WOOOT I did it!

you guys rock

so when i went to bed last night, I tried to relax by reading a new book
Question: how the heck do you read with those masks on? LOL

but really.. i fell asleep in no time. I reset the ramp once, but fell asleep i think before it got to full pressure.

my mask is some kind of nasal pillow mask, i don't remember which one at the moment. the headgear was sized by the RT, and it felt too tight, it was pushing my nose up. I loosened it, but then when i laid on my side it shifted and some air was escaping. I ended up retightening it. This morning my nose is sore. I would imagine that I just have to keep playing with the thing to get it fit exactly right for how i sleep? How much pressure should there be on my nose? I really prefer this kind of mask over one that goes over my face, or even just over my nose, so i want to make this work.

I woke up once because my throat was scratchy.. coughing with air rushing out of my mouth was interesting I didn't turn the humidity up, because well.. the machine was soooo far away (haha). but im going to try turning it up to 4 (it was set to 3) tonight to see if that happens again)

Other than that.. once i fell asleep I only woke up that one time. and when i woke up this morning, i didn't even NOTICE the machine running.

you guys were right which of course you knew. i was just a little panicky yesterday i guess.

not failing!

You ought to try reading with a full face mask on it can be done but it's no fun.

Congrats! It's just mind over matter...

Are you using a chin-strap to help keep your mouth closed? I've been a mouth breather my whole life, but find that I can breathe just fine through my nose when on the mask. I do need a chin-strap, though. Heck, even with the strap I still find myself venting through my mouth once in a while...

We-ell..... try reading with a mask AND glasses. I put my Headrest or my CL2 on, then shove it up on my forehead so I can wear the glasses.

I read awhile, then pull the glasses off, pull the mask down and turn on my machine.

I just have the deconstructed Headrest ready, and tie it on after I put the book and glasses on the night stand.

Xiola, many of us found that after the first 3 nights or so our noses became sore from the nasal pillows. It usually means a break is needed - or another mask. Ask the RT about it -- you have to avoid creating a pressure sore. One single break was all I ever needed - but I did need it. As I said, discuss your alternatives with the RT.

The following help too:
Ayr Gel
Laninso (a cream for nursing mothers)
and (I'm not kidding you) KY Jelly.

A dab on your nostrils or pillows protects your nostrils, and keeps the mask more stable. I used KY Jelly (no alternatives at the time) and eventually just forgot -- must have been about 4 months on or so.

Try to find a way of putting the mask on without it pressing your nose - doesn't have to pull you nose up either. A different size of pillows -- often larger, sometimes smaller - also make a difference

Hose routing -- I dangle mine from a hook above my bed - also helps a lot.

I'm glad you're over your panic.

O.

Good to hear that you slept well last night, xiola. I read your post yesterday. You got some great advice.

I think most people go through those feelings at first. I know I was concentrating on my breathing TOO much. Part of that was trying to figure out what the machine was doing. It felt like it was forcing the air in too fast after my exhale. But I'm used to it now. I needed to learn to trust the machine. I rarely think about my breathing now. It's all so worth it when you experience the positive results!

I know I'm going to stick around here. I hope you do too!

~ DreamOn

falvesjr wrote: Are you using a chin-strap

no.. I didn't want to wear one.

ozij wrote: Xiola, many of us found that after the first 3 nights or so our noses became sore from the nasal pillows. It usually means a break is needed - or another mask. Ask the RT about it -- you have to avoid creating a pressure sore. One single break was all I ever needed - but I did need it. As I said, discuss your alternatives with the RT.

Im going to give it another night or two before calling. Would they give me a different mask to use but still let me keep the one i have?

ozij wrote: Try to find a way of putting the mask on without it pressing your nose - doesn't have to pull you nose up either. A different size of pillows -- often larger, sometimes smaller - also make a difference

I think this will be the solution. my nose was not sore after the sleep study at the clinic, and i had the same type of mask. I thnk the people at the clinic just had it fitted properly. It was so tight last night my nose was smushed up.. at the clinic it was just resting under my nose, but there wasn't any leaking.

ozij wrote: Hose routing -- I dangle mine from a hook above my bed - also helps a lot.

I decided before I even got the equipment that i wanted it hanging above me, so i wasn't hitting it when i turned over or such. I'm using an old light stand from when I had reptiles.. works really well.

xiola wrote:

ozij wrote: Hose routing -- I dangle mine from a hook above my bed - also helps a lot.

I decided before I even got the equipment that i wanted it hanging above me, so i wasn't hitting it when i turned over or such. I'm using an old light stand from when I had reptiles.. works really well.

Xiola,

I recently figured out that having the exact right amount of slack in the hose between my nose and the clip on top of the headgear made a big difference for me. I added just a hair of slack. That had the effect of tipping the nasal pillows just slightly, which has really helped both the seal and the comfort. My nose is much happier now.

-john-

xiola wrote:I decided before I even got the equipment that i wanted it hanging above me, so i wasn't hitting it when i turned over or such. I'm using an old light stand from when I had reptiles.. works really well.

Good. You're thinking creatively. You're thinking like a good "lab rat", and lab rats become successful CPAP users! Good for you!

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

jweeks wrote:

xiola wrote:

ozij wrote: Hose routing -- I dangle mine from a hook above my bed - also helps a lot.

I decided before I even got the equipment that i wanted it hanging above me, so i wasn't hitting it when i turned over or such. I'm using an old light stand from when I had reptiles.. works really well.

Xiola,

I recently figured out that having the exact right amount of slack in the hose between my nose and the clip on top of the headgear made a big difference for me. I added just a hair of slack. That had the effect of tipping the nasal pillows just slightly, which has really helped both the seal and the comfort. My nose is much happier now.

-john-

Very good point, john. It has become second nature to me to make sure the slack is just right. I'm often amazed at how small a change in that can make such a major difference.

O.