long term effect on face

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:59 pm

It is perfectly fine to mourn losses, big and small. I mourn the loss of use of my right hand due to RH arthritis and all the losses associated to it, I can't fish and play golf and many other things I took for granted. I miss my hair I hate my Crohns and having to know where every restroom in the country and soon to be UK and China. I miss the great foods that I can't eat. I can go on and on. But Cpap has not been a life shattering sacrifice compared to the benefits. I too miss the snuggling but, we figured out a way because there is a will.

If your Swift is n ot holding a seal then you are using a size too small. The breeze won't be any better, it will be the same. As far as a cream, I highly recomment UDDER CREAM that can be bought as walMart.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:56 pm

Aw, poor baby. Don't ever feel bad about feeling bad. It's part of human emotions. You are certainly justified in feeling bad about the things you mentioned as long as you don't spend every breathing moment you're awake bitching and moaning about it to anyone who will listen to you. This is the place to vent your feelings and we are all here to listen and try to provide if not answers, then at least some compassion and shoulders to lean on. With all that you have to endure with OSA and whatever other ailments you may have in addition, you would have to be Superwoman not to feel sorry for yourself sometimes.
So, that being said, go treat yourself to something nice that makes you smile every once in awhile, whether it be a manicure/pedicure/facial at your favorite salon, a gooey, whip creamy sundae at the ice cream parlor or even a new pair of shoes, whatever floats your boat. We deserve a little pampering every now and then. Food for the soul, no???

Dot · Post by **Dot** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 6:02 pm

Sharon, Don`t even think of foregoing the cuddling. Life is too short to give up what makes us happy. I`d give anything to have my Husband back to cuddle with, machine and all- lost him in July `02. I am sure there are others that feel the same way.
I never had heard of Sleep Apnea back then. He used to tell me I stopped breathing a lot when sleeping and that he would wiggle me to get me back breathing. One morning I was awakened with him slapping my back. He was never a hitter, so I thought it was lack of oxygen- he had emphysema. Thats when he finally told me about my stopping breathing-- that time wiggling didn`t work and he thought slapping me on the back might wake me and it did. He said he thought at first that I was dead. So glad to have found the cause with the machine to keep me breathing. Wish I had known about it back then as it would have releived his fear of losing me. Wish I had known a way to help him breath easier. Oxygen didn`t seem to improve his breathing. WEll, enough of what can`t be undone.
Just enjoy all the cuddling you can get for as long as you can.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:57 pm

Wrinkles???

Creases???

One side of my mouth never smiles.

When I look up at something, the right side of my mouth risies with my eyebrows.

Sometimes a certain resonance in someone's speaking tone, or music, or even the sound of my machine or the mask will make my upper lip twitch on that side. I cannot make it stop, even by holding my hand on it.

I make a mess sometimes when I eat soup or ice cream or anything runny (I break bread or crackers into soups until they are almost thick enough to eat with a fork)

Sometimes when I am in a large gathering and talking and laughing and trying to chew, my jaw and neck muscles will spasm and I cannot move until it passes - not even to smile or to chew the food in my mouth.

It has been this way all through grade school, junior high school, high school and college.

And you are worried about a few wrinkles? Hahaha! Good one!

Sorry. Guess you struck a nerve there.

Enjoy what you have. Wrinkles have to be earned. They are badges of wisdom.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:11 pm

ahujudybear writes:

Enjoy what you have. Wrinkles have to be earned. They are badges of wisdom.

I guess one thing to keep in mind is, when you think about all the other side effects that accompany OSA that we could have if we did not get diagnosed in time, or we did get diagnosed in time but did not use our CPAP machines, wrinkles should be the least of our worries. We should wear our wrinkles like proud medals of honor if we are truly lucky enough to get to that age where we have them despite the fact that we have OSA and might not have made it to the wrinkle stage.
In two years, I will turn 50. When my friends ask me if that bothers me, I always reply that I am grateful if I make it to 50. When I think of all the poor people that never did, I thank my lucky stars that I've made it this far. I guess it's the classic case of looking at the glass half empty or half full. Wrinkles? Hey, there's far worse out there to have. All of us on this site should know that by now. Don't sweat the small stuff or the Big Guy will teach you the difference between what the small stuff and the big stuff really is!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:19 pm

Well said Lori!

What did you get at the DME today? I will be interested in how you progress.

JimH · Post by **JimH** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:28 pm

Snuffle-Nose,

You make me laugh. I washed my mask yesterday and put the straps back on as usual and I guess they were to tight. I have had a red mark on my forehead all day (I use the gel mask too). The mark was on my forehead and the bridge of my nose as well. I guess I will be loosening the straps a tad.

R&R, I definately feel you have a good handle on everything that is sleep apnea and thanks for the sage words of advice.

Jim

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:35 pm

Anytime, we are all in this boat together.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:56 pm

rock and roll wrote:Thanks for the kudos on my posts. I tell it like it is (much to my wifes chagrin ) and I am a student of human nature. I am a salesman by trade and I have to be quick on my feet and have to see through the bull and false words and have a quick comback. Some like it, some don't. I have made a good living at it though.

I like your attitude. It sure feels good to be assertive and "see through the bull". I am a software engineer and have lacked that skill, but I am catching up. I tend to really improve it when I do job interviews

snamvar · Post by **snamvar** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 12:42 am

That was me.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 4:57 am

R&R writes:

Well said Lori!

What did you get at the DME today? I will be interested in how you progress.

Well, coming from you, R&R, that is a big compliment. Thank you!

I got the Activa yesterday at the DME. I told you I would take your advice. I had a pretty awful night's sleep, though, last night. Guess I have to get used to it. There was quite a bit of tossing and turning, not to mention it was like 100 degrees here on Long Island last night and we just had a ceiling fan going. There was a strange whistling noise at times coming out of the mask, too, for about three to five seconds. Don't know why. I did keep the straps loose, as you recommended. I guess, as with anything else, it takes some getting used to. At least I didn't wake up with "Botox" lips or TMJ, or any of the other wonderful side effects I was getting from the Oracle. The DME suggested I just wash and store the Oracle for nights when I have a cold and can't breathe through my nose, so I guess I will.

I will keep you posted on my progress. I would welcome any other suggestions you may have on how to make this transition go quicker, if, in fact, you have any others. Thanks, R&R.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:52 am

Like anything else it does take a few days to adjust to. Also keep messing with the straps and top adjusment. Make the top keep just off your forehead and make the straps superloose, where it falls off sitting straight up. This one defies normal.

Another thing you can try is if you don't have a memory foam pillow and that is lay on the very edge of your pillow to where your mask is off it. Hang in there and keep adjusting it and you will see a big difference.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:52 am

Like anything else it does take a few days to adjust to. Also keep messing with the straps and top adjusment. Make the top keep just off your forehead and make the straps superloose, where it falls off sitting straight up. This one defies normal.

Another thing you can try is if you don't have a memory foam pillow and that is lay on the very edge of your pillow to where your mask is off it. Hang in there and keep adjusting it and you will see a big difference.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:12 am

So what you're saying is, the top adjustment should be so loose that it's tipping the mask downward when you sit up? Sounds good to me. I hate that feeling of anything pressing on my forehead to begin with since I am a long-time migraine sufferer. I did make it, more or less, loose but will keep an extra eye on that tonight.
I really never expert miracles when I try something new and didn't expect one last night with the Activa. I hope tonight will just be better. That's all I can ask for. And if it's not, then hopefully tomorrow night will be. Thanks for the quick reply. Hope you have yourself a nice day!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:17 am

Yes that loose. Keep us informed how it goes and good luck!

long term effect on face

To Sharonious

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