Dori's Husband

As for naps, it's only once a day now for about an hour after breakfast, if he naps in the recliner next to the bed, he uses the mask, if he decides on the recliner in the den, then No.

As for hanging the hose, that might be a good idea since he turns a lot. We're not very handy, and shy about asking the neighbors for something like this, but I do have a giant white hook that adheres to the wall without taking the paint off, can be used to hang clothes behind a door or in a closet. I could attach it to the wall in the center above the headboard,then I could tie one of my elastic head band scrunchies on it and put the hose through it. Does that sound OK or is it too easy? We will get through this!!

Echo, just wanted to update you on the Mack's plugs from last night. I think I put it on the wrong place, I put it on the floppy inside flap and I think it should go around the hard outside frame. Am I correct? If so, I will change it tonight. Never thought I'd be doing these things in my old age, hanging hoses, Earplugs, machine settings, etc. I'm trying to look at this as an adventure and my kids tell me it will keep my mind sharp. I'd rather be playing Blackjack in Atlantic City, that keeps me plenty sharp! I'm starting to get silly, I guess that's a good sign!. Regards to all, Dori

DoriC wrote:I do have a giant white hook that adheres to the wall without taking the paint off, can be used to hang clothes behind a door or in a closet. I could attach it to the wall in the center above the headboard,then I could tie one of my elastic head band scrunchies on it and put the hose through it. Does that sound OK or is it too easy? We will get through this!!

That sounds like a great idea.. the hook and scrunchie. Good plan, Dori!

Right attitude, too...you and Mike will get through this.

Hey Dori, glad your sense of humor is still there! Hang in there, it will get easier with time and experience!

I've never used the Mac's thing myself, but yes I believe you should put it on the outside of the mask: where the mask and the skin touch.

Your hanging idea might work. Although if i'm imagining it correctly, it sounds like the hose would be pulled up and behind hubby's head. For me this was uncomfortable, so my mask hanger is about the level of my abdomen, so it pulls the mask up and towards my feet. I think most other people have it like you described, going behind the head, so you'd probably be OK. Try it!
BTW if you're willing to spend some cash, you can order a hose managemnet system from cpap.com:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/HoseBu ... ystem.html
or https://www.cpap.com/productpage/travel ... ystem.html
or https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hozer- ... ution.html

As for the napping, you should really make sure he uses the cpap EVERY time he goes to sleep, even for a 10 minute nap. Otherwise, you're just undoing everything. Think of it like this: a diabetic who pays close attention to every meal, but skips the measuring and insulin during snacks.... he's still doing harm to himself when he avoids his therapy even once.

Especially if he's not doing too great to begin with, every nap without a CPAP will cause harm! So please try to get him to mask up every time. You might want to look into getting a second machine for the den.. you can find really good deals on the cpapauction site.. and it can also be used as a backup in case your primary machine goes kaput. It wouldn't even need to be data-capable, just something you can use for naps.

He's really lucky to have you supporting him And your forum friends are here for YOU

Hi DoriC.

It sounds like you're figuring out the leak thing. That's fantastic. I concur with echo -- all sleep time needs to be hose time, including naps. For each nap without the hose, he's just adding to his sleep debt. Reducing sleep debt will nudge him sooner into recuperative stage sleep.

@echo - that Hozer travel thing looks really great!

I will print out these replies and let Mike read them himself. I could not explain it better. thanks.