New PurSleep Trial for Newbies (Desensitization)

[SleepGuy]

Update: This trial is now closed. Thanks to all who agreed to participate.
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The central nervous system is well-adapted to keeping us safe from harm. Our senses are on alert whenever we experience something new, particularly something that may be perceived as being harmful. We cannot consciously control these responses. That said, the central nervous system is also very effective at filtering out sensory information that is not perceived to be a threat or relevant.

For obvious reasons, this works against us in CPAP therapy, where the object is to sleep. It takes some people a great deal of time and effort before their central nervous system becomes sufficiently used to CPAP therapy to actually sleep with the equipment.

CPAP desensitization techniques are fairly well known and basically involve spending enough time with the mask and equipment for the central nervous system to get comfortable and reach the point that the central nervous system will filter out the sensory input.

The sense of smell plays an important role in the sensitization / desensitization process. Remember how musty your house smelled the last time you came home from a long vacation? In reality, that’s pretty much what it always smells like. Your nose just forgot. After a few hours back home it smells normal to you and the musty smell is gone.

I am looking for up to 10 new CPAP users who are willing to incorporate PurSleep aromatics into the CPAP desensitization process (described below) and to provide me with specific feedback as to their experience. Participants will receive a Basic Starter Pack free of charge in exchange for their agreement to respond to questions that will be sent to them as part of the trial. More information about these products can be found on the website listed below.

If you would like to participate, please send me an email (NO PMs please) to "support@pursleep.com" (the email link in my signature). Please provide me with a mailing address along with an explanation of why you believe you would be a good candidate for this particular trial (such as how long have you been on cpap, whether you're familiar with CPAP desensitization techniques, a firm agreement to provide meaningful feedback). I reserve the right to decline applicants who do not meet the criteria. Domestic participants are preferred due to the costs of postage. Personal information will not be used for any purpose other than for the trial.

The instructions follow:

CPAP Desensitization Employing Aromatics

1. Find one of the aromatics that you like best. Close your eyes and think about how you would feel smelling it while trying to relax and sleep.

2. Start enjoying the aromatic by placing a drop or two on a Diffusion Pad and using either a safety pin or double-sided tape to attach the pad to your clothing or some other nearby location. At the same time, wear your CPAP mask at home during the day for at least one hour, so your central nervous system starts to associate the pleasant smell with the mask.

3. Place the aromatic near the CPAP air intake as explained in the Product Guide. Attach the mask to the CPAP machine and turn it on. Practice breathing through the mask for one hour while watching television, reading or performing some other sedentary activity.

4. Use the aromatic and CPAP during scheduled one-hour naps at home.

5. Use the aromatic and CPAP during initial 3-4 hours of nocturnal sleep.

6. Use the aromatic and CPAP through an entire night of sleep.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap mask, cpap machine, CPAP

[Megawatt]

I’d like to try pur-sleep and see if it helps. I would also like to see if it helps me as a shift worker. Sleeping can be difficult at times even with my xpap therapy.

e-mail alpettit@cableone.net or alpettit@srpnet.com

[sleepycarol]

I was in one of Sleepguy's trials and found the aromatherapy was very beneficial in my therapy!!

I highly endorse his products and would recommend anyone having trouble adjusting to CPAP therapy give them a try.

[TXKajun]

Folks, this is one of the BEST FREE OFFERS ever to come along!

I tried this a bunch of months ago and am still using the PurSleep oils. They work extremely well.

Kajun

P.S.
No, I'm not paid by SleepGuy for this endorsement! LOLOL

[SleepGuy]

This trial has been filled. A note to people participating in the trial:

Dispensing essential oils from the dropper cap bottles has been somewhat challenging for many (people are dispensing too much). We are in the process of updating the Product Guide with new dispensing instructions.

After finding your favorite aroma, simply twist off the cap and swipe the top of the bottle with a Diffusion Pad and test it. You'll be surprised how little it takes at first. There will probably be enough essential oil to do the trick. To add more, simply hold the Diffusion Pad to the top of the bottle and give it a little shake or quickly invert the bottle/pad and turn it back upright. Repeat as necessary to suit your needs.

Remember that a primary point of the desensitization effort is to associate feelings of calm, safety, relaxation, etc. with your equipment. The quicker you can feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed the quicker your brain will be able to filter out sensory input so you can sleep.

You should be receiving your packages shortly. I look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks for participating!

[sleepycarol]

You are great SleepGuy!!!

Thanks for doing this free offer again at your own expense!!!

