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Cpaps and nose pillows

sternum
0 Recommendations

Hi everyone:

Well I have finally started my month's trial on the Cpap machine. Two nights in and I am ready to say very nasty words to people as soon as I think of some.

The machine is very quiet and for that I am truy grateful. Sits nicely on the shelf in my night table. Perfect fit. If only I could say the same for the way it fits me. They have fitted me with the smallest one they have and it is still a bit too big. I do not have a big head under my thick hair. In fact it is the hair that makes me look balanced.

The nose piece has to be tucked into my nostrils because the nose is so small and the hose attached to it is constantly banging against that nostril divider (whatever it is called). I know the difference between discomfort and pain and that constant tapping causes PAIN. The strap sets that hold this nose pillow securely to my head aren't any more helpful in doing their jobs either. The top straps are well fitting and secure but oh those back ones run out of strap and velcro long before they get to the head. This must be adjusted about every half hour.

Then we get to my actual sleep problem.
Yes the nice stream of air flows continually in and out of my nose as I breathe--until I start to fall asleep that is--.
Just when I get drowsy and comfortably doze off, my mouth does its thing and falls open (You know the routine. Let's get ready to snore). Well that is when the
friendly air becomes my enemy and is now rushing into my mouth threatening to smother me until I get it closed again and start the procedure of breathing rythmically in and out through my nose with deep abdominal breaths all over again. Now need I say that the next time I dose off the same thing happens and this continues.

Now the respiratory theropist suggested that if my mouth fell open (I asked) I could possibly take some medical tape and tape said mouth shut. Well I tried that. It didn't work. And neither did duct tape. It just got wet and held the air in place until I once again started the breathing ritual. So I have finally found something duct tape can't fix. It can't shut my mouth.

Oh well, I guess I will have to try the mask and see if that will work.
Has any one else had this problem and what the heck did you do about it? Truly I am ready to scream and I am dreading going through the same routine tonight.

Be blest --- Gloria ---

Explore topics in this discussion:

Pain Falls Sleep apnea CPAP

13 replies

gracie62

Oh, Gloria, you have me in stitches, literally rolling on the floor! I can imagine how aggravated you must be, but I sooooo needed the laugh today. I hope that your therapist sees you through this and you get all the adjustments and settings right. Until then, please continue to share your experience.

My husband has snored for years and I know he has sleep apnea. We have been considering a sleep study but he is a man - he will put it off as long as he can. I wish I could try duct tape on him but I know it would wake him up and he would reverse the process - LOL!

Thanks, again, for the much needed laugh -

Hugs -
Dianna

sternum

Hi Danna:

I 'm glad you saw the humour in it as well. What I didn't tell you was that I got so sick of trying to go to sleep with the silly thing, I finally tossed it aside and was asleep within fifteen minutes and slept from 8 am
until 11:30 am. I know I stopped breathing many times. But I reached REM so I must have had some sleep.
Thanks for letting me "rant" in my way.

Be Blest --- Gloria ---

2catty

Oh I had he very same problem. As you can see tiny nose. I had insurance paying for mine and in 12 months I would of owned mine. Here is the problem. I hated it. I really hated it. The worst sleep ever. Could not move in it. Get comfortable and the thing moves off of you. I told them to come and get that darn thing. Oh I can sleep again. Yay!!!

sternum

Hi 2catty:

Oh I hear you !!! But this is supposed to help you get a good night sleep. Right??
Between when and when?? I really don't want to put the beast on tonight. The pain in my nose is finally beginning to subside and I don't want it to start again. Maybe I can make some kind of deal with it. It lets me sleep and I'll shut my mouth. That would be good but I never could keep my mouth shut. Oh well ---

I wanted to ask if you gave the mask a try and how was it? I know you sent the machine back, but was the mask any less painful?

AuntieMom

Gloria,

Switch to the mask tonight! The mask is not painful at all. The way my mask fits the outer, lower lip comes down over my bottom lip into about the middle of my chin. It doesn't touch anything but with the way it fits I seem to subconsciously keep my mouth closed.

I think after a couple of nights you will fit the mask as much more pleasant option. I started out with the nose pillow and my pulmonologist threw a fit when he heard I was having troubles with it - he had specifically ordered the mask for me!

Once I got the mask I was all set.

Keep us posted. Thanks for the great laugh this morning! I can feel your frustration though. Been there, done that!

Auntie Mom

goingstrong

I have CPAP and use the nasal pillows too, as they call them I think. ??

Mine fits well, so can't complain. But did have the thingy with my mouth eventually "blowing" open because of the air pressure. Then I would wake up dry-mouthed and the dentist said that is very hard on teeth as the bacteria like dry!

