Cats, menopause and CPAP

The medical company is coming today to set up my CPAP and I'm really close to canceling. I only have mild sleep apnea and don't know if the machine is necessary.

1. I'm also starting menopause and really concerned the mask will be hot.

2. I'm also worried my cat will be afraid of it and stop sleeping near me

3. I'm worried my 4 month old kitten will be irresistably drawn to the hose and bite through it

4. Since the kitten is new and the older cat is already stressed, I'm worried the CPAP will make her really upset and cause behavior issues

5. My mom is moving in with me, and I'll have the little guest room. I'm worried the equipment won't fit in that tiny room.

6. I'm worried I'll be so exhausted from trying to use a mask I'll be unable to get ready for this big house move. There's a ton of work to do in the next 2 months and I can't afford to be tired.

7. I am going through menopause and really concerned about hot flashes with the mask. I can't keep the house super cold because of Mom. I am chronically congested so will probably need a full face mask.

Should I put this off to another time?

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 5:43 am

The medical company is coming today to set up my CPAP and I'm really close to canceling. I only have mild sleep apnea and don't know if the machine is necessary.

1. I'm also starting menopause and really concerned the mask will be hot.

2. I'm also worried my cat will be afraid of it and stop sleeping near me

3. I'm worried my 4 month old kitten will be irresistably drawn to the hose and bite through it

4. Since the kitten is new and the older cat is already stressed, I'm worried the CPAP will make her really upset and cause behavior issues

5. My mom is moving in with me, and I'll have the little guest room. I'm worried the equipment won't fit in that tiny room.

6. I'm worried I'll be so exhausted from trying to use a mask I'll be unable to get ready for this big house move. There's a ton of work to do in the next 2 months and I can't afford to be tired.

7. I am going through menopause and really concerned about hot flashes with the mask. I can't keep the house super cold because of Mom. I am chronically congested so will probably need a full face mask.

Should I put this off to another time?

Take a deep breath. You have a lot on your plate.

I can’t predict how kitties will react but if you have apnea you run the risk of more serious health issues. Kitty will probably eventually get used to the pap but i have to say mine isn’t noisy at all.

I’m peri menopausal and I would suggest you look at the N30 mask (click link in my signature to see what it looks like) and rest assured it isn’t a giant mask that folks often visualize. Also consider a P10 (search for it at the website the link takes you to).

If DME lets you try on masks for a fitting I recommend starting there.

Finding a good fit for your mask is key. Those two masks aren’t remotely hot imo due to their smaller footprint.

I recommend avoiding th P10i and N30i. they are good but noisier. jmho

As you settle in with all this consider a hose management system. I use this one. It keeps the hose up off the bed. JAKIA CPAP Hose Holder and Hanger... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089W44YZR?re ... b_ap_share

This way I can flip over easier while wearing mask.

When I get out of bed I hang hose and headgear on one of these. CPAP Hose Holder with Headgear Hook Hanger and Suction Cup for Drying after Cleaning Sleep and Breathing Machine Parts and Accessories https://a.co/d/f0zBaHd

This will help keep safe from kitty.

Thanks. I have no idea what masks they are bringing today but will keep your comments in mind.

The issue with the mask and kitty is I will look strange, not be able to speak to her and reassure her, and the air blowing on her. My ex had CPAP and it was so noisy and the cold air blowing on me was so bad I moved into the other bedroom. We eventually divorced, partly because he was so cranky and mean from not being able to sleep in the mask he started cussing me out in front of our 9 yr old!

For ten years my only companionship has been my cats, so I'm feeling pretty anxious.

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:08 am

Thanks. I have no idea what masks they are bringing today but will keep your comments in mind.

The issue with the mask and kitty is I will look strange, not be able to speak to her and reassure her, and the air blowing on her. My ex had CPAP and it was so noisy and the cold air blowing on me was so bad I moved into the other bedroom. We eventually divorced, partly because he was so cranky and mean from not being able to sleep in the mask he started cussing me out in front of our 9 yr old!

