UPDATE: missing my cpap; still no new mask :(

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:20 pm

last night, just as i was settling in to sleep, my beloved aura (headrest) broke on me...granted, i have been using it for nearly 9 months, and i did only pay $50 for it, brand new, from a fellow forum member (GOOFY UT, if you're still surfing the boards, thanks for 9 months with a good mask), but still ...a moment of silence, please, for my trusty interface

so, i broke out the breeze i keep as a backup, used maybe 4 times, but no, i couldn't get it to seal at all--it was whistling, blowing cold air into my eyes, shifting every time i tried to lay down, so i gave up on it (after cursing for half an hour or so)

i had given my brother my CL2, which was my favourite before the aura, so i was SOL on that front

i tried to go to sleep--au natural--but just before dozing off, i'd feel like i was choking; when i did drift off, i'd wake up in the middle of an anxiety attack; finally around 4 a.m., i hit the armchair in the living room (no recliner around here, sadly) and "slept" (a euphemism) almost upright until 9 a.m....

first thing i did this morning was order a new aura (headrest); second thing i did was call my brother and ask him to lend me my CL2 , since i know he hasn't started his therapy yet...so wish me luck with that, because let's face it, there were reasons for giving it up

tonight, i can only hope for a better night, because i can honestly say that even with all the adjustment issues and leak problems and headgear woes that have become part of my night life these last 11 months, last night was the most brutal night in recent memory

who knew? 11 months ago i never would have dreamed i wouldn't be able to fall asleep without my cpap; now i see just how used to it i've become...last night was a gift of sorts

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, CPAP, Aura, seal

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, CPAP, Aura, seal

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:41 pm

Yep, it's amazing. 4 months ago, I didn't know I had sleep apnea.

Now when I fall asleep without the CPAP, I wake up with a jolt like someone kicked me when I have an apnea.

JQP

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:50 pm

Sorry you had a rough night Sharon. I know when I went thru my nose surgery and couldn't use my CPAP I was one miserable blankity blank blank! I think we need those reminders every now and then.

Good luck getting back on the hose tonight!

JeffH

annie123 · Post by **annie123** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:38 pm

When you live in terror of the common cold because it will interfere with your treatment. I'm living it right now....and trying every home remedy there is!

Also..when you completely freak out over a power outage and are calling the electric company to find out when it will be restored. Not because you're missing you favorite TV show, but because you can't sleep without your CPAP!

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:03 pm

Sharon, hope you get that Aura real soon. In the meantime, here is a link to some fitting instructions I've found helpful for the Breeze (which I have used for 18 months now and have had great success with (also, if you still get leaks try using the next size larger pillows... using the size suggestions I should have been using the medium, but they leaked; I switched to the large, et voila! no more leaks)

viewtopic.php?t=4102

and scroll down to WillSucceed's post

Good luck!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:30 pm

That's a great link Bookbear posted, to WillSucceed's super instructions about fitting the Breeze.

Here's a link to tons more discussions that might yield some nuggets about the Breeze:

LINKS to Breeze nasal pillows / nasal mask topics
viewtopic.php?p=31202

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:20 pm

Sharon, I feel for you. I too can't believe how much I have grown dependent on my cpap. Now that I'm pregnant, I'm experiencing constant tiredness almost to the level of pre-cpap and it sure makes me appreciate what cpap has done for me. I occasionally nod off when watching tv again now and wake up with that terrible snort and racing heart. Shouldn't have to hook myself up to cpap to watch sunday afternoon hgtv, but hey, it has crossed my mind!

I hope the UPS truck arrives swiftly with your new Headrest and that you find the Breeze tips helpful until then.

Jen

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:05 pm

My solution when you break your favorite mask. Can't stand not to have air.

I started to post this twice but all the good looking models were taken. Really hate to post the picture and it ain't even halloween.

Jerry

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:02 pm

JEN!!! i didn't know you were pregnant! sorry, i must have missed that happy news somewhere along the line...congrats to you and your family! (read "Siblings Without Rivalry" by Faber and Mazlich, if you haven't already...you'll be glad you did! )

so yeah, i'm conking out on the couch and barely staying awake throughout the last couple of days...hard to believe how fast i've gone back to feeling like UTTER HELL!!!!!

as far as the breeze goes, i've used it before with decent success; i don't know why it's just not working for me now! and yesterday my brother dropped off my CL2 to me and it's the same thing...i had to resort to using the simple cushion, (the little nasal mask option) which i'm so not used to, but i just couldn't get the nasal pillows to work; maybe my fears about my nares growing ever bigger have actually come true and now my old pillows don't fit properly i'm convinced that i'm looking more and more like the end of a double barreled shotgun every day

but i've re-read all those breeze tips and i guess i'll keep plugging at it till my headrest arrives...

thanks everyone for the tips and the empathy and thanks GERRY for that sexy pic, it's going up on my bedroom wall

sharon

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:16 pm

I had a sinus augmentation Nov.5 and the other side done Nov.26. Have not been able to use cpap all this time. What terrible headaches I wake up with and I've been sleeping with my head elevated. I'm looking forward to getting back on cpap. That's something I never thought I would say!!!!

bluegrassfan · Post by **bluegrassfan** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:20 pm

Yep, I've been on it about a year and a half. Went on a trip last month, packed my machine, hose mask, etc. Got to my destination, opened my suitcase started hauling stuff out. I use an Ultra FF mask. First thing I hauled out was a strap or harness for an Ultra Mirage. Just about panicked. Then I dug deeper and found my Ultra straps...whew! I would have been miserable for 5 days. I no longer snach it off my face, I just calmly adjust it during the nite, stick a finger up under the mask to scratch my nose, etc. Amazing...never thought I would get here.
This forum certainly helped me get where I am...bob p.s. good luck Sharon!

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:23 pm

Jerry's got the answer to mask problems for us all! I'm trying that tonight, Jerry--no mask, just straight hose :<). Love it!!

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:24 pm

yeah, i hear you guys...i had to take a month off for septoplasty back in april and that was tough, but i wasn't getting the results i am now, and i was feeling crappy from the surgery anyway...this is much worse

hope you're fully recovered soon, jomac30!

Elle · Post by **Elle** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 12:21 am

Is it possible that our central nervous system forgets how to start up the breathing mechanism (if not using the machine one night) once we have been using cpap for a while? I feel like I could go without it in the beginning without noticing much difference but if I try to take a night off now I struggle to breathe. I am 110 lbs. less so it should be easier so I was wondering whether once you are dependent on cpap it is more dangerous not using it than before diagnosis. I hope this post wasn't too incoherent.

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:32 am

Sharon,
On the CL2, I had very poor results until I used the modification with the tie wrap or fishing line to pull the pillows back toward the down tube to make them closer to the angle of my nose to my forehead. Also, the space across has to be just right. Think about all of the possibilities of the nare angles, and you'll understand how complex the adjustment is.

GOOD LUCK,

TerryB

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4

UPDATE: missing my cpap; still no new mask :(

UPDATE: missing my cpap; still no new mask :(

I know what your're going through