Question:
I can not sleep with the cpap on, I sneeze, brake out and loose my breath!!

There is just no way I can sleep with that thing, here I am in the erly morning hours still sneezing with red bums all over my face and nose. I know the sneezing come from that I'm alergic to dustmite and that thing is blowing me full of it. My surgeron want's me to ware it at least two weeks prior to surgery.........but this just don't work. Please if you have any suggestions in how to solve this, answerd to this post or e-mail me at: [email protected] I thank you ahead a time, hugs from Tove    — Tove Annelise H. (posted on August 20, 2003)

August 19, 2003
First get a different mask that does not irritate you skin so. 2nd get a humidifier so it doesn't dry out your skin. 3rd, find out if you can get some sort of filter put on the intake for the unit. Talk to your supplier. The other option is to put an air cleaner in your bedroom and get that room "cleaned" out so that the air your system is pulling in is much more allergen free. Hope some of this helps!
   — zoedogcbr

August 20, 2003
Just to add another voice, I agree with Chris!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 20, 2003
My Cpap has a humidifer in it. That helps alot. I know what you mean about your face breaking out. I was doing that also until someone told me to clean the gel part of the mask with soap, water and vinager. It sounds weird but it helps. Do it early, or the smell will kill you. LOL Good Luck. Tammy E.
   — Tammy E.

August 20, 2003
The original poster here. I do have a humidifider, the problem is dustmites which stayes in the machine and get by the filter there is (nothing but a thin foarm filter), I haven't stopped sneezing yet and that released Asthma attack also. I called the provider to let them know the problem and also said that I most likely need a new and unused machine, they claim that medicaid don't pay for that. Hugs
   — Tove Annelise H.

August 20, 2003
Does your mask fit correctly and are you wearing it too tightly? My husband will have difficulty breathing with it if he fights what the machine is trying to do for him or if he trys to talk while the mask is on. I would suggest that you contact the company that provided it to you and see what solutions they may have for you. That is what your or your insurance company is paying for - service from the provider. Good Luck!!
   — ChristineB

August 20, 2003
Don't believe them. Call Medicaid yourself and keep calling till you get someone sympathetic and willing to listen and help. If you were given a used machine and it isn't clean or working right you might be able to convince them I know I was told to wash off my mask every night and rinse out the hose every 2-3 days. Try what the other poster said with the vinegar and water for both and then rinse well and let air dry. Can't hurt and maybe it will help. Talk to the pulmonologist and see what ideas they have. The air cleaner in your room certainly would help with the dust mites. Contact me privately. I have a room air cleaner that is looking for a new home and we might be able to work out a good deal for you. It's just been sitting unused since I put one on my furnace 4 years ago. I've been trying to figure out what to do with it. How far out is surgery? Would it even get there in time to try? Let me know! Chris D.
   — zoedogcbr

August 21, 2003
It could just be your face mask that is breaking you out. I had a sleep apnea mask over 12 yrs ago, and just wearing it ONE NIGHT would give me a huge Zit (sorry to be gross), so I couldn't use it. Now my sleep apnea is a lot worse, since I didn't use that mask often. The company I got my last machine with this past yr had 3-5 diff types of masks. They said if I wasn't satisfied to come back and try another one. My face mask now has a turquoise gel piece that fits over my mouth and nose. I love it and will want to use it even after I have surgery. Also if you change the filter (periodically) or wash it out weekly or so this cuts down on the dust, and also if you wash the tubing every 2-3 days this will possibly help too. Good Luck!
   — bufordslipstick