Newbie here

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:46 pm

SleepingUgly wrote:What's a 3M hook?

Judy R · Post by **Judy R** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 1:04 am

Welcome to the board Beth. This is a great place to be, and lot's of wonderful, and very helpful folks here. You've gotten some excellent advice already, so I really don't have anything to add, except, keep the great attitude, it truly helps on this journey.

DreamDiver · Post by **DreamDiver** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 5:27 am

roster wrote:Tummy sleeping is an excellent method for sleep apneics and it is the best position for the back. The Falcon position is a fine way to tummy sleep - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36738&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15 ...

First - Welcome Brobbi - just the fact that you're here means you are an active self-patient advocate. That's the biggest hurdle for some. Be sure to check out the wiki.

As to the 'Falcon' position - I have been doing this naturally since childhood, probably because it was the only way I could actually sleep and breathe, prior to the machine. It really is a great position.

Brobbi · Post by **Brobbi** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:27 am

DreamDiver wrote:
roster wrote:Tummy sleeping is an excellent method for sleep apneics and it is the best position for the back. The Falcon position is a fine way to tummy sleep - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36738&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15 ...
First - Welcome Brobbi - just the fact that you're here means you are an active self-patient advocate. That's the biggest hurdle for some. Be sure to check out the wiki.

As to the 'Falcon' position - I have been doing this naturally since childhood, probably because it was the only way I could actually sleep and breathe, prior to the machine. It really is a great position.

I'm so excited...I made it til 5AM with the mask!! LOL Ok so the little things excite me but that's a huge improvement for me. After reading the posts for here yesterday I just took on a new approach about not being "afraid" of the mask or "scared to move" and try new positions to sleep and that helped a TON! I have been sleeping in The Falcon Position since I was little (just with different arm placements) so I did that last night and that was refreshing.

Thanks to all for the encouragement to press on & for the little tips that were given. It really made a difference for me last night.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:40 am

I'm so excited...I made it til 5AM with the mask!!

Isn't it great?!

I was one of the lucky ones. My doctor warned me it would take time, I should try to keep it on for at least 2 hours the first night blah blah blah.... And I have experienced claustrophobia with a snorkling mask. So I went to bed with trepidation, did all my relaxation exercises and OMG it was suddenly 7:30 am, I was as stiff as a board but no headache! I spent all day telling everyone about the wonderful cpap machine I had got.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:48 am

Not a little thing at all!

Brobbi · Post by **Brobbi** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:25 am

BlackSpinner wrote:
I'm so excited...I made it til 5AM with the mask!!
Isn't it great?!

I was one of the lucky ones. My doctor warned me it would take time, I should try to keep it on for at least 2 hours the first night blah blah blah.... And I have experienced claustrophobia with a snorkling mask. So I went to bed with trepidation, did all my relaxation exercises and OMG it was suddenly 7:30 am, I was as stiff as a board but no headache! I spent all day telling everyone about the wonderful cpap machine I had got.

I didn't sleep soundly...I tossed & turned just as much as I normal do (at least that I'm aware of) but I didn't have this "dying urge" to rip off the mask. So with that...I'm pleased. Tonight is a new night hopefully a little sounder sleep will occur.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:46 am

Brobbi wrote: I didn't sleep soundly...I tossed & turned just as much as I normal do (at least that I'm aware of) but I didn't have this "dying urge" to rip off the mask. So with that...I'm pleased. Tonight is a new night hopefully a little sounder sleep will occur.

But it is still a Good Thing. Now you know you can do it. The next thing is to tell your sleeping mind that it is safe for you to sleep deeply. My doctor said that for years your mind has been keeping you from sleeping deeply so that you won't die, it won't accept that now it is safe for it to let you sleep immediately. Don't get upset at it, respect that it has kept you alive all this time and every time you go to bed remind your self that it is now safe to sleep deeply and that that part of your mind can relax its guard.

