Newbie Here

bellasmiles · Post by **bellasmiles** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:23 pm

Hi to all. I'm a 37 year old female just diagnosed with OSA and only on a cpap for two nights so far. There is so much to learn and while I'm very motivated to make the machine work for me, I'm having trouble...what a shock, right? lol

I have a respironics made cpap machine with c-flex, which seems nice enough. It also has an integrated humidifier.

I have a mask with a sliding function which is supposed to make sleeping on one's side easier, but I could only wear it for a couple of hours last night. The first night, I did ok all night. However, it left a sore under my nose and on the bridge of my nose which made wearing it last night very difficult.

Again, I'm very motivated as for years, I've had horrible headaches every morning and am so tired and fatigued each day. I really really want this to work.

Any help would be appreciated.

This seems to be a great forum and I hope to make friends here! Thanks for letting me voice my concerns.

Michelle

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:38 pm

Hi Michelle,
First of all welcome to our hose-head world.

May I suggest you fill out your profile. This will alert everyone who has
experience with your mask to offer suggestions.

Welcom, welcome,

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:38 pm

Hi Michelle ... welcome to the family.

There are indeed a great bunch of folks here willing to help you out as they have done for me. I've been on the hose for just over a month myself and there is a lot to learn ... but you can learn it all here.

Best thing to do is to provide some more info about your OSA diagnosis and the equipment you have ... some of the more experienced experts will chime in and give you lots of good info specific to your problems. What mask are you using? What AHI were you diagnosed with and what pressure(s) were you prescribed for treatment? If you fill out your profile info, that will help others help you.

Of course you can get lots of emotional support here too.

There is a CPAPopedia button at the top of the page to learn terminology and a FAQ listing links to specific topics.

Take care, good luck, don't give up, and don't be shy about asking lots of questions.

- roberto

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:45 pm

I am going to guess her mask is a HC431. Hint: sore nose + slider.

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:58 pm

bellasmiles wrote:Hi to all. I'm a 37 year old female just diagnosed with OSA and only on a cpap for two nights so far. There is so much to learn and while I'm very motivated to make the machine work for me, I'm having trouble...what a shock, right? lol

Hi, and Welcome to the board.
I would suggest filling out your profile page, and fire away with the questions!

sidesleeper · Post by **sidesleeper** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:25 pm

Dreamstalker. I just realized your art on the bottom of the page is non other than the famous Hybrid! That is sooo cool! Are you the artist?

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:43 pm

Welcome to the forum, Michelle. It sure sounds like you have the attitude necessary to make your XPAP a successful treatment for your OSA.

It's not unusual to have problems the first few nights, heck, the first few weeks or months even. But do NOT get discouraged! There's those of us who managed to get the right combo of masks-XPAP machines-heated humidifier-pressure pretty quick and we're doing great. But most times it takes a while to get used to this "Alien" kinda thing sitting on your face, blowing air up your nose all night long. But if you keep telling yourself "I WILL do this! I CAN do this! This is saving my life!" then you can and will get used to it. It may take some tweaking of pressure and changing of masks before you get your right combo, though.

One thing some folks have had success with is putting on your mask before you go to bed and wearing it around the house.....NOT hooked up to your XPAP, though! LOL.....to try to get used to it and make friends with it a bit quicker. Also, maybe try sleeping in a recliner for a night or 2. Laying down, rolling over, etc can all make things a bit more uncomfortable for you if you do it all at once.

Main thing, stick with it! You CAN do it! And..........

(This therapy WORKS! But you have to work at it, too.)

Kajun

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:35 pm

Michelle, you may notice that you have been warmly welcomed already! Please add mine to your list.

Since I've had CPAP for just over 4 months, I feel that as a relative newbie there may be some wisdom I might share.

First, do not settle for a mask or interface that does not work for you. This makes a huge difference. Although the machine is important, it seems as if the mask (because it touches the face?) is a primary consideration in initial compliance.

Most companies have a 30 day return policy for their masks/interfaces. Sometimes your DME (durable medical equipment) provider will have some loaners for you to try. Mine gave me 3 different ones before I settled on the fourth.

Next, and MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!!! Please use the search function (button for clicking at the top of the page) and posting here as resources. Had I known about some of the ways to do simple little adaptations on my first interface, I might still have it. Those fixes are priceless.

Lastly, please chime in with your questions and contributions. IMHO this is the best apnea/xPAP forum, and the Forum Folk are very friendly animals. (mostly--very, very few exceptions!)

If you will post your equipment, you will get more specific advice. Please see most of the posts where most of us have posted words or pictures of our equipment in the profile page. It can be edited pretty easily.

Keep on keeping on with CPAP. It has made a subtle but significant difference in my life. Hopefully, it will be a very good thing for you.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:45 pm

sidesleeper -

Nah! I’m no artist … they won’t even let me play one on TV … but I do sleep with my APAP each night.

Actually, I consider myself to be technical science and engineering oriented … other side of the brain. I just dilly dally with music and the arts so my brain doesn’t get too lopsided … if you take a look at my avatar pic, you’ll see that nevertheless my head it is still a little lopsided.

This past Labor Day weekend was just too hot to do anything outside … in fact, it has been too hot (100+) for most of August here in central Texas. Anyway, I decided to stay indoors and create myself a signature banner for this forum … I’ve been playing around with a drawing package and I basically download images of interest and use them as a canvas to add my own details … I added the hybrid, headgear, and hose to the image of the old man sleeping.

