Concerns and more questions..

[MichelleFL]

Hello again friends. I think the more you read on here the more questions you have! lol First I am really concerned about this mouth leaking. I am a side sleeper and I do snore in all positions my sleep report said. Snoring is going to totally mess this whole thing up and from the sound of everyone's experiences an open mouth makes things alot worse. I really am not into the idea of a full face mask or taping my mouth shut so I am really concerned with this. Next alot of people have said they woke up suddenly and very unpleasantly.. I am thinking they could not breathe and this also concerns me as I am very paranoid since my thyroid surgery of anything to do with breathing or lack thereof. I am going to get a machine with a heated humidifier but with all of this humidity in Florida I am not sure now if I will need it and many speak of this rainout. Also alot of you are having problems with getting the mask to seal and tightening the straps so tightly to your face there is either sores or marks that will not go away. It sounds like there could be just as many health issues with using this as there could be without it.. Am I wrong?? Thanks so much again!

[gasp]

Hello again friends. I think the more you read on here the more questions you have! lol First I am really concerned about this mouth leaking. I am a side sleeper and I do snore in all positions my sleep report said. Snoring is going to totally mess this whole thing up and from the sound of everyone's experiences an open mouth makes things alot worse. I really am not into the idea of a full face mask or taping my mouth shut so I am really concerned with this. Next alot of people have said they woke up suddenly and very unpleasantly.. I am thinking they could not breathe and this also concerns me as I am very paranoid since my thyroid surgery of anything to do with breathing or lack thereof. I am going to get a machine with a heated humidifier but with all of this humidity in Florida I am not sure now if I will need it and many speak of this rainout. Also alot of you are having problems with getting the mask to seal and tightening the straps so tightly to your face there is either sores or marks that will not go away. It sounds like there could be just as many health issues with using this as there could be without it.. Am I wrong?? Thanks so much again!

I learned to keep my mouth closed during sleep. Perhaps you will too. If not, have you considered using a chin strap? When you woke up with your mouth open, did the time correspond to an event on your data?

Karen, a forum member makes pads that help with sores or marks on the face. Visit http://www.padacheek.com

I live in one of the wettest places in the US and use a humidity setting of 1 on a Respironics M Series A-Flex. I do have condensation issues in my mask but that is more due to the cold bedroom versus the warm air I'm breathing into my nasal pillow mask and the condensation that builds up in the exposed headgear hose (I use the CL2). I still love this mask for comfort and effectiveness though. Anyway, without humidity, the air may irritate your sinuses and cause them to inflame, then you can't use nasal pillows or nasal mask and would have to go to a full face. Then you'd get a dry mouth and throat. I recommend using the humidifier even in a humid climate.

Finally, I think the struggles one has when new to this therapy still present an overall better health situation than the body struggling to provide oxygen to the brain and heart many times during the night. How many times did your sleep therapy report say you stop breathing and for how long. If we try to hold our breath that long while awake, we understand the struggle that is even more dangerous when we aren't awake and able to consciously breath. So, I'd say you're wrong : )

[Georgio]

I sleep on my side a lot and used to snore. I think the machine has stopped my snoring. I have allergies and have difficulty breathing through my nose much of the time...I use a nose spray and the air pressure pushes right through no problem. It makes it easier to breath through my nose. Although I'm a mouth breather during much of the day due to sinus, with the mask on my mouth seems to stay locked shut....almost as though the air pressure holds it closed. I'm using a nasal pillow device and although I experimented with tape on my mouth, I saw no difference in my reports so I don't tape.

Here in Florida I have not had to use my humidifier yet and have it in "pass over" mode....or just turned off. We'll see what the drier winter air will bring when I may need to turn it up. Haven't had any rain outs yet....maybe I won't. Getting a comfortable mask that will seal is the nemesis of CPAP. I was awake adjusting my straps at 5:00 am this morning...but got it more comfortable and went back to sleep. I still study other masks but am ok for now.

The important thing, that after 4 weeks into this, although I may slightly wake up a few times during the night conscious of the mask, I still feel much more rested the next day than I did before! Hopefully you will have very little difficulty with your therapy.

Georgio

[Abby]

Hi Michelle,

Like you, I dreaded the thought of wearing a full face mask-- until a week ago. After a year of very poor compliance and some other medical issues (constant dizziness, light sensitivity, etc), I decided that I had better start taking all of this seriously. My sleep study showed that I needed the cpap, so it was time to stop being in denial and try to find a mask that would suit me. There are way too many medical issues associated with not using your cpap.

Like you, I had a tendency to open my mouth while I was sleeping. It's hard to explain, but for me it seemed like I opened my mouth in response to the built up air pressure. Anyways, I HATED using my cpap and dreaded going to bed -- until I borrowed a Quattro full face mask last week. I've been using it for the last 6 nights and I love it!! I never thought I would ever say that about any mask.

My service rep told me that full face masks are really bulky, but I persisted in trying the Quattro full face mask. After using it for the last 6 nights, I can honestly say that, for me, it's more comfortable than my Flexifit and Comfort Lite 2 masks. It's not bulky at all and I found it to be very easy to keep on all night. As for the marks on your face. I do have a few when I first wake up but it doesn't take long for them to fade.

