New to board

Winston · Post by **Winston** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:15 am

On the pap for over ten years. Just found this board. This message board and the one at talkaboutsleep.com seem to be great places to share. Look forward to reading all the posts and continue learning. Thanks to everyone.

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:24 am

Hiya, Winston and welcome to the board. It's a great group!

Over 10 years on da PAP? How bout some words of wisdom for us relative newbies? (Only on since January this year)

This therapy WORKS!!!

Winston · Post by **Winston** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:57 am

Well, I am not sure about words of wisdom, but I have learned some. For most people I would recommend the apap along with a HEATED humidifier. The proper mask is the real secret to compliance once the doc has your pressure correct.

My one advice would be to never give up. If something is not working do whatever it takes to correct the situation. I am lucky to have a great sleep doc who knows his field very well. Since Dec 1995 I have never slept without my pap. Not even a nap. I was worthless before the pap. I would fall asleep driving to work. I would fall asleep at work. I would fall asleep talking on the phone. Now, life is much better. I got great results within days on the pap, even tho I had to struggle to find the right mask. Pillows ended up being the best for me. I got the Adams pillows first, than the Breeze system. Both were okay and I keep a breeze as a spare. At the moment I am using the Swift which has worked great even at a pressure of 20cm. I have been reading alot about the new dental devices and the pillar. But, they will not work for me. I hope it works for some, but be careful that the apneas have stopped and not just the snoring. I plan to visit this site as often as I can and will input my 2 cents when appropriate.

Thanks for the welcome.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:21 pm

Winston,

Welcome and hi! You sound like a very experienced xPAP-er. I agree with what you have said about the mask being the most important part as far as being compliant. Without a comfortable mask, you won't want to use your machine.

You should be commended for being 100% complaint for so long. No wonder you feel so much better. I have only been on therapy since the first week of June 2005, but have also been 100% complaint and feel a thousand times better, too.

Look forward to hearing more from you on the boards. And, again, welcome. This is one great group of people here. Glad to have you join us.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:16 pm

Winston! Welcome!

Glad your treatment has been going so well for so long.

You gave great advice.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:23 pm

Winston, welcome!

I don't think anybody here has been at it for 10 years. Masks have evolved and changed so much in the past few years, I would love to know what they tried to put on you ten years ago. Can't wait for some good stories from such an experienced cpaper.

Winston · Post by **Winston** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:37 am

I have scars on my nose from the first mask I got. Yes, scars. The good news is the DME got a machine to me the day after my first sleep test. The bad news is they left it on my porch without even a note. When I called after the first night about how the mask hurt my nose I was told this is normal and they could do nothing. I was told it was the only mask available. (Lie) Needless to say I went online to learn more myself. Even with using mole skin, liquid bandaid and a few other tricks my nose is scarred for life. Than I found the Adams circuit. I have not trusted most DME since. I verify everything they tell me online. Lucky for me Stanford had a great site and AOL had a okay sleep disorder chat in 1995. I have learned the most visiting places like this.

Are there scheduled chats here?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:30 am

Winston wrote:Are there scheduled chats here?

Winston,

Monday nights are SUPPOSED to be the nights scheduled for chats, but sometimes people are chatting live at other times, too.

Sorry to hear about the bad luck with the mask starting off. At least you are learning a lot yourself so you can be pro-active in your treatment and make sure you get the best care possible.