Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 2, 2009 at 11:10pm

Dan, I AM gonna try to start keeping a log. Good idea. My only concern is I'm afraid I'll turn it into a bitch diary or else forget it all together 'cause I'm so freakin' tired I can't think straight. When I push myself, like right now, I can focus, but otherwise I might as well be Jello.

Someone, I think "Dr. Cobb", (not!), said the same thing about cleaning stuff every day. Someone ELSE, maybe DE, said to put a small amount of bleach in the sudsy water to disinfect so I'm gonna do that. I bought the stuff today. A friend of mine whose ex- used to sleep with CPAP told me she cleaned his with vinegar..anyone have an opinion about that?

Oh hell, I just realized I called "Dr. Cobb" DE instead of DW--DE was my dad!!!!! Sorry doc!

Am I gonna get in trouble with this language I'm slinging around on site???????????

susan mccord said:

Thanks Dan! You continue to inspire me with your calm words of wisdom. LOL re: "hosing"

-Susan

Dan Lyons said:

Susan,
You are going to have questions and minor setbacks, but it does get better.

Let me offer a couple of suggestions. Start a log dealing with you travels with *PAP therapy. Include everything, no matter how minor the detail. Clues to improvement can sometimes be hidden in the details, so everything is important, from your meals to you activities.

The medications you are/were taking do not leave your body with the snap of a finger. Their effects may linger for extended periods of time. Be patient.

The cold you are fighting may be some of the problem. Make sure you wash your mask daily to get rid of the nasty bugs you gave it over night. No sense in making yourself sick again each night. I would wash it daily for several days past the time when you become asymptomatic for safety sake.

[A side note to cleaning your mask- If you follow the manufactures instructions and the direction of the DME, they will wear the mask’s components out at a accelerated rate, thus creating re-occurring income for them as you purchase new masks continually. It brings smiles to their faces when you do this. (A new mask lasts me almost a year before I have to replace the cushion and headgear)]

Now lets start repaying your sleep debt you built up over the years. Liking buying a car, you will be making payments till such time as the debt is repaid. (We all can't hit the lottery.)

Happy hosing

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 2, 2009 at 11:12pm

Well, now, THAT'S an interesting little tidbit, Rock. Why does that (maybe) help? I take vitamins q a.m. by habit, but I'll try taking them hs if you think that might help. I'm curious as to why it would. But I'll try it nonetheless and let you know! Thanks.....Susan McCord

Rock Hinkle said:

Susan it seems like you brain might be hung up on the idea of a sleep aid. try taking your vitamins right before you go to bed. The act alone might help you with triggering your sleep cycle. Plus the vitamins will help you when you wake up.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julia on August 2, 2009 at 11:22pm

Dan, you mentioned not to follow the manufacturer's instructions on cleaning the equipment, so what is a good cleaning plan and schedule?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julia on August 2, 2009 at 11:24pm

I have not seen anything about self-hypnosis for relaxation, but I have done this for years when I need it and it works like a charm for me (get a self-hypnosis CD and turn it on, and go to sleep). I don't need the CD anymore, I just listen "in my head."

When I went to the sleep lab, I was having a horrible time relaxing and remembered my old trick and voila...I was out. I used this when I first started cpap just to relax and after about 3 nights, I didn't have to do it any more.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 2, 2009 at 11:44pm

OMG, that's a GREAT idea, Julia! I'm definitely gonna try it. I'll have to check online and see what kind of CD's I can find. Is there one you'd recommend? Thanks! I LIKE this one!!

-Susan McCord :-)

Julia said:

I have not seen anything about self-hypnosis for relaxation, but I have done this for years when I need it and it works like a charm for me (get a self-hypnosis CD and turn it on, and go to sleep). I don't need the CD anymore, I just listen "in my head."

When I went to the sleep lab, I was having a horrible time relaxing and remembered my old trick and voila...I was out. I used this when I first started cpap just to relax and after about 3 nights, I didn't have to do it any more.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on August 3, 2009 at 4:06am

Because you brain is used to taking something before bed. the vitamins could replace the action.

susan mccord said:

Well, now, THAT'S an interesting little tidbit, Rock. Why does that (maybe) help? I take vitamins q a.m. by habit, but I'll try taking them hs if you think that might help. I'm curious as to why it would. But I'll try it nonetheless and let you know! Thanks.....Susan McCord

Rock Hinkle said:

Susan it seems like you brain might be hung up on the idea of a sleep aid. try taking your vitamins right before you go to bed. The act alone might help you with triggering your sleep cycle. Plus the vitamins will help you when you wake up.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 3, 2009 at 10:48am

WELL, HERE'S A NEWS FLASH!! Last night, I did everything you guys have been telling me to do at once. No Nyquil, vitamins hs, turned down humidity another notch, AND I split my 1.0 Xanax dose in half. Slept soundly on CPAP for 4 hours. Woke up to go to the bathroom, went back to bed after taking the remainder of Xanax Rx'd dose (ended up with same dosage, just 1/2 at a time)--had also started using saline nose spray, and OTC eye drops. Upshot is I SLEPT soundly, on CPAP, for a total of 8 hours, with only break being a brief bathroom break!!!! I'm ecstatic!! I haven't had that much sleep in one night in...I don't even know how long. AND I never moved all night. Had a couple of dreams which I don't remember, other than that, NOTHING.

