I've got to laugh about this now

[JeffH]

After being on CPAP for several years at a pressure of 12cm, I started having trouble. I did the following trying to fix it.

1. raised pressure from 12 to 14
2. raised pressure from 14 to 15
3. bought a new APAP machine
4. got the software and reader so I could see what was going on
5. added a humidifier
6. Bought a 431 FF mask
7. Bought a Hybird mask
8. Bought a Breeze mask
9. Had my nose fixed from an old car wreck
10. Started taping my mouth shut at night
11. Asked tons of questions on this forum
12. Bought a chinstrap to keep my mouth closed
13. Made a homemade strap to keep from "blowfishing" in the night
14. Started using Pur-sleep
15. Drove my GF nuts with all the fixes I was trying.

Now, about 8 months later I'm running straight CPAP at a pressure of 12cm, taping my mouth and using the homemade strap, and the Pur-sleep. Also, I still use the humidifier.

The things we do trying to make this work....

I also posted this to point out that I "over reached" in a lot of areas trying to get it right when it was only the small things that needed tweaking.


JeffH...LOL

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, humidifier, CPAP, APAP

[Sillyme]

After being on CPAP for several years at a pressure of 12cm, I started having trouble. I did the following trying to fix it.

1. raised pressure from 12 to 14
2. raised pressure from 14 to 15
3. bought a new APAP machine
4. got the software and reader so I could see what was going on
5. added a humidifier
6. Bought a 431 FF mask
7. Bought a Hybird mask
8. Bought a Breeze mask
9. Had my nose fixed from an old car wreck
10. Started taping my mouth shut at night
11. Asked tons of questions on this forum
12. Bought a chinstrap to keep my mouth closed
13. Made a homemade strap to keep from "blowfishing" in the night
14. Started using Pur-sleep
15. Drove my GF nuts with all the fixes I was trying.

Now, about 8 months later I'm running straight CPAP at a pressure of 12cm, taping my mouth and using the homemade strap, and the Pur-sleep. Also, I still use the humidifier.

The things we do trying to make this work....

I also posted this to point out that I "over reached" in a lot of areas trying to get it right when it was only the small things that needed tweaking.


JeffH...LOL

Just for fun I went back to see what people were talking about 50,241 posts ago. Except for the nose job and the mask names it is amazingly like what I've done in the last 8 weeks. I'm back to a straight pressure of 13. Hate to admit that the sleep lab was right on that one. But I sure learned a lot while fighting for control. I learned that I only need a (much) higher pressure when sleeping on my back. With the lower pressure I can now use some of the rejected masks which had uncontrolable leaks at higher pressures. I would never have known this if I had just accepted the non data-capable machine the DME tried to give me. Cpaptalk rocks!

[Topsail Girl]

ok so I'm a newbie but could you please tell me what Pur-sleep is?? Thanks in advance....

[Sillyme]

ok so I'm a newbie but could you please tell me what Pur-sleep is?? Thanks in advance....

Pur-Sleep is a line of aromatherapy oils that can be used near the air intake of your CPAP to make it a bit more pleasant. If you don't have a sensitivity to fragrances it can be relaxing and some can be used to help congestion. You can do the same thing with vanilla, eucalyptus oil or any other non-irritating fragrance on a cotton ball in a shot glass. Use very sparingly as you will be inhaling it directly all night. Pur-Sleep has some other good products on their site.

[Topsail Girl]

Thanks I had no idea!!

[jdm2857]

Seehttp://www.pur-sleep.com

[SleepyT]

Thanks I had no idea!!

I have found essential oils (lavender, rosemary, etc.) in upscale grocery stores. They are around $6 to $11 a bottle depending...but only one drop is needed. Be sure not to put the oil in your humidifer water....only nearby the air intake as the other poster said. You want to smell it...not ingest it!

[Topsail Girl]

LOL thanks for the advice, SleepyT. I love the smell of Lavendar. I'll see what I can find.