My husband has been diagnosed with UN-obstructive Sleep Apnea. What does this mean? He had his first night with CPAP using a full face mask last nite. Other than a few issues, it went very well. BUT I must say it frightened me! He looked very scary in it! I know over time I will get used to this and I have been told that his energy level will increase. He will have no more falling asleep during TV shows and have energy for other things that have to the "wayside"! I am looking forward to that energy but the sight of him in that "Darth Vadar" mask is very disconcerting! He hung the mask on our headboard this morning and all day I look at it with a furrowed brow! Will this lessen? Is there any other wives that know what I mean? Am I alone with these feelings? How do I get over this?
Cheri
_________________
Cheri -- Rested and VERY pleased with Hubby's CPAP!
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| My husband used CPAP 1st time last nite-- | |
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cheri1181
Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 8 
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 My husband used CPAP 1st time last nite-- |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:25 pm | |
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Madre
Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 233 Location: Missouri
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It is still him under the mask--you are married to him not the mask. I was worried that my children would be afraid of the mask, but the all think it is cool that I can do normal things with them again. When I first got the mask, I heard them all creep quietly into my room just to see it on me at night. It is a thing, like braces on teeth, it doesn't change who he is. You arn't married to Darth Vader. Look past the mask, it can not hurt you, really only make his life better, and by doing so make your life better. Good luck!!
_________________ Believe in yourself--you are fantastic!! |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:00 pm | |
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cheri1181
Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 8
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Thanks but I still don't like it! Maybe when I see the benefits of him wearing it, I will be able to accect it? It just looks like he is not able to breath in it--it covers his mouth and nose! I will get over it -- I am sure of it!
_________________ Cheri -- Rested and VERY pleased with Hubby's CPAP! |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:26 pm | |
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jeffreyd
Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 18
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Have him show it to you so you can see how the air is being forced out of it and learn more about the machine.
Lack of knowledge leads to fear. (Remember when you used to be afraid/anxious to drive until you learned about driving?) |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:40 pm | |
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PapaJimH
Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 52 Location: SoCal
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Perspective
I'll bet his head looks better in that mask than it would in a coffin.
But seriously, besides the everyday things that you mentioned that it will help/fix, many of the problems that apnea causes can take years off of your life. And you are right, you will get used to it. _________________ PapaJ's Matinee - Progressive Rock Web Radio Saturdays 7:00pm Pacific http://www.deliciousagony.com |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:13 pm | |
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Ridge Runner
Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 267 Location: Virginia
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Dear Cheri,
Think of the mask as a "quaint and curious costume." Or a fighter pilot. Or an elephant. Or whatever else you think is funny. Think of life after your husband overcomes his sleep deficit. For years, I avoided movie theaters because it didn't make any sense to pay money to sit in a darkened room and fall asleep; now I can attend movies again with my family. I have more energy than before; life is great! - Ridge Runner |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 7:22 pm | |
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yflyhobie
Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Indianapolis
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Looking at you
I agree, learn more about it and how it works. Unknown leads to fear. Heck, even try it on and feel how it works. Who know, you may get your own someday.
I told my wife and son about mine. My son actually took real interest in it. Wife makes sure I clean it periodically. Woody |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:32 pm | |
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dwardio
Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 4
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Last night was my 1st night on CPAP, too!
My wife flipped out when she saw me with the mask last night-- "Oh, you got to be kidding!" was her remark. I took the mask off and showed her how it worked and had her hold it to her face and breathe through it so she would understand what was going on.
I consider myself pretty lucky. I fell asleep quickly and got about 3 hours of solid sleep on the CPAP (8 cm H2O and a full-face mask). The problem was that I rolled over in the middle of the night and the mask made some noise that woke my wife and scared the hell out of her.  I had a hard time getting back to sleep after that, but then again, I usually do, so I don't blame the CPAP.
I urge you to hang in there and understand that this treatment can save your spouse's life! |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:41 pm | |
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skitter
Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Dallas, TX
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The first night of CPAP, my husband couldn't stop snickering at me in my mask . . . and it WAS kind of funny!
He quit laughing so much after he realized that I wasn't snoring anymore. :) |
| Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:59 pm | |
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JohnnyRed
Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 27
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I have been on it for almost two months now and the first night went the same for my wife. She told me she felt like she wanted to start crying when she saw me with the mask on for the first time. Then she didnt want to talk about it and when I brought it up she just changed the subject. Now, different story if its off she has no problem yelling at me to put it back on. You'll get over it, even if its just to stop being awakened from your husbands snoring.
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| Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:48 am | |
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cheri1181
Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 8
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Hey Everyone!
It has been 3 nights and my hubby is responding very well with few problems! I am grateful! I SO understand how JohnnyRed and Dwardio wives felt but I think I am begining to see slight improvement. I did want to cry and cry--it looks so "man in the iron mask"-ish! But ........ I had Hubby read all this. His first reponse was that he didn't realized it frightened me so much, then that night as he was putting it on and faked needing "help". While I was helping, he stuck the tube in my face and then suggested I try the mask on. I did. It smelled funny but he said it didn't bother him much. He is having a problem with his nose itching and has waken me up each night needing help to re-hook the buckle thingy. It is dark ya'know! Any suggestions on the itchy nose part? _________________ Cheri -- Rested and VERY pleased with Hubby's CPAP! |
| Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:00 pm | |
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cheri1181
Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 8
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This is getting GOOD!
The alarm went off this morning and we were both rested! No one woke up during the night! It was WONDERFUL!
    So this CPAP is working! I am still not fond of his mask but have decided to call is "Leo" after Leonardo DiCaprio in "Man in a Iron Mask"!
Question: My hubby has peripheal nueropthy in both feet due to newly diagnosed diabetes. At times the pain of it is horrific--waking him up, not letting him walk, really decrease his quality of life!!!!!!!! For the last two evenings, he has had no pain! Is it possible that CPAP is helping with that? We don't see how! How is this possible? (notice I changed my siqnature!) Cheri CPAP is a VERY GOOD thing! |
| Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:26 am | |
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PapaJimH
Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 52 Location: SoCal
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Gotta love a story with a happy ending!
 _________________ PapaJ's Matinee - Progressive Rock Web Radio Saturdays 7:00pm Pacific http://www.deliciousagony.com |
| Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:04 pm | |
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