First Night Wearing the CPAP Mask At Home ...

My husband had fallen asleep on the couch, so Izzy and I went in the bedroom to hit the sack...actually, she was in there with me earlier when I was setting up the machine and filling up the reservoir of the humidifier with distilled water.  She curled up and got comfortable...

Set up beside my bed minus the hose on CPAP machine



I had to call Nocturna Sleep Center to ask what size nasal pillows I wore, because I had three sets in my bag.  One of the nice ladies called me right back and told me I was size Medium.  I asked how I could tell and she said it should have an "M" on the side.  Sure enough...I had the right one...but guess I could have saved myself a phone call if I would have turned on brighter lights in my bedroom...

The lady offered for me to bring down my mask and machine and they would give me the run down on everything and make sure it fit.  I explained I no longer had the insurance which covered me there...she told me it didn't matter, they would be happy to help me.  How nice is that???

I thought the Home Health place I went to pick up everything was supposed to show me...but she only showed me how to turn on the machine, fill the reservoir and change the filters.  She never even took the mask out of the box....some Respiratory Therapist she was! (If she even was....)

I wish I could have taken a picture of Izzy's face when I dawned my head gear and attached the mask and chin strap.  She actually sat up in bed and did the "cocking of the head back and forth"... I could just hear her thinking, "What the..?  Mom? is that you??"

Mask and chin strap

This long hose attaches to the CPAP machine & humidifier.

I told her it was OK and she laid back down.  It took me a bit longer to get to sleep...but I slept well.  I put the mask on too tight because I had the strap marks embedded across my face and my nostril holes were sore... I put that long hose over my headboard, so it kept it away from the back of my head so I would not wrestle with is during the night...

I lost the chin strap during the night...so that thing does not work...

According to the instructions, I have to wash the nose pillows and air dry...and change the filters once a month... or was it once a week?  Guess I better re-read...

I looked on line for some CPAP forums or support groups...just curious to see how people actually live and sleep with these contraptions... I feel like I am preparing to climb into the cockpit of a jet plane...for Pete's Sake!