Another Newbie

I just had my first full night on the CPAP!!

It has been a fitful first week with the CPAP. But I finally managed to keep it on almost all night. I woke up middle of the night having to go to the bathroom. Pulled mask off and took a big drink of water. But, did not get out if bed right away and fell back asleep without the mask on. Not sure how long I went without it, but I did wake up again since I had not gone to the bathroom yet and Mother Nature reminded me of that fact. Once I came back to bed I put the mask back on and quickly fell back to sleep. Kept it on the rest of the night.

The night was fairly decent this time. I only remember waking up the 2 times for bathroom and once more while my wife was getting ready for work. Many times less than my typical night without the CPAP machine. But I still woke up with a headache.

I did have a slight numb tingle this morning when I awoke. But it was very mild and went away almost instantly after taking off the mask. While getting ready for bed last night I took the mask into the bathroom. After putting it on I stood up and looked in the mirror. I could see instantly why I was getting a numb nose and lip. Even though I had loosened the straps the mask was being pulled up against my nose. The flexible shafts of the nostril tubes were pushed almost all the way down into the body of the mask. So I loosened the straps and pulled the mask down away from my nose until the tubes were almost fully extended. Then adjusted the lower straps to keep them that way. Seems to have worked.

Hopefully things will continue to get better.

Oh, almost forgot to mention. But I am sure I am not the first one to come up with this idea.

I was looking for a way to take a drink of water without having to pull of the mask. The Mirage Liberty Mask hose connection elbow joint comes off of the mask leaving a nice big hole in the front of the mask. Just perfect to insert a straw into to get a drink of water to wet your whistle during the night.

Time for an update. I am now at 2 1/2 weeks into treatment. Things are a little better. I am sleeping with the mask on longer and have had multiple all night sessions. I have got the humidity better, but not perfect. I go from feeling dry, to ok, and back to dry through the night. If I turn up the humidifier any higher the air is physically warm and I can not stand the way it feels.

My wife never fills her humidifier tank all the way up. She has it down to a science so that she wastes almost no distilled water. I have found that if I fill the tank all the way up to the line I get a better night with humidity. Lower water level makes me drier. That make sense?

I have tried the salt water rinses. Sticking nose into bowl of warm salt water and inhale slightly to draw it into the sinuses. Makes me feel like I am drowning, even though I am not drawing it in enough to get past the nasal cavity. It also makes my sinuses start to run then I cough and choke on the drainage when I lie down.


Numbness of the nares and upper lip are still bothering me. I think part of the lip numbness is my mustache. It feels as if it bends the hairs in the wrong direction and causes the tingling feeling. I have not been able to bring my self to shave off the beard and mustache. I have had them since college. (My son has never seen me without a beard.) I may go ahead and do it just to see if it helps. If not, it will grow back quickly.


On Friday last week I got a letter from the Sleep Study Center informing me that my test results had been completed and mailed to my doctor and that I should contact her for the results. On Saturday morning I got a call from the Sleep Study Center telling me that the Dr. had called in an order to lower my pressure to 12. So I have gone from 16 down to 12. This does make it easier to breathe. But, still getting pressure leaks from the mask on exhale. I still think I am going to see if I can get an APAP machine.


My main complaint to the doctor was waking up many times per night and having a real bad headache in the morning. This has not changed yet with the CPAP. In fact, some of the headaches seem worse due to the dry sinuses adding to the pain. And I am still drowsy at work and can, and do, fall asleep. Luckily my boss is also an Apnea sufferer and has been understanding. He is the one who actually convinced me it was time to get treatment.

I see others posting on here that they feel much better after just a few days use. I know that everyone is different in how they adjust to CPAP, but I really am ready to start to feeling better. God, PLEAAASSSEEEE!!! Yeah, I know, patience is a virtue. ::grumble, grumble::

Hi,

My nose and sinuses were also terribly dry and thought I had a sinus infection, from the pressure in my head. I use a heated humidifier, but didn't seem to help with my dryness. My ENT recommended a nasal emolient called Ponaris Oil, which I had never heard of, but apparently he had been using it for years.

You can get it at a compounding pharmacy, over the counter.
(I believe he said if you were allergic to cottonseed oil, you couldn't use it.)

You might want to run it by one of your Dr.'s.

I was very skeptical, but it worked wonders for me. I haven't been able to breathe through my nose for years, and now I can, and no more sinus pressure either.

Just a thought. I hate recommending medications, like I said, please check with one of your Dr.'s. Couldn't help but mention it, it has made all the difference for me!

Best of luck with it all!!

Just want to say hi and welcome to the forum. You will love this forum its the best there is any were.

Pam

NeedinZs wrote:My ENT recommended a nasal emolient called Ponaris Oil, which I had never heard of, but apparently he had been using it for years.

You can get it at a compounding pharmacy, over the counter.

Never heard of Ponaris Oil before. I am not sure if we even have a compounding pharmacy around here. Mostly we have the giant retail chains, CVS, RiteAid, etc. Will have to Google to see if I can find one in my area.

Thanks,
Patrick

Pam wrote: Just want to say hi and welcome to the forum. You will love this forum its the best there is any were.

Pam

Hi Pam,
Yes, this forum has been a wealth of knowledge. I have learned a lot. Hopefully one day I will be able to give back to others.

Patrick