One month on CPAP–better, but could use some suggestions…
Question:
"Jo" <jo…@stopit.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ENKdnf47Ib4hv2bdRVn-hg@suscom.com… > That chin strap sounds interesting, can you post a manufacturer or official > name for it so I can look it up?
There’s no marking on it whatsoever. I got mine from the Royal North Shore hospital, Sydney, Australia. You could try calling them – the main number for the hospital is +61 2 9926 7111. Ask for the Sleep Investigation Unit. It cost me $15.00. I made a small typo (as you probably realise) – it’s called a Butterfly Chinstrap. The reason for the word "butterfly" is, I think, simply because of the overall shape of it, when it’s laid flat – there are two sections, which are joined in the middle, and it narrows a lot where the join is, making it look butterfly-like. It looks like it would be very easy to make oneself. For a woman, anyway. ;^) Greg.
Response:
Hello all! This is my first post on this newsgroup. I admit that I feel a whole lot better after reading your messages because I am a "new" user of CPAP and I am having a lot of trouble sleeping with it. In fact, I have only slept a few minutes in a week and I rarely have the mask on more than 2-3 hours each night. It just becomes too painful. When I first put it on, it’s OK, but after I have it on awhile the mask seems to screw itself into my face somehow, if that’s possible! I have a ResMed S7 Elite CPAP and I am using the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask which covers the nose and mouth. It seems to work OK at first and I have dozed off some nights, but most of the time I am awake. But I’m happy to have read on here that most of you struggle with your masks and have trouble getting to sleep, too. So I will keep on trying. I go back for my checkup on July 28. I started with this setup on July 8. So that’s 20-days of trial. Maybe they might suggest a different mask. Have any of you heard of a nose mask with a strap that fits around your head to keep your mouth shut? My brother wears that one and says it works great for him. Bertrand Macpherson — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.719 / Virus Database: 475 – Release Date: 07/12/2004
Response:
On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 15:03:44 GMT, "Bertrand K. Macpherson" <bmacpherson…@woh.rr.com> wrote: >Hello all! >This is my first post on this newsgroup. I admit that I feel a whole lot >better after reading your messages because I am a "new" user of CPAP and I >am having a lot of trouble sleeping with it. >In fact, I have only slept a few minutes in a week and I rarely have the >mask on more than 2-3 hours each night. It just becomes too painful. When I >first put it on, it’s OK, but after I have it on awhile the mask seems to >screw itself into my face somehow, if that’s possible!
Do keep trying! I’m not familiar with the case with full face masks, but I’m convinced there is a tendency among new CPAPers to adjust the headgear so the mask is too tight. Try backing off on the adjustment until you feel the mask is just barely hanging on. Don’t make this adjustment while sitting up – you’ll for sure get it too tight that way. Most masks depend on the air pressure inflating the flexible section that fits your face to maintain a seal. Adjusting too tight defeats that process. good luck and keep trying!
Response:
That chin strap sounds interesting, can you post a manufacturer or official name for it so I can look it up? Thanks! Joanne "Greg" <REMOVEaeratedT…@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:40f88438$1@duster.adelaide.on.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Bertrand K. Macpherson" <bmacpherson…@woh.rr.com> wrote in message > news:k7SJc.218743$DG4.217357@fe2.columbus.rr.com… > > Have any of you heard of a nose mask with a strap > > that fits around your head to keep your mouth shut? My brother wears that > > one and says it works great for him. > I use a seperate "buttefly chin-strap" (which I bought from the sleep > investigation unit where I had my tests > done) and it works very well indeed. I find that I have to have > the part which goes over my lips done up reasonably tight, but that the part > which goes under > my chin can be done up just gently. I was skeptical at first – I didn’t > think this would prevent > my lips from parting and air leaking out – but it works. The leaflet > mentions that a further improvement > in seal can be realised by using a "combination dressing" over the mouth (in > conjunction with the chinstrap > proper), but I haven’t had to do anything like that – the chinstrap alone > seems to be sufficient for me. > Regarding masks, I have recently switched to a Resmed Mirage Activa mask, > and boy, what an improvement > over my previous mask!! This mask is fantastic. I note that others here are > also happy with this mask. > Greg.
