ladylucy, You say in your first post that you know you have Complex Sleep Apnea. Then why doesn't your doctor have you on a machine that treats CSA? That might be most of your problem. You have the wrong machine. That happened to me, too, so I know what it feels like to struggle and struggle trying ...

When I first started I got sores in my mouth from biting my cheeks and lips in my sleep. The straps were pushing my cheeks in and the mask was pushing my lips in and when my jaw snapped shut it bit everything in the way. What a way to wake up. To prevent that I wear a chinstrap to firmly hold my jaw...

Dllfo,

I'm so sorry that you are struggling. If you have not heard from your regular doctor by now, I believe I would head straight for the ER. At least, your ASV keeps you breathing and you did wake up on the other side, so that is a good thing.

I wish you the best,
Bev

I don't have the Advanced version of the ASV, but the earlier model. I rarely have an apnea with this machine, maybe one a week. My pressures are all over the place from 13-23 and the back up kicks in regularly, but rarely an apnea.

Thanks for the update, Dori. I hope you get some decent rest now that Mike is home and you have folks helping you.

Cut out a mask shaped triangle out of an old T-Shirt (poly-cotton blend washes up best). You can make dozens of them from one small T-Shirt and use them over and over again. I use them along with my padacheek protector, as I need 2-3 layers to make a good seal.

I wear my chinstrap under my mask straps. I can't remember if I ever tried it the other way.

Dori,

May you have strength through these difficult times and peace that you know you have stuck by Mike is sickness and in health and loved him through every minute of it. Blessings to you both.

Bev

That's one clever Slinky, but we knew that.

Yes, I wake up every morning with a headache.

Happy Birthday, Bons! I'm glad things are working out for your husband. I wish I could find a man on CPAP

Noises in my bedroom would wake me up with a start. Since I was sleeping alone, I could only figure that the noises were coming from me!

I had a noisy machine once. I put an upside down styrofoam box over it with cutouts for the hose and intake. It helped a lot. Actually, I still use that machine and it either got quieter or I got used to the noise because I only had to use that box for a week or two.

Cut three edges off the container it came in and open it like a book. You can keep it in there. Not ideal, but better than nothing. The eye cutouts are good, but maybe not enough to clear the eyes. The old one came right over my eyes and trimming it back would have made it poke into my eyes. Thinner...

Great news, Dori! Happy Holidays to you and Mike!