Partner & CPAP

Jersey Girl · Post by **Jersey Girl** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:05 pm

Please, ask him if it is a mask issue. When I first tried nasal pillows, I felt as though I could not get enough air, then I felt as though I could not breath out against the air (even with EPR), but after using a nasal mask for awhile and then trying nasal pillows again, I was able to get used to them. If your partner is a mouth breather (and mine is,) a full face mask might be helpful because it won't matter if his mouth opens at night. Also, I found that I was fighing against the pushback of my pillow against my mask. I purchased a Regenesis buckwheat hull pilllow from www-pur-sleep.com. This solved my pillow issue. I was able to run my hand over the buckwheat hull pillow and make a generous spot for my mask/vent. It really helped.

Compliance is so important. My dad passed away at age 71 because he had an old cpap with an old mask and never tried any of the newer ones. He died because of untreated sleep apnea that caused a heart attack or stroke. Tell your partner that you want him to live a long and healthy life with you and ask him specifically what is bothering him - the mask? The hose? (there are hose management systems that may help), the pillow?

It takes time to be successful with this treatment. Ask him to be really specific about what part of this is bothering him, so that you and we can help him more.

Best regards,

Jersey Girl

2flamingos · Post by **2flamingos** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 3:16 pm

OKCCowboy, Wow, that admission of feeling better when using CPAP is HUGE! And then the fact that he wore the mask all night! Those are not baby steps, my friend! Those are leaps and bounds! I am thrilled for you both - him for the realization that may be the turning point in his therapy; and you for being the catalyst that "guilted" him in to trying to make it work!

SleepyT · Post by **SleepyT** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 5:16 pm

OKCCowboy wrote:ThanKs for the advice folks. He is being stubborn and he knows it will help him. Both his father and sister are on CPAP machines. My partner is fortunate in that he got an S9 auto with a swift fx mask and the heated tubing!

Maybe this whole thing is making him feel old...not sexy...or something else related to ego. It is a struggle to accept this fate. Maybe reassurance is what he needs?

T.

OKCCowboy · Post by **OKCCowboy** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:22 pm

He told me today that it was a pain in the butt to sleep in. Trying to turn over fighting the cord, etc...

Going to try again tonight.

dreamylioness · Post by **dreamylioness** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:35 pm

I feel for ya my hubby was dignosed with sleep apnea back in oct . He refuses to get the follow up study done with the machine . he swears tht he will not wear the mask i also have sleep apnea and he can see tht it helps me . (when i keep it on ) it has ben a battle for me latly but i try it every night . some nights is great but some no so good . just dont give up on your partner . he has to accept the fact and want to help himself first before you or any one can help him .

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:51 pm

After his diagnosis, my husband held out for 11 months before he (finally) got his titration study.
After 3 months, he still has doubts about the benefit; but to his credit, he sticks with it.
I'm glad, because he's a lot bigger than me--I doubt I could take care of him were he to have a stroke.

snnnark · Post by **snnnark** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:27 am

OKCCowboy wrote:He told me today that it was a pain in the butt to sleep in. Trying to turn over fighting the cord, etc...

Going to try again tonight.

An overhead hose management system allows you to turn over without worrying about the hose. Maybe an idea?

OKCCowboy · Post by **OKCCowboy** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:31 am

That may be an idea. I don't move once I go to sleep so it never bothered me.

Partner & CPAP

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