good news, finally

well I have been faithful to my APAP for almost two weeks now. I don't feel any better during the day, but I am comfortable with the mask on. I had been discouraged after day four when the mask still wasn't quite right. I went to the sleep lab and spoke with the very nice secretary?, you know the one who books the appointments. I asked her if she could get someone to help me. She took me under her wing (a CPAPer herself) and she gave me the best tutorial. That night I went home and applied the mask just as she had showed me and magically it has been no problem since. She was so nice, caring and helpful. She should do the sleep studies! She also told me she will download my Spirit readings if I bring it in to her! Well I went to my cardiac rehab this morning and they take your blood pressure first thing, Today my BP was 98/64!!!!!! WOW, It's got to be the APAP. I have been always, always in the 130's over 80's. Granted I have been exercising twice a week in rehab and I have been watching my diet but those things will slowly, over time reduce BP. I was dumbfounded and I had my BP taken three times, by two different people during different stages of my workout. I am so thrilled. Could this OSA have been causing my cardiac problems all along? I want to run upstairs and hug that damn machine.

WOW!!! That's fantastic news!! You asked if OSA could have caused cardiac problems. Read this thread:

Cardiovascular Disease and Sleep Apnea

I see you use the Ultra Mirage Nasal Mask. What were the tips she gave you that stopped the leaks?

Barbyann,

I could feel your enthusiasm and happiness come pouring out of your thread. That is fantastic news about your BP. Yes, they say apnea can cause high BP. I have never heard of such a drastic drop. I've read a max of 10, with the top number being the one that can drop about 10 and the lower number 7 or so points, but that's remarkable. Maybe the combination of being compliant and exercising. Two great things you are doing for yourself. Hey, don't look a gift horse in the mouth (don't you love that expression? Did you ever see a gift horse?). I'd take it for whatever reason. And great news about not having masks problems anymore. Sounds like you found a treasure in that woman who is helping you now.

I am SO happy for you. Keep up the great work!!!

Hurray! That is great news on the blood pressure. I still have to take medicine But....I am hoping for improvement (in any area; I'm not choosy).

FF

Excellent news, barbyann!! You have every reason to be thrilled!

the tips she gave me were very specific. First she said I was to turn on the machine prior to putting on the mask. This allows the gel material that touches the face to fill with the air from the machine. It makes the mask more pillow like. Then she told me to sit at the edge of the bed and apply the forehead straps to my liking. Then I was to lay down and adjust the nasal/face straps and do them just taunt enough to have no leaks. I was not doing any of these things. I did it all and it made a world of difference. Much better mask fit, no leaks, no red marks in the morning. She said once I find the right strap setting to still put on the mask in this order but I will just need to clip the straps into the mask since they will be where I want them.

barbyann,

We must be talking Activa???

Nope, it was the ultra mirage nasal mask, just as pictured. I do also have a profile lite resmed that they let me take home from the sleep study. But I did not talk to her about that one. I have not used that one at home.

Barbyann,

What is the difference between that and the Activa? It's the Mirage Activa and it's also a Resmed nasal mask that has the seal that fills with air so the mask doesn't shift at night. Is that the older version of the Activa or is it entirely different? I'm not familiar.

Never mind...you don't have to reply. I can look at the masks on the site and see. Sorry.

I am not familiar with the Activa but I balked when she told me the Ultra Mirage needed to fill with air. I said "there is nothing to fill". She said that it was designed to "hold air" in the grooves of the mask. I still don't understand the rationale but it clearly works. I feel the mask is softer and more pillow like and I am able to move around and not leak. It must be some kind of engineering marvel. I was putting the mask on first and then starting the machine. No wonder my face looked like hell.