Response:
I haven’t had any experience with nasal pillows,but I’m a very restless sleeper and after trying several masks,have found the resmed activa to be very good,as the extra cushion seal ,and flexible extension hose lets you toss and turn without leaks.It is a bigger mask,but I find it quite comfortable because of the extra flotation bit.it doesn’t leave any red marks on my face next day,despite its extra size and weight.Don’t know if its an option for you,but might be worth try.If you buy it on ebay you will save heaps. "Joe Ahearn" <jo…@mail.airmail.net> wrote in message
news:up3bf0tju0gi6le8fccfmu9b07ooiloj50@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > As some of you may remember, I was diagnosed with hypopnea (index=62), > RLS, and insomnia about a month ago after two sleep studies. > The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been > able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on > almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": > rested, and alert, and productive. > My pressure seems to be ranging from the high 8s to the low 12s (I > check it every morning first thing when I wake up, before I turn the > machine off.) > The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel > "trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night > (though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional > state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of > severe sleep disruption. > Here’s the stuff I could use some help with: > 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps > and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite > using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both > Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of > pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any > suggestions for sleeping more comfortably? > 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often > awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are > leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move > AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I > am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset > back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several > times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard > and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone > suggest anything that might help here? > 3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve > taken the headset off while asleep. I have no memory of this, yet I > wake to find the headset off and on my night stand. Tres bizarre. > Again, if anyone has any suggestions here, I’d really appreciate them. > I’d like to thank everyone who posts here for their advice and > encouragement. I’ve learned more here than I have from my doctor and > DME. I read this group every day, and while I generally have no wisdom > to share (yet), I learn something from every post. > TIA, > Joe Ahearn > Dallas
Response:
Follow the suggestion about loosening the mask. I hve just gotten a ResMed Mirage Activa mask and I think it is really going to be a major improvement on the standard Ultra Mirage (not ful face). I, also, am using the S7 Elite. Talk to you CPAP supplier and make sure they know you are unhappy. ResMed do have a chin strap – I use one. Pleasant dreams Dave
Response:
Many thanks to everyone who has written in. I have printed this entire thread and will work through all of these suggestions. Thank Jah for this group–otherwise, I’d be left with just the advice of my supplier, and that’s worthless. Just coincidentally, I slept terrifically well last night and I feel great this morning. Being able to sleep so well, even if only on occasion, keeps me motivated to fine-tune this machine. Best, Joe Ahearn On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 20:06:58 GMT, Joe Ahearn <jo…@mail.airmail.net> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, >As some of you may remember, I was diagnosed with hypopnea (index=62), >RLS, and insomnia about a month ago after two sleep studies. >The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been >able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on >almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": >rested, and alert, and productive. >My pressure seems to be ranging from the high 8s to the low 12s (I >check it every morning first thing when I wake up, before I turn the >machine off.) >The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel >"trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night >(though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional >state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of >severe sleep disruption. >Here’s the stuff I could use some help with: >1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps >and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite >using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both >Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of >pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any >suggestions for sleeping more comfortably? >2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often >awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are >leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move >AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I >am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset >back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several >times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard >and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone >suggest anything that might help here? >3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve >taken the headset off while asleep. I have no memory of this, yet I >wake to find the headset off and on my night stand. Tres bizarre. >Again, if anyone has any suggestions here, I’d really appreciate them. >I’d like to thank everyone who posts here for their advice and >encouragement. I’ve learned more here than I have from my doctor and >DME. I read this group every day, and while I generally have no wisdom >to share (yet), I learn something from every post. >TIA, >Joe Ahearn >Dallas
Response:
You probably have your mask too tight. 1) Wash face with a non-oily astringent to reduce skin/mask leaks 2) Loosen the straps. The mask should ‘float’. Don’t feel stupid. Very many folks (most) tighten this mask too much in the beginning. regards, eric pearson nonono.ericp1.non…@nonono.fuse.net On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 15:03:44 GMT, "Bertrand K. Macpherson" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<bmacpherson…@woh.rr.com> wrote: >Hello all! >This is my first post on this newsgroup. I admit that I feel a whole lot >better after reading your messages because I am a "new" user of CPAP and I >am having a lot of trouble sleeping with it. >In fact, I have only slept a few minutes in a week and I rarely have the >mask on more than 2-3 hours each night. It just becomes too painful. When I >first put it on, it’s OK, but after I have it on awhile the mask seems to >screw itself into my face somehow, if that’s possible! >I have a ResMed S7 Elite CPAP and I am using the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask >which covers the nose and mouth. It seems to work OK at first and I have >dozed off some nights, but most of the time I am awake. But I’m happy to >have read on here that most of you struggle with your masks and have trouble >getting to sleep, too. >So I will keep on trying. I go back for my checkup on July 28. I started >with this setup on July 8. So that’s 20-days of trial. Maybe they might >suggest a different mask. Have any of you heard of a nose mask with a strap >that fits around your head to keep your mouth shut? My brother wears that >one and says it works great for him. >Bertrand Macpherson >— >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.719 / Virus Database: 475 – Release Date: 07/12/2004
Response:
"Bertrand K. Macpherson" <bmacpherson…@woh.rr.com> wrote in message news:k7SJc.218743$DG4.217357@fe2.columbus.rr.com… > Have any of you heard of a nose mask with a strap > that fits around your head to keep your mouth shut? My brother wears that > one and says it works great for him.
