CPAP Newbie
CPAP Newbie When you are new to CPAP a lot of questions and concerns come up. Most deal with getting used to treatment. Many have come before you and have been successful in treating their Sleep Apnea. They impart their wisdom for you here.
Contents
Get Started with CPAP and Treat Sleep Apnea
Welcome to this community of CPAP users. Information and support are necessary for effective treatment, and CPAPtalk and its extension CPAPwiki had both in abundance.
First things first: Use your words. Check out the CPAP Definitions section available on the Sidebar to familiarize yourself with important terms used in the Sleep Community and by your doctor and DME.
How Long Until I Feel Better?
Adjusting to CPAP as a New User
Keeping the Mask On at Night
type ideas here
Protection from Painful Wear and Tear on your Face
Nasal Pillow comfort hints
Comfort wearing any mask can be a challenge. Many users of the nasal pillow or the nasal prong mask systems experience some tenderness or even pain on the tip of the nose or inside the nares (nostrils).
First thing is to make sure that the headgear is not too tight. These masks do not need to be tight to be effective. Make sure that the side straps are equally adjusted. Too much tension on one side can cause chaffing enough to break the skin and create a painfully sore spot.
If not too tight but some tenderness remains then adding a little moisturizer to the external tip of nose and even inside the nares can minimize the discomfort while this area "toughens up". Lanonish ointment is a good choice. It is used by nursing mothers to help heal chapped nipples that occur during breast feeding. It can be used during the day or even at night with the nasal pillows. Used in moderation it has the added benefit of helping seal the pillows. It is tacky enough to help the pillows "stick". Others use Ayr Gel as a moisturizing agent with good success. Do not use any petroleum based product, such as Vasoline, because it is harmful for the lungs and can degrade the nasal pillows. So if you use something else, look at the ingredients closely.
Mental and Physical Stages of CPAP
Seven Stages of CPAP
originally posted by Mike Moran:
Since many are new to this therapy I thought I should put together some of the common threads of what we all go through for ourselves and our loved ones. This is also something you might share with your family or friends so they might gain an understanding of what you are dealing with.
1. Denial
2. Realization
3. Diagnosis
4. Frustration
5. Immersion
6. Ownership
7. Inflation
For the Full Article, read: Seven Stages of CPAP
What is Feeling Good?
originally posted by Perry Holzman
Many CPAP users report that as treatment continues they begin to remember what feeling good is like. In this article, 4 stages of mental and emotional states are explored.
1. Walking Dead
2. Basic Treatment
3. Advanved Treatment
4. Mental Zest
Read the full article here: What is Feeling Good?
CPAP Adaption Stages
originally posted by Mile High Sleeper
Getting to the point where CPAP treatment is comfortable and tolerable takes practice and experimentation. In this article, gain motivation, resources and ideas to get past the struggle and into a good night's sleep.
Read the full article here: CPAP Adaptation Stages
Learn From Others' Experiences
Sleep Diary
originally posted by Mile High Sleeper
When I was first diagnosed, I found this forum (cpaptalk.com) invaluable and it helped me a great deal to learn from the experiences and support of others. Without the advice so freely given I'm sure I would have found it even harder to cope. Thanks to you all. I kept a diary for the first few weeks and glanced back at it today. I'm now in week 10 and really beginning to feel the benefit, so the fear, uncertainty and discomfort of the first few weeks is becoming a more distant memory every day.
I thought it might give others some hope & encouragement if they could see a few extracts from my diary.
Read the full article here: Diary of Two Hoseheads
Add your own Sleep Diary
Thoughts on Improvement
originally posted by birdshell
As I was driving to my aunt and uncle's home for Thanksgiving, it occurred to me that my efforts to get there had changed greatly. I have other medical conditions that have been treated (finally) before I started CPAP 8 months ago. Those treatments definitely helped, but still left me tired, lacking energy, sleeping 12-14 hours a day, and NOT living the life I would choose...
Read the full article here: Thoughts on Improvement
Social and Psychological Factors in SBD Recovery
originally posted by Mile High Sleeper
“I realized that I had a handicap rather than a moral defect. Finally, I could stop criticizing myself for not meeting social and personal standards of behavior.”
Sleep apnea patient Jerry Halberstadt, Sleep Apnea – The Phantom of the Night, p. 154
Just as we’re all different in our physical conditions, we’re all unique in our psychological nature and approach to life. Listed below are a few personal issues related to sleep disordered breathing (SBD) and CPAP treatment that can come up, not even including equipment issues. If you have a family member or friend who is not very supportive of your condition and CPAP therapy, perhaps discussing some of these items will increase their awareness and understanding...
Read the full article here: Social and Psychological Factors in SBD Recovery
Partners and CPAP
Single CPAP users and Partners
Why tell your partner about CPAP treatment?: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16860&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Partnered CPAP Users
Quiet Equipment
IntelliPAP Auto Adjust CPAP Machine wins Product Challenge 8 against the M Series Auto with AFLEX due to its quietness. The result of the Product Challenge proves the noise level of the machine makes a tremendous difference in the effectiveness of CPAP treatment. Product Challenge participants had this to say about the IntelliPAP Auto Adjust:
"By far the quietest of any machine I've ever used, the intellipap is barely audible. This is a great machine for anyone whose sleeping companion complains about the sound the machine makes. My partner didnt even know the machine was on the first night." - Marc K.
"VERY quiet operation. Surprising how much of a difference this makes for a comfortable sleeping environment." - Philip B.
"This is an extremely quiet machine. You definitely wouldn't be keeping someone awake." - Margaret W.
Feeling Low?
Don't Give Up!
originally posted by Rhoda
So you've been sentenced to "life" with CPAP and after a week or so you're still wresting with doubts that you want to continue. GET SERIOUS! Did you listen when the doctor, therapist and CPAP supplier told you why you need CPAP? OK so maybe it was only the doctor who told you. Therapists and CPAP equipment suppliers will eventually learn that they all need to reinforce "why" you need CPAP.
Being hooked up to a CPAP machine is not as convenient or comfortable as not being hooked up, although great strides will continue to be made in every possible area of patient comfort. But there is much more at stake than simply your comfort and convenience...
Read the full article here: Don't Give Up!