Completely confused newbie...

thasatelliteguy wrote: 1. I have a full face mask already. When my buddy gave me the original CPAP, he gave me nose pillow mask with it, but I am definitely a mouth breather, so I immediately found a medical supplier here in Houston that would sell me a mask cash.

You said you got your machine a year ago. So are you saying that your mask is one year old? If so, then it's too old. You should be replacing your mask cushion every 3 months, and your entire mask every 6 months. Over time, the silicone breaks down from contact with your skin and from general wear and tear. The straps stretch as well. To get the best fit and the most effective treatment, you should find a way to replace it more often.

Actually 4 years old... time flys when you're not looking... But it only has about a week's usage on it. I know, I know, but sitting in the box, is sitting in the box. Like I said, I'm in the market, but need a few weeks to right myself financially. It's still pliable... no noticable difference from when I bought it, it doesn't leak, it's the right size and comfortable, and it's all I have available right this second so.... In two weeks I'll be able to order a replacement cushion and that'll get me by for a while longer.

I have been sleeping on my back for a while now. I would be a side sleeper I think, but I drool and I just can't deal with it. Anytime I even slightly rouse during the night would be a full out wake if I drool cuz I would have to get up and clean it. So I sleep on my back. I was having good luck at the hospital with the bed raised, so the last few days I have been sleeping in my big comfy recliner with it all the way back. Not sitting up as far as the hospital bed, but not quite flat either.

A mask that is 4 years old will still deteriorate in the box. But as you say, you are soon replacing it, so that will help.

For drooling, there are people on this board who use Pad-A-Cheek mask liners. They do two things. Absorb the drool (there is a thread here about that .. do a search), and help you to get a better seal with your mask. http://padacheek.com/

Don't let the drool control you ... LOL You need to take charge of the drool!

Seriously, when I started sleeping exclusively on one side or the other, my numbers came down considerably, because my apneas happen more when I'm sleeping on my back (and more when I'm in REM sleep). So I urge you to rethink your back sleeping. A contour pillow helped me to stay on one side or the other and not my back. I started out using this one: http://www.papillow.com/ Then I graduated to this one: http://www.contourliving.com/p-253-cpapmax-pillow.aspx

I seem to always wake up to turn over. So when I wake up, I make a point to say to myself "Don't roll onto your back. Turn all the way over onto your other side." I make myself do this every night. It has worked for me. Numbers have reduced a lot as a result. If you don't wake up to turn over, you can try wearing a backpack (also threads here about that) to prevent you from rolling onto your back.

For drooling, there are people on this board who use Pad-A-Cheek mask liners. They do two things. Absorb the drool (there is a thread here about that .. do a search), and help you to get a better seal with your mask. http://padacheek.com/

Thanks! I will definitely try it. I would have thought something like that would defeat the seal, not make it better. Everything about this sleep thing seems completely counter-intuitive. I have always been frustrated by the thought that not being able to sleep and breathe at the same time was really a ridiculous problem to have. Serious, for sure, but ridiculous in the big scheme of things when compared to cancer, polio, AIDS and the like. And it was particularly frustrating when I was 18, not overweight, and NO ONE knew anything about it. It was all I could do just to manage to not get fired.

Last night...How come only 4 hours? and about how long did it take you to get to sleep...roughly?
What's the chance that the first grouping of CAs were awake/semi awake CAs?