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Several months ago I experienced rain-out for the first time, big-time! I was sleeping pretty deeply and, without realizing it, when the heavy rain started, I reached over and turned off my machine, without removing my mask, a Quattro full-face. 4 hours later I woke up (actually, my wife woke me up, asking me why my machine was not running.) There were no problems with breathing through the mask for that time. It is designed to allow for this.

Best wishes,
Tony

GumbyCT wrote:viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38249&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I have to respond with this:

viewtopic.php?p=308736#p308736

When I use battery backup it is strictly for comfort so I don't wake up during a blackout or brownout and it is also for protection of my blower, especially the electronics. That's it.

I wear a nasal mask only and have no qualms about wearing a full face mask as long as I can get my mouth open.

What worries me is something like spontaneous vomiting or regurgitation and aspirating same because my mouth is taped shut, sealed with polygrip or locktite or straps.

In all truth and honesty I have to say that during a robbery a few years ago a fellow I knew for some time had his mouth taped shut with ductape by the robbers. The trauma caused him to vomit into his mouth and nose and he aspirated it and, unfortunately, died, leaving a wife and kids behind. This was not his fault of course... but I have to say that taking drastic measures to prevent mouth breathing with a nasal mask may NEVER have caused a problem for anyone that we know of.. but for me, it would keep me from sleeping because of my memories. The danger is absolutely real but to what extent I have no idea.

As far as the blower going dead with a full face mask or with a nasal mask and mouth taped shut I believe that one would probably awaken and tear off the restrictions. But no guarantees.

That's my position, anyway, for what it is worth.

Kiralynx wrote: I have to respond with this:

viewtopic.php?p=308736#p308736

Wow. I hadn't read this until just now. Absolutely beautifully stated - and it sums up so much of how I've felt as a newbie here. Thank you for writing it - and referring to it now.

I think it's really easy to forget all those overwhelming emotions that you have when you're first diagnosed - and start your treatment. You (generic) eventually get used to having this mask on your face and all that goes with it. But, some of us are not at that point, yet. We're still trying to get everything sorted out. And, that includes all the answers that we should be getting from our doctors, DMEs, etc....and aren't. And, the picking of just the right mask for our face. And, the logistics of going out of town and having to pack yet another item. And, everything else that you oldtimers now take for granted and are used to.

Yes, we're going to ask some of the same questions that you've heard before. And, yes, we're occasionally going to want to throw up our hands and ask, "Is all of this really worth it?" And, yes, we're going to go through everything YOU probably went through at one point - and must have forgotten now that you're established with your therapy. But, be patient with us. At some point, we'll be oldtimers, too. And, we'll have all the answers, too. And, we'll be helping the new newbies, too. As long as you help us get there.

This talk of power failures reminded me of one other thing you should do, if you haven't already. Compose a letter to your local electric utility that states that their is now one or more family members in your household that are on a life sustaining machine, and you need your power restored as quickly as possible in the event of a power failure. They will/should make an extra effort to get you restored as a top priority. I live in the country and power can be out for a week in a severe storm.

SuperGeeky wrote:

SuperGeeky wrote:
Really, if this is a concern. I believe Fisher and Paskell have a seamless battery powered CPAP. Power goes out, it continues on the backup battery. I think RestedGal has one.

Jules wrote:
Everest does this ----

Thanks for the correction Jules! Everest 3 Travel CPAP System from AEIOMed: 1.8 lbs with battery, about $240, nice....

Has anyone used it??

SG

that price doesn't include battery - I also own one and find the noise more irritating than brenda does (I have lots of tinnitus) - I have used it a couple of nights we expect outages (we get lots of down power lines from wind storms knocking down trees) or power is out but so far I don't think I have used it when it has had to switch over

Kiralynx wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38249&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I have to respond with this:

viewtopic.php?p=308736#p308736

However it is also insulting to assume that someone who is new to the forum is incapable of using a search box. While a lot of logic goes out the window with the onset of OSA there is no reason to accept the reasoning of the OP. Some people also need to see several different viewpoints and the view "you are an idiot to believe that" is also a valid view point and may be needed to get someone out of the "thumb sucking mommy fix this" mode. There are plenty of heavily moderated boards where the focus is not on problem solving but on providing people with pacifiers.
Personally I would rather get the "you're an idiot" response when I have my knickers in a knot like that than getting a pacifier.

BlackSpinner wrote: Personally I would rather get the "you're an idiot" response when I have my knickers in a knot like that than getting a pacifier.

OK...You're an idiot!
Howzzat?

BlackSpinner wrote:... Personally I would rather get the "you're an idiot" response when I have my knickers in a knot like that than getting a pacifier. ...

I try to go somewhere between the two. I figure there may be some reason the "other" is not able to find the information readily. So, I always try to refer them to both research in the web and in the forum. I try to explain that it is normal.

I've been in those shoes all too often. Until you've had night after night after night of REALLY bad episodes of central apneas you can not imagine how DESPERATE you can get for sleep. I've heard people exclaim "How could Micheal Jackson think using anesthesia was a good idea?". Well I've been in tears desperate for sleep. But every time I would try to sleep within minutes I would awaken with a shot of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Fight or flight!

