troubles

[helpme]

Hi this is my first time at this site. I would appreciate any help possible from anyone. My husband has one of these machines he was diagnosed back in January of 2010. He has had issues with the machine from day one, mostly taking the thing off anywhere between fifteen minutes to about one hour of wearing it. First when he was started using it the setting were not right he got that straightened out. I think there has only been about three nights he has worn it thru the night. He does drink scotch and water in the evening most nights I told him that he probably shouldn't do that due to it not helping his brain/body acclimate to this foreign body on his face. I really don't know what to do he has gotten a different mask also something called a nose pillow that seems to be more comfortable. I am having a very difficult time sleeping at night due to the snoring an now tonight frustrated with the fact that we have a considerable amount of money tied up in something that is sitting in the bottom of night stand. Please give me some advice on what I can do to help him

[Breathe Jimbo]

I'm sure you will hear from some of the spouses here. There is also a forum specifically for spouses at http://www.apneasupport.org

[NEW YORKER]

I am far froming being an expert but if he is snoring like you stated maybe he needs to try a full face masks. Sounds to me he is losing the air when he snores so the benifits go right out his mouth. Has he tried to wear a full face mask?

[ozij]

Hi this is my first time at this site. I would appreciate any help possible from anyone. My husband has one of these machines he was diagnosed back in January of 2010. He has had issues with the machine from day one, mostly taking the thing off anywhere between fifteen minutes to about one hour of wearing it. First when he was started using it the setting were not right he got that straightened out. I think there has only been about three nights he has worn it thru the night. He does drink scotch and water in the evening most nights I told him that he probably shouldn't do that due to it not helping his brain/body acclimate to this foreign body on his face. I really don't know what to do he has gotten a different mask also something called a nose pillow that seems to be more comfortable. I am having a very difficult time sleeping at night due to the snoring an now tonight frustrated with the fact that we have a considerable amount of money tied up in something that is sitting in the bottom of night stand. Please give me some advice on what I can do to help him

Try to understand from him what are the things troubling him about the machine.
Ask him if he wants your help.
Ask him if he want help from anyone.
If he does want help, tell him you found this great cpap forum, with people who have lots of experience sleeping with these machines and solving the problems that bothered them in the beginning.
If he wants you involved in his therapy, find out the exact name of his machine, the details of his prescription and the type of mask he has, and post all that data.

Stop thinking about the money tied up in this thing and of all the thing you (as a couple) could have used if for.

Relax.

Sleep in another room if you find his snoring so disturbing.

Tell yourself kindly and firmly that it is his body, his health and his responsibility.

[Julie]

Not drinking scotch is one thing when it comes to getting used to the mask, but another if you consider it slows his metabolism, adding to the effects of apnea, in other words, making things worse. I definitely agree that if he sleeps with his mouth open he's defeating the whole purpose of the machine and probably will not feel any better for using it because he's losing the Cpap air that way. A good, well fitted full face mask like the very popular Quattro needs to be given a fair trial and once he feels better he may be more willing to take more responsibility about wearing it. Also, if he wears it (just the mask) while watching TV, etc. for a while, he will get used to having it on and be less likely to remove it overnight.

[Stormynights]

Hi this is my first time at this site. I would appreciate any help possible from anyone. My husband has one of these machines he was diagnosed back in January of 2010. He has had issues with the machine from day one, mostly taking the thing off anywhere between fifteen minutes to about one hour of wearing it. First when he was started using it the setting were not right he got that straightened out. I think there has only been about three nights he has worn it thru the night. He does drink scotch and water in the evening most nights I told him that he probably shouldn't do that due to it not helping his brain/body acclimate to this foreign body on his face. I really don't know what to do he has gotten a different mask also something called a nose pillow that seems to be more comfortable. I am having a very difficult time sleeping at night due to the snoring an now tonight frustrated with the fact that we have a considerable amount of money tied up in something that is sitting in the bottom of night stand. Please give me some advice on what I can do to help him

My hubby and I have been battling this from the get go. At least your is still making an effort. Don't give up. It is a hard thing trying to help. Maybe even harder than getting used to the machine yourself.