CPAPtalk.com

Just remember, whatever happens has already happened to someone else. Ain't nothing new. I read these posts by other people and it's very reassuring to know that waking up gasping for air is ok. you just have to work your way thru it. When you rip off your mask, just don't throw it, because those little plastic parts will break. And if you can't put it back on some night, that's ok, just go to sleep like you used to do...and put it back on the next night. I'm up to 4 hrs now, after only 6 weeks, but if it hadn't been for this group of folks on here, I probably wouldn't have used it near as much. Good luck...bob

Don't let the machine win!
BE STRONGER THAN THE EQUIPMENT!!!!!!!
You can do it!! Even if you only sleep 15 minutes longer than the night before. Eventually you will be sleeping the entire night with the mask on. And there are no stupid questions. If you have a question-post it. One or more of us have probably gone through it already.

Ok, I survived my second night! 3 hours on the hose then I took it off. I forgot to turn off the machine so when the Sleep Lady reads my numbers it will look like I slept using the thing all night. Guess I should fess up to her, but I'll wait a little while and bask in the compliments.
I got some advice from one of you on how to crack the code for turning up the machine from 4 to 6. I will do it tonight and see if it helps stop the suffocating feeling. If not I will call the Sleep Lady . One thing I did notice last night was a dry thoat. Had the humidifier up to 4 on the dial, didn't seem to help. is the dial supposed to regulate the moisture or the heat?
Also My nose was itchy, Scratching the outside of the mask didn't help (well duh!) So I had to reach under the mask . This is irritating for me to do, because now I have to readjust everything to stop the leaks and fix my makeup. (Ok, OK Just kidding about the makeup. Don"t get any ides about me. I am a heterosexual and a damn good one.)
Anyone else have a problem with itchy nose?

Bernie

Hey Bernie,
Congrats on your second night. I'm not sure about fooling the sleep lady with your numbers, but I don't have a "smart" machine, so I wouldn't know. My pressure is 10, and just as a survey point I stopped using the ramp feature after only a few days because of the feeling of suffocation. (Plus I found myself waiting for the pressure change instead of trying to sleep.)

Keep up the good work!
Cathy

Thanks Cathy,

What exacltly does the ramp button do? According to the manual my Sleep Lady disabled the ramp button.

Hey Bernie,

Duh, I didn't look to see what CPAP machine you have, which is the same machine I have, so you will indeed fool your sleep lady! (Didn't the noise bother you?) Anyway, I don't see how she could disable the ramp function, because it's a button just to the left of the power button, with a picture of a triangle on it. What it does is to start your machine at a lower pressure, and after ~20 minutes it reaches your final sleep pressure. Here's how to test it: Turn your power on, then after it starts blowing press the ramp button. You should get a drop in flow rate. If not, check the manual again - see if you can re-enable it. I'll look again tonight too. I'm pretty sure you can set the lower pressure yourself, too.

BTW, I have to scratch my nose at least once a night, and I NEVER remember to lift the darn mask first!

Cathy

You can't set the ramp any lower than 4, so that's why it's "disabled". It's not really, you just can't ramp down from the lowest point. If you reset your machine to 6, then you can ramp from 4 to 6.

Hang in there, 3 hours at what is surely not the correct pressure for you is pretty impressive.

Ok Fidget, I will see if i can reset to 6 tonight. thanks
Bernie

tangents wrote:just think of the leverage it gives you - imagine their horror if you picked them up at school wearing the mask? They'll probably do anything you ask if you threaten that!

ROTFL!! Good one, tangents!

Bernie, since you did so well acclimating to the mask at home...heck, I'd just go on and set the pressure at 8 now and start actually getting treatment. I'll bet you'd do fine after a few breaths of getting used to it 8.

If not, you can always go back to baby steps.

Berniem wrote:Because of my problems sleeping at the lab. they set the machine on the lowest level saying that they would increase the pressure in a couple of weeks. I am currently at level 4 and they will eventually increase it to 8 or 10.

Everything about this can be easier at home than it was for you in the lab.

My edit: Ooops, missed that you've already turned it up to 6 cm. Good for you!

Hey, you're ready for 10 now, where you will be treating your OSA. At 9 or 10 you'll also get a better idea if your mask is staying sealed ok at your treatment pressure. The mask is going to be the biggest key of all to being able to "do" this kind of treatment as comfortably as possible.

Holy Moly! 10 is gonna blow my ear drums out ! i'm suppose to see Sleep Lady in a couple of weeks. I'll check with her about that. Mean time baby steps are just my speed. Acutally another way of saying, I'm scared to do it.

hey bernie,

wait 'till you sneeze in your mask. that happened my 2nd night. i cracked up laughing because it blew me apart.

have fun - you've landed in the right place for attitude adjustment, technical and moral support, and general mask-wearing-merriment.

good luck with it all!

el

Bernie, you're a HOT TOPIC!

Sneezing with the mask on? Yet another adventure to look forward to. If I have my new Twilight NP on, will I invert my pillows? LOL

Hi Berniem,

I know what you are talking about. It is definately a huge adjustment getting into a CPAP "happy mode". Don't give up... the results will make it worth your effort.

They just keep telling me to keep coming back, Bernie, so thats what I do.

John M