Wednesday, January 30, 2008

i'm getting a full faced CPAP mask for Sleep Apnea

                       MY CPAP EQUIPMENT:

My CPAP machine: REMstarPlus M SERIES:
      

My CPAP face mask:      
Ultra Mirage full face mask 

A few days ago I went to my Home Health Care Company to try on a CPAP face mask.  You probably recall me mentioning that I was going to check out what a full face mask was like, and that I was panicking.  
 
I have to wear the CPAP mask for my Sleep Apnea.  Before I go any further, for those of you who don't know anything about Sleep Apnea or CPAP machines, I'm going to do my best to give you a little explanation.  I hope this isn't dry, but please bear with me.  
 
A CPAP machine keeps your airways open so you can breathe while sleeping.  Obstructive Sleep Apnea (the most common kind) occurs when air is prevented from entering the lungs multiple times each night.  The person stops breathing for 10 to 30 seconds each time they get an apnea (each time they stop breathing).  He or she can stop breathing up to 400 times per night.  Often when the person stops breathing, he is aroused awake.  This results in very poor sleep.  A person with sleep apnea can develop many serious, even life threatening, health problems . 
 
The CPAP machine prevents you from stopping breathing.  It does this by forcing air through your airways, preventing your apneas, allowing you to breathe normally during sleep.
 
In a CPAP machine, a hose is attached to the base of the machine.  Air is then forced through the hose, into a face mask which is worn over your nose.  If it is a full face mask, it is worn over your full face, allowing you to breathe through your nose and your mouth.  The benefit of wearing a full face mask is if you generally have a plugged nose and need to sleep with your mouth open, or if you drop your mouth open while you are sleeping, you will still get the proper air flow to stop your cessation of breathing.  (To view a full face mask, see the photo at the top of this entry.  This is my face mask that has been ordered for me.) 
 
Okay, I guess that's enough education, LOL.  I just thought some of you might want to know a little about Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines. 
 
Now let me tell you about the appointment to try on the CPAP face mask I had about a week ago.  I arrived there, and the therapist wasn't too nice.  She rushed me.  I wanted to try on the mask and make sure I didn't make a mistake this time in choosing it.  The last CPAP face mask I used was an utter failure.  So I wanted to try out the full face mask even though I was scared to death! 
 
So first I asked Kim, the therapist, if I was going to die if the power went out.  She thought I was ridiculous.  I really didn't find it an amusing question.  She told me to try on the mask.  To my amazement I could breathe extremely well, both inhaling and exhaling, through the holes in it.  She explained that was the way the mask was made. 
 
It looks like I won't be getting a doggie after all.  I don't need an animal to chew through the hose in case there's a power outage and I don't wake up!  Michael doesn't want a doggie anyway!  
 
The next thing Kim did was show me how to detach the face mask if I wanted to "escape".  Escape is my word for it, LOL.  I have this thing that unless I know that I can get out quickly I'll freak out and not be able to fall asleep!  Like what if there were a fire, and I was attached to this machine?  I wouldn't want to be trying to figure out how to rip this thing off!  I know it's psychological, I am strong enough to pull the mask off, but still.  So when Kim showed me how to removethe mask, I was thrilled beyond thrilled to find out how simple it was.  So easy that I can't believe it!  What a superior piece of equipment. 
 
Finally, I tried it out.  She turned it on.  I didn't panic!  Wow. 
 
I dropped my mouth to see if I could breathe out of my mouth as well as my nose.  I wanted to be sure.  I closed my eyes so I wouldn't panic and tried to relax.  "Open your eyes!," Kim snapped.  "That's enough time.  This should work for you, it looks like."  
 
"How do I know if I can breathe out of my mouth if I don't test it out long enough?," I asked her.  
 
She snapped, "Your mouth will fall open naturally during sleep and it will work, you'll see.  So this will work for you," she said hurriedly.  "You can't have it now, though.  You have to wait until it arrives from FEDEX."  
 
Then she mumbled something about getting off early.  So John and I marched out the door, we didn't want to take up a second more of her time!
 