I use a seperate "buttefly chin-strap" (which I bought from the sleep investigation unit where I had my tests done) and it works very well indeed. I find that I have to have the part which goes over my lips done up reasonably tight, but that the part which goes under my chin can be done up just gently. I was skeptical at first – I didn’t think this would prevent my lips from parting and air leaking out – but it works. The leaflet mentions that a further improvement in seal can be realised by using a "combination dressing" over the mouth (in conjunction with the chinstrap proper), but I haven’t had to do anything like that – the chinstrap alone seems to be sufficient for me. Regarding masks, I have recently switched to a Resmed Mirage Activa mask, and boy, what an improvement over my previous mask!! This mask is fantastic. I note that others here are also happy with this mask. Greg.
Response:
Hi, As some of you may remember, I was diagnosed with hypopnea (index=62), RLS, and insomnia about a month ago after two sleep studies. The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": rested, and alert, and productive. My pressure seems to be ranging from the high 8s to the low 12s (I check it every morning first thing when I wake up, before I turn the machine off.) The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel "trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night (though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of severe sleep disruption. Here’s the stuff I could use some help with: 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any suggestions for sleeping more comfortably? 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone suggest anything that might help here? 3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve taken the headset off while asleep. I have no memory of this, yet I wake to find the headset off and on my night stand. Tres bizarre. Again, if anyone has any suggestions here, I’d really appreciate them. I’d like to thank everyone who posts here for their advice and encouragement. I’ve learned more here than I have from my doctor and DME. I read this group every day, and while I generally have no wisdom to share (yet), I learn something from every post. TIA, Joe Ahearn Dallas
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Joe Ahearn wrote: > Hi, > As some of you may remember, I was diagnosed with hypopnea (index=62), > RLS, and insomnia about a month ago after two sleep studies. > The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been > able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on > almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": > rested, and alert, and productive. > My pressure seems to be ranging from the high 8s to the low 12s (I > check it every morning first thing when I wake up, before I turn the > machine off.) > The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel > "trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night > (though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional > state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of > severe sleep disruption. > Here’s the stuff I could use some help with: > 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps > and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite > using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both > Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of > pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any > suggestions for sleeping more comfortably?
Go to www.cpapman.com and look at the pictures of the ADAMS to see if that is the one you have. If so, then the Conjo Custom headgear (on the same site) is a huge improvement over the stock ADAMs headgear. If you order it there is a slightly involved measurement process to do first (I had no idea where exactly where one’s occipital bump might be located and mine is not very prominent). The angle adaptor with the additional swivel is a must have even if you don’t get the custom headgear. The angle of the pillows to your nares is important for a comfortable fit and seal. The pillows should seal without having to be squashed completely flat. I put mine on and center the pillows in my nares. It feels very loose until I turn on the machine which expands the pillows. A slight wiggle to seat the pillows and I’m good to go. My struggle is a bit different. I have a short mustache. The shell that holds the pillows contacts my upper lip which has the effect of driving the mustache hairs into the skin. I try to adjust things so that the shell doesn’t contact my upper lip. Completely off the lip results in a "pig snout" effect where the top of the shell/pillows pulls up on my nose. Too much pull and my nose hurts. Too little pull and my lip hurts. It’s a fine balance which takes a night to adjust every time I drop my head gear into the washing machine. Are you sure you have the right size pillows? Can you talk your DME into letting you try a size larger? maybe even smaller but most people who are misfitted are fitted too small. Have you tried the dilator style. Goes into the nose further but contacts at a different point. They are a bit more rigid too which may not be good. > 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often > awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are > leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move > AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I > am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset > back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several > times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard > and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone > suggest anything that might help here?
See above. I find that I can turn from back to side to side with little, if any, disturbance of the pillows. Do you have your hose suspended behind and above your head (headboard)? This makes a large difference. > 3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve > taken the headset off while asleep. I have no memory of this, yet I > wake to find the headset off and on my night stand. Tres bizarre. > Again, if anyone has any suggestions here, I’d really appreciate them.
