A couple of quick newbie questions

[goldfinch]

I am on the road and finally have an internet signal. I've been in the motorhome but boondocking so there is no shore power. My xPAP is running fine off of battery. So is the humidifier as I can charge the batteries during the day.

I am trying a new mask for the past couple of weeks. I really liked it to start but now am concerned.

My questions:

1. The last couple of nights have been very hot. I have no air conditioning. My mask fit has gone way down and when the pressure goes up I am blowing leaks all over the place. For the first time since starting xPAP a couple of months ago I almost had to give up on the mask. My face was sweaty. I don't know if this makes a difference. The mask is only a couple of weeks old. Ideas? I've ordered a pad a cheek liner but won't be near a mail pick up for about a week. Correlating with the bad mask fit is a worsening AHI. Generally it runs from 1 to maybe 2.5. Last night it was above 4 for the first time ever, at 4.7. The night before at 3.7. Would this be from the fit problems in the heat?

2. For a few days I kept waking up with a sore throat but it would go away in the day. I thought I might be getting a cold but it never developed into one. One of those days shortly after getting up I felt nauseous and threw up. Then I was fine. I felt so fine for the rest of the day that I even did a 15 mile bike ride. So I am not sick. Could this be from the xPAP? If so, what is the deal?

Help!

I was in pretty good shape with the xPAP and now the last week it is giving me grief.

[BlackSpinner]

Until the liners show up: find an old t-shirt, lay the mask on it and cut around it giving at least an inch of space more. Cut a small triangle in the middle and lay it over the mask. Lean forward to try on. Adjust the cut out triangle until just your nose and mouth are free. Use the cut out to make several more.

They should help with the sweat and slipperiness to make the mask fit better.

It sounds like you are mouth breathing with regard to the dry throat. Maybe your nose is getting clogged. Also sometimes if your sinuses are clogged the air upsets my ears and sense of balance. Another could be acid reflux messing up your throat.

[goldfinch]

I am a mouth breather, that is why the full face mask. (Quattro FX). I've never had a reflux issue before. I suppose i should add it to the list to ask the PA about when I meet with her on the 29th.

Thanks for the tshirt idea. I am sure that I can scrounge up an old shirt.

[Bobby269]

If my climate control is set to low I get a very dry mouth and dry or slightly sore throat. I use the same mask.

[islandboy5150]

Sometimes just getting a little to hot will make me nauseous, especially if I let myself get dehydrated. Once, I puked onto a new computer's keyboard at a Best Buy store. It was a computer that was a display unit. Made a real mess, and the puter went haywire, but I couldn't help it. It came on so suddenly I didn't have time to even turn my head. They were nice about it though. I offered to pay for the damage, but they said not to worry. Anyway, Keep hydrated and try to stay cool as you can. Hope it helps.

[smiles2you]

I'm a newbie to the forum and have lots to learn, but I really think it is the heat that is giving you problems.

We were in an un-airconditioned cottage at the beach in DE for the week 4th of July this year. Fourth year in the rental, but the first time with my CPAP. I have always been able to "sleep" there with several fans and the ocean breeze. That was before I knew what real sleep was. My AHI went higher than than it ever has since I started tx last September, and I registered large leaks on a couple of nights. I never have leaks at home. I was miserable. We are not renting there next year. That whole sleep hygiene thing...

Also, before using CPAP I always woke up feeling nauseous. I really didn't realize I was nauseous, and how bad it was, until the feeling disappeared after starting treatment.

It sounds so fun to travel like that and I hope you can find a way to be a little cooler at night, use your CPAP easier, and feel better. Can you head to a cooler climate? (I love that t-shirt idea.)

Best wishes!

[goldfinch]

I just cut up an old pair of underwear. We will see if that helps tonight.

Also, it isn't quite as hot tonight though the forecast is for continuing heat for the next few days.

[goldfinch]

The underwear liner seemed to work OK. My pressure and leak were a little high but not overwhelmingly so. My AHI was back down into the 2's. But last night was also cooler.

[Sheriff Buford]

The underwear liner seemed to work OK. My pressure and leak were a little high but not overwhelmingly so. My AHI was back down into the 2's. But last night was also cooler.

Gold: you may want to use an old t-shirt..... the underwear may give you nightmares.... think about it!!!!

[smiles2you]

Under-where?!? Sorry, I couldn't resist. I live with a 5 year old boy. You know, just saying the word "underwear" sends him into hysterics.

Glad you had a better night! And as Jimmy says, "If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane!"

Stay cool