Sleep and the lack thereof

[aelfie]

Well, I got my Smart CPAP today. I came home with the unit and 3 different masks to try sleeping with over the next week. I have a set of nasal pillows, a nasal mask, and a full face mask (All made by Res-Med). The question I have now is which one do I try first? The one I think I'll hate or the one I think I'll prefer. I HATE shoving things up my nose. So I'm thinking the pillows will just suck. Although I admit while getting fitted this afternoon I found that after the initial few minutes it wasn't that bad. I just had to remember to keep my mouth closed. Which might end up being a problem as I've never been able to breathe fully through my nose. It will be interesting to see how I feel in the morning.

One of the things I found interesting in my fitting today and the lecture I attended on tuesday was how they kept hammering at the recommendation to use a netti pot (or other nasal irrigation system) about an hour before bed. The supervising Doctor admitted that they don't like to use humidifiers. I wonder if they really think its avoidable or if they are just being cheap. I have a kit, and I bought it at the recommendation of my dietician over a year ago 'cause she felt it might work well enough to get me off allergy drugs (which contribute to my fatigue) I've never been able to get into habit of doing it. I know several people who just swear by it...but...um. Its kinda gross, and I don't like the way it runs out of my mouth. Bleh. But if it might help the CPAP work better. What the hell. I can give it a try.

So I have a follow up appointment next thursday where they download the info off the machine and then give me my permanent machine (and I've already looked up [Bad username or unknown identity: allanh*]'s 4 questions I need to ask regarding machines) and my permanent mask. My gram told me that if I end up not liking the machine, to call for an appointment and say that its too noisy and keeps Joe from sleeping. Good thing to know. Then I go back 2 months later for a follow up. I'll ask next week how often I can upgrade my stuff (i.e. masks, hoses, etc)


*Which BTW honey, what are those citrus wipes that you use on your mask? I figure I ought to know this.

Comments

[sapphyres.livejournal.com]

I do nasal irrigation sometimes. I just picked up a kit from Sprawl Mart last month. I found it makes my allergy spray work much much better: I use less than half of what I was up to before. It rarely runs out of my mouth, but I like salt so I'm not much bothered. It IS all rather interconnected, so I wasn't as grossed out as I thought it would be.

PS---Don't get too happy with the salt. :)

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

I just tried the Doctor's suggestion of holding one's breath...worked MUCH better. I'll do it like that from now on.

[allanh.livejournal.com]

1. They're being cheap. The couple of times I've not used a humidifier with my CPAP, I've regretted it in the morning. Try it their way for a week, and then insist on being given a humidified model.

2. Nasal Pillows. Con: They go up your nose slightly, and sometimes require a smear of saline gel to get an airtight fit. Pro: If you don't like things covering your face, and/or all of the straps on the face masks make you sweat too much, the minimal strapping of the nasal pillows is wonderful.

3. I use ALL THREE (pillows, nasal mask, full face mask). I alternate between the nasal mask and pillows, to avoid getting pressure sores on the bridge of my nose (mask) or on my nostrils (pillows). When I have a cold or flu, nothin's getting through my nose, and I HAVE to use the full-face mask. I always pack my full-face mask when I travel, just in case.

4. Citrus II CPAP Mask Wipes:
http://www.cpap.com/productpage/beaumont_products_citrus_II_cpap_mask_wipes_cleaner.html

5. If you can't keep your mouth closed, they should be smart enough to qualify you for a chinstrap. The only problem I have with the chinstrap is that I look like a really bad extra nun from "Sound of Music", minus the top part of the wimple. That, and on warm nights, the chinstrap is too warm ... but it DOES let me sleep better using the CPAP.

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

They fitted the elderly gentleman this afternoon with a chin strap. If I have the problem, I'll just ask for one.

Pressure sores, didn't think of that.

I'm thinking the full face would be better because I'm so stuffed up all the time, my allergies are just so bad...I'm just not convinced it will work without my mouth being added to the mix. 'Cause then I can "breathe" through my mouth and not need a chin strap.

I'll ask about getting more than one mask.

I had a feeling they were being cheap, but then you have to deal with rain out and more stuff to clean. Kaiser does lean towards the KISS principle. (I loved the Doc who delivered the lecture. She said right off the bat that CPAP therapy was not a case of Kaiser being cheap, they are not holding some surgery back from us, but is in fact the gold standard of care. I was also amused to hear the story of how they were invented.)

[allanh.livejournal.com]

You may still need a chinstrap for a full face mask ... if your mouth drops open, the seal breaks.