around like you do when you are sleeping. See if your hose gets caught on anything or rubs on anything, gets wrapped around your pillow or if you need to tie it up to your head board somehow. If you don't have a head board go buy some Command Hooks to attach your hose to. Spend a bunch of time with your mask on under pressure in different positions to see when and where it leaks. Make the adjustments, as small as you can, to get it to that place where its not too tight, not too loose and does not leak. Try both masks and see which feels better to you. Make sure you have a few gallons of distilled water in the house. If you can, try a short nap with both to see how they feel. I hope you have a great first night!!

[GumbyCT]

To add to ALL the great suggestions. Get ready early. Prob best to try an afternoon nap to see how things go. We don't often think best when we are tired and just want to sleep. So nap then post back any problems.

Adj your mask straps at your highest pressure. If you have a pressure of 16cm but start out at 4cm; by time it gets even close to 16 it will probably be blowing out leaks that will wake you. Try adj. straps again then go back to sleep.

Do NOT be disappointed if you can't sleep all nite with mask on, just go back to sleep then try again tomorrow nite. Keeping a journal - what went wrong & what went right can help.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

One suggestion that helped on my first night (3 weeks ago) was to put the mask on before bedtime and sit and watch tv or read to get used to the mask. That way you are not fighting with the mask as much while trying to fall asleep.

You will probably have issues, but hang in there.

[rested gal]

Congratulations! I would suggest that you put together all of your equipment RIGHT NOW, including your mask, hose etc, then put it on, lay down in bed and move around like you do when you are sleeping. See if your hose gets caught on anything or rubs on anything, gets wrapped around your pillow or if you need to tie it up to your head board somehow. If you don't have a head board go buy some Command Hooks to attach your hose to.

Very good suggestion, alnhwrd.
Ken, here's a link to some ways others have hung the main air hose out of the way:
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

Spend a bunch of time with your mask on under pressure in different positions to see when and where it leaks. Make the adjustments, as small as you can, to get it to that place where its not too tight, not too loose and does not leak. Try both masks and see which feels better to you.

Another good idea. Test that out in bed, Ken, in your usual sleep positions. Better to try it now, as alnhwrd said, than tonight when you might get frustrated making the mask adjustments. A mask can be adjusted perfectly while sitting up, but it can change considerably when you're lying down, turning over, sleeping in different positions, trying to get your head comfortable on your pillow, etc.

Make sure you have a few gallons of distilled water in the house.

Well, a one gallon jug will do, for quite awhile. Ken, you can get distilled water at any grocery store. Do use only distilled water (not tap water or bottled drinking water) in your humidifier. Distilled water will keep the chamber crystal clear. Tap water (depending on how many minerals your local water has) can start leaving a scaly buildup on the plastic walls of the humidifier chamber. Yeah, that can be cleaned with vinegar, but it's simpler to just use distilled from the start. With distilled water, I don't even dump out the unused water the next day, or bother with daily cleaning of the humidifier. I just add more distilled water to the fill line to have it ready for the next night.

Only thing about an afternoon nap -- that might make it harder to fall asleep tonight. I'd stay awake today for all my practice testing of the equipment.

[SleepyManMD]

Thank you everyone

I will let you know how it goes. I will be going in there to watch TV soon and get used to it. I dont think its going to be too tough.... I want this.... I want to be AWAKE again and make sure I stay healthy.... Have you ever known someone that is excited about it and wants to wear it?????? This place is great and you all are too...


Thank you again

Ken

[SharkBait]

Thank you everyone

I will let you know how it goes. I will be going in there to watch TV soon and get used to it. I dont think its going to be too tough.... I want this.... I want to be AWAKE again and make sure I stay healthy.... Have you ever known someone that is excited about it and wants to wear it?????? This place is great and you all are too...


Thank you again

Ken

Great attitude. I already handicap you at about a 98% chance of success. It's all in the attitude...

[boston]

GOOD LUCK, h ope your first night is great

[anotherRandy]

Reality check: I shared your enthusiasm. I want my therapy to work. I awoke from my first night very excited and sure I was on a good path. A month later, I am not sleeping well and my numbers are nothing to brag about. Last night, I awoke and saw my mask hanging on the side stand. I had no recollection of taking it off. I've been through 2 masks and am back to the Swift LT (and it blows out my mouth something awful).

But yes, I want my therapy to work and I long for the relief a good night's sleep provides. Best of luck to you! We can do it.

[SleepyManMD]

Well,

9 hours last night.... I feel pretty good but took a Lunesta 2mg tablet as per Dr so I could have a hang over from it..... I can say this wont be a breeze to get used to... I did wake up a cpl times last night and found myself checking my seal..... My wife said I did not toss and turn like I usually do..... Feel good about it all..... Dr will be happy seeing 9.5 hours on first session....


Thanks all

Ken

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

9.5 hours first night is great and you have a GREAT attitude. Congrats on a fairly good first night!

[fkarl]

I'm new too about 4 days in... I wake a few times as well due to leaks. I just readjust and go back to sleep. my guess is, as time goes by we'll move a little less and the leaks will be fewer. Good job on the 9.5!! i am only getting 7-7.5 but I feel totally rested and don't think I need much more than that. i find myself looking forward to when I can put that sucker back on and go to sleep again though. Not because I am tired, but because I am sooo excited about the future. Good luck!

[nobody]

I was very excited about getting my CPAP. I thought it was going to finally be the answer to my EDS, memory problems, concentration problems, etc. It's been disappointing that it hasn't been the miracle I really believed it would be. My doctor said for most people it is. I guess I'm not one of the lucky ones. Still, despite the fact that the @#$#$% mask dries my eyes out, makes my teeth hurt, blows air in my face, makes a sore on my nose...etc, it's still far better than sleeping without it.

Thank you everyone

I will let you know how it goes. I will be going in there to watch TV soon and get used to it. I dont think its going to be too tough.... I want this.... I want to be AWAKE again and make sure I stay healthy.... Have you ever known someone that is excited about it and wants to wear it?????? This place is great and you all are too...


Thank you again

Ken

[SleepyManMD]

Gotta say WOW.... What have I been missing...... Saturday night I took a Lunesta and slept 9 hours but woke with a hangover from it but felt good a few hours later. Sunday night went to sleep at 9 and woke at 315am. No Lunesta and slept pretty good.... Heres the Kicker............... I FEEL AMAZING.... Is this in my head??????????? I should have done this 20 yrs ago. Now to adjust to one of my two masks. Have used the Fisher Paykel Flexifit 407 for two nights. Tonight I will try my ComfortGel fit nasal mask. I will keep everyone informed and thanks for the tips


Ken