Newbie

RHinNC · Post by **RHinNC** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:49 am

Hi all. I am a new CPAP user.

Yesterday I made a big post about my situation, got distracted and mistakenly left this site before I posted the message. O-well, don't you just love computers?

Anyway I am a 49 YO male who probably have had OSA for quite some time. My situation is not typical due to a very bad degenerative disc disease which required extensive surgery last year. Several vertebra were fused and steel rods and screws are holding my back together now. But I still work and get around without assistance so no complaints here.

Since I do not snore, OSA never entered my mind. I always assumed, and Doctors agreed, the lack of sleep was probably due to my back. Made sense to me: back hurts, I move in my sleep, the pain from my back would wake me up, etc.

Anyway it has been 8 months since my back surgery and it is much better. I discussed with my Doctor recently I was still having trouble sleeping so he ordered a sleep study. The morning after the study I received a call saying they wanted me to be fitted for a mask ASAP. So I did and received the CPAP machine and mask Friday (3-24). It was delivered by a very nice RN who explained all the necessary stuff to me.

I have used the CPAP for 2 nights now. Still not feeling much better, but I know it is early. I slept about 7.5 hours last night but when I awoke still felt sleepy. The mask is comfortable, but like many here have pointed out it is going to take an adjustment to get used to.

One strange thing, years ago I got used to using the very soft earplugs due to working 11PM-7AM. When I returned to normal work hours I continued to use the earplugs. Now with the CPAP on and the earplugs in the noise is horrible! I guess it is because of air passing by the tube that connects the throat to your ears, anyway taking the earplugs out it is much quieter. Strange.

Look forward to reading the posts and learning about my new style of life as a "hose head".

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 4:12 pm

Welocme aboard, RHinNC! Glad to have you here on the forum.

You are doing great if you got in 7.5 hours your first night, and if you mask is already comfortable!

Moogy

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:45 pm

RHinNC, welcome.

Actually, it's not so strange when you think about it. It's just not something one would think about.

But, when you fly and your ears get plugged up, everything sounds different - to me things sound like bass drums.

When you burp and try to be polite and hold it in your mouth, it's much quieter to those around you than it is to your own ears (internal sounds) - at least we hope its quieter.

You can hear yourself swallow, but others around you can't.

So ya, it kinda makes sense that when you plug your ears up, that internal noise will be louder.

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:18 am

It took me a couple of weeks to feel better, when I started my therapy. I made a real fuss, calling the DME and the Doctor and the maker of my equipment, asking them what could be wrong!
It was just my body catching up from years of sleep deprivation.
I think it's fabulous that you already slept 7.5 hours with cpap! Took me months to get that far.
Best of luck, and hang in.
Lee Ann

Brent Hutto · Post by **Brent Hutto** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:38 am

I've been on the hose for eleven nights so far. Just this morning I was reviewing my little log sheet where I record how well I slept each night as well and how "sleepy" and "tired" I felt that day. I use a 5-point scale each for "sleepy" and "tired" and by adding them up I get a decent single number for tracking my CPAP outcome. On each scale 1=Bad and 5=Great. Here's the numbers for the first ten days:

Sleepy+Tired=Total
3+4=7
2+2=4
2+2=4
3+3=6
3+2=5*
2+2=4*
3+3=6
2+4=6
2+3=5
1+2=3

The two days with asterisks are the mornings I had to go back to bed for a nap after breakfast. Before starting CPAP treatment, I'd say a typical day on these scales would have been 4's on both scales for a total of 8 and I was having to take naps after breakfast about 2/3 of mornings. So I'd say I had a noticable improvement after just a couple nights and a week and a half has resulted in my doing a great deal better.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, CPAP

RHinNC · Post by **RHinNC** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:21 pm

Thanks to all who have replied. I am determined to make this work.

Last night I went to bed at 10:00PM and woke up several times during the night. I guess it was because of the foreign object attached to my face. Most of the times I went right back to sleep, keeping the mask on the entire night. I finally woke up at 3:15AM and dozed off and on until I finally got up at 4:45AM. (My "normal" waking time is 5:00AM)

Right now I am at work and feel very sleepy, sorta like before the CPAP. But I know it is early and need to give it more time as some of you guys have pointed out.

Again thanks for the feedback. Makes you feel good knowing people are going through and have been where I am.

RHinNC · Post by **RHinNC** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:58 pm

Made it through 6 nights of my new life of CPAP. So far I have been able to keep it on all night long, though a couple of times I wanted to rip it off. But realizing how serious OSA is I am determined to make this work.

My CPAP provider has been great! Calling every couple of days to see how I am doing.

After 3 nights I noticed I had a little irritation on the bridge of my nose. The next night I adjusted the headgear where it was not so tight but the mask leaked. When I had my 2nd sleep study they gave me a mask. It is the type with the blue gel. I tried it and it works OK but is a little large. Still it was putting pressure where my nose is sore.

Yesterday my CPAP provider called and she told me about the nasal pillow style mask. So she brought one out today. It fits well and I am going to try it tonight. So now I have 3 masks.