One piece of advice my service rep gave me was to make sure that you tighten the headgear just enough so that you get a good seal. Don't tighten it too much. This advice did help me, as I was putting my mask on too tight in that past. That will also help reduce the marks you have in the morning.

Good luck in your search. Regardless of what mask you get, don't settle until you find the best mask for you!!

Abby

[Mikosiko]

Hello again friends. I think the more you read on here the more questions you have! lol First I am really concerned about this mouth leaking. I am a side sleeper and I do snore in all positions my sleep report said. Snoring is going to totally mess this whole thing up and from the sound of everyone's experiences an open mouth makes things a lot worse. I really am not into the idea of a full face mask or taping my mouth shut so I am really concerned with this. Next a lot of people have said they woke up suddenly and very unpleasantly.. I am thinking they could not breathe and this also concerns me as I am very paranoid since my thyroid surgery of anything to do with breathing or lack thereof. I am going to get a machine with a heated humidifier but with all of this humidity in Florida I am not sure now if I will need it and many speak of this rainout. Also alot of you are having problems with getting the mask to seal and tightening the straps so tightly to your face there is either sores or marks that will not go away. It sounds like there could be just as many health issues with using this as there could be without it.. Am I wrong?? Thanks so much again!

Michelle, with all due respect ... after reading your post carefully I do believe that you are facing your situation and future experience with this treatment with the wrong attitude... instead of be worried for things that you even don't experience yet you better learn which ones are the risks, what issues you will have to work with, and learn how to deal with them when the moment arise for you.

If my short experience could contribute to you let me tell you that I do have a severe sleep apnea, I did snore a lot, I use to breathe with my mouth full open at night and many times during the day... I even lost my breath for milliseconds during the day... you know... some days I really felt like a piece of sh$$$t for my lack of rest.

I came here like you 2 weeks before get my machine.. very scared... and read..and read... and learn... I make a list with the pros/cons/risks/etc. and I did prepare myself mentally to work in every single issue and get over this and take control over my sickness... and so far so good.

I've been using my machine for one month or so now... no more snoring, no running nose, no sores, no mouth open, no more sleepiness during the day... I can feel that I can breathe better during the day... and sleep LOT better at night... as I said in other post some time ago... I can even have my wife in my bed again and have sex ... could sound funny... but is true.

So... do not fool your mind with "what could happen" to you... put your mind in perspective to work with the issues that you could/will find during your treatment and convince yourself that you are going to win the battle... is not another option.

BTW: I'm in FL too and I'm using the humidifier set in 1... no problems at all.

Miko

[Gerald]

Michelle....

Listen to what Miko says......he has the correct psychological point of view.

Your sub-conscious mind has to be sold on the idea that severe health problems are just around the corner if you don't manage your CPAP therapy correctly.

You CAN do it..........and it's the right thing to do.

Gerald

[TechieSidhe]

I am going to get a machine with a heated humidifier but with all of this humidity in Florida I am not sure now if I will need it and many speak of this rainout.

Greetings from another Floridian (Tampa Bay Area)! I have a heated humidifier myself and I love it. My hubby (gods love him) likes to keep the house at 69 at night and the heat keeps my sinuses sane. Yay for hose covers!

[jnk]

First I am really concerned about this mouth leaking.

Good. That's important.

Snoring is going to totally mess this whole thing up

Uh, no. It's not.

an open mouth makes things alot worse.

True. But I still keep opening my mouth whether people like it or . . . wait . . . oh . . . I see your point. Yes. Keep your mouth closed if you use a nasal mask or nasal pillows. Not a biggie with a full face mask, but it's still better to breathe through your nose if you can.

not into the idea of a full face mask or taping my mouth shut

You may not need to do either. But they aren't a big deal. Really they aren't.

alot of people have said they woke up suddenly and very unpleasantly.. I am thinking they could not breathe

Frankly, I think you misunderstood. The unpleasant thing is not breathing and not getting a good night's sleep. PAP therapy, compared to that, is actually quite pleasant all in all. PAP therapy is what keeps that from happening.

I am very paranoid since my thyroid surgery of anything to do with breathing or lack thereof.

If you are paranoid about not breathing, you definitely want to be on PAP therapy. It is all about breathing. When your machine is running, you will breathe. Be paranoid if someone ever tries to talk you out of your need to breathe. They are trying to kill you. Breathing is good. Sleeping is good. So if you have OSA, PAP therapy is good. It keeps you alive.

many speak of this rainout.

It happens. But it is easy to fix. No biggie.

alot of you are having problems with getting the mask to seal and tightening the straps so tightly to your face there is either sores or marks that will not go away.

