Care should always be taken when taking steps to keep the mouth closed. Should the person need to cough up secretions or vomit, sealing the mouth in a heavy way (as using dental fixative on the lips) could cause a person to aspirate (material goes into the lungs). Best measure is to speak to your physician about making any closure of the mouth when in a sleepy state.
Dory H,
If I may make a suggestion, contact your physician's office and ask if you may decrease the temperature on the heater. This is a common fix for the rain out, but please check with your physician beforehand.
2Sleepy, congrats on your progress. Regarding the water gurgling, is there a heater on your humidifier?
Dear barbz, Just so happy for your success! Congratulations on this and remembering your dream s! It would be interesting to keep a dream journal during this time. Might I suggest you keep a notepad right at the bedside, and make entries as soon as you awaken -- even just a word or two that will prompt your memory so you can finish it in a little while? I have some good books on dreaming if you would like the titles. Feel free to email me at (spelling this out in case there are bots) tshumard AT sleepapnea DOT org.
Good luck to you!
Be well....Sleep well, Theresa
Although not ideal, Member303535, that is 2 hours of good sleep that you would not have had without CPAP. In time you may become more aware of removing the mask and returning it to your face. What do you do currently when you realize it is not on? Regarding the pressure sore, I am curious to know what others here have tried.
Barb, there is not a thing wrong with a PAP user that is well informed and pro-active in their own care regimen! Keep up the positive outlook!
Good going, Bhek! Thanks for your progress report. Hope to read your continued updates !
Barbz, what has your provider or physician advised about this issue you are having?
Bhek, Thank you for joining MyApnea.Org and congratulations on your new CPAP therapy. It will change your life in the most positive way. I understand you may be somewhat nervous about going solo at home with CPAP for the first time -- away from the sleep lab. I am a former sleep technician, and this is what I taught my patients to do when they were starting out with the treatment:
Take some big, deep breaths, completely relax. Put the mask on your face as you turn the CPAP unit on… Relax…Close your eyes, clear your mind of all other thoughts... Keep your lips closed, but don’t tense them…. Let the pressure being delivered via the CPAP fill the back of your throat…
IMAGINE your upper airway - being kept open by the pressure… Breathe with it, not against it………Breathe slowly…Concentrate…Relax...
Bhek, relax, keep positive, and you will do very well.
