CPAP on the Cheap and Creative Modifications

[rested gal]

What a good topic to start, YawnGirl, and what good ideas from people.

For additional creative ideas that new readers might have missed in the past:

Moogy's thread about hints and tips:

Oct 30, 2006 subject: Please Share Misc Helpful Hints
viewtopic.php?t=14746

and...the good old Lab Rat stuff:

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

[Scarlet834]

I'm afraid knitting for hire is not in my future, sorry.

Making that cover for my new gadget made me feel like I was welcoming it into my home. And yes, I like the multicolor.
I do not sew--repeat--DO NOT SEW. But I'm pretty handy with the pointy sticks.

I'm loving these posts, as well as the other thread on all the accessories people have brought into their CPAP lives.

Here's my handy work! I crocheted my hose cover and it worked really well to stop the rain out!

Edited to acknowledge fischdream's work--another color-lover I neglected to admire! (And so great to show it in action. I was only brave enough to let everybody see my chair cum bedstand.)

[DreamOn]

What a good topic to start, YawnGirl, and what good ideas from people.

For additional creative ideas that new readers might have missed in the past:

Moogy's thread about hints and tips:

Oct 30, 2006 subject: Please Share Misc Helpful Hints
viewtopic.php?t=14746

and...the good old Lab Rat stuff:

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

Thank you so much for those links, rested gal! I haven't seen the first one before, and I was actually looking for the second one earlier today and couldn't find it! What a coincidence you would post it later the same day!

~ DreamOn

[GaryG]

Here's a tip: I always keep a spare mask ready if needed. Sometimes that primary mask just doesn't seem to fit right, and I wake up in the middle of the night. Makes it easy, just to slip on another mask without hassling with the one that isn't fitting right. This has helped me out numerous nights. I know, this sounds obvious...

On Edit: Thanks for posting the links, Rested Gal. Found them interesting.

[fischdream]

Thanks for the links rested gal! Really great ideas to help make cpap life easier!

Scarlet and DreamOn, great looking hose covers!

[sierragail]

Scarlet834,
Your nifty idea to put a plastic bag over the hose end in order to facilitate getting the hose into a tight hose cover saved me about an hour tonight. It took less than 3 minutes to get the hose inside the cover! I can't believe how easy it was with the plastic bag! Thank you thank you thank you!
~gail

[Scarlet834]

Scarlet834,
Your nifty idea to put a plastic bag over the hose end in order to facilitate getting the hose into a tight hose cover saved me about an hour tonight. It took less than 3 minutes to get the hose inside the cover! I can't believe how easy it was with the plastic bag! Thank you thank you thank you!
~gail

I'm so glad it worked for you! While I was willing to show my hose enough love to knit for it, I wasn't willing to have as many stitches than a sock, or to re-knit feet and feet of cover as I became more and more convinced I was in big trouble with my long, narrow tube. This was an invention of necessity, and I was as delighted as you seem to be. Those hose ends sure are draggy.

[DreamOn]

OK, I have two more....

Unexpectedly, the weather turned rather chilly here a few nights ago. I have my knitted hose cover (posted earlier), which prevents rainout, but I hadn't gotten around to knitting a cover for the smaller hose on my AEIOMed Headrest nasal pillows mask. As an "emergency" measure, I took an old bandana and wrapped it around the small hose, securing it with whatever I could find -- twist ties mostly. I also think the hair tie thingy with the yellow balls (shown) is excellent for wrapping around tubes to secure covers. They go on and off easier than a rubber band or scrunchie and are usually just the right size!

I love the Headrest nasal pillows mask! It's very comfortable, and the air vents upward rather than outward. The only disadvantage is that it does tend to collect condensation from breathing in the pillows assembly. So, at the same time that I fashioned the emergency small tube wrap I took two small handkerchiefs and wrapped them around the pillows to see if that would help to eliminate the condensation. I've only used it one night, but it worked! Just be sure not to cover the carbon dioxide air vent, of course (which is just above the handkerchief). If anyone has made a more permanent cover for their Headrest pillows, I sure would like to see photos of that, as I intend to either sew or knit one when I can find the time.



This one is just a tip.... I use a PAPCap Plus with detachable chinstrap. Mine has straps on it to affix a four-point mask, but there's a version without the straps. Well, it came time to wash it. After washing and rinsing, I rolled it in a towel to get most of the moisture out. Then it occurred to me that a skirt hanger would hold everything perfectly to dry. It's outdoors drying in a shaded area, so the colors won't fade.



~ DreamOn

[YawnGirl]

Instead of the expensive aromatherapy, try putting a vicks inhaler by your air intake on your cpap. It helps keep the nasal passages clear and is very inexpensive!

[jdm2857]

~ DreamOn

The neighbors must think that you have the strangest bathing suit.

[DreamOn]

The neighbors must think that you have the strangest bathing suit.