Sheila Skelhorn's Page

Sheila, in Australia if we go public we have to wait for years, so I have private health insurance, it cost but I get things when I want or need them.

Shelia, Kath sells them if she has them in stock or you could get one over the net, the hospitals should supply them when someone gets a machine.

Sheila, you siad Peter had issues with his mask, I use the same mask a Resmed Mirage Quattro, a full face mask, a couple of things that I find that helps which you two may already be doing is use mask liners, they help seal the mask, they stop or cut down marking and slipping and make it much more comfortable rather than having silicone touching your skin. You can buy them if Peter doesnt already have them or I can give you the instructions on how to make them which is much cheaper. Also I think Kath has already suggested it but have the hose coming from above his head not besides him, the gravity pulls the mask up and saves getting tangled, you can buy a hose lift or if he has a bed head try hanging it from over the top or possible get one made, I made one myself that suits where my CPAP sits. Hope we can help Peter with suggestions.

That's great news for Peter, and not surprising his asthma has improved.  Figures show 40% of people with asthma have sleep disordered breathing http://www.snoring.ie/asthma_and_sleepapnoea.php  It's lovely to hear Peter's getting a better quality of life now

Sheila, sorry I didn't know about your sons conditions, it's great your there to help him, with the washing of the hose, cleaning all equipment is a personal thing, I clean my hose, water chamber and mask twice a week, after washing I hang the hose of a tap or shower and let it drain out all day. Before I turn it on I blow the air through it without a mask on, I never seem to get water in it. I use a liquid soap with no fragrance, chuck everything in a sink while I have a shower then rinse when I take them out. I then leave them on a towel to dry and wipe them off at night. I must say I do live in Australia so our temperatures are warmer than the UK especially at the moment. We are going for a record of 10 days in a row over 30c, next wednesday it will be 37c so things dry pretty easily. Hope this helps.

It's a shame Peter now has to use a mask + machine along with his other problems, but hopefully it's giving him a much better quality of life, and hope he copes with it well Sheila.

Yes, it's important to clean the tubing at least once a week, and more often if we get any bugs/infections.  It should dry ok by shaking out the excess water and leaving it hung up over a shower rail or the top of a door etc.  I make up a solution of water with the CPAP Cleaning Sprays or you could use a solution of Milton or detergent.  I then flush it through with hot water, shake it and hang it up to dry.  My problem is I often forget to do it early enough in the day so mine often doesn't get chance to dry either, but I have a spare hose which I alternate with.  I also always take a spare one away with me in case the inevitable happens!

Glad you found us Sheila, and your obviously a good mother looking out for your son's best interests One of the best devices I believe that was ever invented for us is the Hose Lift which has several benefits for comfort and I never sleep without mine!

Best Wishes to you both and shout out if you need any help.

Kath

Sheila, welcome to you and your son, we don't get a lot of support and help when we first start and this is the place for it, can I suggest you start a discussion and tell us about your sons issues so others can give there suggestions. I would probably be good if you son was on here describing the problems himself and knowing there are heaps more people out there like him.