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stoverquill wrote:WOW! Thanks, everyone. A lot to consider!

Question: What are the pantyhose for?

Tha pantyhose (really more like tights) are used as an additional strap to help stabilize your mask/interface.

Here is a posting by Rested Gal showing some options for the Aura/Twilight:

Link to Rested Gal's Pantyhose Strap Options

There are others, for example:

Link to Rested Gal's Pantyhose Strap DISCUSSION

Link to Rested Gal's Pantyhose Picture, PLUS Neversleeps' Dog Story

Enjoy!

P.S. I use the pantyhose strap, plus fishing line, and velcro.

stoverquill wrote:WOW! Thanks, everyone. A lot to consider!

Question: What are the pantyhose for?

Well, only 'cuz you asked.....



The red and green are legs cut off a pair of pantyhose tights. Make nice soft, stretchy homemade straps.

Tie behind the head with a doublestart knot...lays flat, easy to adjust, stays secure, easy to un-do.

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/doublestartknot.htm

Hi Trina,

It is good that you are making a list of supplies and equipment.

You have been given a good list to start with, my suggestion do not buy everything, start looking up what everything is for so you will know what you may want to get.

Get the best machine you can afford, you will have it for a few years.

If you are buying a machine online, get some filters now so you do not need to pay extra shipping later.

Get a humidifier right away. I do not know many people that do not use the humidifier.

Buy distilled water for the humidifier.

A surge protector, for your machine.

If monitoring yourself is of interest to you, consider the software. Especially if you can get it as a bundle with your machine.

Next what interface are you interested in.

I do not have, but want either a lamp which is controlled by touch or has a on off switch on a wire. So I do not have to move so much once I am settled with everything on.

A container to put the tape, lanolin, lip balm etc in near the bed.

Something which I will be looking at is attaching some type of L shaped brackets to the night stand so the machine does not fall off, when I move at night. Has not fallen off yet but to avoid it.

If you buy an interface that is not a full face mask, you will buy the tape for your mouth if you sleep with your mouth open.

Lip balm especially if you are going to tape your mouth.

If you get an interface that is a pillow type, you may want to get lanolin to help it seal better, or make it easier to insert cannulas if it goes in your nose.

A hook to hang up your interface and hose to air out and dry.

Pad-a-cheeks are great. You can't get those until you decide on a mask check out the web site, many are interface dependent.

If your nose feels dry the next day you can get a saline spray or saline gel.

I would not invest in the heated hose right away. Reason: Many people who have interfaces like the picture above, with a hose that goes over their head, will most like benefit from one. I found that a snuggle/fleece cover is enough for my interface that does not go like that. Others still use a heated hose. What if you spent a lot of money on the heated hose then realised that the 6 foot heated hose is not long enough and you would like a longer hose, like the 10ft hose (do not know if they make a 10ft heated hose). But at least you will have a choice from your experience. (I am now in the process of looking at longer hoses, because I find the 6 foot one to short for me.)

As for pillows, I think trying out the pillow with interface/mask you like may be a better idea.

I do not want to discourage you, but I would hate for you to buy everything on your list and then not have things work the way you want them to. At least if you get an idea of what is working or not you may have a better idea what will work for you.

Good Luck.

Selfseeker,
When my husband said, "That's ok hunny, you go ahead and get everything you need. I want you to be comfortable and to feel better!" I don't believe he knew what he set his self up for.

Really, though, I am not planning on buying all this at once. And, yes, I will have to wait until I get equipment, etc. Called DME again today, no machine, yet... hopefully tomorrow. But it is nice to know what is recommended for future reference!!!

I have really enjoyed reading them all and checking out the links. You guys are a hoot!!! I laughed and laughed at the panyhose threads.

Trina,

LOL,

I am sure your husband, will figure it out soon enough.

Wait until he hears you talking with a nasal interface on.

stoverquill wrote:Selfseeker,
When my husband said, "That's ok hunny, you go ahead and get everything you need. I want you to be comfortable and to feel better!" I don't believe he knew what he set his self up for.

Really, though, I am not planning on buying all this at once. And, yes, I will have to wait until I get equipment, etc. Called DME again today, no machine, yet... hopefully tomorrow. But it is nice to know what is recommended for future reference!!!

I have really enjoyed reading them all and checking out the links. You guys are a hoot!!! I laughed and laughed at the panyhose threads.

How about this:

one small dental device and spend the rest of the money on a
Holiday cruise??

stoverquill wrote:Really, though, I am not planning on buying all this at once.

While the shopping-list approach to CPAP accessories may be fun, I suggest that you don't buy anything other than your basic machine and mask until you you have come to point when you really need it and fully understand why you need it!

If you ever need to travel with a CPAP machine, you will certainly appreciate having kept your "must have" CPAP kit to a minimum!

Cheers,

Bill

[quote="billbolton"
While the shopping-list approach to CPAP accessories may be fun, I suggest that you don't buy anything other than your basic machine and mask until you you have come to point when you really need it and fully understand why you need it![/quote]

Very good advice! I just ordered the heated hose yesterday and I KNOW that I will totally appreciate it. I have the hose covers and all that but I still get a huge amount of "rain out." It's only 30 degrees out! I mean, what will it be like when we're at -30 to -40 or something like that? It would be nice if the hose was all toasty to cuddle with too... LOL

Kimberly

Where are the heated hoses available from? I have heard of them but don't know anything else about them.

This is where I ordered mine:
http://www.sleepzone.com.au/index.html

For chinstraps.

Kevin

Don't forget your " IVORY DISHWASHING LIQUID " and the little nail brush with the handle for cleaning the mask parts. When you wash your 6 foot hose, hook it up to your cpap machine and "BLOW DRY" it rather than letting it air dry because, it never will dry. GET EXTRA FILTERS TOO, they will come in handy and if he's still saying anything you need dear, ask for an extra 6 ft. hose so you can skip a day of cleaning that thing. ....

for a few bucks at wallyworld

it seems to help seal if using nasal pillows- also keeps from getting sore nose

Hey we forgot the pur-sleep. It really does make a huge difference in the quality of sleep. I won't EVEN try to sleep without it anymore.