New guy.. first post.. questions.. about a few things..

Qui Gon-Jinn · Post by **Qui Gon-Jinn** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 4:24 pm

First.. great board.. I have lurked for a few days.. and now.. I have questions..

First.. I have previously tried CPAP.. with a Nasal Mask.. and it didn't work.. at all.. that was about 1 yr ago..

Tonight will be night 4 with the Remstar w/ heated humidifier.. full face mask (Oral and nasal)

I have seen the mention of the smart card.. how do I find that. I think I have the reader.. I have like a 17 in 1 deal for my camera.. and software.. well.. I am a techno geek.. no biggie.. LOL..

I am seeing it takes 10 days.. if not more to get use to this.. like I said.. night 4 is tonight.. so I am fully aware that I am at just the beginning of my break in period..

any tips to help it go easy.. average time w/ mask is about 6hrs a night.. after that. I tend to rip it off.. but I keep it on as long as I can tolerate it..

Thanks in Advance..

Qui Gon-Jinn..

Ohhhhh and if you have any computer related questions.. that's my forte.. Spyware.. Virus's.. Adware.. general stuff.. hit me with it.. if I don't know.. I will try to find it for you..

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 4:36 pm

Qui Gon-Jinn

I have sent you a PM with the card reader and software info.

The reader you have probably will not work - so I've heard.

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:32 pm

My advice - give it time. It DOES work. I dodn't ever want to go back to my pre-CPAP life. Everyone takes adifferenct amounts of time to adjust to cpap.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:39 pm

I suggest anyone go back anbd click on the archives and look at past postings.

lots of info there.

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:54 pm

Qui Gon Jinn,

If you're making it to 6 hours with the mask on in the beginning like this, you are doing well.

It does take some time to get used to having something on your face when you're trying to sleep. ESPECIALLY if it's blowing air into your lungs. If you can manage 6 hours a night to start out, that's a good sign.

The mask is teh key to this whole thing. You need a mask you can MORE THAN just tolerate. You have to find one you're actually comfortable with. Sounds like you' are getting there.

Relax... I know that's easier said than done... but relax and ALLOW this thing to help you.

Qui Gon-Jinn · Post by **Qui Gon-Jinn** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 3:51 pm

Ok.. 4 nights down... many many many more to go..

Just a quick synosis...

Night 1.. first try.. and at first it's not fun.. set the ramp.. made it 6-6.5hrs total

Night 2.. Tried to go to sleep.. after 90 min's.. said hell with it. total time 0

Night 3.. Got to sleep.. minor adjustment throughout the night.. 6.5-7 hrs total

Night 4.. Stayed up late.. work.. by the time I headed for bed. it was about midnight.. hooked up the mask.. filled the humidifier.. set the ramp.. laid back.. and slept.. slept good.. woke up at about 7:30.. felt good.. been up since then.. now at work.. so I will be up untill atleast 11pm.. if not later..

Just some info.. I work from home.. I do remote computer repair.. so my "office" is about 20ft from the bed.. great job.. good money.. odd hours.. 3pm-11pm for now.. when DST happens.. I will be going from 4pm till midnight..

Cool thing. my co-worker.. lives in Phx Az.. (I am in Lubbock Tx) and he is my best friend.. we spend most of the night on the phone.. just BSing.. and time flies..

Also.. I am a big guy.. 6'4".. and right around 300lbs.. but dropping weight quickly.. was over 350 just 4 months ago..

Well.. thanks for reading.. I will keep reading.. and posting..

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:39 pm

Qui Gon Jinn......Mask is soooo important. Find one you can really make friends with. I haven't been on cpap very long.......a few weeks,maybe, but already I find that when I'm tired I look forward to diving into my 431. And most unbelievable until you've done it, you can get to really LIKE it. Don't be afraid to make adjustments and try different things. Think like a cat......Everything is meant to be played with! Don't forget to look at the funny side too. Take a look at the link Darth Vader Look gave me in 'sore eyes if you want a prime example.

Qui Gon-Jinn · Post by **Qui Gon-Jinn** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:07 am

Thanks..

I had perviously read that thread.. laughed at "Face Farts"..

Still adjusting it.. but less and less every night.. and have found that it is much easier to do if you do BOTH sides at the same time.. not just Left and then Right or vise versa...

didn't manage to make it thought the night last night. eye leaks.. ughhh.. after a few hours of waking up.. adjusting.. and going back to sleep. only to wake up again with air blowing in my eyes.. I gave up..

Not really giving up on the treatment.. I know it will take a month.. or two. or six. or twelve to really be use to this.. so I persaveir..

as I mentioned above.. work.. takes a toll on me.. infact.. I am up to 68 hours a week now..

Thanks again..