My daughter, who also uses CPAP, crocheted me a 'chin strap' which I understand you can purchase on line from a supplier. I think it's kind of cute that she made me one so I use hers. It helped alot!

As for the straps not fitting, I would think it's your equipment provider's JOB to make sure you have a head harness that fits! It can't do the job unless it fits!

The first night I wore mine, I slept in the same position from the time I fell asleep (immediately) until I awoke the next morning. I was amazed. Turns out all those times during the night I thought I was awakening to move a little because my hip or my back or my knee were hurting were really because I was desaturating and my BRAIN was waking me up! I was doing shallow breathing and desaturating down to 86%.

Good luck with your fitting issues. Say, have you got a sewing machine. Maybe it's time to take some 'tucks' in that strap?

Lynn

CarolSue

I have been on a cpap machine now for about 6 months and I find that it really helps me to sleep soundly and to be rested in the morning. However, I have had my own problems with the masks, nose pillows, etc. I'm now using the nose pillows (they have them in at least 3 sizes by the way), and having the same problem you are with my mouth coming open -- that throws everything off.
I went back to the sleep technician and they gave me a sample head strap that wraps around my chin, over the top of my head and has a velcro strap in back that keeps it from slipping forward. Once you get it fitted correctly (which is much easier with the velcro), you will be able to sleep. Don't give up-- it took me at least a month to get used to having this 'apparatus' on my face, but I really appreciate it now.
You can also try a store bought wide head band, but I find that it slips off too easily. Your equipment supplier rep should be able to help you if your technician who tested you can't.
I had problems with the face mask, as I got a bad pressure sore on the bridge of my nose. So I can't wear those any more. I liked that mask the best, but it doesn't work for me anymore.
The nose pillow mask is more comfortable after you get everything adjusted. Just make sure you aren't making it too tight.
Hang in there, Lynn! It's worth it!

NewAllie

Hi Gloria, I echo the thanks for the good belly laugh today. I'm surprised you haven't thrown the thing. Do they have pediatric parts? Surely kids have sleep problems too and they have parts for noses and heads of all sizes. Then again, I have blocked arteries because the existing equipment and stents are too large... If you decide to throw it, will you sling it a good one for me too? Love, Allie

sternum

Good morning heart sisters:

Thank you all for writing back. I'm finally learning that I am not the only one in this big wide world with odd problems.

Auntimom -- I'm call the theropist today about the mask and I am glad to hear it comes to mid chin. With the smallest sizes still being to large for me, I just hope it does not swallow my face.

Going strong -- Your description of the mouth blowing open is right on. When I'm on the edge of sleep though, it feels more like an explosion of air brakes on a semi. What a great daughter you have. Maybe she could start a home business "designer chin straps". I'll be her first customer. As for the oxygen level going down before the air explosion,mine goes down to 82%(not good).

Carol Sue -- I'll be talking to my friendly theropist today and I will be armed with lots of questions. This time I will know better what my needs are -- Kid sizes and lots of them.

I do not feel restricted while wearing this thing, I can move around. I just want to sleep during the night instead of dropping from exhaustion when everyone else is getting up to start their day.

Be blest --- Gloria ---

goingstrong

Gloria, I just read your profile and I will have to say you are a mighty fine looking 65 years old! You look about 50 in that picture!

You have really been thru alot since you began your 'heart adventure' and I wish you well as you continue to look for solutions to your CPAP problems!

Lynn

wendylee

I actually have an appt. on the 30th for a consultation with a pulmonologist for apnea. This has been an interesting conversation to follow...

I went to a wedding out of town and shared a hotel room with my mother. She said that all night long I was either not breathing or gasping for breath. After looking into it, I found that it eventually effects your major organs, starting with your heart. CPAP here I come!

Wendy

SAgniadis

They do have a chin strap to keep the mouth closed while sleeping. Ask them for one.

I prefer the mask over the nasal pillow.

Beat of luck to you.

Susanne

sternum

So Lades:............

I am on my second week. Seems as though the nose is getting just a little more tolerant of the pillow invaders, not much, but some.

I spoke to my therapest yesterday and she appoligised for laughing but couldn't help herself. I understood. Apparently my reaction is quite common for week one. I was supposed to start the oxygen monitoring this week, but we decided to give the mask a go first. That will be next Saturday.

As stubborn as I am, I decided to give the pillows another week. I am not ready to cry uncle yet. We are going to have our battle of woman vs machine for one more week so I can give it a chance to behave. If it doesn't, I will toss it and choose the mask instead. That should show it who is boss. How does that song go ---
"I am woman. Hear me roar"
Anyway I did get some sleep last night and as one of you said "I was still in the same position when I woke up" That was nice. However, it is 10:45 pm here and I am heading for the lions cage one more time with my whip and chair. Talk to you later.

Take care and be blest --- Gloria ---

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