How did you get used to CPAP?

@dalebout123 I thought about that but the rubber will split ( I thought )

@dalebout123 --- Thanks for reply & support! I don't mean to sound negative, but I have way too many medical issues to deal with. The night time problems are the straw that broke the camel's back.
I don't know what a "BIPAP" might be, is it another mask & machine?
The sleep supply store refused to let me try any masks on, they said that was a government law, then lied to my doctor about several issues. The problems go on and on----- that's when I said enough.

I had the same response to "trying" on -- even the head gear. It must be some crazy board of health rule. One must wait the three month trial period before getting a new set up to try. unless your doctor tests you with the headgear on and writes a new prescription.

I wanted to ask which head gear you have. I switched to the hose coming down from the top as I sleep on my face mostly...sometimes start on my side, but wake up on my stomach. The headgear with the hose on top was the first step to my solution...after over the nose only, full face, etc. It was after some dental surgery that I retried the pillow and with the new head gear (top input), it was the best yet.

I am getting better at the sleep over time. I still have nights that I only put in my four hours, but they are less frequent. I guess I don't have a lot of medical problems. I am 82, but exercise regularly -- always have. I am overweight, but after a lifetime of dieting with different crazy fads, I have had a stable weight and clothing size since 2002. I have taken thyroid medicine for forty plus years; most recently started a staten for high cholesterol and a low dose aspirin.

I am sorry you are having to deal with so much at once, but again I will encourage you to fight the fight as I see real improvement on many levels. The BIPAP (Variable flow pressure) looks the same as the CPAP (continuous flow pressure). It has two flow patterns. My oxygen levels have moved to the normal range for both waking and sleeping. My sleep doc was more concerned about the low oxygen, but Medicare dictated we address the APNEA first. There are a bunch of rules and regs that surround this supply stuff even if they make no sense to us, the suppliers must follow them and the doctors must prescribe in a certain order.

The brain and all organs need oxygen to do their repair and that happens at night. So please take a deep breath (no pun intended) and try again.

Sending good thoughts your way.
Dana

@tisme It will probably split if you cut a slash. Maybe try nail scissors and shave the curve a bit? Do you have the up the nose pillow or the under the nose pillow?

@mermaid7272 Over at apneaboard.com forums, this is a frequent complaint....that the durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers run a wide range of 'helpful' to 'crooked'. You have to find a reputable respiratory therapist or medical sleep specialist and find out whom they look to for provision for their patients. And, unfortunately, most new patients to PAP therapy must do trials to find a mask that works for them. There're no shortcuts.

BiPAP is a machine that delivers controlled ranges of pressure/flow depending on the patient's needs. It isn't straight pressure all the time which many of us, myself included, can get by with. There are also auto-PAP devices that titrate fulltime, often changing the pressures delivered, and they have fancy algorithms. At the top of the heap are the ASVs, or adaptive-servo ventilators that people with central or complex sleep apnea have to use, and yes, they cost a bundle. But they work, or at least the RESMED variety work.

@dalebout123 under the nose

Thanks for the wonderful (as usual) explanations, gloaming.

tisme, gloaming is the resident guru on this site. He is very knowledgable and only posts good stuff...part research and part experience.

Have you tried the head gear with just the nose cushion and not the piece that covers mouth? I wouldn't be able to sleep with my mouth covered. I also use mine in afternoon lying on bed watching tv. I just have the piece that goes under the nose and also the swivel part on top of head.

@tisme - totally worth a conversation with your provider and/or the medical device store to see what they might have for you instead. I do remember trying a mask with nose holes that felt pretty restrictive, and it made me feel uncomfortable about my breathing well through it. Maybe just psychological for me - not sure?

I can't wear a mask--- cancer scars on nose and area under nose and on lip. They are still painful after over a year. Plus the fact that I am getting very freaked out by anything covering my face. As previously noted, the medical supply store refuses to co-operate with helping me. Doctors are not very helpful either. This situation is made more difficult by the fact that medical care is sparse where I live.
I was hoping for some ideas that do not involve apnea masks & machines. Home remedies anyone?