First Night w/ CPAP

[KThund2]

Hi,
Last night was my first night with my CPAP machine. I have a Respironics System One REMstar Auto CPAP Machine with A-Flex and a Swift FX for Her mask. Overall I think it went well. I was awake a lot, but, when I slept it was good. I woke up at 6 and felt refreshed. (Placebo effect because I really want it to work? I'm not sure).

My issues - though they are few:

I have a humidifier, but the air makes my nose cold.Is there anything I can do? I ordered a "hose snuggie" for the hose but don't have it yet.
My nostrils are a little sore today. Does that go away with time?\


Thanks for any help you can give me!!

Kelly

[mayondair]

Welcome Kelly! Sounds like you are off to a good start. The cozy should help with the cold air, I also like the barrel cozies from Pad a Chhek as I don't like the wet cold dog nose feel. I'm sure you will get that sorted out quickly. Make sure you fx is not to tight, it should rest against your nares, not in your nose. lanisoh found in the baby aisle, may help, just a little dab. It does take a bit of getting used to , we are here to help! kathy

[NancyAZ]

Welcome, Kelly! It sounds as if you had a pretty normal first night....actually a much better night than many have. I have only been doing this for three weeks so those first nights are fresh in my mind. I woke up many times just getting used to the equipment. That has pretty much cleared up. My nose was a little tender after the first night or two and I used the Lanisoh as mayondair advised you here. She was right about making sure the FX isn't too tight. It has been hard for me to get used to the fact that the mask can actually be quite loose and the pillows will still stay in place. Good luck and come back and post your questions. There are sooooo many good people here who are willing to help.
Nancy

[Janknitz]

The air from the PR humidifier is COLD, and I didn't find that a hose cover helped all that much. If you are ready to do some tweaking, you can go into the clinician's menu on the machine and set the humidifier to "classic" settings--that heats the water a little more and is more comfortable. I've been running my humidifier in classic mode all winter, and while I wouldn't call the air warm, it is not arctic cold anymore. During the summer, the colder air is pleasant, so I'll probably set it back to the default mode.

For instructions on how to do this, do a search on this site for "respironics humidifier classic".

You might want to check out my blog post on the Swift FX in my signature below for some more tips on comfort with the nasal pillow mask.

[KThund2]

Thank you ! I appreciate the input. My straps seem pretty loose. They're very comfortable, actually. I keep thinking it should be tighter but haven't moved it from its original fitting. I didn't have much trouble with leakage, fortunately. My biggest complaint is the tender nose and the cold air. I was awake a lot, but the sleep I did get, was really good. Which tells me that it's been a really long time since I slept well! The pillows seem to fit right. I was so afraid my alarm would go off during the night, but it didn't.

[KThund2]

So last night didn't go as well. I still feel rested, but I swear I kept getting leaks. My husband said it was louder than the night before, too. My leak alarm never went off, however. I'm not sure what on earth was different but now I'm wondering if I should tighten the strap ever so slightly. I could HOLD it where it needed to be and it was nearly silent (aside from exhalation). Man, this is a process.

[Pugsy]

I could HOLD it where it needed to be and it was nearly silent (aside from exhalation). Man, this is a process.

It is indeed a process that always seems to offer something. What you describe as being nearly silent is what I get all the time. But I have nearly 2 years of fiddling with nasal pillow masks under my belt. Sometimes just a slight variation in where the straps are on our heads will make more of a difference than people think. Try just a wee bit of strap adjustment to see if it will get to that silent stage or consider trying something to keep the straps from moving as little as possible. They can move a bit simply by a little tossing and turning.

All in all for being on all this stuff, you are doing very well. Don't be too discouraged. Many people go months before they can get to where you are now in such a short time. It will get easier. I promise. Will it ever be flawless? Nope. That I promise too.

[mayondair]

It really will get easier, if you are having trouble with the straps slipping try attaching a small piece of Velcro( the stiff hook side) to the inside of your straps. It will grip ypor hair and make the mask more stable. It won't pull your hair or hurt. Works like a charm. Good luck , you really are off to a good start. Kathy

[KThund2]

Thanks for the velcro tip and encouragement - makes me feel like at least I am on the right track. I'm glad to hear this is all normal stuff. I have to admit I feel better already. No mid-morning/mid-afternoon sleepiness (and I work in IT! Hardly what I'd call exciting stuff!!) and an overall increase in energy already. I'll keep at it. I sure don't want to give up when already I am feeling better.