For ten years my only companionship has been my cats, so I'm feeling pretty anxious.

Don’t just consider it.

Click the link to see these actual masks.

NEITHER of them are full face masks. Just little bumps that sit under the nose.

I suggest doing this before your DME appt.

Ask for one of them by name and numbers. See cpap.com site to look at BOTH and see which looks better.

Then just start wearing around the house without being plugged in. They will get used to it.

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:08 am

Thanks. I have no idea what masks they are bringing today but will keep your comments in mind.

The issue with the mask and kitty is I will look strange, not be able to speak to her and reassure her, and the air blowing on them.

N30 Mask you can talk to them just fine I assure you (a bit uncomfy when plugged in and talking but doable) https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... h-headgear

P10 LOOk at them. Before your appt. Ask for them by number. P10 https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... k-headgear

I'm a mouth breather / congested. I don't think I can use a nose only type, but thank you!

Thanks for the accessory info as well. I hope the kitties will leave it alone.

I think I only need to use 4 hrs a night for insurance, so I'm thinking maybe wear it 9-1 and then if I can't sleep, take it off from 1-6.

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:52 am

I think I only need to use 4 hrs a night for insurance, so I'm thinking maybe wear it 9-1 and then if I can't sleep, take it off from 1-6.

It would help you tremendously to atart thinking about how to make this work for you rather than how you get around compliance issues.

Did you look at the masks?

The p10i and N30i are the noisy cousins to the ones I linked. they have similar headgear. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap-mask

these aren’t the same ones that your ex had. I employee you please look at them before your visit.

You have to take this one step at a time. Don’t accept a mask that you don’t want. You don’t have to. You don’t need one of those big full facemasks. The machine is not noisy although I don’t know which one you were supposed to get. The resmed air sense 11 is a great machine, and makes next to nothing in terms of noise.

I have both of those masks that I recommended. At any given point you can have small leaks. There are techniques to help with both of those problems.

Make this your own personal thread. Come back and comment after your visit., Before your visit if you want to. Just stick to the one thread.

Everyone here will help you beyond just how you can trick out the machine for compliance issues.

I’m sure your ex was an asshole for a myriad of different reasons. Untreated, sleep apnea, however, will create a lot of health issues and attitude problems due to lack of sleep and headaches caused by a lack of oxygen.

First things first. Did you look at the masks? Just one of them look like one you would prefer? See previous post. Not the one in this post.

Hi - had cats, dogs and other pets forever, and have had machines and masks a long time too, but never has anyone cared about them at all or made a mess of them. My cat sleeps right beside me at night and just accepted that's how I sleep... almost wish he was more interested!

But I definitely disagree with 'just' compliance hrs (4) or you might as well not bother at all.

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 5:43 am

The medical company is coming today to set up my CPAP and I'm really close to canceling. I only have mild sleep apnea and don't know if the machine is necessary.

1. I'm also starting menopause and really concerned the mask will be hot.

There are ways to deal with feeling like the mask is hot. One is to be sure that you do not use a heated hose. That way the air coming into the mask won't be as warm. If your nose can stand it, turn the humidifier down to its lowest setting or turn it off and use the humidifier in passover mode.

2. I'm also worried my cat will be afraid of it and stop sleeping near me

The cat may pick up on your fear of the machine. Most cats don't care. I did have to kick my cat out of the bedroom when he kept intentionally stepping on the on/off button when he decided it was time to make me get up and feed him.

3. I'm worried my 4 month old kitten will be irresistably drawn to the hose and bite through it

During the daytime, hang the hose in a place that is out of reach of the the kitty.

4. Since the kitten is new and the older cat is already stressed, I'm worried the CPAP will make her really upset and cause behavior issues

The older cat is likely stressed because she can tell you are stressed out.

5. My mom is moving in with me, and I'll have the little guest room. I'm worried the equipment won't fit in that tiny room.

