Deb Purcell's Page

Terry's right about the Hose Lift, and is our biggest seller to Australia.  I would have thought one of the CPAP distributors over there would be stocking them by now.  There is a very good CPAP Moisture Cream that can be used WITH the masks, as it won't damage them like 'normal' moisturisers do.  My sleep clinic calls it the 'magic cream.'  There's also the CPAP Nasal Cushion Pads if the problem is on the bridge of your nose.

5 hours usage is good in the early days, and as your body gets used to it, people normally find they can tolerate the equipment longer in time. 

Deb, it does take time to get used to wearing the mask all night, I've had mine for a bit over a year and still some night I just find I put it off without knowing. I have not got to the stage where I can't sleep without mine, it is another part of my body lol. CPAP also doesn't help you sleep. it helps you breathe or breathes for you and therefore the flow on should be better sleep. I say to everyone it's a marathon not a sprint. Where are you getting the red marks? on the bridge of your nose? If so, a couple of this I always suggest to new users, Use Mask Liners, You can get a 6 pack of Remzzz's either from where you get your mask and machine and then if they help you can make your own and have your hose coming from above your head, either over a bedhead or you can buy a hose lift for about $25 or you could get someone to make you one. Having your hose coming from above your head stops the mask being pulled down or getting tangle and helps with leaks. Your mask could be too tight which causes the marks, if you do the other two things you may be able to loosen the mask a little, let us know how you go.

Hi Deb, welcome to the forum. If you are managing to get 4-5 hours sleep with your mask on then you are tolerating your mask pretty well. You are doing much better than I did when I started.

I've used CPAP and APAP for quite a few years now, but it did take me a long time to adjust to wearing a mask and feeling comfortable with it. When you wake up and go to put your mask on is the suffocating feeling because you feel like you are getting too much air, not enough air or perhaps not enough humidity?

I can remember in the past having a suffocating feeling when I was using a fixed pressure machine because it felt like I was getting too much air blowing at me. A lot of machines have a ramp feature that can be set to bring up the pressure in stages.

I think I saw on your page that you are using an auto adjusting machine. Has it been set at a fixed pressure or is it set to auto adjust? If it is set to auto adjust is the pressure it starts at quite low? Does it feel like you are not getting enough air? The settings can be adjusted so I would check in with  your sleep specialist.

Also are you using a humidifier? I was in Australia earlier this year and really appreciated that I was breathing in cool, moist air through my humidifier. I know it is your winter just now, but it is still a lot warmer than our summer!

Wishing you good sleeps, Lisa.

Wwelcome Deb, I'm in Melbourne, please ask any questions you have, Terry.