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Permalink Reply by Mike on October 21, 2009 at 9:29am

first off, congratulations on everything you've accomplished so far, Jan. You've educated yourself, you've wound up with some of the finest quality equipment out there, and, in a stunning turn of events . . . you actually kept it on ALL NIGHT!? that's amazing. and certainly more than I was able to do or most other people I know. You're going to "win" at this. I'd bet money on it.

nasal pillows should make very little noise when inserted properly into the nostrils. no more than that sound Darth Vader makes when he inhales and exhales. If it's any more than that -- and that's the official medical standard ;-) -- you're doing something wrong. in fact, i would think the mask would make any less noise than Darth Vader. Should just be the peaceful sound of your inhalation and exhalation.

re your question on feeling, they should feel snug but comfortable in your nostrils and, ultimately, you won't even notice that it's on. if you have the right size, there shouldn't be much extra space in there for the prongs to wiggle around in. if there is, you need a smaller size. they come in different sizes. it's like fitting shoes -- snug so your feet don't move around in the shoes, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on October 21, 2009 at 9:47am

Way to go Jan!

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Permalink Reply by Jan on October 21, 2009 at 10:19am

Thanks for all of the encouragement! Several times during the night I thought of bagging it...but just decided to try and push through it. I am a bad need of a nap now though, so will go upstairs and try out the machine again and see if I can't get the cushions situated in a way that makes less noise. I might also want a slightly longer hose.

Mike, would you kindly send me a link to the website you sent a while ago-- where I can buy the oxygen pillow and the software for the respironics?

Mike said:

first off, congratulations on everything you've accomplished so far, Jan. You've educated yourself, you've wound up with some of the finest quality equipment out there, and, in a stunning turn of events . . . you actually kept it on ALL NIGHT!? that's amazing. and certainly more than I was able to do or most other people I know. You're going to "win" at this. I'd bet money on it.

nasal pillows should make very little noise when inserted properly into the nostrils. no more than that sound Darth Vader makes when he inhales and exhales. If it's any more than that -- and that's the official medical standard ;-) -- you're doing something wrong. in fact, i would think the mask would make any less noise than Darth Vader. Should just be the peaceful sound of your inhalation and exhalation.

re your question on feeling, they should feel snug but comfortable in your nostrils and, ultimately, you won't even notice that it's on. if you have the right size, there shouldn't be much extra space in there for the prongs to wiggle around in. if there is, you need a smaller size. they come in different sizes. it's like fitting shoes -- snug so your feet don't move around in the shoes, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on October 21, 2009 at 10:19am

:-) :-)

Rock Hinkle said:

Way to go Jan!

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on October 21, 2009 at 10:39am

"I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom."

Les Brown

You have done very well in all of this Jan. You amd many others have turned this practitioner into a student. I can only hope that i am as brave as all of you in my life journeys.

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Permalink Reply by gordon on October 21, 2009 at 1:11pm

Hi Jan! I use the medium size nasal pillows, you can experiment with the small and large. You can use a little
Ayr" saline nasal gel , to make a better seal and prevent dryness.(they make special cream without lanolin also) It's a matter of practice and experimentation to get the headgear EVEN on your face, just tug it one way or another, tighten the top or back strap, play around with it. If the top strap slides down the back of your head, it's too loose, if your neck gets a abrasion, well... that strap is too tight, you'll get it. Try and sleep with the straps as even and as tight as you can in the beginning, to minimize leaks. Even with minimal leaks out one side, if you sleep 7-8 hrs you'll likely will get more oxygen and rest than without it. Invariably, sleeping on my side, there are minor leaks. At this stage, you're doing great, try not to get frustrated, and keep us posted, ok?

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Permalink Reply by Jan on October 22, 2009 at 9:37am

Now night TWO!!! I slept with the CPAP for the entire night. As Gordon suggested, I slept with the headgear tighter than I had on night one and that cut way down on the noise I was hearing A few observations that might help me tweak my comfort level, if anyone has any suggestions.

I used the recommended AYR from the beginning so I am not experiencing irritation from the air. However, my nostrils are a little sore this morning from wearing the mask/pillows a bit tighter to eliminate leaks...any thoughts?

I woke up several times during the night-- but NOT as much as I would normally without CPAP. Once when I woke up my mouth was open....most other times I wake up it is closed. Am wondering if I should try a chin strap and if there are recommendations for ones that are most comfortable.

My eyes seem a bit dry this morning. Any idea of why that would be and what to do about it. I am using a humidifier with the machine.

And lastly, I am still pretty tired this morning. I presume that will start to get better soon?

Thanks all,

Jan

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Permalink Reply by Mike on October 22, 2009 at 1:53pm

Jan -- the link to the website is www.ApneaLife.com -- let me know if you have any trouble finding it.

Jan said:

Thanks for all of the encouragement! Several times during the night I thought of bagging it...but just decided to try and push through it. I am a bad need of a nap now though, so will go upstairs and try out the machine again and see if I can't get the cushions situated in a way that makes less noise. I might also want a slightly longer hose.

Mike, would you kindly send me a link to the website you sent a while ago-- where I can buy the oxygen pillow and the software for the respironics?

