Have now slept 3 nights in a row with my mask intact!

[queenmac46]

WOO WEE! By George, I think I might have almost got it! i think I've mastered the dreaded CPAP Mask-Monster. For the first time, I started sleeping through the night without the mask bothering me. Having been on CPAP since Oct 10, after almost 5 weeks I was starting to get discouraged. I had tried everything - I started out with Opus 360 nasal pillows that had rainout (even with the climate control hose and lowered humidity), using nasal rinses (a regular routine from me way before CPAP therapy), nasal steroid allergy spray, PurSleep aroma therapy for CPAP, Pad-a-Cheek cushion, etc. I had even gotten hooked on the dreaded Afrin - because the pillows seemed to be causing sinus congestion. Finally kicked the Afrin habit... whew. So my DME suggested the EasyLife mask. I kept adjusting and re-adjusting, but still I had an impossible time going to sleep and anytime the mask would dislodge and start whistling, I'd be wide awake and fighting with it all over again. I think one night I fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion. I refused to go without the mask - I think only 1-2 nights I got so disgusted that I removed it and finally got back to sleep.

So about 3 days ago, I awakened at my usual time, and for the first time ever - forgot I had the mask on my face! I was elated - as it hadn't bothered me during the night and I slept solid for almost 7 hours. Very exciting. I had been playing around with adjusting the EasyLife mask to eliminate any potential noisy leaks. It's one of those masks that you must allow to "float" on the face - (meaning VERY loose side and forehead straps) as the ultra-thin silicone liner inflates with the airflow and that seals the liner to the face. (My pressure level is a straight 7, no ramping, EPR=3 on ResMed S9 Elite with EPR.) My stats for those nights were showing leakage within normal parameters; and my AHI ranged from 1-6 - 3.7 - all good numbers I think.

Last week before I had my 3 solid nights of sleep and was still mask-fighting - the DME ordered a ResMed Activa LT for me to try. Which I will do - who knows - maybe it's even better!! I've been fortunate with this DME - I've found that some of the techs are more knowledgeable than others; and asking for what I want has proven to work! This forum has been a God-send, as i've been pouring through the postings looking for tips and help (PurSleep is a lovely way to end the day - I love aromatherapy) - and Karen from Pad-A-Cheek is fabulous - she knows her CPAP stuff and provides excellent customer service. I love her cushions and plan on ordering a mask liner as I have noticed that the area around my nose is a little damp in the morning -I wear moisturizer and skin potions - and I ain't givin' them up! So a mask liner will be the ticket I'll bet.

So a word of encouragement to those of you struggling with this therapy. Don't get discouraged when you talk to someone like I did who said - "I love my CPAP machine - first night with my mask I slept like a baby!" I was feeling like the character from the Princess and the Pea - I'm rather particular about my pillow and mattress and sheets and sleepwear and I travel with my own pillow and blanket... okay - I'm picky... but I was determined to be successful with CPAP as I knew how cruddy I had been feeling - like on a downhill spiral that was getting worse each year. I've probably had sleep apnea for 4-5 years, but was only diagnosed in early October (AHI = 29; severe starts at 30). I'm waiting for the energy boost; I have to say I do feel better in the mornings - I'm able to go to my morning Jazzercise class and sustain my energy throughout the day at work. My thinking is clearer, though I still take a nap in the late afternoon (30-45 mins). Since it's now going into winter, I may start using my SunBox again - light therapy helps beat the drowsiness along with the tendency I have to want to sleep when it gets dark in the afternoon at 5pm.

Thanks again to all of you who have shared your stories - whether those of success or abject disgust.... they all help - and I appreciate it so very much!

[rested gal]

Last week before I had my 3 solid nights of sleep and was still mask-fighting - the DME ordered a ResMed Activa LT for me to try. Which I will do - who knows - maybe it's even better!! I've been fortunate with this DME - I've found that some of the techs are more knowledgeable than others; and asking for what I want has proven to work! This forum has been a God-send, as i've been pouring through the postings looking for tips and help

----

So a word of encouragement to those of you struggling with this therapy. Don't get discouraged when you talk to someone like I did who said - "I love my CPAP machine - first night with my mask I slept like a baby!" I was feeling like the character from the Princess and the Pea

---

Thanks again to all of you who have shared your stories - whether those of success or abject disgust.... they all help - and I appreciate it so very much!

What a great and encouraging post, queenmac46. I picked out a few things in your post that I believe are key, but every word you wrote can be so helpful to new people who are still struggling with trying to get effective treatment AND be comfortable enough with a mask to actually be able to sleep. It's almost always about the Mask!!! So many people have got to find (or modify) a COMFORTABLE mask, in order to really be able to "do cpap" at all.

ResMed masks are usually the best designed, best made masks imho, so yes, it's good that you'll get to try a ResMed Activa LT soon. Might not suit you better than the mask you have now... each person is different when it comes to masks... but the more masks you can try out, the more chance of finding one as nearly perfect for you as possible. One person's dream mask can be the next person's nightmare of a mask. Takes some trial and error, if a person isn't lucky with the first mask, to find "the one."

[ozze_dollar]

Good boy.
Sorry girl.

[ozze_dollar]

Last week before I had my 3 solid nights of sleep and was still mask-fighting - the DME ordered a ResMed Activa LT for me to try. Which I will do - who knows - maybe it's even better!! I've been fortunate with this DME - I've found that some of the techs are more knowledgeable than others; and asking for what I want has proven to work! This forum has been a God-send, as i've been pouring through the postings looking for tips and help

----

So a word of encouragement to those of you struggling with this therapy. Don't get discouraged when you talk to someone like I did who said - "I love my CPAP machine - first night with my mask I slept like a baby!" I was feeling like the character from the Princess and the Pea

---

Thanks again to all of you who have shared your stories - whether those of success or abject disgust.... they all help - and I appreciate it so very much!

What a great and encouraging post, queenmac46. I picked out a few things in your post that I believe are key, but every word you wrote can be so helpful to new people who are still struggling with trying to get effective treatment AND be comfortable enough with a mask to actually be able to sleep. It's almost always about the Mask!!! So many people have got to find (or modify) a COMFORTABLE mask, in order to really be able to "do cpap" at all.

ResMed masks are usually the best designed, best made masks imho, so yes, it's good that you'll get to try a ResMed Activa LT soon. Might not suit you better than the mask you have now... each person is different when it comes to masks... but the more masks you can try out, the more chance of finding one as nearly perfect for you as possible. One person's dream mask can be the next person's nightmare of a mask. Takes some trial and error, if a person isn't lucky with the first mask, to find "the one."

Its a bit like people.