This is a not so uncommon problem that some people have while they adapt to treatment. I’m sure others will reply with what worked for them. -Quick – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d like to thank everyone who posts here for their advice and > encouragement. I’ve learned more here than I have from my doctor and > DME. I read this group every day, and while I generally have no wisdom > to share (yet), I learn something from every post. > TIA, > Joe Ahearn > Dallas
Response:
I use the breeze setup and find the same difficulties in that if I want to lie on my back I usually have to adjust the sliders on the thing to stop leakage. I now usually avoid back sleeping because of this. However for all it’s problems I still prefer this system as it allows me to sleep in other positions without any leakage. Any masks I have tried leaked as soon as I rolled over. I don’t know what setup you have but if it is a ’strapped’ version I suggest that once you get the right fit mark the straps with indelible ink. That way when it comes to washing the headgear (mask or pillows) you shouldn’t have much difficulty in getting the right fit again. — Frankie I used to be normal but didn’t like it. To Reply By E-Mail Remove ’MY SPLEEN’ http://uk.msnusers.com/LivingWithSleepApnea ————————————————————————- FIGHT BACK AGAINST SPAM! Download Spam Inspector, the Award Winning Anti-Spam Filter http://mail.giantcompany.com " Joe Ahearn" <jo…@mail.airmail.net> wrote in message
news:up3bf0tju0gi6le8fccfmu9b07ooiloj50@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > As some of you may remember, I was diagnosed with hypopnea (index=62), > RLS, and insomnia about a month ago after two sleep studies. > The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been > able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on > almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": > rested, and alert, and productive. > My pressure seems to be ranging from the high 8s to the low 12s (I > check it every morning first thing when I wake up, before I turn the > machine off.) > The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel > "trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night > (though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional > state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of > severe sleep disruption. > Here’s the stuff I could use some help with: > 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps > and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite > using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both > Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of > pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any > suggestions for sleeping more comfortably? > 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often > awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are > leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move > AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I > am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset > back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several > times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard > and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone > suggest anything that might help here? > 3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve > taken the headset off while asleep. I have no memory of this, yet I > wake to find the headset off and on my night stand. Tres bizarre. > Again, if anyone has any suggestions here, I’d really appreciate them. > I’d like to thank everyone who posts here for their advice and > encouragement. I’ve learned more here than I have from my doctor and > DME. I read this group every day, and while I generally have no wisdom > to share (yet), I learn something from every post. > TIA, > Joe Ahearn > Dallas
Response:
I’ve been on APAP for a couple of months and I’m also waking up and finding my mask’s been tossed towards the far wall and having no memory of doing it. I think part of my problem is I need to get the humidifier and work on mouth leaks. I have an Activa and I agree with previous posters that it’s fairly comfortable and mostly leak proof. I still get evidence that I’m getting eye leaks in the night though (extreme dry and red eyes when I wake up). Two new masks that I’m thinking about trying are: The new InnoMed "Freestyle" (looks like it would give Burglars a pretty good laugh). http://www.innomedinc.com/products/shoot6.html And the new FP FlexiFit Full Face Mask (tried the resmed full face. Leaked like a sieve). http://www.fphcare.com/osa/HC431%20Brochure.pdf Good Luck Todd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Joe Ahearn <jo…@mail.airmail.net> wrote in message <news:up3bf0tju0gi6le8fccfmu9b07ooiloj50@4ax.com>… > Hi, > As some of you may remember, I was diagnosed with hypopnea (index=62), > RLS, and insomnia about a month ago after two sleep studies. > The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been > able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on > almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": > rested, and alert, and productive. > My pressure seems to be ranging from the high 8s to the low 12s (I > check it every morning first thing when I wake up, before I turn the > machine off.) > The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel > "trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night > (though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional > state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of > severe sleep disruption. > Here’s the stuff I could use some help with: > 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps > and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite > using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both > Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of > pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any > suggestions for sleeping more comfortably? > 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often > awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are > leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move > AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I > am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset > back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several > times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard > and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone > suggest anything that might help here? > 3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve > taken the headset off while asleep. I have no memory of this, yet I > wake to find the headset off and on my night stand. Tres bizarre. > Again, if anyone has any suggestions here, I’d really appreciate them. > I’d like to thank everyone who posts here for their advice and > encouragement. I’ve learned more here than I have from my doctor and > DME. I read this group every day, and while I generally have no wisdom > to share (yet), I learn something from every post. > TIA, > Joe Ahearn > Dallas
Response:
Joe Ahearn <jo…@mail.airmail.net> wrote: > The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been > able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on > almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": > rested, and alert, and productive.
I found that it took at least six months before I really started feeling a lot better. > The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel > "trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night > (though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional > state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of > severe sleep disruption.
Exactly. > 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps > and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite > using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both > Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of > pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any > suggestions for sleeping more comfortably?
You may be using the wrong size? > 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. > 3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve > taken the headset off while asleep.
