Here we go.......

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:22 pm

Hi! I'm new here as I was just diagnosed with moderate hypopnea this past thursday after my sleep study. I picked up my CPAP today and will break it in tonight. Any suggestions to help my first time be successful?

I researched this site so I want to thank everyone before hand for providing me with the info I needed to speak to my respiratory therapist.

My equipment is as follows:

Goodknight 420S
Mirage Activa Mask

I was also fortunate enough to get a second mask, a comfortcurve. The therapist told me that in her experience the comfortcurve didn't usually work out too well, but agreed to "loan" me a new one to try if I desired.

Anyway, bottom line is, I got it set up, and in about an hour, will be trying it out. Keep your fingers crossed!

Jay

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:29 pm

Stick with the Activa to start out with...the key is to wear it loose and let it inflate to seal on your face. You will feel a little pulsing as you breathe but it is not that noticeable after a little bit. You got a great set-up and it should work great for you.

Good Luck!

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:57 pm

JAY,

WELCOME!!!!! I started with the Activa, it's the only mask I've used thus far!!! I wish you all the best on your first night!!! GOOD LUCK AND SWEET DREAMS!!! Keep us posted.

CD

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:32 am

Welcome Jay,
So how did it go?
Esther

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:51 am

Well, I didn't have much trouble adjusting to sleeping with the mask. I got a little uncomfortable due to some itching, but no big deal, I guess I need to shave before bedtime lol. At least I kept it on all night.

As far as sleeping goes, I don't think I've gotten it quite yet. I slept maybe four hours uninterrupted judging by my watch, but then woke up and was only able to lightly nap the rest of the time. I woke up feeling pretty good---still physically tired, but not sleepy. Mentally, I felt great this morning, but now that it is lunch, I am getting tired.

I am in it for the long haul, so I am not giving up. I figure I will give this setup about a week and then if there's no change, start changing 1 thing at a time until I get it right.

Thanks for all the support!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:28 am

My second night (last night) with the cpap was a huge failure. I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep, then couldn't stay asleep. Finally I got up after about 3 hours and turned the machine off and went to sleep on the couch.

The straps on the headgear were itching and irritating my head, and my mask is making the bridge of my nose very sore.

On a positive note, I have noticed that my congested sinus' have virtually disappeared, so I am breathing better in the night and during the day.

Big question is this.....Should I keep with the same setup for a while longer, or start changing things now? IF I should start changing things now, what are your suggestions?

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:36 am

Sorry, thought I was signed in on the above post.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:59 am

If your nose was getting sore either the straps were too tight (also a possible source of the strap irritation) or that mask just doesn't fit your face.

I'd say try a different mask; maybe even a different type of mask such as a nasal pillow interface.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:16 am

Thanks for the advice. I had the straps tight, because I didn't like them loose. I will try to loosen them a bit tonight and if that doesn't work, I may try the comfortcurve mask tommorow night.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:24 pm

It takes more than a couple nights to figure out how a particular mask can work best for you IMHO. The annoying thing is, here you are, finally using CPAP to help your sleep, and during the period of time it takes to work out all the kinks with mask comfort, you get even LESS sleep than you did before you started CPAP. VERY FRUSTRATING! But you will figure it out! It was really a shock to me that sleeping would be so much worse before it got better. Initially it's, "Hey, this is supposed to help me get the restorative sleep I've been so desperately lacking, but now I can't sleep at all." But with perseverance (and the acceptance that it will be rough for a bit), you will get there. I promise!

Here's a good thread on Activa fit:

Does anyone have trouble adjusting to the activa?

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:16 pm

jcob607,

Neversleeps is absolutely right, give yourself some time to adjust!!! Took me a very long time!!! Getting use to it all is kinda' like a carnival ride, up & down, in and out, sometimes it will make you want to JUST PLAIN SCREAM!!!! Remember, there is always light at the end of the tunnel!!! Also, have NEVERSLEEPS keep posting his wonderful pictures and all the rest of your fellow HOSEHEADS keep you laughing thru your CPAP initiation phase!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

CD

FJC · Post by **FJC** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 5:56 am

Stick with it! I'm new, too. I've had 10 nights on CPAP so far, and have had good and bad nights. Basically it's broken down like this so far for me:

2 - fantastic nights where I felt just INCREDIBLE the entire next day. Woohoo!

5 - pretty good nights where I had little issues with mask/hose/machine, woke up feeling pretty good and very alert, and made it through much of the day before hitting that "wall of fog" feeling between 2pm-8pm.

3 - bad nights where it seemed like nothing was going right or feeling right, and I felt worse the next day than if I hadn't used the machine at all (and, truth be told, 2 of those nights I gave up early on and DIDN'T use the machine after around 1 or 2am).

So keep with it - trust me, you'll get one of those fantastic days and that will really spur you on to keep with it.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:22 am

Thanks for the advice of loosening the mask. I woke this morning feeling very alert. The "fog" has lifted and I can think clearly, and I am actually in an upbeat mood.

I only woke up twice last night, and each time it didn't take long to fall back asleep. The straps didn't irritate me, but I think my mask was leaking a little. May try tightening them ever so slightly tonight. Although I am not sleepy, I do still feel tired. Guess I am still catching up on my deficit.

Anyway, thanks for the wonderful information that I have been reading here and thanks for the support.

You guys (and gals) ROCK!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:38 am

J,

First let me say a huge YAHOO for you. What a great feeling to feel the fog lift.

Second, before you go tightening the straps, are you aware of the adjustment that you can make to the angularity of the mask (Activa) by the part between the eyebrows? You may want to try that before you tighten up the mask. Also, Dr. Scholl's mole skin was my best friend when I use to use the Activa. A little piece under a sore spot and you're good to go (to sleep, that is).

Neversleeps is so right about what she said. I remember thinking how ironic it was that at a time when all you need so badly is to sleep, you are forced to now revamp the way you've slept your entire life and are dealing with getting use to a new way which is far less comfortable from what you've always done to sleep. However, when you finally do get use to it, boy, is it worth it.

Seems like you now have had a taste of how it feels to feel better, so you may not feel as discouraged as before. But hang in there because it does get better and better, not to say you won't have your bad nights every now and then. No matter how long you're on therapy, I think there always will be those, as in everything else in life. Glad to hear last night was better for you.

jcobb607 · Post by **jcobb607** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 7:18 am

Thanks Lori----I knew that piece between the brow COULD be adjusted, I just haven't looked at it or my manual yet to figure out HOW to adjust it. I also really like the idea of the moleskin. I didn't really get frustrated night before last, it was more of a "I am too tired to screw with this right now" type attitude.

Iamb definitely beginning to see the positive effects of the treatment and have faith that it will continue to improve to the point that I feel it as well.

Here we go.......

Here we go.......

How did it go??