Newbie chat - Monday, December 1 at 9:00 PM EST

Hi! First post, total noob.

I picked up my first CPAP this morning. I felt like a kid getting the greatest Christmas present in the world.

The three hours I was on the machine during my sleep study were, I think, the first real sleep I've had in a decade. The next day I felt like I could leap tall buildings in a single bound.

I've waited so long, put this off for so many years (stupid) that I truly don't think adapting to the mask will be a problem When I put it on I can feel my body react to what it's trying to do.

I cannot WAIT to crawl into bed tonight for my first night of real sleep since the Clinton Administration.

NEWBIE here and I have a question: I used the CPAP headgear from 1999 off and on until 2001. I am claustrophobic with it and the headgear made me sweat like crazy and I woke up several times a night in a panic having to pull off the entire headgear. I CANNOT have anything wrapped around my head and have not used my CPAP since 2001 when I lost it due to a flood of my home. Is there anything out there now that can be used with something other than the head gear? I have a horrible time sweating anyway and other health issues. I had to have a gastric bypass to lose weight on my liver (other choice was a liver transplant - no brainer there) in 2003. I lost over 100 lbs. and thought the weight loss would help the snoring/sleep apnea but I do still snore slightly. Does anyone have an opinion as to what is available for those of us who cannot wear the headgear? I would appreciate any comments.

Welcome and make sure you ask t his question on the main forum, so people have a chance to see it and respond. While you are at it, fill in your gear so people know how you are set up.

silver

That would be 11:30 AM. Here is the converter I used.

http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc

Brenda

Hello to everyone. I've been using a CPAP machine for about 3.5 months now after 3 years of severe sleep apnea. It's a real live improver!

Hi all, I just signed up today. Used my CPAP for the first time last night. I had a little trouble with it, woke up about 5 times (which is normal for me) only because I was not use to the mask, hose, straps, etc... The last time I woke up it was about 7am and I was awake and felt REAL GOOD!!! I haven't felt like that since ?????? I cant wait until I get use to all that stuff.

It can take quite a while for some to get used to all of this, but you're doing great so far and I'm sure it won't take you long at all!! Be sure to post if you run into any problems or have anyquestions. If you come up with a new idea that might help others, it would be great if you'd post that too!
Don't forget to go to 'our wisdom' at the top of the page and read, read, read!

Brenda

Thanks 522 for the words of encouragement. Its Sunday morning and I feel even greater. I Went to bed at about 11pm and I thought I would try a couple of Advil PM's and using the ramp feature. I fell asleep right a way and believe it or not slept for 8 hr. Didn't even have to get up an pee. I noticed that I have a deep red mark on the right side of my nose, I think I had the mask on too tight. Ill adjust it tonight. I guess im one of the lucky ones (knocking on wood). So far so good, MAN DO I FEEL GREAT!!!!!!

Glad to hear that you are doing so well. Just keep in mind that we all have a bad night sometimes. Don't let it upset you when/if it happens.

Brenda

Hello all,

Man, what a life changer. I have been on for about 11 days and the first four nights I pulled the nasal pillows and headgear off 2-3 times then the next 4 nights only once. On day 8 I changed to the nasal mask with side straps and a swivel and slept 2 out of the last three nights all the way through, and then only last night tore it off a couple of times because I got congested.

My original sleep lab was horrible with 137 waking events per hour and only 167 minutes of "sleep." When I went back to the lab for my CPAP titration they put me on BiPap and 0 events and 427 minutes of sleep.

I have zero daytime sleepiness and have not fallen asleep during the day unless I wanted to. My wife says I am resting so peaceful after years of making unholy noises that she is having a hard time adjusting a little.

Good Stuff so far. (except for my Insurance Company )

With our slow dial-up internet, I'm not certain how well this Live Chat will work.

I added the event to my iCal in our iBook laptop and will add it to my Palm Pilot events.

Liz

Hi, my name Don and have been a CPAP user for about 10 years( yea). I just got a new machine that I love, Remstar pro w/Cflex. It only my third machine, with really cool features compared to my first one ( A heated what??) I am glad that I found this forum. I like knowing about my sleep problems and doing research on them. Thanks

Welcome to the forum!

Feel free to post any questions, or advice you have for others. You can drop into chat anytime, not just mondays.
Brenda

With the time change - any interest in moving this up an hour to 8:30PM EST or even 1/2 hr??
To get it started any way, plenty of us stay longer so it wouldn't be a problem for those who do come later.
Maybe it's just me -I know my body clock is still messed up and by 9:30 (10:30) it thinks it's time to get hosed.

Just a thought.

I know some talked about adifferent nite too. Just a note to say that chat is open 24/7 and I know if I see someone who posted, waiting in chat, I stop in.
GumbyCT