I can't begin to tell you guys how encouraged I am. I still kinda feel like shit, but at least I got a real night's sleep which does wonders for my morale and my level of hope. I'm gonna keep doing the exact same thing for awhile and see what happens. I'M EXCITED!!! Susan McCord

Rock Hinkle said:

Because you brain is used to taking something before bed. the vitamins could replace the action.

susan mccord said:

Well, now, THAT'S an interesting little tidbit, Rock. Why does that (maybe) help? I take vitamins q a.m. by habit, but I'll try taking them hs if you think that might help. I'm curious as to why it would. But I'll try it nonetheless and let you know! Thanks.....Susan McCord

Rock Hinkle said:

Susan it seems like you brain might be hung up on the idea of a sleep aid. try taking your vitamins right before you go to bed. The act alone might help you with triggering your sleep cycle. Plus the vitamins will help you when you wake up.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on August 3, 2009 at 6:42pm

In so far as a cleaning schedule, you set that. I have talked with people who clean their masks and hose once a month, every couple of months, some never. On the other hand, some folks listen to the DME and manufacturer's information and they end up replacing their mask after 2 to 3 weeks. You set your schedule.

I personally clean mine, about once every 2 weeks, sometimes longer.

What you use again is your call.

Vinegar is an acid. Watered down, it is still an acid. I personally take my mask and hose and place it in the kitchen sink tub, 1/2 full of water to which I have added 3-4 drops of anti-bacterial dish washing soap. I let it soak for about 5 minutes then thoroughly rinse it off. I then allow it to air dry for several hours before reassembling it. I have never had problem.

I do the same thing with my humidifier tub.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on August 3, 2009 at 6:51pm

Susan,
Make your log both objective and subjective.

Lay it out in a spreadsheet format. Label columns with the information you wish to derive. Examples - # time you wake up during the night, bathroom trips, mask problems, diet, etc. This is you objective log.

Then label an area for comments - your subjective input.

Say what you want in the subjective area. A clue can be hidden in your feelings.

susan mccord said:

Dan, I AM gonna try to start keeping a log. Good idea. My only concern is I'm afraid I'll turn it into a bitch diary or else forget it all together 'cause I'm so freakin' tired I can't think straight. When I push myself, like right now, I can focus, but otherwise I might as well be Jello.

Someone, I think "Dr. Cobb", (not!), said the same thing about cleaning stuff every day. Someone ELSE, maybe DE, said to put a small amount of bleach in the sudsy water to disinfect so I'm gonna do that. I bought the stuff today. A friend of mine whose ex- used to sleep with CPAP told me she cleaned his with vinegar..anyone have an opinion about that?

Oh hell, I just realized I called "Dr. Cobb" DE instead of DW--DE was my dad!!!!! Sorry doc!

Am I gonna get in trouble with this language I'm slinging around on site???????????

susan mccord said:

Thanks Dan! You continue to inspire me with your calm words of wisdom. LOL re: "hosing"

-Susan

Dan Lyons said:

Susan,
You are going to have questions and minor setbacks, but it does get better.

Let me offer a couple of suggestions. Start a log dealing with you travels with *PAP therapy. Include everything, no matter how minor the detail. Clues to improvement can sometimes be hidden in the details, so everything is important, from your meals to you activities.

The medications you are/were taking do not leave your body with the snap of a finger. Their effects may linger for extended periods of time. Be patient.

The cold you are fighting may be some of the problem. Make sure you wash your mask daily to get rid of the nasty bugs you gave it over night. No sense in making yourself sick again each night. I would wash it daily for several days past the time when you become asymptomatic for safety sake.

[A side note to cleaning your mask- If you follow the manufactures instructions and the direction of the DME, they will wear the mask’s components out at a accelerated rate, thus creating re-occurring income for them as you purchase new masks continually. It brings smiles to their faces when you do this. (A new mask lasts me almost a year before I have to replace the cushion and headgear)]

Now lets start repaying your sleep debt you built up over the years. Liking buying a car, you will be making payments till such time as the debt is repaid. (We all can't hit the lottery.)

Happy hosing

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by wallace j smith jr on August 3, 2009 at 9:07pm

are you sure you even need the humidity?? im only askin because if i do it mess with my allergies..

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 3, 2009 at 9:15pm

Humidifier was originally set by DME on 2. I used that setting for 2 nights (I was on and off the machine 'cause I couldn't sleep)--by the 2nd morning my head was so congested back and forth with my nose running it was nuts. I thought I had a cold. Now I understand that it's not uncommon for people to either get sick OR have upper respiratory symptoms when they start using CPAP. I have no idea at this point WHAT I have, but it's annoying me totally. Someone on SleepGuide encouraged me to turn humidifier down. I had dried out so badly I couldn't stand it so I turned it up to 4, but after I heard that, I've been putting it down a notch per night. It's back at 2 now. I'm gonna get back to 1 and see what happens. I don't think I can get along without some humidity 'cause it dried me out so badly. But I'll just have to experiment, I guess. I'm just a little concerned about breathing in the bleach smell. Internet says vinegar will get rid of the smell--I'm not sure I have any but will check. So that's THAT sad story!! Thanks for the contact..l appreciate all the support I'm getting on this site. Nice people, and knowledgeable.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 3, 2009 at 9:22pm

I have no allergies that I'm aware of, but I sure have a lot of congestion right now.....

wallace j smith jr said:

are you sure you even need the humidity?? im only askin because if i do it mess with my allergies..

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page