(I am not paid by Sleepguy for an endorsement)

[BigGayBert]

SleepGuy, thank you so much for offering this trial! Unfortunately for me, I couldn't participate because I had purchased your deluxe sampler about 5 minutes before you posted! That's okay, though, because I got a nice Christmas bonus and I treated myself. It's better that somebody who couldn't afford it get the trial, anyway. (By the way, as soon as I figure out which oils I don't want to use I'll post a message and give them away to some lucky cpaptalk.com members! It may take a while because the deluxe sampler has so many different oils in it!)

I have been enjoying the oils, but I have just one issue. The scent seems to be gone after an hour or so. I'm not sure if it's because the oils are no longer fragrant or if my sense of smell has just adjusted to them and doesn't recognize them anymore. Do you have any tips for extending the duration of the fragrance?

Thanks again for your generous offer!

[SleepGuy]

Hi Bert. Glad to hear you're enjoying the products. Based on my experience and from what I've heard from others, it's most likely that your sense of smell is simply adjusting to the smell--your brain starts ignoring smells right away that are not deemed a threat. If you get up for a minute in the night you'll probably notice the smell when you come back. In any event, even though you're no conscious of the presence of the smell it's most likely that your olfaction senses are still detecting it and sending the signals to your brain. If I remove the diffuser after I conscious awareness of the smell stops, I find it harder to sleep etc., so I figure it's still doing its job.

Regards,

SG

[goose]

I've been using the Pur-Sleep oils for about 6-7 months now.
SleepGuy graciously gifted me a sample pack in one of the trials and I've been "hooked" ever since. I've purchased a bunch of oils -- Favorites?? Peace, Spice, Fresh, and Clear.....I've tried many others, but these 4 are the ones I use consistently.

I do notice that the fragrance does diminish in a few hours, however, if I get up for a short time and come back it's still there. I also don't wash out my pads, so the fragrances tend to build up and the pads always smell like one or other of them.
I have the additional issue of using Flonase for allergies and I've found that the drug tends to deaden the sense of smell so I tend to use more drops than "recommended" to obtain the therapy effect.....

Sleep Guy -- once again you are proving both your generosity and your belief in your product!!!! You've got a real winner in my book!!!!

Nope. Sleep Guy doesn't pay me to say nice things -- I believe them and believe in the product!!! Works for me!!!!!

cheers
goose

[BigGayBert]

I have the additional issue of using Flonase for allergies and I've found that the drug tends to deaden the sense of smell so I tend to use more drops than "recommended" to obtain the therapy effect.....

I am so glad you posted that!!!! I had no idea that Flonase could be deadening my sense of smell! I have severe allergies and use twice as much as is usually prescribed. Everything makes sense now.....

People always told me that when they quit smoking, their senses of smell and taste were enhanced. I was bummed when I quit smoking a few months ago and I never had my sense of smell come back. And now I know why! Well, I'm using a sinus rinse product now so I'm hoping to be able to cut back on the Flonase. Stupid stinkin' rotten Flonase.

[jsmythe]

I have the additional issue of using Flonase for allergies and I've found that the drug tends to deaden the sense of smell so I tend to use more drops than "recommended" to obtain the therapy effect.....

Goose, I use NasaCort and Astelin on a regular basis, but never realized my sense of smell leaving until recently. Could these also be the cause of that? It had never crossed my thoughts until I read this, and somehow, I think that may be my problem.

[SleepySparky]

Ah Man! I guess I missed this. I love trying essential oil blends, for relaxation and such. I guess I will hav to buy me a new difusser and see what I can come up with. I never thought of using oil scents in cpap therapy. Sounds to me like an awesome way to relax on those nights when you are in a less than ideal frame of mind for sleep. I bet this helps a lot. I will have to see what I can come up with. Let me know if you come up with another trial SleepyGuy.
Ty,
Tina

[SleepGuy]

A few years before my internist diagnosed my OSA, I saw an ENT about my severe snoring. He gave me a prescription for Flonase and recommended surgery. He didn't mention one thing about OSA or ask me any related questions.

So I tried the Flonase for a few weeks and really came to hate the stuff. Goose, it never occurred to me that it would affect the sense of smell but thinking back on when I used it, I can see how that would be. The stuff smells awful and leaves a yucky aftertaste for a long time. I'm glad I don't use it any more!

[Country4ever]

I lost most of my sense of smell after a virus. So that's a possibilty too. I've heard that some viruses just like to target the nose.

[TossinNTurnin]

I know someone who completely lost their sense of smell due to diabetes. Therefore he could taste anything either.

Makes you wonder though. He couldn't "taste" anything, but his favorite food was Limburger cheese.