Both of these things were problems I had in the first few months, but don’t have any more. Dunno why. — _Deirdre http://deirdre.net "Memes are a hoax! Pass it on!"
Response:
Hi Joe; I don’t use pillows, I tried them at the DME and didn’t like them. I used to have an Aclaim mask which was adequate but prone to leaks and not particularly comfortable. I recently bought a Resmed Activa and quite like it. The best things about it are that it really is virtually leak proof, comfortable (as can be 
), allows you to move around (though I haven’t been able to sleep on my stomach for a year now) and the straps are worn quite loosely. The mask does weigh a little more and hose management is a bit of an issue. The Aclaim puts the hose over your head so there was little fuss. The exhaust port does expel a lot more air than the Aclaim which could be a problem with your partner. If you use the ramp feature on your CPAP it doesn’t seem to work well with the Activa as the cushion does not inflate enough. I think that most people don’t use the ramp after getting used to CPAP. Overall, it is quite a improvement and well worth the money. For the first few months, I also took my mask off every night and I never remembered doing it. It drove me crazy 
. It seems to take a bit of determination but over time you’ll get used to it and be using it all night. Just keep putting it on every night and put it back on if you wake up. I felt better the first week of using CPAP and then for about three months I felt significantly worse than pre-CPAP. The funny thing is that I never knew I felt bad before starting CPAP. After I knew the difference, I realized that I felt pretty crappy pre-CPAP. It does get better and well worth the hassles of adjustment. The most important part is the interface between you and the machine. Make sure that you get something that your comfortable with and get your DME to help you find something that works for you. If it hurts, its bad. I hope this helps! Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Joe Ahearn wrote: > Hi, > As some of you may remember, I was diagnosed with hypopnea (index=62), > RLS, and insomnia about a month ago after two sleep studies. > The good news is that on most days I am fuctional again, I have been > able to start reading for pleasure again, I am working better, and on > almost all days I have at least a few hours of feeling "normal": > rested, and alert, and productive. > My pressure seems to be ranging from the high 8s to the low 12s (I > check it every morning first thing when I wake up, before I turn the > machine off.) > The bad news is that about one day out of three I still feel > "trainwrecked." And I still need about 11 hours of sleep a night > (though that’s down from 16-18). I figure I am still in a transitional > state, getting more and more deeply rested after at least ten years of > severe sleep disruption. > Here’s the stuff I could use some help with: > 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps > and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite > using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both > Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of > pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any > suggestions for sleeping more comfortably? > 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often > awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are > leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move > AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I > am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset > back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several > times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard > and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone > suggest anything that might help here? > 3. Finally, in the last two days I have woken three times to find I’ve > taken the headset off while asleep. I have no memory of this, yet I > wake to find the headset off and on my night stand. Tres bizarre. > Again, if anyone has any suggestions here, I’d really appreciate them. > I’d like to thank everyone who posts here for their advice and > encouragement. I’ve learned more here than I have from my doctor and > DME. I read this group every day, and while I generally have no wisdom > to share (yet), I learn something from every post. > TIA, > Joe Ahearn > Dallas
Response:
Joe Ahearn <jo…@mail.airmail.net> wrote: > 1. I am using nasal pillows that are held in place with nylon straps > and velcro. (Sorry I don’t have the product name or number.) Despite > using every combination of strapping I can think of, and using both > Carmex and Ayr gel, I still find that the pillows cause me a lot of > pain in my nose–enough to wake me up frequently. Does anyone have any > suggestions for sleeping more comfortably?
My DME shorted me the flexible pleated 18 inch hose that is supposed to run from the swivel at the end of the six foot hose from the CPAP to the interface. As a result, there was a lot of pressure trying to pull forwad on my nose. The other problem was I was given the standard normal size pillows. They fit too far up into my nose and irritated my nares. A shift to the large pillows, (a mint green color), solved that problem. The nares should rest atop the pillows not have the pillows push up into the nares. > 2. This headset doesn’t work well if you turn in your sleep. I often > awake because the pillows have come out of my nose and are > leaking–the head straps don’t really hold things in place if I move > AT ALL off my back. I am quite restless sleeper and so quite often I > am waking in the middle of the night and trying to put the headset > back together. Again, I have read the manual, consululted several > times with my DME, and have used many different combinations of hard > and soft pressure to hold this damned thing together. Can anyone > suggest anything that might help here?
It takes a while to get adjusted properly. It is adjust, try, adjust some more, try again, and so on. One thing that helped was to get the straps that go around the head as low down on the head as I could, then adjust the large strap that goes over the top of the head. Then adjust the hose and pillows, finally adjust the straps from the pillow shell to the strap around the head. Ross Bernheim