No. A few have problems with sores. A few overtighten the masks. You know not to do that, so you won't. The people who don't get sores don't post saying so, that's all. There are thousands, myself included, who never got sore one. You see, this is a place where people come to post their problems and ask for help. So it's like if you visit a city and the only place you visit is the waiting area of the emergency room of the largest hospital--you could easily come to the mistaken conclusion that everyone in the city is sick or hurt, because that's all you are seeing. But that's not the case. Don't judge PAP therapy by the few who have problems with it right now and come here to post about that. Once they get suggestions and try a few things, the people who make mistakes never make them again. It would be a boring forum is thousands of people a day posted: "Another good night. All is well." It warms others' hearts when new ones post that. But they post it once or twice and then just enjoy life after that, mostly. The fact is, though, that is the reality. Most are doing fine. And the odds are that you will too.

It sounds like there could be just as many health issues with using this as there could be without it.. Am I wrong??

Yes, you are wrong. But it is an easy mistake to make. No dishonor in having a wrong impression. Bad first impressions should be overcome, though, when the evidence is that they are unwarranted. PAP therapy in and of itself has no major side effects at all. That is why it is called the gold standard of therapy. It can be made to work by most anyone who gives it a full shot at working with it. It's just air. Not a dangerous drug or surgery. On the other hand, the health issues of not remaining on PAP therapy are major and life-threatening. With just a little bit of effort, however, most here have found ways to become very, very comfortable with PAP therapy. It is not just accepted. It is, by many, even enjoyed, because they equate it with how good it makes them feel and they see the fantastic results of it. Once your entire life is turned around by it, you will look back and realize how glad you are that you didn't let your apprehensions scare you off from such a great way of solving your breathing and sleeping problems.

Don't get me wrong, you raised valid points that are issues for many starting out. Posts like yours do a lot of good because of your openness and honesty. I admire that. But I, like the other posters, don't want you to talk yourself out of what you need in order to live as full a life as possible. No one likes seeing someone take a misstep that could have been prevented when it may be a matter of life and death. We may sound like activists when we talk up the therapy. But we aren't. We just know what a good night's sleep means to us, and we think everyone deserves to feel what that feels like.

I wish you all the best with your health, MichelleFL.

[MichelleFL]

I appreciate your responses and I appreciate how much your trying to help others in my situation. I notice that alot of you went through these same issues and am glad there were people to help you along with this as well.. Okay so new mental attitude.. I will do it.. I have no idea why I worry so much about these things and the only reason I can say for doing so is that it's been a LONG journey for me. Since the age of 24 till the present day I have given an entire body's worth of blood, test after test, so many x-rays and MRI's that it's no wonder I don't glow green! It just get's to a point where enough is enough.. Okay so here is yet one more thing to add to the list, it's difficult to see how it will help but makes sense just like all the other things doctors have told me over the years. But I will give it my best shot.. Now all I need to do is get a time when hubby and I are not working nights and a day when the tech is available.

[gasp]

I appreciate your responses and I appreciate how much your trying to help others in my situation. I notice that alot of you went through these same issues and am glad there were people to help you along with this as well.. Okay so new mental attitude.. I will do it.. I have no idea why I worry so much about these things and the only reason I can say for doing so is that it's been a LONG journey for me. Since the age of 24 till the present day I have given an entire body's worth of blood, test after test, so many x-rays and MRI's that it's no wonder I don't glow green! It just get's to a point where enough is enough.. Okay so here is yet one more thing to add to the list, it's difficult to see how it will help but makes sense just like all the other things doctors have told me over the years. But I will give it my best shot.. Now all I need to do is get a time when hubby and I are not working nights and a day when the tech is available.

I can see why you felt like giving up. You've come to the right place for encouragement and knowledge. Don't feel like you can't whine from time to time : ) Most of us do sooner or later : )

[Hawthorne]

Why do your husband and you have to go the same night? I would think you should get started as soon as you can, given you are already diagnosed.

Who knows, when you get your machine and start to feel better, your husband may be more willing to go too.

[MichelleFL]

My husband is not going for his study.. He has to see the GP first and that is set for October 30th and then we have to get him to sleep study.. He is going with me because of my anxiety and panic attacks. Even today he and I both have off from work and I am panicky! I so hate that I cannot sit still anymore and am constantly on the move. I used to be able to sit and watch a whole movie and know I am up and down like 20 times during it. This is one of the things that I hope will improve with my titration.. Which by the way, they just called me! The person who had an appointment set up for Monday canceled.. YAY for me! So now I am having it done, finally! I guess then I have to wait 2 weeks for a prescription???

[gasp]

My husband is not going for his study.. He has to see the GP first and that is set for October 30th and then we have to get him to sleep study.. He is going with me because of my anxiety and panic attacks. Even today he and I both have off from work and I am panicky! I so hate that I cannot sit still anymore and am constantly on the move. I used to be able to sit and watch a whole movie and know I am up and down like 20 times during it. This is one of the things that I hope will improve with my titration.. Which by the way, they just called me! The person who had an appointment set up for Monday canceled.. YAY for me! So now I am having it done, finally! I guess then I have to wait 2 weeks for a prescription???

I hope your process is more timely than mine was. I had my study in Feb of 2007, titration not until May (Dr had to get and interpret report), and didn't get my machine until June 2007! When I posted this at the time on the forum others responded with like and worse scenarios.

If your husband ends up on XPAP, that will be so sweet that you both hose up at night : ) At least that's how I see it. : )) Best wishes on this titration!