CPAPtalk.com

Simplest answer to your problems is quit sleeping on your stomach. I can't imagine a mask working being forced into a pillow....fwiw.

Hi Adam!

PM "Babette" if you want to test drive a Nasal Aire II for the cost of postage (roughly $8.25). Need name, address, offline email addy, and phone number, then I'll put you on the list. Read more about it here:

viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

The "headrest" goes by various names. Rested Gal is the current Queen of the Decapitated Headrest. Let's find you some links:

(Blarg WAS the Headrest Queen, but now he's down under and IN LOVE, he can't be bothered to play with us anymore... )

viewtopic.php?t=3098

Pur Sleep has been on my bedside table for so long I can't remember when I first ordered it. I don't sleep without it. I think it helps. It's certainly NICER than smelling plastic. It's primarily a positive sensory experience - not Voodoo in a Bottle that's going to Cure you of All Ills.

Hey, if my fave pillow doesn't work for you, try something else. Ditto all other advice given.

Cheers,
Babs

schleima wrote:What is a decapitated aura interface? Sounds scary... can't find any reference to it.

Dontcha just love the images that brings up??

For more nightmares (on the aura, and other mask "tweaks"), go to
viewtopic.php?t=15104&highlight=aura
Then scroll down to
Headrest (formerly called the "Twilight NP" or "Aura")
and looks for the links on "desconstructing the aura". A bit more euphimistic than decapitation

The other tweaks on that page might also be interesting for you... others may have already solved some of your gripes with some of your previous masks.

happy reading!!!!

Babs, you are a HOOT!

darnit! by the time i've typed two words you guys have outposted me

And I was really looking forward to my new Voodoo in a Bottle that's going to Cure me of All Ills. Gosh, I'll have to go back to TV for that now....

Just another fan of the deconstructed Headrest (does that sound a little less scary?). Actually, if the headgear fits and you don't mind the feel of wearing a cap, no need to deconstruct it. Tough break about your DME not being able to get it. Maybe watch cpapauction and find one a bit cheaper. Not everyone absolutely loves it, but I'm so hooked on the upward vent and it's lightness that I would hate to give mine up.

Also a fan of the Neti Pot when really congested.

Maybe someone more up on this topic will jump in, but not all machines have that distinct clicking sound when between inhale and exhale. Also, the exhalation relief is different between brands. Seems I remembering reading the certain machines don't cut short the exhalation (or maybe that was a bilevel?). I suspect any machine will require adjusting to - there's plenty to deter someone from falling asleep if they have problems with that.

Hope you work things out soon.

schleima wrote:
I do have EPR turned on. In fact, it's one of the things that was keeping me distracted and awake! Imagine this-- just as your reaching the peak of your inhalation and begin to breather out, you feel (and hear) a "click" as the EPR kicks in. This doesn't happen at the peak of your breath, but a second after you start exhaling. Now imagine this occurring EVERY. SINGLE. TIME... it sometimes drives me crazy. It's like someone clicking an audience counter every time I take a breath. I become hyper aware of the fact that on this next exhale, I'll hear the click and feel the pressure drop. I wish I could ignore it, but I just can't. Maybe the Pur Sleep will help with this too...?

Adam

_________________


Only thing I can say to that is get a 20 foot hose and put the CPAP machine in another room, then you won't hear it.

So what is it that you are having trouble with? sleeping on your stomach or the mask on your face? I'm a stomach sleeper too I"m still having trouble with the pillow issue. still waiting for something to fix that. If you have trouble with the mask itself I found this cool stuff on ebay search it they have stuff the make the mask for comfy, even pillows. try it.

Adam, you may want to give the Activa mask a try. This Humvee of a mask can handle rough terrain without much of a leak (providing that you learn how to properly inflate that air shock first). If it can't save your stomach sleeping, nuthin' will.

Hi Adam,
I'm getting the feeling that maybe you aren't sleepy enough when its time to go to bed. Might this be true? I know on those nights when I'm not that tired, I can't stand my CPAP and everything about it bothers me. Do you do all the good sleep hygiene things before going to bed?

Another fan of the deconstructed Headrest (aka Aura).

And there is absolutely nothing violent about the NeilMed squeeze bottle. I have tried both the pot and the bottle - and find the bottle far more convenient. You can squeeze it gently - that's actually recommended - and it's wonderful.

I have to tell you though that NeilMed did not send the free squeeze bottle when I faxed them.

It pretty cheap to buy in a drugstore - and worth trying.
O.

schleima wrote:6. ...on CPAP I feel that I am forced to take long, measured breaths. I become hyper-aware of my breathing and this helps to keep me awake. I also feel as if I am not fully filling my lungs with air (I have had a pulmonary function test and am not asthmatic, nor do I have any breathing problems)

You didn't mention what your pressure setting is. Are you using the ramp function on your machine? If so, it's possible that the ramp is starting at too low a pressure for you.

A couple of things you could try. Some kind of white noise, either a fan or an actual noise generator, to help distract you and make the machine noise fade into the background. Also, I have used Breathe Right Strips for a while, they help with congestion and you don't have to worry about rebound.

alnhwrd wrote:A couple of things you could try. Some kind of white noise, either a fan or an actual noise generator, to help distract you and make the machine noise fade into the background. Also, I have used Breathe Right Strips for a while, they help with congestion and you don't have to worry about rebound.

Actually, because it's been very hot in Los Angeles these past couple of weeks, so I've been falling asleep with the air conditioner and a fan on... it works wonders for distracting me from the EPR clicking.

I've been using a nasal spray that the allergist recommended, and that seems to help my nose breathing (but when I take it just before going to sleep, it makes my nose leak into my nasal pillows )

I just might invest in a box of Breathe Right strips. Haven't tried those since my college days.

Adam

zzzzzz!! wrote:

schleima wrote:6. ...on CPAP I feel that I am forced to take long, measured breaths. I become hyper-aware of my breathing and this helps to keep me awake. I also feel as if I am not fully filling my lungs with air (I have had a pulmonary function test and am not asthmatic, nor do I have any breathing problems)

You didn't mention what your pressure setting is. Are you using the ramp function on your machine? If so, it's possible that the ramp is starting at too low a pressure for you.

[quote="ozij"]Another fan of the deconstructed Headrest (aka Aura).

And there is absolutely nothing violent about the NeilMed squeeze bottle. I have tried both the pot and the bottle - and find the bottle far more convenient. You can squeeze it gently - that's actually recommended - and it's wonderful.

I have to tell you though that NeilMed did not send the free squeeze bottle when I faxed them.

It pretty cheap to buy in a drugstore - and worth trying.
O.