the dreaded cpap mask

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Ten  things I know about the CPAP mask...
  1. My initial encounter with the CPAP machine at a sleep study. It wasn’t a good experience.
  2. One of the best devices that now comes with the CPAP machine is a humidifier. The air that blows through the hose tends to become dry, which in turn dries out your mouth. The humidifier helps with that.
  3. Having a beard and trying to use the CPAP machine isn’t a good idea. The beard can cause leakage, which is definitely something you don’t want.
  4. Make sure to clean your CPAP machine if you are able to use it. Germs can build up without proper cleaning.
  5. You lose a lot by not being able to sleep. Can you regain any of it by using a CPAP?
  6. Wearing a mask at night can be uncomfortable, especially during the summer when it is hot.
  7. Learning as much as possible about the CPAP machine before buying it is wise.
  8. There are other things that can help with your sleep apnea besides using a CPAP.
  9. With some folks, insomnia is the result of using a CPAP machine.
  10. What is a hybrid CPAP mask? A combination of the best features of all makes of the mask.
I remember the first time I went to a sleep clinic there was another guy there waiting to get set up. He told me that he had used the cpap mask before and he was just having another study to get it adjusted. I asked him if it was hard to get used to. He said yes, but it was well worth it.

Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience; I never got used to it. Having a mask over your face and blowing air into your nose is very uncomfortable, at least to me. Some people get used to it. I wish I was one of them. The noise of the air pressure alone kept me up. And just try to turn it over in bed with it on.

What if the CPAP turns off?

When I first started using the CPAP machine, a thought occurred to me: If the machine turns off in the middle of the night due to a power shortage, will I continue to breathe?
Of course, it never happened because I didn’t use the CPAP machine when there was a storm, but what if I had not known about a storm coming?

You can buy back up batteries for your machines. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it makes perfect sense, especially if you get used to the machine and rely on it to get a good night’s sleep. If you have a CPAP machine, it will seem like a good investment.

As far as the CPAP machine breaking down in the middle of the night, I don’t think that there is much chance of that because they are pretty sophisticated and probably tested many times. However, I had a problem with the hose getting loose in the middle of the night. I toss and turn quite a bit, and I’m sure that is the reason the hose didn’t stay attached to the machine. I realized it came off immediately because of the roaring sound it made. That was another reason that I didn’t stay with the cpap that long.


Comments

  1. tjensenMay 19, 2009 at 8:35 PM

    I completely agree with you I could never get used to it. I even hate the one used in the hospital but would prefer that compared to the Sci Fi masks they come out with. I am a very light sleeper and hated the sound the CPAP machine made. It also seemed to make the area where I had it on sweaty and I did not like that. I even tried adjusting the humidity and that did not work for me. I haven't heard of anyone who has been diagnosed with UARS ( Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome). I figured well it is not as bad as Sleep Apnea so I will be ok without the mask. Maybe someday if they come out with something better I will give it another try.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David StillwagonMay 22, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    Hopefully a mask that isn't so cumbersome will be created.
    thanks for the comment!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mle HowlandFebruary 10, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    I didn't know I had a phobia to closed tight and small spaces until I tried this Cpap and I tried it now x4. Every time my heart rate would skyrocket and I would hyperventilate. I always thought phobias were just in the head and people could over come them... oh yeah.. it was supposed to assist in sleeping??? yeah right?
    And the doctor wants me to set up appointment no#5. I shake just thinking about it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. David StillwagonFebruary 12, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    I know what you mean some things are just hard to get past, like using a cpap mask.
    thanks
    David

    ReplyDelete

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