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Picture taken by my friend Cyndi Leos....thank you Cyndi.

Friday, February 4, 2011

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!

9 comments:

Mari said...

Glad you slept well once you got it all on!

DJan said...

Those are some cool pictures. I can see why you feel you are getting ready to take off. In a way, you are, heading into Dreamland. I also like that welcoming picture you added to your sidebar.

gayle said...

Let me know how you do with it and if you find some sites!

Southhamsdarling said...

Good luck with it all, Donna. I just hope that it works for you. It looks to be a bit of a palaver to go through every night! Have a good weekend over there.

JeannetteLS said...

You slept? That is a good sign, considering you are the first person I've heard of who has managed to. I hope you find some clues from other people so you'll be more comfortable. Me, I just have pillow folds every morning that take about two hours to disappear. Aging is such fun!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

best wishes.

Teresa said...

it took ron a while to get used to his. we forget to do his filters that often and i leave it up to him to get the mask cleaned. it's on thing he is still capable of doing so i let him and i don't worry about it if he doesn't. hasn't killed him yet...

Marylinn Kelly said...

Is it possible to get used to this? It seems as thought it would make sleep difficult, yet I have a friend who has used one for years, easily, comfortably, healthfully. I'm glad for a technician willing to be of assistance out of simple kindness. Wishing you a smooth, quick adjustment. xo

Carol N Wong said...

I have a VPAP machine because I have both kinds of sleep apnea. A fancy new machine was brought out. I tried it the first night and found out that the mute button doesn't stay mute. It beeps every single time there is a leak. I can hear the leaks myself, I am a very light sleeper.
I tried calling the 24/7 number of the company. It just rings, no answer.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com