CPAPtalk.com

O.K. I've only been here a little while, you know--mostly lookin' and reading, offering up a comment or two, but just not seeing any evidence of how anyone lives the rest of their lives,you know, the hours we spend while awake and acting like ordinary folks. Question, ladies & gents, how do you handle bad hair nights,as when your cranial fur is standing on end and you can see EVERY strap mark, and you don't want to go outside with wet hair because it's 20 below and you'll freeze your noggin? And how do you explain to your little grand kids that grandma sounds like Darth Vader when she sleeps but it's O.K.--she's not really THAT mean,And how do you explain to the avon lady that an overnite facial creme is NOT a good idea? (short of becoming known for telling real whoppers,that is). Anyone have any good advice here?Eh?

Hello Gidg,

Most of the topics here at C-PAP Talk center on our xPAP life before, during and after sleep. I, like most folks, didn’t show up here until sleep apnea was diagnosed.

My story has more to do with my wife than me. Her comments and complaints started about six years ago. I finally went in for a sleep study and was diagnosed with mild OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea.) In my first sleep study, I spent two nights at the hospital. The first night was just studying my sleep habits. A few weeks later, I returned for a second night so they could test me on a C-PAP. My too-tight health insurance would only cover half the cost of a C-PAP because of the ‘mild’ diagnosis. At the time, the cost was around $2,000 (US.) I just didn’t have a grand to invest, so the snoring continued.

Moving forward about five years... I’m 20lbs heavier (funny how that happens) and my wife is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. That means sleep is critical to her health. Whenever I would start snoring and gasping for air, she would poke me and say, “Wake up. You’re snoring and I can’t sleep.” Of course, it was difficult for me to sleep after that, I was conscious of bothering her. Many nights I wound up in another room, sleeping on a small love seat sofa. Can you say pretzel?

My second sleep study (February 7th, 2006) was much better organized. Learning from previous experience, I brought some Trazodone. Little did I know, they would have provided Ambien if needed. The techs let me fall asleep for about two hours, just enough time for me to hit some REM time and start gasping for air. A few minutes later, they hooked me up to a C-PAP and later (just for good measure) an A-PAP. The next morning, before I left the clinic, they had venders waiting to sell me a C-PAP. It was nice and very convenient, even if they were like vultures.

• In a side note: For those who have NOT taken a study, it is not the ideal sleep environment. The sleep clinic can decorate the room all homey, but it’s still not ‘your’ bedroom. Add to that, having twenty wires glued to your body from head to toe, an O2 sensor on one finger and a night vision camera watching your every move… it’s hard to sleep.

So far, I am very compliant. I use my REMstar every night. In fact, the first few mornings, I had a hard time waking. I guess that was the first time in years my brain was getting some true rest. As for my wife, she is now punching me during the night just to make sure I’m alive! Now, that’s a good night’s sleep.

Hi there, Working For The Weekend...You know, I truly understand and sympathize with your wife. The 'infernal contraption' is'nt the only thing I fight with.My own nasty fibromyalgia gives me a run for it too. (Some of us have all the luck!) I have the Remstar Auto with c-flex,Remstar humidifier and F&P431 ff mask. AND FOR SOME STUPID REASON MY EYES ARE SO SORE TODAY I can hardly see to check what I wrote! "Bye, folks, Gidg needs to shut the peepers for a while.

For the strap marks, I made fleece covers for the straps like the hose covers only shorter. They work great and are very comfy.

Hear is some simple advice.

Handle bad hair nights like you have always handled them. Masks may contribute more of them, but I am sure you had them before.

Let your grandkids try on the masks so they can see it doesn't change things. Rent the Right Stuff so they can start seeing Grandma as an Atronaut instead of a Sith Lord.

Just be straight with the Avon lady. Maybe even show her the mask and ask her how she would cope.

The main point is the only person making you feel embarassed is yourself. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You have a health condition and you are taking care of yourself. It is not much different than going to a gym. Sure there are some perfect specimens there, but most of us are there to improve our health. At first I was embarassed to go, but now I am proud that I am doing something for myself. Tap into that pride.

Bad Hair Nights. Well first I would have to grow some to have that problem but to keep what fuzz I do have under control and to protect the bare surface from the cold I keep a hat close by for my public appearances. Grandkids are fascinated by any kind of contraption with lights, buttons to push or weird looks so tell them its a grandma toy and your having fun and don't forget to giggle. The Avon lady can be replaced by ordering on-line so don't worry about that one at all.
Bobby

Hey, everyone, thanx for the input. #1...stop taking myself too seriously...try and see the humorous side....and the 'hey, I'm taking care of myself' reality. Remember to think like a cat.....everything is meant to be played with.

Hair? What hair? Every now and then I just grab the razor and remove whatever is left on the sides and back; nothing on top to mention for years now.

BTW, good name for this thread. I was once asked how I lived with sleep apnea. I answered: "You don't live with sleep apnea; you DIE with it, slowly. I live with CPAP."

I shower every morning - 20 degrees out, or not. I can't stand to be out the door to work in the morning without a shower. As for the strap marks, I consider them a conversation starter...almost every morning, and the ability to wake people up to the sleep apnea world and introduce them to it. You'd be amazed about how many people have the same symptoms I have had. I love to share my story and "wake" people up to the fact that sleep apnea is out there and underdiagnosed and how cpap has truly changed my life.

Well I just happen to know of a great place to pick up a cure for Strap marks.
CPAP.com sells these little lovely soft tubes called PAD A CHEEK for the straps on your masks. They will prevent the strap marks.
I know because I use them every night. No strap marks for me.

And I know because I make every single one with love with my own little sewing machine.
I hope each and everyone who has this problem will visit Johnny Goodman and pick up a pair to make your sleep more comfortable.
Karen Moore

Yur really a great bunch of folks, u reely r.(skuz me). To you wonderful gents with the Yul Brenner haircuts..... The Naked Pate hasn't really caught on with us Canadian grannies yet. In fact, I must confess I'm more on the furry end of the spectrum. And yes, Karen, I think you've got something there.