Update - 10 days in

Hi everyone,

I've just supplemented my comfort gel http://comfortgel.respironics.com/Default.asp
mask with a Swift nasal mask

because the Gel mask has caused a sore on the bridge of my nose.
All my equipment is currently on loan from the Sleep Clinic.

The first week I felt amazingly well, but have been tired the last couple of days, probably because of waking up with discomfort from the pressure of the mask on my sore nose the last few nights. I had a nap with the Swift this afternoon and am very pleased with it. The buckle did dig into the back of my head as I expected from reading up here about it first. I have just attatched some pantihose to the face straps to use instead of the buckled straps, so I hope that helps tonight.

I use a heated humidifier, and that put a stop to blocked nose, ear and throat discomfort in the first 4 or 5 nights. In fact, my ear nose and throat have never been healthier! My asthma is almost non existent now, a chronically inflamed thyroglossal cyst has settled down and yukky post nasal drip is a thing of the past.

I have wrapped a sarong round the hose, supplemented by some spare pantihose, and secured with elastic bands. I have fixed a hook above the bed and attach the hose with hair ties, but have'nt found the optimal place for the hook yet. But no more rainout after the first night of using the heated humidifier (I woke to an isolated shower over my face several times that night). I just need to find the best position so the hose doesn't drag on the mask and pull it into my face.

At some point I am going to emerge from the spare bedroom and rejoin my light sleeper husband in the marital bed. I have been I think rationalising that I don't want to wake him when I fiddle with the mask and hose in the night, but to be honest, I think I am really embarrassed about the way I look with the mask and everything. Not just the way I look either, but actually having sleep apnoea and needing treatment for it. He likes to tease me anyway, especially for my love of gadgetry, and we joke that of all the diseases, sleep apnoea is the best one for me! Lots of playing with gadgets and lots of time on the internet. Usually I take a joke really well, and give as good as I get teasing wise, but I feel very sensitive about this. Has anyone else felt similarly? I have been feeling so awful for so long without knowing why that I feel like a hypochondriac, as though I am making up this condition, (though the sleep study showed 24 -40 episodes an hour).
I'm 100% compliant wearing the gear whenever I sleep or nap. The tec read the computer in the machine today when I visited because of the mask problem, and she said my leak rate is amazingly low, only 0.04% (obviously I had it too tight, they did fit it but I tightened it).

I wish I was getting better every day as fast as I did the first two days, though I knew from the boards here that wouldn't happen. But I don't want to get back into bed with my husband until I feel that all the gear and the machine's hissing and the droning etc (which doesn't bother me) is actually worth it for him. We love to be together but he sleeps so lightly.

Do other board members have similar experiences, or can you give me some encouragement? I know I'm being a bit weak and sloppy here, but this is not something I want to start a fight about.

Di

First, get some padacheeks for the headgear and you won't feel the buckle at all. You can go to http://www.padacheek.com or just PM PADACHEEK(Karen), a forum member. She'll make sure you get something that works.
My husband is also a lite sleeper. He is my 'leak alarm'. It took him about 4 nights to get used to the sounds. He says it is much quieter than my snoring was! He has also learned to sleep thru the mask adjustments. Of course there are only occasional nights now when I have to fiddle with anything.
You are doing great so far...keep it up!

Brenda

Di,

Good for you to keep up your compliance, despite your feelings of embarrassment. It really is a look without comparison, isn't it? I think the thing I love the most about this forum is the willingness of the members to laugh about it, and even post pictures of themselves to show a new gadget set-up or mask alteration.

My husband is a light sleeper, too, but strangely enough could sleep through my "airplane take-off" snoring. The soft noise of the machine, however, is hard for him to get used to! He's getting there, though. The embarrassment is a little trickier, I guess. If you're usually good with taking a joke, I'm guessing you'll be OK with this too. Maybe if you are the one to make the joke, it'll be easier? Try putting it on in front of him, and singing "I'm too sexy for my shirt".

