Brand New and nervous

[elowder77]

I'm brand new to this message board, which was referred to me by my mental health therapist. Brand new to the diagnosis of sleep apnea, of which I fall in the mild to moderate range (16 episodes per hour of sleep). And will be brand new to a cpap machine tonight. I have an appointment to pick up the machine and learn how to use it this after noon. Not sure what to expect, but hoping for the best. Have had negative experiences with medical providers in the past, but thankfully my therapist has encouraged me to move forward with seeking treatment for my extreme daytime fatigue. She recommended I request "nose pillows" when I go to get my equipment today b/c they are less invasive. Looking forward to a restful nights sleep but understand that this may take a while to achieve. Just wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone has any suggestions for someone new to this community. If it helps, I'm a married, working mom of two small children in my mid-30's.
Thanks!

[elowder]

"brand new" and already screwed up my first post! sorry, this is really my profile, not the above. I thought I had already signed in, it said my name was taken (b/c I had just registered it I'm now realizing...)i slightly changed the username so i could post, then realized my mistake. Anyway - THIS is my permanent profile username.
Thanks,

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

You might want to read this
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/
and this
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/

The nasal pillow masks are probably the least intrusive of the available masks. I won't use anything but that type of mask.
Some are better than others though.
ResMed Swift FX....
Respcare's Aloha
would be the 2 main choices I would target if the DME had them.
The Opus 360 would be another or the Swift LT.
I would tell you the Tap Pap that I now use (see link in my profile) but it's unlikely that most DMEs keep it stocked yet.
Relatively new to the market.

[this-sucks]

masks in my experience are a roulette game it takes tries till you find what feels right

i went through over 20 but i have sensitive skin that the masks were breaking the skin down

the machine use it off and on during the day dont fight or panic let the machine do the work your body will lear and adjust

the more times you use the faster you will adjust so off and on day or night other than bed time can make it faster

and also like i said in another post the mask supplier will usually do dry fits that are worthless because your sitting or standing

it needs to be adjusted laying down

how the straps have Velcro or other then its just finding where the leaks are acceptable a perfect seal is next to impossible so adjust till no chatter and it dont blow or leak bad enough to annoy you

its a balance between two tolerances tolerance of leaks and tolerance of how tight is still comfortable

last about a mas are you a side or roller or combo of both or a back sleeper they have masks mad more towards side sleepers but if you are a roller then mask problems will most likely be allot due to knocking the mask off or loose

a way to save trips and mask tries make the person fitting your mask hook it up to see if comfortable with the air me i cant tolerate the nose some dont hook it up to air if they dont ask

and clean it daily the mask they have masks DO NOT use anything with Alcohol and i think petroleum it will break the rubber down and make it hard warm soapy water wipes or spray if you have a humidifier fill with vinegar during the day or build up will happen always distilled water then just rinse with warm soapy water till vinegar smell and all is gone

just be patient and build your support teams sites like this one one one withe people on the sites good doc and sleep people family husband wife my support wife beats my a if i dont use or fall asleep without

read up from these sites Google and other enough to know when to push or demand the doc or sleep do whatever is needed your own advocate can change how you feel and the way the docs and sleep treat and respond and give better treatment

just be patient its a learning process and it make take a month or so for results me im 2003 so been through the hoops still learning we always are me i always have a open door for anyone i dont know allot or claim to but hey im always willing to listen or whatever

good luck

[ypeels]

Hi,

I'm new also after just 9 days with a CPAP.

The first night was restless as you have a contraption on your face and you're worried about the tubes and just breathing.

Second night was much better and now I barely notice it.

I didn't have that "burst" of energy but my mental outlook is much brighter. (I had mild depression from restless sleep)

Keep reading, give it time and with some adjustments things should look better.

Good luck!

[DreamDiver]

Welcome elowder! Welcome ypeels!
Can't say much that hasn't already been said, other than don't be afraid to try a full-face mask if you find you have too much large leaking.

Sleep well.