I reached my 1 Year Anniversary on Saturday

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:10 pm

It is hard to believe that a year ago I had just discovered I had OSA and PLMD and that I have already been a hosehead now for a full year! I remember thinking that I would never be able to tolerate that darn mask on my face but guess what.....I can and do.

I would love to say that I have been totally redeemed and that I now sleep through the night but that wouldn't be the truth. I still have some sleep issues. Mainly that I wake several times a night but I do sleep better than I did before I started CPAP. My numbers are generally very good and I do get more sleep than before. I like my S8 Elite and I have pretty much settled into the activa even though it is to big. It works well for someone like me that travels a lot in bed.

My next step will be to one day get myself an auto and see if that tweaks me just enough to help me sleep a little better.

When all is said and done I do sleep better. My mask and machine are my friends and I am so very glad I found this board.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:26 pm

A big whoppin congratulations to ya!!!!!!!!!! It has been only 5 months for me, but it seems like a decade!

Are you using the Shallow or Standard Activa? I like the Shallow, the Standard is far too big on me.

Again, CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Patience and perseverance, isnt that what they say?

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:34 pm

I have both cushions but even though the Shallow is smaller and fits my face size better the Standard leaks less on me. I can't figure out why.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:41 pm

dieselgal wrote:I have both cushions but even though the Shallow is smaller and fits my face size better the Standard leaks less on me. I can't figure out why.

Are your bottom straps as loose on the Shallow as they are o the Standard? When I get mine the least little bit too tight, it leaks terribly. Usually, I only have to adjust it when I take the headgear off to wash it. Once fitted, I never touch it again. Also, how old is the Shallow cushion? I change mine about every two and ahalf to three months. Usually about every two months or so, after that I start getting eye leaks.

I cant wait to see how I feel after a year...that is great Dieselgal...

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:26 pm

congrats, dieselgal, on your milestone

i just completed my first year on jan. 4th

what a journey this has been, huh?

way to go, pat yourself on the back for me!

sharon

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:49 pm

Proud of your accomplishment!!

Congratulations and hope you have many more anniversaries!!

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:46 pm

Congratulations, dieselgal! That's such a major milestone. I've got 5 more months to go....

I suspect that xPAP therapy is never "perfect" or perfect all the time but we do adjust. I'm glad we don't live in the days when the only treatment was a tracheostomy - I'll take the hose and mask anyday.

Mindy

goose · Post by **goose** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:03 pm

Congratulations dieselgal!!!! That's a great accomplishment.
I'm looking forward to my 1 year in about 4 months or so (June 5)......

Keep workin' on that mask -- it'll happen, but you already know you have the perseverance to get through!!!

take care
cheers
goose

JZ · Post by JZ » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:09 pm

Way to go, dieselgal!!!!!!!! Sounds like good progress.

Janna

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:12 pm

Very good, dieselgal!!

Hope everything just keeps getting better and better for you.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:13 pm

dieselgal,

A whole year - wrap your arms around yourself for a well deserved hug.

Do you think your continued wakeups are from the PLMD? I've been treated for the PLMD for going on 10 years, and for the OSA starting in 2005 and restarting in 2006. Just lately is the first time both treatments are fairly effective at the same time, and I sleep maybe 6 hours before the restlessness kicks in.

Hope this is your year for everything to fall into place and you get all the peaceful sleep you need.

Kathy

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:32 pm

dieselgal, I just hit my one year anniversary, too---First night on CPAP was February 27, 2006.

Congratulations to you!

Pam

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:55 am

Diesel,

CONGRATULATIONS!!! It's wonderful that you've stuck with your therapy. It really is a journey rather than a destination, but at least you're on the "yellow brick road"! And you've helped a lot of others with their issues, too, which shows your kind and generous heart. I hope you do get the auto. I know that for me, it helped. Keep up the good work!

CAKE AND ICE CREAM ALL AROUND!

Cathy, who joined cpaptalk the same day you did.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:59 am

Happy Anniversary, dieselgal, Pam and everybody else passing through a "mile marker".

P.S. They start going faster after you get past the first one.

Best wishes,

Den

Patzee · Post by **Patzee** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:19 pm

Kudos to each of you who are celebrating your anniversaries and to those about to! Inspirational! Rays of hope for our fellow travelers on this complex CPAP Road.

I too finally discovered the Activa (shallow size) and have stayed contentedly with it ever since. I follow RestedGal’s offering of
n-e-v-e-r taking it apart for cleaning - had I not seen her post, I wouldn’t have bought it where it has so many parts (she is my CPAP Mother-Earth! Forever-thanks dear RestedGal... & many others.)

Agree w/ jstmythe-Joyce 100% ‘bout this mask's cushion needing to be switched out at regular (for me 3 month) intervals. AND it likes to be really clean on top of a super clean face ( though I only wash the system thoroughly once weekly, and use a clean wet-washcloth on it nightly - quick swab-out particularly where it touches skin. It works elegantly for me when I handle it in these ways.

After putting the mask on each night, you might try the hint someone posted 'bout doing the Bewitched bunny-nose twitch that Samantha did, and then take notice of the “feel”- is the mask centered over your nose, i.e. your nose aligned in the center of the cushion’s triangle? If not, put your index fingers up to the cushion sides, lift mask off your face somewhat, and reposition to center, push in and down on the cushion and hold a second (for the suction to kick in.)

Might also consider taking another look at your current hose management. Was it Rested Gal who came up with the hang-hose-from the-ceiling idea and posted the great photos of the Hillman® Adjust-A-Hook in action? Anybody know that link on our forum to the written description and the several color photos, and who to credit? I couldn’t find it doing a search. That allows an active sleeper to move freely with the hose tracking happily with each toss n’ turn, which really assists the mask in maintaining it’s seal to the face. After I bought that Adjust-A-Hook on line, I ran up on it at a better price at our Lowe’s...never expected to find it in our small town!

I ‘m so grateful to hear other’s sharing info on the same mask I happen to use. Thanks!

Mask

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