CPAP equipment is really small these days. And, if necessary, it can be put directly on the floor beside the bed.

6. I'm worried I'll be so exhausted from trying to use a mask I'll be unable to get ready for this big house move. There's a ton of work to do in the next 2 months and I can't afford to be tired.

Depending on your current daytime symptoms and how well you respond to therapy, you may be pleasantly surprised that you have more energy with CPAP than without. Not everybody struggles with this therapy. My husband, who has mild apnea but had a lot of daytime sleepiness, adjusted almost immediately and started feeling more energetic within just a couple of days of starting CPAP.

7. I am going through menopause and really concerned about hot flashes with the mask. I can't keep the house super cold because of Mom. I am chronically congested so will probably need a full face mask.

Shut off all heating ducts to your bedroom. And get Mom a space heater for her bedroom so you can turn the heat down at night. If the space heater is easy to move, then it may be possible to keep the ambient temperature in the rest of the house a bit cooler in the daytime.

Should I put this off to another time?

If you put this off now, you'll continue to find one excuse after another to keep putting it off.

I have 4 cats. Not one cares about my cpap. You care more than they will care.

Try to avoid the pitfall of "just 4 hours to meet insurance requirements" because it means part of the night no sleep apnea treatment and zero help for your problem during those hours. If you were diabetic would you think it is okay to take only half a dose of insulin???

Bad habits are really easy to make and most of the time extremely hard to break. Try to avoid making bad habits if possible.

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:08 am

The issue with the mask and kitty is I will look strange, not be able to speak to her and reassure her, and the air blowing on her.

The cat is not going to care how you look. And you can talk with a CPAP mask on, though it takes a bit of practice.

As for air blowing on her: There are modern masks that have diffusers built into the exhaust vents. Look for them.

My ex had CPAP and it was so noisy and the cold air blowing on me was so bad I moved into the other bedroom. We eventually divorced, partly because he was so cranky and mean from not being able to sleep in the mask he started cussing me out in front of our 9 yr old!

For ten years my only companionship has been my cats, so I'm feeling pretty anxious.

PAP machines and masks have come a long, long way in the last 10-15 years. Modern machines are almost silent. And many modern masks have diffusers built in, so there's no blast of cold air blowing out of the vents.

It sounds like your ex-husband had a rough adjustment period and did not have much support in trying to troubleshoot what was going on. Some people do have a really bad time adjusting. I was one of them. But most people who get the appropriate support that is needed to troubleshoot their issues typically start feeling better pretty soon.

In my case, discovering cpaptalk.com was critical in getting me over the serious problems that I faced while starting out. My husband, on the other hand, slept like a baby from night one onward and never needed a support group. And he had witnessed and helped me through my very difficult adjustment period.

So don't expect that you'll have an awful time just because your former husband had a rough time.

KittyMom22 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:30 am

I'm a mouth breather / congested. I don't think I can use a nose only type, but thank you!

Thanks for the accessory info as well. I hope the kitties will leave it alone.

You may find that sleeping with the cpap will help with the congestion issues.

I'm only trying to find a way to get sleep during this household transition. I'm not planning to use it for just 4 hours forever, but I know it takes time to adjust - sometimes months - so I need to figure out how to make this work during the transition.

Cats have their own territories and are easily upset by changes in routine. If it was just the CPAP I wouldn't be as concerned but we have 4 other major things happening in the same time frame so yeah, it's a lot for her. Please believe I'm doing my best to stay calm and cheerful and appropriately guide both animals, just as I would parent a child. I'm just screaming on the inside.

My ex really was very severely impacted by his CPAP experiences and his doctor was completely unsympathetic. Yes, he was difficult but this really made him extremely exhausted and his personality changed over the couple of months he struggled with this therapy.

I know lots of people have great experience though.

Too late to cancel the appt. Just going to muscle through it.

Thanks for all your comments!