Mike said:

first off, congratulations on everything you've accomplished so far, Jan. You've educated yourself, you've wound up with some of the finest quality equipment out there, and, in a stunning turn of events . . . you actually kept it on ALL NIGHT!? that's amazing. and certainly more than I was able to do or most other people I know. You're going to "win" at this. I'd bet money on it.

nasal pillows should make very little noise when inserted properly into the nostrils. no more than that sound Darth Vader makes when he inhales and exhales. If it's any more than that -- and that's the official medical standard ;-) -- you're doing something wrong. in fact, i would think the mask would make any less noise than Darth Vader. Should just be the peaceful sound of your inhalation and exhalation.

re your question on feeling, they should feel snug but comfortable in your nostrils and, ultimately, you won't even notice that it's on. if you have the right size, there shouldn't be much extra space in there for the prongs to wiggle around in. if there is, you need a smaller size. they come in different sizes. it's like fitting shoes -- snug so your feet don't move around in the shoes, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable.

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Permalink Reply by gordon on October 22, 2009 at 3:24pm

Hi Jan! Your nostrils will be sore, it goes away, as long as you use some cream, same with the headgear, it leaves lines on the face, it goes away once you get the tightness figured out. If you wake with your mouth open, you definately need a chinstrap underneath the headgear, I think your mask doesn't cover your mouth, so your breaking the "seal" by breathing with your mouth, that's what most of us do, and why we snore after all.
I use the "Ruby Red" one here> http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Headgear/Tiara_Medical/TMS-09.html
It's the one they recommended 3 yrs ago, & I still use it. It washes and dries quickly, and you can wash by hand in hot and dry hot to tighten it up. My wife took a tuck in mine too once. It slips on VERY easily once you find the right direction, it has good openings for the ears, and has a white tag which goes DOWN/BACK, always reminding you of which way to slip on. It's not cotton, so in summer, the material can get a little hot, but I keep a small fan indirected on my side at night, because all this stuff heats up our face, at least here in So. California.

I originally used Respironics chinstrap here>
http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Headgear/Tiara_Medical/TMS-07A.htm
This chinstrap is WAY TOO THICK, because at the top of the head the velcro overlaps about 3-6 inches to hold it in place. The top strap constantly slips down the back of the head, and the back strap too, never stays in place. The thickmess of the overlap at top goes underneath the headgear strap, so the entire thickness becomes like 3/4 of an inch or so, REAL BULKY.

I used this ResMed one,> http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Headgear/ResMed/Chinstrap.html
it is no good, again, it's only a one loop-design, and it SLIPS, every night for me,( but I don't have a lot of hair.) It's plastic on the top 1/2 and fabric strap w/ velcro ends on bottom half, I would guess the top gets caught in hair too, it's hard plastic, the strap is about 1 inch wide.

Your eyes are going to get some blow-back and be dried shut, it's mostly the eyeLASHES that are getting dried shut, so keep drops/tears within reach. Use them before you open your eyes, incl. waking at night. I found whatever is on sale is fine, I bought those "Tears" for like $8.00, and the $3.00 ones on sale work just as good, but I don't have any contact lenses or any eye issues. The blow-back due to leakage can be worked on over time, I use a fan, so I have air my way all night, keep in mind.

You will have good days and bad ones for many months perhaps, but when you wake up rested, you will darn well know the difference, but the body goes thru changes since it has been deprived, I found week 2-4 I was amazed. Then month 2 I got real tired again, and had to sleep 9 hrs a day, after 3 months, I started to stabilize, after 6, I no longer felt it on me, after 1 year, I REALLY felt better. From year 2 til now (another 1 1/2 years) any sleep problems are exterior: stress, diet, work. CPAP has done what it is supposed to do.

Please keep us posted, and don't get discouraged, this is a progressive "up" thing, like it was taking us down.


http://www.cpapplus.com/CPAP_Headgear/Tiara_Medical/TMS-07A.htm


Jan said:

Now night TWO!!! I slept with the CPAP for the entire night. As Gordon suggested, I slept with the headgear tighter than I had on night one and that cut way down on the noise I was hearing A few observations that might help me tweak my comfort level, if anyone has any suggestions.
I used the recommended AYR from the beginning so I am not experiencing irritation from the air. However, my nostrils are a little sore this morning from wearing the mask/pillows a bit tighter to eliminate leaks...any thoughts?
I woke up several times during the night-- but NOT as much as I would normally without CPAP. Once when I woke up my mouth was open....most other times I wake up it is closed. Am wondering if I should try a chin strap and if there are recommendations for ones that are most comfortable.

My eyes seem a bit dry this morning. Any idea of why that would be and what to do about it. I am using a humidifier with the machine.

And lastly, I am still pretty tired this morning. I presume that will start to get better soon?

Thanks all,

Jan

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Permalink Reply by Jan on October 22, 2009 at 3:40pm

Thanks so much Gordon-- this is very helpful. I am going to order the chin strap-- right after I take a nap....WITH my cpap on! And, it is also helpful to know about the ups and downs that might come along on this journey. Thanks!

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