Hope2SleepGuide

Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

Welcome to our Forum - Feel Free to Introduce Yourself Here.

Welcome to the Hope2SleepGuide Forum, which is a service run by the Hope2Sleep Charity founded by Kath Hope with a marvellous team of trustees and volunteers. 

Kath herself has severe sleep apnoea and hypoventilation/hypercapnia, and has used CPAP for several years and is now on non-invasive ventilation.  Our trustees and volunteers are all either sufferers of sleep disordered breathing or clinicians/medics working in this field, and most importantly, we are all passionate in supporting (with empathy) others and raising awareness to help people live healthier and more energised lives.

 

Whilst we do not give medical advice, more often than not, with support, tips and knowledge, people can overcome any problems experienced with our therapy, and there is a whole page dedicated to this on the website http://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/tips-for-problems-sleeping-with-cpap-or...

 

Please come and join us, and don’t feel obligated to use your ‘real’ name if you prefer to remain anonymous as this is a public forum.  Don’t be shy in posting and sharing, as we’re all in this together and to help each other.

Best Wishes for good sleep!

Kath

Views: 12997

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Just wanted to say I am a newbie on here but I have been using a cloth mask now for a couple of weeks after months of soreness, pain, and teeth hurting with nasal mask it is really good it takes a few tweaks to get it right but I can say it is comfortable and there is nothing digging and rubbing your face.

Hello, everyone.  Delighted to see this new site.  I've been having computer problems since about the time this site started so am now busy trying to catch up with all the info that is already on here! 

I have had sleep apnoea for about 20 years.  I found the early CPAP machines and masks absolutely horrible.  I had a number of false starts before I could tolerate the therapy.  The newer machines are so much better and quieter. At present I am using a Resmed Autoset Spirit 11 which I really like. 

Great post about masks - will look out what I have tried - I've tried quite a few- mostly nasal and a few full face. It does seem like it would be a good idea to be able to do mask swaps - seems such a waste .  I know I have a lot of bits that I am not using that might be useful for someone else. 

Good sleeps everyone,

Lisa

Pleased you like the site Lisa.  My goodness, you'll have noticed a big difference in the machines over the last 20 years.  I've spoken to many people who gave up with the old machines, but have re-started their treatment now that they've made them much smaller and quieter.  Soon they'll be making us coffee to wake up to :)

This is just what me and my son Andrew needs (I think more me) but Andrew is 4 and has Obstructive and Central sleep apnea and sleeps with a CPAP machine. His life has been a very hard journey and we are so blessed to even have him here with us now. It has been hard on me because he doesn't really understand but I feel as though I have no one to talk to, I feel very alone and even flusterated sometimes that he has this. I am just so excited that I found this site. I think it will help me to help Andrew.

Thanks

Hi all, I'm having a sleepless night and thought I'd do a bit of hunting around to see if there is anyone else out there with similar problems and questions as i have.

Nice to see I'm not the only one. I've been looking around the forum and it looks to be pretty cool with a fair bit of info. Hope to chat soon, I do have a few questions to ask if know one minds, but might try again for the dreaded sleep to come.

 

Cheers!!

It's nice to have you here Lian, and please feel free to ask any questions by starting new discussions, and we'll try to help you :)

Lian Hood said:

Hi all, I'm having a sleepless night and thought I'd do a bit of hunting around to see if there is anyone else out there with similar problems and questions as i have.

Nice to see I'm not the only one. I've been looking around the forum and it looks to be pretty cool with a fair bit of info. Hope to chat soon, I do have a few questions to ask if know one minds, but might try again for the dreaded sleep to come.

 

Cheers!!

