Newbie and questions

Just wanted to say Hello! and thanks for this site. I started CPAP this week, after having my Sleep Study done way back in November. What a long wait! The 1st night's sleep was incredible!! Now I know how bad off I really was before. It's not that I have more energy during the day so much, but that I have longer-lasting energy throughout the day (if that makes any sense!). I can actually make it through the workday without napping unexpectedly at my desk. Afternoon meetings were a nightmare, as I would struggle to stay awake and my eyes would glaze over.

Now I as I am getting more used to it, I find myself moving more (I'm a side sleeper) and the mask will leak into my eyes when turning over on my other side, causing me to wake up and try to reposition the headgear. Any suggestions? It's snug around the bottom of my nose, it just loosens at the top near my eyes. When I adjust the top of the headgear, then it moves the bottom and loosens that end too much. I'm thinking maybe I need a different type of mask. That gel-filled one sounds better.

Oh, and as a newbie, can someone tell me what DME stands for? I see it in all the posts and come up with my own explanations like -- Damn Medical Equipment --- but I don't think thats right. or maybe it is!

Well, it's great to have this forum and I look forward to reading up on more posts.

Hi GMedal,

Welcome to the forum. I am happy that you see a huge difference in your sleep. It makes all the difference in the world to get a sound sleep. We all welcome any thoughts and experiences you wish to share.

I too am a side sleeper and have found that the Puritan Bennet Breeze Sleepgear with nasal pillows, works best for me. As a matter of fact, I just woke up from a nap, in which I had the longest dream in weeks. Wow, was I sleeping deeply.

Here is a link to the Breeze on cpap.com

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1451

Regards,

Titrator

I found I have more air leakage when I sleep on my stomach,with my head to the side.I am a stomach sleeper.
So,I have adjusted and learned to sleep on my back.I have less trouble that way.That is just my experience.
I have a nose mask ,and a full face one for when I have a cold.

Thanks for the welcome to the group! I checked out your link for the nasal pillows.....that looks like something that I should definitely try. I didn't realize that my mask had an adjustable bridge (?) piece that angles the masks outward from your forehead. Somehow I must have moved that piece. Once I straightened it out a little, the seal was better. I still get some blow-by when I change sides, but it's a little better. But I think I want to try the pillows. Looks like less of a hassle.

Thanks for your help!

Welcome to the wonderful world of sleep apnea, goldmedalsleeper. I am also a newbie. Just started my therapy on 01/03/05. I have used an UltrMirage FF mask since the beginning and wouldn't trade it for anything. I am a side-sleeper and it took some time to get rid of the leaks. DME stands for Durable Medical Equipment supplier on this board.

Hang in there, it gets better every night.