1st nite with machine

[chunkyfrog]

In spite of the discomfort of masks that didn't want to fit my weird little face, cpap was almost too easy for me-
-finally getting a really good night's sleep. I probably hadn't slept so well for years! It is amazing!

[ARA]

well, yesterday was busy. I spent the morning calling to find out what went on with test and the results. Got passed from person to person with no answers. about noon I received a call that my machine and all were ready for me at the equipment place. They called me and I had an appt at 3 to pick it up and to learn about it. I was so excited. They said I got the cadallac of the machines. Of course, I wasn't sure about them after all that I've read. well, I got a Phillips resprinonics unit. It's a biflex bipap auto. I was so excited to start on my new journey. I think I may have been too excited. I ended up trying to use it and gettin sick to my stomach. spent time praying to the porcelin god in the bathroom. I ended up just crawling into bed and sleeping. I figured I'd try again tomorow. well, I woke up about 4.30am put on the mask, started the machine, and had no problems. I woke up at 7 as my dogs wanted to eat. I could have slept another 6 hrs. lol. I'm sure I'll take a nap here soon. I think yesterday I had so many different emotions about getting the unit. I was happy to know I would continue to live, excited to have such a neat unit and all, but I was so sad for the end of that part of my life that had me as a normal person. I kow I will live with this machine till the end. I think so many different emotions is what made me so sick. I was surprised as I have really been wanting the unit, knowing it would keep me going. I'm better this morning as I think the worse is over. still mourning the end of the regular life tho.

mary

I'm in my third week of therapy, and I had some similar anxiety about it at first. I went through a grief phase of saying goodbye to "normal" sleeping, and being spontaneous about sleeping.I distinctly remember thinking, "I'm stuck with this THING for the rest of my life... what do I do when I want to go camping?!"

Now... I've had some days where I felt absolutely fabulous- like, had so much energy I couldn't sit still. Most days are more level now since I've had adjustments done with my machine. Overall, I feel better. I'm still getting used to it, of course. Last night I couldn't sleep with it because the mask kept leaking. I tried to take a nap with it today, but the same thing happened. But the night before, it all worked fine. I guess there'll be good times and times that aren't as good.

Keep at it! I'm glad you found this forum- it's already helped me a lot, especially with adjusting my expectations about the process.

[BlackSpinner]

All of you new people will wan to read this great post by one of the other members
viewtopic/t61785/Especially-for-newly-d ... hange.html

Everybody who goes through a major life change/loss goes through stages - some might be 5 minutes long other might take months but we all do it.

[Mary Z]

While you're mourning the loss of a regular life, your family could be mourning the loss of you if you weren't getting treatment.

You do go through a grieving process, though.

[lostmary]

all such great advice. I know that if I stop using my unit that I will die. there is no room of discussion. my brain doesn/y tell me when to breath at nite. with the massive brain swelling, heart attack and stroke, along with the grand mal seizure, I'm inclined to believe the docs when they tell me this. I used it again last nite and did ok. my face is sore just under the eyes, on the upper cheekbone. feels bruised, but i'll give it some time as I just took the mask off a few minutes ago. with the help of an ambian I'm able to go to sleep and stay that way most of the nite.
I'm thinking of getting on of the special cpap pillows. is anyone using one and is it easier on the face then a regular super soft pillow (which I'm using not)

Mary

[Pugsy]

You might find that one of those special cpap pillows (with cut outs for your mask) allows for more comfort with side sleeping. Before spending the big bucks on one though...I would go to Walmart and get a cheap memory foam pillow and cut out my own little hole for the mask. Make your own to see if you like it.
Electric meat slicers (hand held kind) work super on foam but you can use a box cutter also.

I use a buckwheat pillow. It allows me to sort of push the hulls away and make a little nest for my mask.
I also have a really bad neck so the buckwheat hull pillow has a lower profile (doesn't crimp my neck) and offers the support by cervical spine needs. You can find one for about $20 at Bed Bath and Beyond.
I happen to use the Regenisis buckwheat pillow which I got online during a pillow trial a couple of years ago.

Lots of pillow options out there and individual preference depends on the person. I love the feel of a memory foam pillow but the higher profile hurts my neck. I do so well with the buckwheat hull pillow that I just don't see the need to butcher a memory foam pillow to make it a lower profile but I would try it if I couldn't get anything else to work. I would try a cheap Walmart pillow first though before I butchered a high dollar pillow. Besides..some of those cheap WalMart pillows end up doing a great job.