Although I suspected I had sleep apnoea 5 years ago (my then boss was a hospital consultant and I fell asleep during a meeting);  I have only recently been diagnosed.  I am currently on trial with a CPAP and last night was night 4.  So far night 1 I removed mask because it got too hot, night 2 I had a panic attack, hyperventilated and ended up with a numb top lip, Thursday night no matter which way I adjusted the nasal mask it leaked, first my left eye got the blast of air, I adjusted mask, then my left cheek got it, again I adjusted mask, then the air blew right down my chest, finally I admitted defeat, took mask off gave up... and went to sleep.  Perhaps because last night was Friday and I knew I didn't have to get up for work this morning (therefore was more relaxed), I managed to sleep right through until 5 a.m. wearing the mask (and I only woke up then because I needed the loo).  I am aware I tossed and turned a bit but the mask stayed put and I wasnt aware of any obvious leaks... hopefully tonight when I go to stay with my family it will be better again. Whatever happens, I am going to perservere. I found this forum by chance yesterday and Kath gave me a very warm welcome (thank you Kath), already I have found lots of support just from reading what you have all posted.  I'm just so grateful that I found this forum.  It is a comfort to know that I am not alone anymore.  Best wishes.
Just on my way to bed (too late as usual LOL) but I just wanted to say how positive your nights are getting which is great news.  I hope you are in the land of nod as I type, but just a little tip for you...... if you wake to go to the loo then try to just unhook the part where the mask connects to the hose only and keep the mask on your face.  That way, you won't have to try to put the mask back on whilst you're still needing more sleep and can simply put the hose back on.  Looking forward to hearing how tonight went whilst with your family!
Thanks for the tip Kath, this is exactly what I did (in fact the hospital also advised it) I managed to keep the mask on until 7:15 a.m, I have a sore nose but I'm ever so proud of myself... :-)

It must be two and a half years now since I started the cpap therapy. (Doesn't time go quickly when you are enjoying yourself?!!) I still have difficulties with getting the numerous masks to seal and still get disturbed nights but all in all I am  so much better (eight stone lost now) and I am so grateful to the machine and even to the darth look. (Fashion statement!)

As my face continues to change shape, I find the seal hard to achieve again. I buy different sizes of mask and I try to use the nasal masks including gel ones and full face masks plus the new self adjusting one on different nights. One night one will work better and another night it will be a different model!  

So hard to get the correct size bought and they cost a lot to get the fit wrong. It is very sad that we can't have a fitting for masks and only purchase when we know they will fit! There will eventually be a solution to the problems but please, hang in there everyone. My life has come back to me and only thanks to cpap.

Persevere; especially the children who have their whole lives ahead of them. This isn't the end of the world and life will be so much better soon if you keep trying; cpap becoming a norm and more and more manageable as we get used to it all.

I still think the hose lift is the best invention ever and anyone who hasn't yet tried one should take the plunge. Kath is right, never take the mask off when you go to the loo in the night. Just disconnect the hose and then you don't have to try to readjust the thing when you are still so tired. Rosemary     

Correction - I just saw a sizing guide on the Phillips Respironices site. This needs investigating! Rosemary

Rosemary Kemp said:

It must be two and a half years now since I started the cpap therapy. (Doesn't time go quickly when you are enjoying yourself?!!) I still have difficulties with getting the numerous masks to seal and still get disturbed nights but all in all I am  so much better (eight stone lost now) and I am so grateful to the machine and even to the darth look. (Fashion statement!)

As my face continues to change shape, I find the seal hard to achieve again. I buy different sizes of mask and I try to use the nasal masks including gel ones and full face masks plus the new self adjusting one on different nights. One night one will work better and another night it will be a different model!  

So hard to get the correct size bought and they cost a lot to get the fit wrong. It is very sad that we can't have a fitting for masks and only purchase when we know they will fit! There will eventually be a solution to the problems but please, hang in there everyone. My life has come back to me and only thanks to cpap.

Persevere; especially the children who have their whole lives ahead of them. This isn't the end of the world and life will be so much better soon if you keep trying; cpap becoming a norm and more and more manageable as we get used to it all.

I still think the hose lift is the best invention ever and anyone who hasn't yet tried one should take the plunge. Kath is right, never take the mask off when you go to the loo in the night. Just disconnect the hose and then you don't have to try to readjust the thing when you are still so tired. Rosemary     

Thank you!

Rosemary Kemp said:
Correction - I just saw a sizing guide on the Phillips Respironices site. This needs investigating! Rosemary

Rosemary Kemp said:

It must be two and a half years now since I started the cpap therapy. (Doesn't time go quickly when you are enjoying yourself?!!) I still have difficulties with getting the numerous masks to seal and still get disturbed nights but all in all I am  so much better (eight stone lost now) and I am so grateful to the machine and even to the darth look. (Fashion statement!)

