Cats, menopause and CPAP

[lazarus]

May it go well.

[KittyMom22]

Thanks. It helped a little. I think it's a Benadryl night.

[KittyMom22]

I turned off the humidifier last night and it was much more comfortable. I had a pretty good night!

[lazarus]

I had a pretty good night!

YES!

Call it the start of a trend.

[lynninnj]

I turned off the humidifier last night and it was much more comfortable. I had a pretty good night!

Excellent!

How’s the new mask working?

[KittyMom22]

I turned off the humidifier last night and it was much more comfortable. I had a pretty good night!

Excellent!

How’s the new mask working?

I don't have it yet. I just requested it yesterday.

[KittyMom22]

I used both masks at different times last night, and despite the F30 having the weight of the hose in front, which makes it harder to keep a seal around the nose, I do find it more comfortable to sleep in on my side. Not having those inflated tubes on the side of my head is really great! Also the hose isn't getting caught on my iron headboard.

The F30 harness rubs behind my ears, but I found a post here about switching to a different harness, which I may do.

The kitten attacked the extra apparatus for a while (new toys! dangling things!) but settled down after I covered them with the towel I use to air dry them on. My older cat seems ambivalent- some nights she won't come near the bed and others she takes her usual spot. But overall it's going well, I think, as far as getting set up and to sleep.

Now, if only I can stay asleep the therapy might start to benefit me!

I do find that if I'm lying on my back with either setup I have to tighten it to prevent leaks, and then loosen when I roll onto my side.

[robysue1]

I used both masks at different times last night, and despite the F30 having the weight of the hose in front, which makes it harder to keep a seal around the nose, I do find it more comfortable to sleep in on my side. Not having those inflated tubes on the side of my head is really great! Also the hose isn't getting caught on my iron headboard.

I'm a side sleeper by choice. I use a Resmed Swift FX nasal pillows mask. (Similar to the P10, but with an old-fashioned non-diffused exhaust vent). I have my hose wrapped in a hose cozy and I run it under the covers and basically hug the hose. On the rare occasions when I turn onto my back, I don't need to readjust the headgear to keep the mask sealed.

Yeah, hugging a hose is no where near as nice as a warm kitty. But it does mean the weight of the hose is not tugging at my mask every time I move around in bed.

[KittyMom22]

That's a good tip, thanks. Kitties don't tolerate hugs anyhow.

[Schwarzwaldmaedel]

Hello KittyMom22,

I hope you're having some success with your new CPAP. I understand how challenging it can be, especially when we have "so much on our plate". Hopefully, you and your cats are adjusting. You mentioned not able to keep the house cool, due to your Mom's comfort level. I've had success with having a fan in my room, turned on as low or high as needed, pointing either at me or away from me, depending upon the weather. Over-heating during the night has also been an on-going problem for me, and the fan has been helpful. I've been using my CPAP successfully for the past eight years, thankfully.

You sent me a PM, asking about the Mirage FX kits. I've tried to reply, but I keep getting this message ...""Some users couldn’t be added as they have disabled private message receipt."... Please check your settings, and I'll try to re-send my response soon.

[chunkyfrog]

Our cat also resists hugs, but will do almost anything for a sliver (or 5) of beef jerky.

[Julie]

The club ought to have a name - sucker moms of chortling fat cats?

How does he (mine) manage to look so sad and pathetic when hungry, then make huge leaps and bounds as soon as he smells food?

[lynninnj]

The club ought to have a name - sucker moms of chortling fat cats?

How does he (mine) manage to look so sad and pathetic when hungry, then make huge leaps and bounds as soon as he smells food?

It’s a gift.

I love kitties ‍

[chunkyfrog]

Mine eats like a pig, but always looks totally fit.
I could hate her guts--but oh, the fur, and the purr!
To say nothing of those gorgeous eyes.

[KittyMom22]

I'm so exhausted I couldn't function this weekend. I had a three day weekend for the holiday and really needed to clean out my bedroom prepatory for new carpet and painting, so mom can move in.

I was almost completely worthless. Zero energy. So, last night I dug out my MAD and had a decent night's sleep for a change.

I ordered a different headgear to go with my mask - ResMed really screwed up with the F30 as it's so uncomfortable and the crown strap will NOT stay in place. I have to wait 8-10 days for shipping for the Amara view headgear. I may just use the MAD in the meantime.

I have also concluded that at least some of my nighttime events are due to asthma. I dug out my last unopened Symbicort inhaler and used it last night. I had stopped because of the side effects, but damn it, I was able to draw a full breath, finally. I wanted to cry with relief. No gasping wake-ups!

It really sux being asthmatic but unable to tolerate steroids. Maybe I will just have to put up with more intense hot flashes and a voice like a bullfrog.

PS it was so nice to snuggle down into the pillow again....I miss my pillow.