Good luck, Di. We're pulling for you.
Cathy

Di,

I agree with Brenda about the Padacheek.com look into it for any mask you have issues with or just want a nice feeling on your face or head. Karen does wonders.

See if you can still sleep with the swift all night and not waking up to adjust it etc.

I am glad to hear you are feeling better and finding solutions to any issues witht he gadgets.

It sounds like your husband is using humor in a fun way to break the ice. If he is not picking up on how sensative you are to the apnea deal. Tell him. How is he to know, especially since you taking joking so well and you often deal with issues in a joking manner. ( Boy do I sound like my husband. Yes I expect him to have ESP. )

I can not relate to the issue with the gadgets and machines and being sensative. We are all into Starwars, and to have mom talking like Vadar is a hoot. By the time I got my machine, my whole family was desparate to get the old me back that we were and are willing to do anything. I think if my husband was negative, maybe I would have had more issues adjsting.

You are not a hypochondriac, you may think you are. But do you know how much of your body and mind gets affected by apnea. The longer you had it the worse off you are. Not just with sleep, but memory, congnative skills, heart problems, aches and pains, going to the bathroom more often, the list goes on and on.

Yes after the initial rush of oxygen to the brain while sleeping, the progress may seem slow give it time.

As for sleeping with your husband. Get into bed and sleep there, who knows he may even wake you up to a leak or something. let him be the judge of it.

If you snored etc, I doubt the noise of the machine could be worse then the snores or the gasping or whatever noises you made.

Yes your husband sleeps lightly, but does he sleep better with you.

Think of it another way, it is your bed as well. You have every right to be in it. Each couple is different. What ever you do, do not let shame, embarassement or fear make decisions for you.

Thanks everyone.

That's all good advice.

I didn't realise till i wrote the post quite how I was feeling, and yes how could I expect him to know if even I'm not admitting it. He came home from work as I was writing it (we're in Australia). I plucked up courage to tell hubby I felt embarrassed about the mask, and he said not to, he wouldn't see me anyway with the lights off!

And yes, it is my bed as well, we are a couple.

Thanks for the links, I'll look at them now.

Re the Padacheek - I'll keep that on hold for now, and see how I do with the Swift for a few nights. PS wow, just looked over the site, that is impressive.

I wish my family were into Sci Fi. i'm a Buffy the Vampire Slayer devotee but enjoy all fantasy.

The bathroom thing - why does that happen? I'm going less often already!

re the humour on the forum here - i first came here following a link to the mask decorations! Formed an instant connection via the humour! Thanks.

I can't tell you how good it feels to be part of this community. It really breaks down the isolation.

It's funny, i used to have a nightie with pictures of a dog (like Scooby Doo) snorkelling. Now i wear a snorkel to bed! But I know I"m not the only one.

Ok, off to read those links now

Di

Di

i totally hear ya on the hypochondriac thing...it's weird, for years i've been saying 'there's something wrong with me' and going to doctor after doctor, being told to eat less and move more, prescribed anti depressants, diagnosed with fibromyalgia, tested for lupus repeatedly, bloodwork upon bloodwork, and now that i've been diagnosed with something real, i can't get my head around the fact that it could be the culprit for so many of my health issues...in fact just yesterday i was telling my best friend that sometimes, after hearing it so often, i actually do wonder if it's all in my head! luckily for me i have a wonderful supportive husband and friends who care, none of whom are thinking any of this was within my control...

as for the embarrassment thing, i know it's hard...the only thing worse than how i look when i go to sleep is how i look when i wake up! and that's when my poor hubby is coming in from midnights! imagine the sight he gets greeted by...well, you just have to laugh, dontcha? what else can we do?

good luck

sharon

Hi Moby,

You always hear jokes about the French maid costume or playing doctor. Have you ever thought about asking your husband to play sleep study, and he could be the sleep tech?

By the way, I will lend you my feather to go with that Swift mask. It worked for me!

Catnapper

the only thing worse than how i look when i go to sleep is how i look when i wake up

Ain't it the truth? You really DO have to laugh!