So, when someone is frustrated with trying to get answers here, I just try to remember what it felt like for me trying to get good sleep.

Though we've figured some of this out. Each and everyone of us must figure it out for ourselves. Sometimes we get it quickly. Sometimes it is a long, difficult struggle. But no matter how much we want to help others. Each of us must make this journey. Others can cheer us on. And that does help. But no one can walk this road for me.

[ jbf steps off his soapbox and shuffles off to get the mail ... ]

Kiralynx wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38249&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I have to respond with this:

viewtopic.php?p=308736#p308736

To which I have to say :
My Crystal Ball is in the closet. I could bring the ouija board out if you think that will help.

The point is - the OP never mentioned ANY extenuating circumstances, iirc, so therefore I will NOT assume s/he is an idiot but IS looking for an excuse not to wear this getup the rest of their lives.

I won't provide that excuse. Nor am I aware of any deaths caused by wearing any cpap getup during a power outage.
If you are - kindly direct this OP to it.

GumbyCT wrote:IS looking for an excuse not to wear this getup the rest of their lives.

I don't think that's an unreasonable thing to look for, to be honest. Heck, I sure wish I didn't have to hook myself up every night! Or, wake up with marks on my face from the mask. Or, have to deal with idiot doctors who don't give a darn about how I'm doing. Or, any of the other things that go along with this whole mess.

I don't blame a newbie for looking for excuses not to do all this. I'm willing to bet we've all wished we didn't have to do this at one time or another. Heck, if a magic fairy came to me right this second and offered me a way out of having to do this, I'd jump at the chance.

I still have to force myself to put the stupid mask on every night. And, sit there saying, "Please don't make me have to do this another night" as I put it on.

DottyG wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:IS looking for an excuse not to wear this getup the rest of their lives.

I don't think that's an unreasonable thing to look for, to be honest. Heck, I sure wish I didn't have to hook myself up every night! Or, wake up with marks on my face from the mask. Or, have to deal with idiot doctors who don't give a darn about how I'm doing. Or, any of the other things that go along with this whole mess.

I don't blame a newbie for looking for excuses not to do all this. I'm willing to bet we've all wished we didn't have to do this at one time or another. Heck, if a magic fairy came to me right this second and offered me a way out of having to do this, I'd jump at the chance.

I'll take the bet, because I don't fit that profile. I've never wished I didn't have to use this therapy; on the contrary, I'm glad to have it available to me. And I'd go so far as to say that my attitude about it all has helped me tremendously in getting to where I am right now. Given all the roadblocks and pitfalls I experienced during two+ years of ineffective therapy, I can now trumpet that I'm an xPAP success story because I never even considered giving up.

DottyG wrote:I still have to force myself to put the stupid mask on every night. And, sit there saying, "Please don't make me have to do this another night" as I put it on.

I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope you can turn your mindset around. It really does make a huge difference in how well things go, IMO.

Well I've been using a CPAP for many years and have always awoke if the POWER has gone off. Not sure why the manual would say that but as many have stated lifes all a gamble anyways.

BleepingBeauty wrote:

DottyG wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:IS looking for an excuse not to wear this getup the rest of their lives.

I don't think that's an unreasonable thing to look for, to be honest. Heck, I sure wish I didn't have to hook myself up every night! Or, wake up with marks on my face from the mask. Or, have to deal with idiot doctors who don't give a darn about how I'm doing. Or, any of the other things that go along with this whole mess.

I don't blame a newbie for looking for excuses not to do all this. I'm willing to bet we've all wished we didn't have to do this at one time or another. Heck, if a magic fairy came to me right this second and offered me a way out of having to do this, I'd jump at the chance.

I'll take the bet, because I don't fit that profile. I've never wished I didn't have to use this therapy; on the contrary, I'm glad to have it available to me. And I'd go so far as to say that my attitude about it all has helped me tremendously in getting to where I am right now. Given all the roadblocks and pitfalls I experienced during two+ years of ineffective therapy, I can now trumpet that I'm an xPAP success story because I never even considered giving up.

DottyG wrote:I still have to force myself to put the stupid mask on every night. And, sit there saying, "Please don't make me have to do this another night" as I put it on.

I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope you can turn your mindset around. It really does make a huge difference in how well things go, IMO.

I think that's wonderful that you had that experience! I truly do.

However, personally, I don't want sleep apnea. While I'm thankful the therapy exists to treat it, I still wish I didn't have to deal with it to begin with. I'd love to be able to sleep freely without having to have the therapy at all. I guess I don't understand the mindset of feeling otherwise! I'm not saying people aren't grateful that cpaps are here and available. But, wouldn't it truly be wonderful to not have to have it at all?!

I'm sorry. But, I really, really do miss snuggling my face into the fur of my kitties at night and sleeping cuddled with them. I really, really do miss laying on my comfy pillows and sleeping without a mask in the way. I really, really do not enjoy the fact that I look weird going to bed now. Yes, it's saving my life. That's why I do wear the thing. I'm thankful that I'm getting sleep. But, seriously? I'd love to give all this dang therapy up and live my life free again without having the sleep problems at all.