- Michelle

Listen to Birdshell ... his wise words are indeed a good guide to follow. Keep in mind that OSA is much like diabetes in that it requires a significant initiative by the patient to educate themselves, monitor, and take contol of their own treatment.

- roberto

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:50 pm

Hi Michelle!

I'm new here too. We have a lot in common... I'm 37, same headaches and fatigue too. I also have the same machine as you (does yours have the ramp feature). I absolutely love my machine. I just got mine on Aug. 25th. The first couple of nights I had problems (panic attacks, etc.) from the mask but after finally getting a good night's sleep on Sunday, Aug. 27th, I think my brain flipped the switch and I've been sleeping all night.

I have the ComfortPlus 2 mask and noticed the bridge of my nose was sore the first week or so. It doesn't hurt at all now.

I've noticed a few sinus issues but I'm not sure if that is related to the mask/machine or just plain ol' allergies. Today was probably the worst. It got better when I was at the gym and walking my dogs but once I got back in the house it all seemed to start up again. So I'm thinking allergies. (Maybe I'm allergic to house cleaning?)

Kimberly

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:24 pm

Welcome, Michelle, to the best Hosehead club goin'! I like your attitude.......keep on plugging away at it.......check out different masks if you can, read all the posts you can.......and above all, don't get discouraged or (heavens forbid) lose your sense of humor. I mean, really, who else would do what we do each and every night (you should read some folks' routines!) all in the interest of sleep?
My own self has been at it a while, and I have learned one night when the power went out, that now I can't sleep WITHOUT cpap........now, THERE is where ya' want to be..........! Even if it turns you silly, like some here..........because it also makes life a whole lot brighter........

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:23 pm

Welcome, Michelle...lots of friendly people here.

By all means DO contact you doc or dme...show them the sores and insist that they do something about the mask fit. Many here will be able to give hints on fitting and minor fixes that make specific masks more comfortable, but to do that, they will need to know what mask you are using.

Remember too that the sleep study is hardly the best place to be judging the fit and comfort of a mask...there is so much going on that is utterly new to you. You might consider trying another type of interface (the hybrid, a nasal pillow, or a nasal mask....they all have their good points and advocates here.

Good luck!

bellasmiles · Post by **bellasmiles** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:04 pm

Thanks for the welcomes and help everyone!

I've updated my profile, but am not yet 100% certain that I got the humidifier correct. Also, my mask wasn't listed. It's a FlexiFit 406 nasal mask by Fisher & Paykel.

I went today to the DME and got the same mask, but in a size larger. The RT who helped me wasn't the original one and he said I had been given a pediatric mask that was far too small. Sooo...I'll try the new one tonight.

Again, I really appreciate all the responses.

Again, I'm very much wanting this to work, but bedtime each night is now kinda a big deal. It just feels so weird....and alien. I almost get into a panic just thinking about it lol.

Hopefully tonight will go well.

Again thanks and I'll check back in soon!

m

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:17 pm

KimberlyinMN wrote:Hi Michelle!

I'm new here too. We have a lot in common...

I've noticed a few sinus issues but I'm not sure if that is related to the mask/machine or just plain ol' allergies. Today was probably the worst. It got better when I was at the gym and walking my dogs but once I got back in the house it all seemed to start up again. So I'm thinking allergies. (Maybe I'm allergic to house cleaning?)

Kimberly

Hi Kimberly ... a big welcome to you as well!

You may find that the PAP treatment will bring about an overall improvement in many other health issues ... especially if you have a severe case of OSA.

I had my quarterly visit with my PCP doc this morning and discovered that since my last visit in May, I lost 8 lbs, my cholesterol is almost normal and the lowest it has been in over 5 years, he cut my blood pressure med dosage in half, and that is all on top of my other health issues which have been resolved since going on the air hose like: zero nightly trips to the restroom instead of 4 or 5; no more haedaches or muscle aches; no more falling asleep when I'm suppose to be awake; no more snoring at night; better love life; my sinuses allow for greater amount of clear breathing; and a whole lot more energy to do things. This xPAP stuff is an absolute magic airbox of youth.

The issues with mask interfaces and stomach gas are well worth the time needed to tweak those side effects and reap the benefits.

Wishing everyone the the great treatment benefits I am receiving.

- roberto

I forgot to add ... I'm also having lots of really cool dreams like I used to have when I was much younger.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:28 pm

DreamStalker wrote:You may find that the PAP treatment will bring about an overall improvement in many other health issues ... especially if you have a severe case of OSA.

I found out that I stopped breathing 46 times in an hour and when I was in the deep REM sleep I stopped 216 times in an hour! (Is that severe?) With the CPAP on during the sleep study, it brought the number to 0 and no snoring.

My chiropractor told me that most people do find that they lose weight without changing anything else. I just can't believe how incredible I feel now! I did have to laugh though when I read elsewhere that most people's blood pressure will lower too... which would put me at dead. I typically get an 80/68 for my bp at the doctor's office.

I work from home and only have to be in the office twice a month -- a 90 mile drive each way. This coming Wednesday will be my first time driving up there since getting the machine. I used to dread the drive because I'd be literally falling asleep after about 20 minutes. (I can see why they say this is as bad as driving intoxicated.)

Kimberly

Newbie Here

Newbie Here

Re: Newbie Here

dreamstalker

Compliance

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Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4

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