So far every night after about 4-5 hours I wake up. I think because I am still getting used to all this foreign stuff on my face.

Before CPAP I would "think" I was sleeping 6-7 hours a night and felt worse when I woke up than when I went to sleep. Now, even though I wake up after 4-5 hours I feel better. I feel very confident that it will only get better.

-Randy

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:37 pm

You are doing great! Lots of people take longer to adjust. Which nasal pillow mask did you get?

Moogy

RHinNC · Post by **RHinNC** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:43 pm

Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows System

[quote="Moogy"]You are doing great! Lots of people take longer to adjust. Which nasal pillow mask did you get?

Moogy

notsorested · Post by **notsorested** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:54 pm

I was given a nasal mask when I started a few months ago, and I ended up having a bloody (literally) sore on the bottom of my nose. I ended up having to cut a bandaid in half and using that. It's a good thing I happened on to this site, or I was going to quit. It was here that I discovered the nasal pillows, and based on what seemed the most recommendations, I went with the Aura, and wow what a difference. And now that I have the heated hose (again thanks to people on this site), I can now use my heated humidifier again. It gets better when you learn that there are many ways to "tweek" your treatment, and you have access to people who not only share your affliction, but who are intelligent and creative enough to come up with great ideas (not to mention generous enough to share them). Good luck and good sleep. . . .

RHinNC · Post by **RHinNC** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:27 pm

Last night I used the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows System for the first time. When I put it on I really liked it, very light and fit me just fine. Really did not feel like I had anything on, it fit that well.

I went to bed and almost immediately fell asleep. So far so good. Then about 2 hours after I went to sleep I woke up. The left side of my face was very cold and I had a pain similar to a sinus infection on my left side. I never really went back to sleep and wound up tossing and turning for another 3 hours before I finally got up. Felt yucky all day.

Perhaps I was mistaken, but it felt like more air was going in my nose with the Swift vs my other 2 masks. Tonight I am going to use my gel nose mask and see how it goes. Dunno.

Will pray that tonight goes better.

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:46 pm

RHinNC wrote:Last night I used the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows System for the first time. When I put it on I really liked it, very light and fit me just fine. Really did not feel like I had anything on, it fit that well.

Perhaps I was mistaken, but it felt like more air was going in my nose with the Swift vs my other 2 masks.

Yes, the Swift DOES shove a lot of air up your nose! With my auto bipap topping out at 16-18cm, I was feeling too much like my nose was a balloon, and I switched to the Activa.

Moogy

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:55 pm

Lots of good advice here.......this site is invaluable..........remember the bottom line......this is a very unnatural thing we learn to do. I do not think there is any other thing we can do that has such a profound effect on our very lives as to attach a mechanical device to our airway and go to SLEEP!........trusting it to take care of our life!

RHinNC · Post by **RHinNC** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 4:09 pm

It appears I have developed a sinus infection on my left side.

The other evening when I tried the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows System I woke up with the left side of my face feeling very cold. Or at least that is how it felt.

I have not used the Swift mask since and have felt like a sinus infection was coming on. Years ago I had sinus surgery to remove polyps and did not have a sinus until this one.

My dad reminded me about how I used to get stuffy up when we rode in a car with the windows down and he also reminded my of why I had to get a windshield on my motorcycle and boat. The air rushing in would give me a sinus headache.

Soooooo, I will pass this info on to my Doctor. For sure I will not wear my mask tonight to give my sinus issue a rest.

RHinNC · Post by **RHinNC** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 12:28 pm

Update:

Went to my PCP on Monday. While I do not have the the typical symptoms of a sinus infection he ordered x-rays of my sinus just to be sure. The x-rays were negative. Still I have the pain in my left side of my face. Similar to a toothache, but more toward my jaw. 2 ibuprofen every 4 hours or so takes care of the pain. Meanwhile Monday night I resumed use of my mask.

I see a ENT Doctor Monday AM and will see what is going on. I have had sinus surgery in the past and since I am newly diagnosed with OSA the trip to the ENT will be beneficial.

Now about my CPAP. I have been using it every night for two weeks now (with the exception of last Sunday night). While I can tell a difference, I am still waking up several times a night. When I first go to bed I fall asleep right away but 3-4 hours later I wake up. All my life when I wake up it is very difficult to go back to sleep. I do feel better than pre-CPAP, but 3-4 hours just is not enough sleep for me.

I realize it has only been 2 weeks on CPAP and am committed to use it, and will.

[quote="RHinNC"]It appears I have developed a sinus infection on my left side.

The other evening when I tried the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows System I woke up with the left side of my face feeling very cold. Or at least that is how it felt.

I have not used the Swift mask since and have felt like a sinus infection was coming on. Years ago I had sinus surgery to remove polyps and did not have a sinus until this one.

My dad reminded me about how I used to get stuffy up when we rode in a car with the windows down and he also reminded my of why I had to get a windshield on my motorcycle and boat. The air rushing in would give me a sinus headache.

Soooooo, I will pass this info on to my Doctor. For sure I will not wear my mask tonight to give my sinus issue a rest.

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