Judy R · Post by **Judy R** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:58 am

Wow! that's great! I'm so thrilled that you were able to keep the mask on all night! It took me a lot longer to adjust to that, but, when I finally did sleep all night with the mask on, I just felt like I'd really concurred the monster! I still have trouble with putting my mind at ease about getting a deep and sound sleep, but it's a work in progress. Hang in there, your not alone, and no matter how big the hurdle is, there is a fountain of wisdom here to draw from.

dwsupt · Post by **dwsupt** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:07 pm

Beth- use that ambien sparinly or better yet not at all. It can be adictive and when you finally stop using you will have 2-3 nights of insomnia. Personal experience.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:11 pm

Brobbi, Congratulations on wearing the mask.

Soon it will be time to start looking at data. Do you have access to all of your machine's data?

rosiefrosie · Post by **rosiefrosie** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:26 pm

Congrats Beth! It's the little (actaully they are big ) accomplishments that excite us all here on this forum. You are doing great! As Roster said soon it will be time to start learning about the data and what it all means.

rosie

Brobbi · Post by **Brobbi** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 5:37 pm

dwsupt wrote:Beth- use that ambien sparinly or better yet not at all. It can be adictive and when you finally stop using you will have 2-3 nights of insomnia. Personal experience.

Thanks for the heads up. I don't have a prescription for Ambien or anything like that, so all is good as far as that goes.

roster wrote:Brobbi, Congratulations on wearing the mask.

Soon it will be time to start looking at data. Do you have access to all of your machine's data?

I don't think so. I'm not sure. LOL Total newbie here. I know that its got a smart card in it but that's about all I know about this machine.

rosiefrosie wrote:Congrats Beth! It's the little (actaully they are big ) accomplishments that excite us all here on this forum. You are doing great! As Roster said soon it will be time to start learning about the data and what it all means.

rosie

Thanks Rosie! I feel like I conquered a huge "mental monster" and I'm thrilled. And like you said...now I just need to figure out the machine & the date, etc.

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 7:02 pm

Just one more note on hoses.

I agree that using a hose cover really helps. Having something soft and warm brush against your face is much more pleasant than cold medical plastic. In fact, my daughter (age 13) will be starting APAP this week, and I've already ordered her a hose cover in her favorite color!

The other helpful hint for me was to slip a hair scrunchee over the hose, and hang the hose from the scrunchee. At home my scrunchee slips over a hook on my headboard. When traveling I can usually slip it over a post on the headboard or something. It takes the weight of the hose off of your mask, and makes sleeping more comfortable.

Keep on keeping on. I've been using CPAP for about 3 years now, and it's become so natural that I'm actually uncomfortable without it!

-Jeff

warrior391 · Post by **warrior391** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:40 am

ozij wrote:

I guess its just the fact of getting use to sleeping with strapped to my face...and the hose. When I am sleeping it seems as though I'm not truly asleep and that I'm always thinking "Where's the hose?" Or "Is the mask fitting right?" so I'm not truly getting sleep if my brain is busy and that alone is frustrating. Plus I am a tummy sleeper & that's the only way I can fall asleep so I believe its truly about retraining myself to sleep.

Thank you for the encouragement about keeping the mask on...regardless when I'm in bed or giving myself a break by getting up and then going back WITH the mask. Its all new & different so it'll take time to get use to...guess I was just hoping it would "happen over night". LOL

That is where I am at still...I have had my cpap and Swifl LT mask for a week now. I think last nite was my best thus far, according to my data and how I feel. However, I find myself doing the same thing, where is the hose, am I leaking, is this working, blah blah blah...I woke up at 3ish, again at 5ish and again at bout 7ish and finally at 8ish, took the mask off, was gonna get outta bed but went back to sleep for an hour without it...Ugggggggg Does it get better without waking up several times a nite?

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Mask

Additional Comments: She wasn't what you would call refined, She wasn't what you would call unrefined, She was the kind of a person who keeps a Parrot. Mark Twain