Guest guest Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Roxanne... I use a cpap and I remember it took me a long while to adjust. In fact, I stopped using it because I did not adjust well. When I 'tried it again' I was pleased and glad I tried again. We all adjust differently of course. Time takes time... Learn how to place the hose depending on which side you are sleeping. Some times I put the hose up over my head, sometimes down and either wrap it over an arm or make a circle with it in front of my chest. If the nose is bothering you I would think you may need another mask (maybe it's the size) or adjust the mask to be a little tighter. I use the little blue gel mask that covers the nose only...love it. Keep trying and keep asking for help from your O2 provider. Sleep is so much better now. I have a humidifier on my concentrator too. I started out with humidifier on my cpap but I didn't like breathing the "heated" air so I used it with humidifier off, then switched to humidifier on the concentrator. All seems to be well for me now. I sure hope you get it all working well. Oh...I think the dry mouth and sore throat is from sleeping with our mouth open. Don't give up until you have just about tried everything. Good luck. MamaSher; 71, IPF 3-2006, OR.Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there! Re: BiPap question >> Hi everyone!For those bipap or cpap users---how long did it take you to get used to using it?Friday will be 2 weeks since I picked up my bipap. I opted for the nose cushion type and I am having an extremely hard time sleeping with it. I start off really well and its very comfortable and I fall asleep. But I am still tossing and turning and within a few hours I wake up with the hose and nose apparatus getting in my way and not allowing me to lie comfortably on my side (the respiratory therapist has advised I shouldn't sleep on my back). I end up pulling it off after 3 or 4 hours. I have slept through the night only once and slept more than 4 hours once.Also, I have a humidifier on my concentrator which the respirator therapist thought might be enough, but I have called my pulmo and asked if I needed another humidifier for the bipap due to having dry throat problems and sore throat this morning. Any input ? suggestions?Roxanne> > Roxanne, 59, South Carolina> > 2006 Asthma/ PF> > 2008 PF/ Sarcoidosis/Gerd> > Lady Slipper Orchid>Roxanne.My experience with CPap was like yours. I tried for 3 months; two different masks. Result was 3 months of very poor sleep.I know that many people swear by the mask..they sleep like babies. For me, it just didn't work. My pulmodude said 50% of his patients can not tolerate the mask. My advice: keep trying; try different types of masks; but don't beat yourself up if you're not sucessful.Ted, 79, IL; IPF March 09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi gang, I too use a c-pap and my Dr. At Emory said it is very Important to use the O2 with c-pap. He said it is more critical than most think. I used a full mask and tried a gel 2 weeks ago. I could not get the mask to seal. It may be my beard but I had to have it so tight it rubbed a sore on my nose. I am going back to a full regular mask. Joanie just got her c-pap today and got the nose piece. She is on 9 while I am on 18. Joe/Joanie    JOE & JOANIE LAMENSKIE IPF JAN. 2008 -- Re: BiPap question I too have a CPAP. I absolutely love it. I have the quattro mask. I don't think I can use the gel mask because I have the auto adjust and have it set at a 13-16 range. Maybe it is just me. It also has a humidifier. The gentleman who fitted me for the mask says that in the summer he sets the humidifier at a lower (second dot) setting than winter. I have found his tip worthwhile. I also have a sleep doctor that recommends bleeding in 2 liters of oxygen from my concentrator. My pulmo dude says it isn't necessary. I take the middle road. If air quality in Salt Lake City is bad, I use it. If I have been feeling "under the weather", I use it. Otherwise, I do not use the additional 2 liters. I sleep so much better and I swear, my breathing is so much easier overall. I wake up well rested and my sat level upon waking is usually 94-96. I can't imagine where it was prior to that. I was not diagnosed with severe sleep apnea until this year but my sleep doctor says I have probably had it for many years (6-10). It was one of the first questions I was asked in Denver. I had just been issued my CPAP at that point and had it with me while I was there. I had a couple of nights at first where nothing went right. It is so worth it to keep trying it.Stefani 61 year old UtahnILD 2/2006, NSIP (cellular) 6/2009, UIP 9/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Severe Sleep Apnea 4/2009> >> > Hi everyone!For those bipap or cpap users---how long did it take you to get used to using it?Friday will be 2 weeks since I picked up my bipap. I opted for the nose cushion type and I am having an extremely hard time sleeping with it. I start off really well and its very comfortable and I fall asleep. But I am still tossing and turning and within a few hours I wake up with the hose and nose apparatus getting in my way and not allowing me to lie comfortably on my side (the respiratory therapist has advised I shouldn't sleep on my back). I end up pulling it off after 3 or 4 hours. I have slept through the night only once and slept more than 4 hours once.Also, I have a humidifier on my concentrator which the respirator therapist thought might be enough, but I have called my pulmo and asked if I needed another humidifier for the bipap due to having dry throat problems and sore throat this morning. Any input ? suggestions?Roxanne> > > > Roxanne, 59, South Carolina> > > > 2006 Asthma/ PF> > > > 2008 PF/ Sarcoidosis/Gerd> > > > Lady Slipper Orchid> >> Roxanne.> My experience with CPap was like yours. I tried for 3 months; two different masks. Result was 3 months of very poor sleep.> I know that many people swear by the mask..they sleep like babies. For me, it just didn't work. My pulmodude said 50% of his patients can not tolerate the mask. My advice: keep trying; try different types of masks; but don't beat yourself up if you're not sucessful.> Ted, 79, IL; IPF March 09> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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