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Another newbie with setup questions - Pita2112 - 03-10-2015
Hello all. Getting my apap machine on Thursdays and I'm trying set up the bedroom. Do most of you use a regular pillow or Cpap pillow? Do you use a hose manager of some sort? Will be using a FFM if that matters. Any other set up advise? Machine will be on a night stand next to the bed. Does it matter if the night stand is higher or lower than the bed?
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - Tez62 - 03-10-2015
Welcome Pita2112, I always have the hose coming from above my head for two reasons, first it pulls the mask up instead of down and saves leaks and secondly it save you getting tangled. I made my own hose manager system but you can hang it over your bedhead if you have one or but one over the net.
My other suggestion to newbies is use mask liners with a FFM, you can buy them over the net or some insurance companies cover them or you can make your own fairly cheaply, I can send you the instructions if you want to make them yourself. Good luck with your journey, stick with it and you will see really good results and above all stay positive.
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - trish6hundred - 03-10-2015
Hi Pita2112,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
You can have the hose routed over your head, either with a hose management system, or something homemade, such as a hook of some sort attached to your bed, and some string to loop the hose through.
Hang in there for more suggestions and much success to you as you start your CPAP therapy.
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - Pita2112 - 03-10-2015
(03-10-2015, 09:47 PM)Tez62 Wrote: Welcome Pita2112, I always have the hose coming from above my head for two reasons, first it pulls the mask up instead of down and saves leaks and secondly it save you getting tangled. I made my own hose manager system but you can hang it over your bedhead if you have one or but one over the net.
My other suggestion to newbies is use mask liners with a FFM, you can buy them over the net or some insurance companies cover them or you can make your own fairly cheaply, I can send you the instructions if you want to make them yourself. Good luck with your journey, stick with it and you will see really good results and above all stay positive.
How do the mask liners help?
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - surferdude2 - 03-10-2015
Hi Pita2112, The mask liners are useful if you have a problem with the full face mask irritating you nose, which is common. They can also ameliorate leaks around the nose bridge and prevent them from being bothersome, which is also common. They can also prevent any allergic reaction that some users have when the silicon mask cushion contacts their skin, that's not very common though. I find mask liners make the mask more forgiving when it gets bumped or otherwise slid around. I make my own from my discarded tee shirts since pure cotton is most suitable for this application. Currently I have mine sized to only cover the upper half of my nose since that was my area of greatest irritation. YMMV
edit: If you don't have a lot of flesh on your nose, that is to say you have a bony nose like I do, then the slightest pressure will cut off the blood supply and you can develop a pressure sore similar to a bed sore that some people get. That's what happened to me and the mask liner solved the problem.
Best regards, Dude
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - AshSF - 03-11-2015
(03-10-2015, 09:41 PM)Pita2112 Wrote: Hello all. Getting my apap machine on Thursdays and I'm trying set up the bedroom. Do most of you use a regular pillow or Cpap pillow? Do you use a hose manager of some sort? Will be using a FFM if that matters. Any other set up advise? Machine will be on a night stand next to the bed. Does it matter if the night stand is higher or lower than the bed?
I use a regular pillow. No point paying $$$ for a pillow brand with the word "CPAP" in it
I use a hose manager made out of a cable tie and a clamp (total cost less than $1). No point paying $$$ for a stand with the word "Cpap" in its brandname
This system dangles the hose from the top of the headboard and keeps the mask stable.Machine should be at a level lower than your head, to reduce the chance of rainout dropping into your mask in the night. If you are using a climateline hose with your Autoset then the level is not that relevant since the heated hose will much reduce the chance of rainout. Machine should be at a level and a place where you don't drag the machine while sleeping. It has happened with members here before. Using a hose manager will help here. Some people also rest the machine on a surface which is more resistant to movement (like a mousepad or some liner type material).
Nightstand placement with a hose management should work.
Also, I would encourage you to switch to a nasal pillows mask now or down the road. Much easier to control leaks and needs less pressure to be effective. And much more stable and minimalistic vs. a FFM.
When I started CPAP, thinking that I am a mouth breather, I started on a FFM (Airfit F10) and was on it for 100 days. Then I switched to a nasal pillows mask (Airfit P10) and was amazed by it. If I knew earlier, I would have started with the P10 rather than the F10.
Good luck.
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - sumzzzs - 03-11-2015
Hi Pita2112, I'm fairly new 3.5 months in, I will tell you some things that worked for me: One thing I rigged up a hose hanger at first just out of a coat hanger that I ductaped to side of nightstand. It keeps hose from tangling up in bedding if it comes from above. Since then I've rigged a more permanent hanger but still use a loop formed from coat hanger. I use the mask liner I purchased online and it so helps with comfort wearing my FFM and also controls leaks. After switching from reg bed pillows I now use the form fitting pillows, only one so my chin isn't pointing down possibly inducing apnea.
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - Tez62 - 03-11-2015
surferdude, pretty much answered it for me
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - archangle - 03-11-2015
Welcome.
Make sure you can't pull your machine off the table. If you turn it over with water in the humidifier, you can damage your machine. You might want to put it in a drawer, on the floor, or route the hose such that you can't pull the machine over. One trick is to tie the hose to the headboard or some other high point such that you can't pull on the machine.
Having the machine lower than the bed helps a little with "rainout" where water condenses in your hose, but it doesn't matter, other than that. Even then, it doesn't help that much.
RE: Another newbie with setup questions - OpalRose - 03-11-2015
Welcome Pita2112,
Well, I guess I'm in the minority here.
I tried an overhead mount and it just didn't work out for me, but I use a lightweight P10 nasal pillow mask, so it doesn't bother me to just leave it draped over my chest and use a clip to attach to PJ or blanket. I can turn either way without it pulling, works great for me.
I also ordered one of those CPAP pillows with cutouts on the sides. Unless you like sleeping on a brick for a pillow, don't bother with it. It's hit or miss as to what will work for you.
As far as rainout, I dont experience it, but I use a heated hose so it stays dry.
:welcome:
OpalRose