I'm still waiting for the face mask to come and it is going on a week.  I sure hope it  comes soon.  I am very excited about finding a cure to my daytime sleepiness.  Overall I am pleased with the mask - what I have tried of it so far.  Here's hoping things works out this time...
 
Love you all,
 
Krissy :)

48 comments:

  1. congratulations , my dad has the same machine and loves it .
    hugs
    Sherry

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  2. I am so glad Krissy that you are getting a mask that you are happy with.

    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

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  3. I'm so glad to hear good news!!  Congratulations on getting a splendid machine.  Good luck with all the new equiptment and enjoy more energy!!!!
    Kellen

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  4. Hi Krissy,

    Let me tell you the CPAP machine will make a world of difference to you! Mark my husband had his for yrs, and after just the third night we could start seeing a difference it was amazing! Mark has serious sleep apnea. They did 2 sleep studies with Mark. His pulmonary Dr. when we went to get the results looked at Mark and said how do you walk around during the day? I believe at the time he stopped breathing over 200 times a night. Before the CPAP Mark could lean against the wall and fall asleep. I am sure that is some of what your experiencing with the day sleepiness.

    You'll love the good feeling you will get of having more energy and sleeping sooo much better at night.

    Now I won't lie to you, for some people it does freak them out with the full face mask. I know Mark had a hard time with it. The Dr. suggested we try it for like 1/2 the night for the first few days and slowly increase it till you could feel some what comfortable with it on the whole night.

    After about a month of Mark using the CPAP it was like a part of him and he was use to it. And Mark always had his mouth open when sleeping with it Ü.

    BTW the puppy thing you were talking about. LOL that's exactly what happened to Mark's first machine our precious puppy at the time(she's full grown now) she chewed up the hose!

    Mark is going to the Dr. Feb 5th for a check up and to make an appointment for another sleep study and new CPAP machine ya!!

    Let me know how your doing with the CPAP when you get it. I'm here for support and any other questions you may want to ask Ü.

    HUGS~Donna
    http://journals.aol.com/ladymagnolia1963/ladymagnolias-daily-blog/

    Come visit me at my new MySpace http://www.myspace/ladymagnolia1963

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  5.   My mother had her "bird".  I don't know why she called it that, but it was a positive pressure breathing machine she used day times.
      A lady friend used a night time breathing machine, full face mask.  Cut down on the bed time romance, some.
      Her biggest problem was that once, when she travelled, her flight was delayed in Los Angeles, and her breathing machine was in her luggage in Baltimore.
      Later, when the machine arrived, it was minus the hose.  We had to shop around an unfamiliar city to find a breathing machine dealer, who had a hose he could disonnect from his demonstration machine and give to her.
      Without the machine you get little rest.  It will be a Godsend.

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  6.  I have been trying for years to get my husband to get his sleep study done.  Thanks for writing about his so I can show him it won't be so terrible.


                       Julie

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  7. I am still curious what happens if the power goes out.  LOL.  She sounded kinda not so very nice or just too busy.  LOL Hope it works!
    Lisa

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  8. I agree with Lisa on the power. Krissy, I can see why you panicked that full mask does look a little scary, and grasp the idea of having to wear it.
    I pray it works, and from the sounds of it, you should be ok. =)
    XOXO

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  9. Krissy, thanks for telling us about sleep apnea/CPAP machines, I thought you explained it really well. I am glad the full face mask looks like it will be doable for you; I know you were concerned about it.

    I'm sorry that Kim didn't treat you nicer and give you that extra few minutes you needed.  We can only hope she was having a bad day and this is not her usual demeanor with patients; that would be sad for the company she represents

    betty

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  10. I don't envy you at all.  I don't think I could sleep with all that gear on every night.  I hope all the professional you are dealing with can help you be more comfortable.  Linda in Washington state

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  11. Oh, now that's really conducive to spontaneous romance: way beyond hair curlers and face cream. lol

    But hey, I think you'd rather be breathing. Right?

