frustrated

[sleepyprm]

Wow, I just found this website. Woke up because the mask was driving me crazy. Started using the Cpap machine over a year ago and I cannot find a mask that I can stand. I have four masks and just use the one I think I can stand to wear that night. This forum is like a ray of sunshine to me. After a year of using the CPAP, I'm still tired, falling asleep during the day, and frustrated. Also didn't know there were so many different machines. My doctor didn't even give me a report telling me how much oxygen I was getting, how many times I stopped breathing, etc. He simply gave me a machine, told me I had moderat to severe sleep apnea and sent me on my way. Also got annoyed when I asked why I was not a candidate for surgery. I think I need a new doctor. I really want to feel energized and healthy. If anybody has ANY suggestions I would be so grateful. I'm going to check this forum every day, I see hope here!

[ozij]

Welcome, sleepyprm!
A few suggestions:
Get the name of your machine (make and model, and post it).
Ditto for your mask
When you use your machine, it should show the pressure it supplies - tell us what that it too.
Try to be more specific about what you find bothersome in your setup - the more specific the better.

Things can be much better that you've had them till now!

Last - not obligatory, but recommended: Register as a forum member, and use the "User Control Panel" to fill in detail about your machine and mask (use the text option and not the icons) and the add your pressure info in the comments. That will assure all the info will be there every time you are logged in and post. No need for us to ask over and over, and no need for you to re-post that info.

I hope you have time to start reading - because there's a lot to learn about making this therapy work.
Good luck!

O.

[sleepyprm]

Thank you ozji!! I have registered and all my equipment info should show up. My pressure is 6 (if that sounds like I'm looking at the wrong thing I can look again). The things that are interfering and waking me up are: The mask, when I move, the tube moves and pulls: when the mask is too loose, leaks blow on my face and eyes, and the headgear causes me to try to hold me head in a certain position, resulting in a stiff neck. Every once in a while I get a good night's sleep, but I sure want one every night! I see there is a wealth of information in this forum, every time I click on a different spot I learn something. THERE IS HOPE!!!

[OutaSync]

Sleepyprm,

Welcome to the forum. Most of us came here looking for help because our doctors and DMEs were of no help, or worse than that, gave us wrong information. You have come to the right place to learn about your condition and take control of your own therapy. We are here to listen or to help, whichever you need. The mask is the hardest part, IMHO. There are over 35,000 members here, so you are not alone, no matter what your issues are. You have lots of reading to do.

Bev

[ozij]

Thank you ozji!! I have registered and all my equipment info should show up. My pressure is 6 (if that sounds like I'm looking at the wrong thing I can look again). The things that are interfering and waking me up are: The mask, when I move, the tube moves and pulls: when the mask is too loose, leaks blow on my face and eyes, and the headgear causes me to try to hold me head in a certain position, resulting in a stiff neck. Every once in a while I get a good night's sleep, but I sure want one every night! I see there is a wealth of information in this forum, every time I click on a different spot I learn something. THERE IS HOPE!!!

Your hose must have been taking lessons from my first hose... I trained mine by routing in from above - dangling, in my case, from a picture hook nailed into the wall above my head (I use as shoelace and hair scrunchy to do that) . That was -- one of many tweaks to be picked up from Rested Gal - she has compiled amazing links of tips, you'll find them here:
viewtopic.php?t=17435

By the way, before the clamor of "that's too low pressure" starts, remember that what is true of the majority is not necessarily true of the single case. 6 may be the right pressure for you.

However, your machine can't let you know how well your therapy is going and if that pressure is right. More sophisticated machines report efficacy data, which means the machines tracks and reports: apneas, hypopneas, snores, flow limitations, and leaks. Many of us use this tracking info as an indication of what may need change in the therapy.

O.

[sleepyprm]

Wow. I DO have a lot of reading to do... I think I'm going to try a different doctor, too. He never provided a written report, did not give me any choice of machine, and frankly I feel like he is aligned with this respiratory company and won't look at any other options. I am so happy to find this forum, it's going to be hard to tear myself away from the computer for a few hours. Another question: Do the "hose huggies" really stop that condensation that leaks from the hose?

[ozij]

Another question: Do the "hose huggies" really stop that condensation that leaks from the hose?

Yes, and no.... at lower pressures, they're not really enough - the lower our pressure, the more condensation we have. I've got hose covers for the main hose, and the narrower tube that leads to the mask, but I also need a heated hose, which I ordered from http://www.sleepzone.com.au.

I believe other people have obtained it more recently from the US. It is worth every penny.

O.

[Gale Hawkins]

Hang in there. Expect nothing from those you give money except the hardware. You will have to train yourself and others have already put you on the right track. Not advisable but I self treated by buying used equipment and now nearly 5 years later that is still working out for me so you can train yourself like most of the others on this forum.

In general using a CPAP machine is not as deadly of a risk as driving a car to work.