Ok, this last Friday (1/18) I got my first CPAP machine. My dad uses one, so I am somewhat familiar with them. Now, however, I have to wear one, and I have a few questions for those experienced folks out there. I have an Ultra Mirage II mask (Nasal Pillows), the CPAP setting is 11, and the humidifier is set at 3 (range is 0-5):
What do you do when you have to swallow? Sometimes my throat is so dry that I swallow at night. With the CPAP on, this causes my ears to plug up. Now, I am currently adjusting the humidifier so that I don't have to do this, but right now, I do. I have resorted to taking the mask off, swallowing, then putting it back on.
How do you clean your gear? I have tried soap and water (not so good) and 1 part vinegar/3 parts water. The vinegar works better, but the gear smells of vinegar. I suspect that it doesnt completely air-dry, even though I wash it in the morning, rinse it off, and put it on in the evening.
I have sneezed once into my mask. That stank. Of course, it blew the mask off. I had to take everything off, wash it (the vinegar solution) thoroughly, dry it (using tissues made for cleaning glasses) while falling asleep. What do you guys do?
I have been told by the healthcare provider to use distilled water for the humidifier. Is deionized water good enough, or do I need the distilled water? Also, is there something that can be put into the water to help with nasal dryness, or do I have to use some sort of nasal spray/drops?
Like many, I am a mouth breather. So, I have a chin strap. That darned strap is literally giving me a headache...I wake up with one. I tried wearing the mask before going to bed for a few hours without the chin strap...no headache. Is there a better chin strap out there?
Hi, I don't know much about this stuff (my husband is just starting), but I suspect vinegar as with most fluids will absorb into the rubber and even some of the plastic you are washing. Rubbers and so on tend to be rather porous, so it shouldn't be too surprising that they adopt some of the scent of what washes over them.
Ok, this last Friday (1/18) I got my first CPAP machine.
Congratulations! Although they may take some time getting used to, I think you'll see a big improvement in your quality of life...more energy, better concentration, an overall happier feeling, grin.
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...I have an Ultra Mirage II mask (Nasal Pillows), the CPAP setting is 11, and the humidifier is set at 3 (range is 0-5):
Although I have nasal pillows, I haven't used them so I can't help you much there. If your throat and nose are dry, it suggests one or more things: you're still breathing through your mouth and not your mask, you humidity setting isn't high enough, or you may need a heated humidifier if you don't already have one.
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...How do you clean your gear? I have tried soap and water (not so good) and 1 part vinegar/3 parts water. The vinegar works better, but the gear smells of vinegar. I suspect that it doesnt completely air-dry, even though I wash it in the morning, rinse it off, and put it on in the evening.
I use a mild dish soap as it is convenient and cheap. Vineagar would be better because it is a mild acid and would kill mold and some bacteria. They also have a cleaner you can use, which I bought and like (it smells nice), but just don't use. It may be that your vinegar/water solution is too strong because the vinegar smell should dissipate over the day. What did your durable medical equipment provider say? Did you ask them? Masks are made by out of different "recipes" so the instructions for cleaning one mask may be different than cleaning another mask. Oh, and after I clean my hose, I hang it over the shower rod to dry...seems to work well for me but our humidity is dry here, especially in the winter.
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I have sneezed once into my mask. That stank. Of course, it blew the mask off. I had to take everything off, wash it (the vinegar solution) thoroughly, dry it (using tissues made for cleaning glasses) while falling asleep. What do you guys do?
The pits! I can't imagine cleaning my equipment before going to bed...what do I do? I've got "back up" supplies for unexpected times like when I'm too tired to clean my equipment, for when I wake up in the night and step on my mask (a big crunch here followed by an "oh, shoot" or at least something that sounds similar to "oh, shoot"), and for when my kittens decide to play with my hose by poking additional holes...Once you find equipment that works for you, you may want to get back ups. Insurance companies often replace supplies on a regular basis (sometimes every 6 months) and if yours does, you could keep your old stuff for back up. Otherwise, there are places to get new brand name equipment that are quite reasonable...but in my experience these places weren't associated with local hospitals or durable medical equipment suppliers.
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I have been told by the healthcare provider to use distilled water for the humidifier. Is deionized water good enough, or do I need the distilled water?
I don't know. I only use distilled water.
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...Also, is there something that can be put into the water to help with nasal dryness, or do I have to use some sort of nasal spray/drops?
I would encourage you to try raising the humidifier and getting a heated humidifier if you haven't done so already. No need to complicate things if you can solve the problem without meds, whether they be over the counter or prescription.
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Like many, I am a mouth breather. So, I have a chin strap. That darned strap is literally giving me a headache...I wake up with one. I tried wearing the mask before going to bed for a few hours without the chin strap...no headache. Is there a better chin strap out there?
Yes, I'm a mouth breather, too. Chin strap didn't work for me either. If you got a headache wearing the chin strap, it suggests that the strap was on too tight (this can happen if your mask is on too tight, also). I found that I stopped breathing through my mouth when the humidity was good, and when I wasn't congested. Sometimes I still get congested (we all get colds now and then) but then I have a back up full face mask that I can use.
Hope this helps...I'm sure others will have some other ideas...again, it kind of takes time to find out what works for you (and what doesn't), but in my experience, it's worth it!
Yeah, I have a heated humidifier. Six settings, 0-5. 4 and 5 are too much...very uncomfortable. So far, 3 is best. So, the heated humidifier part is convered. Actually, I would prefer a 'cool humidity' over a 'warm humidity' and definitely not a 'hot humidity'.
Technically, it isnt my throat that is dry but rather in the back of my nose, if that makes any sense. My wife tells me that I have not snored, but it is entirely possible that some air is escaping my mouth. Even with a chin strap, that can happen. One would need to tape the mouth closed to make sure that absolutely no air leaked.
I do get congested, though. Currently, I am using a nasal decongestant an hour before bedtime. This is somewhat of a concern, because I know that these can also cause a 'dryness' all the way in the back of the nose, very similar to what I am experiencing. I have only worn the thing for 3 nights now, so I have some experimenting to do.
The recommended strength of vinegar for washing out the headgear is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. That seemed to work ok, when I washed everything out at 7am. But at 9:30pm, everything still smelled like a salad. I also hang my stuff up in my shower, and that may be part of the problem. Perhaps I need to put it where there isn't so much humidity that it doesn't dry properly.
To be honest, I think I need a different mask. My nose is rather large to begin with, and as suggested, it is a good thing to have in case of colds or allergies. Well, it is certainly a challenge!
.... One would need to tape the mouth closed to make sure that absolutely no air leaked.
I was going to try that but my respiratory therapist said "absolutely not!" Oh, well.
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...I do get congested, though.
My friend is a nurse and uses a netti pot or is it a neti pot...saline solution swooshed in the nasal passages...many people swear by this as it helps and is med free. Me, I'm afraid of drowning, , but I will try it eventually.
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But at 9:30pm, everything still smelled like a salad.
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To be honest, I think I need a different mask. My nose is rather large to begin with, and as suggested, it is a good thing to have in case of colds or allergies. Well, it is certainly a challenge!
I personally think it's a good idea to have an assortment...that way pressure points are rotated and you've got back up for different situations.
Starting CPAP 
, but I will try it eventually.
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