    ;^) Jan the Gryphon

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  12. I have a friend that sleeps with one of these. Hope all goes well with you and you get one that fits good.  As for Kim I would over look her if you can, but the next time she was rude to me... I would ask her who her supervisor is.  Then I would talk to her supervisor with the facts.  If she does you this way she is doing others that way.  Sometimes all it takes is the question, "Who is your supervisor?"  Being a Christian does not mean that we have to be treated rude when someone is getting PAID for doing a job.  lol  :-)  In my prayers, Janie

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  13. My neighbour has one of these Krissi.He used to be a driver on long distance journeys with his truck here in England.He was falling asleep at the wheel.all th etime and didn't know why..The hospital retired him early and he ended up having one of these when he had lots of tests at the hospital.The only thing he doesn't like about it, is when they go on holiday and he has to take it with him.I am happy you have got sorted now and I hope your machine soon arrives.Thankyou for showing the pictures .I have never seen my neighbours, only heard him tell me the story.Take Care God Bless Kath astroiasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

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  14. She should not have rushed you, that was not professional, Krissy.
    Anyway, I'm pleased the trial was a success, hope the machinery comes soon.

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  15. I hope the mask works for you.  
    Missie

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  16. I hope the mask will work well for you Krissy, though I don`t think much of Kim`s attitude toward you. I can imagine that it would be very easy to feel panicky in that mask and a nice relaxed attitude was what was needed.

    Love Sandra xxxx

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  17. Krissy glad you were able to try the mask on and could handle wearing it, sounds like you'll do alright and got a lot of your questioned answered by the in a rush Kim, lol.  Have a good evening dear.  Arlene (AJ)

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  18. I find that person rude.
    Hope it all works out good for ya

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  19. I'm glad your happy with the mask hon and your actually looking forward to it's arrival. As for the therapist, she was extremely rude. You didn't ask anything I wouldn't of asked. (Hugs) Indigo

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  20. I'm glad you're looking forward to wearing the mask to get a better sleep....
    I'm not sure I could sleep with it though.... too claustrophobic when laying down to have something on my face too....
    Keep us posted on how it's working....
    Linda :)

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  21. Your'e braver than I am Krissy, I don't knwo if I could wear that to bed~  I'm glad you found it comfortable though- even if the therapist wasnt very nice.  God Bless and hope you get many good night sleeps!!  Carolyn

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  22. wow i sleep so hard and wild that would come off.

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  23. I hope it will work out well for you, Krissy.

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  24. Your therapist was obviously a 'woman on a mission' and needed to get home or be soemwhere else quickly.  That's no excuse though for her attitude towards you.  She should have had every patience with you to calm your fears.  That is some bit of machinery to come to terms with for goodness sake. On our hospital appointment cards we are prompted to offer suggestions or complaints so that things run more smoothly.  Perhaps this incident of yours should be mentioned so that it doesn't happen again to someone else.
    Hope you find that it works for you and you get a good night's sleep.
    Hugs
    Jeanie xxx

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  25. Hi Krissy thank you for taking the time to explain the CPAP mask to us, my nephew wears one and I also have been tested for sleep apnea, I fortunately dont have it, but do have a severe sleep disturbance unrelated to that more to fibromyalgia.  This mask shown in your entry is really quite something, I had no idea it looked like that.  At first glance it can be quite scary.  As a result no matter what that Therapist needed to do she should have taken the time to let you feel comfortable with it or if she had somewhere to be get someone else to explain things to you till you felt comfortable.  It is good that you did though feel ok with it  I sincerely hope it helps you get some well deserved sleep.  Take care.

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  26. wow girl!  Since I already read you have it and slept I won't go there.. but heck I can't sleep with anything with sleeve on.. too uncomfortable .. I can't sleep with rings on or ear rings... I never could sleep with that on.  But I'm glad you got it and it's working.
    Sleep apnea is a scary thing!

    Luv ya,
    Promise


    Sorry your getting slammed with Promise comments but I'm catching up :)

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  27. I'm so excited for you Krissy!  Hope this will work for ya.
    Love,
    D

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