As my face continues to change shape, I find the seal hard to achieve again. I buy different sizes of mask and I try to use the nasal masks including gel ones and full face masks plus the new self adjusting one on different nights. One night one will work better and another night it will be a different model!  

So hard to get the correct size bought and they cost a lot to get the fit wrong. It is very sad that we can't have a fitting for masks and only purchase when we know they will fit! There will eventually be a solution to the problems but please, hang in there everyone. My life has come back to me and only thanks to cpap.

Persevere; especially the children who have their whole lives ahead of them. This isn't the end of the world and life will be so much better soon if you keep trying; cpap becoming a norm and more and more manageable as we get used to it all.

I still think the hose lift is the best invention ever and anyone who hasn't yet tried one should take the plunge. Kath is right, never take the mask off when you go to the loo in the night. Just disconnect the hose and then you don't have to try to readjust the thing when you are still so tired. Rosemary     

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Sleep Apnoea Forum

New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum? 

1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!

Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.

 

Latest Activity

Jonathan replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Just to tidy this up, I finally had an in-person review by my sleep clinic yesterday, who agreed the ResMed AirSense 10 was "wheezy" and replaced the machine."
Nov 9
Collette rose replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"thank you jonathan,i did get the it pack so tried the small and still struggled but i was sat up in bed so will try lying down great suggestion "
Nov 3
Jonathan replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"Hi My first thought is "don't panic"!  We're all a bit different, and there are many things that can be tweaked.  I took to CPAP therapy like a duck to water, but I've had friends who say they can't cope, but…"
Nov 2
Collette rose posted a discussion

1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test

Hi everyone, today I received my rental kit - prisma smart max, plus a Philips dreamwear mask which I’ve been wearing unconnected to try and get used to it. I just did a mask fit test using a medium mask and got a constant red/orange leak warning…See More
Nov 2
Collette rose is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 31
John posted a discussion
Oct 30
Profile IconBill Wright, Nicole Watson, TJ Bennett and 2 more joined Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 29
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Ha well it lasted a couple of days but started howling again. But it's a step in the right direction, just needs a bit more work."
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Nope, I just accept that some people's throats tend to close when they sleep, due to a loss of muscle tone during deeper sleep.  Back when I was diagnosed, the sleep lab just filmed you whilst you slept, stuck an O2 meter on your finger,…"
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Good to know you found a solution!"
Oct 24
John replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Did anyone tell you exactly what the anatomical issue is, Jonathan?"
Oct 21
John replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Can't say I know about this."
Oct 20
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"So I tore some fabric from one of the filters and glued it over the holes - and it worked!It was dead quiet, and the air was still flowing freely.It was quiet all night then after a few hours a bit of whistling until I gave it a wipe.Vast…"
Oct 19
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Hi Jonathan, well see my nose is blocked a lot, so I mouth breath which really sucks a lot more moisture and makes my mouth dry. So I put humidity on maximum, which makes for condensation at the mask end, which becomes a demonic reed instrument.Now…"
Oct 17
Jonathan posted a discussion

ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy

HelloI have an NHS issued ResMed AirSense 10 with heated humidifier.  In the last couple of weeks, it's developed an annoying noise, when I inhale. It bothers me a little and my partner a lot! I sometimes get problems if the water container in the…See More
Oct 16
Jonathan replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Hi My first question is why is condensation forming?  I very occasionally get some condensation, may be once a month, but I can quickly run a finger around the inside of the mask, and wipe it away.  I use a nasal mask, with the humidifier…"
Oct 16
John replied to John's discussion What's a good Apnea forum?
"11K+? Ok that's probably where I should look then :-)"
Oct 16
Kath Hope replied to John's discussion What's a good Apnea forum?
"Hi John. Thanks for the compliment as I do my best popping on here, but it's difficult due to us now supporting 25k+ patients at the charity. To be honest, the forum is quiet because most people seem to prefer Facebook and forums aren't as…"
Oct 16
John posted discussions
Oct 16
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"There's some information here, but generally it's very common and likely due to our anatomy."
Oct 12

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service