:D :D :D This is not a quilty, but some of you have PM'd me about these and were interested in what they are for. I use a cpap at night and when I take naps. I made these tubes to put on the straps of my mask so I don't get those nasty marks on my face from the straps. It worked out real well for me last night. I'm not sure if there are very many cpap users on this board, but in case you might be interested in these here is what they look like. Have a great day, Huggies, Fay....P.S. Sorry the pictures don't do them justice.

Darn!! I thought it was some secret beauty potion that took years off us!! hahahaha :D

If that were the case, we'd all be making them.:)

Thank you, I might try that for mine. Good idea.

What a great idea.

Yes, there are masses of folks out there who do use them. I don't, but know several who do, even RNs and other medical workers.
My son is a Respiratory Therapist, and tells me lots of people use them but don't really advertise it.

Have you considered making these for sale at craft fairs? Or even as a personal little money maker? You could use many different fabrics and colors for it, but remember that they do have to be color permanent and sterile/washable.

Wonder how many c pap users we have on here????

I have not thought about selling them , but I do know of a woman who does sell them for about $12. a pair. I got the idea from her and I don't want ot infringe on her copy right. So I'm not going ot sell them, but will be glad to give some to those who use a cpap. I can usually look at a picture and make one just like it. So far I'm the only one in my family who uses a cpap. They are so easy to make, Just measure the straps on your cpap mask and then have at it. I used fleece and it is washable and you'll also want something that does't shrink. Until I know for sure I will be hand washing these. I found a small hunk of fleece at the Goodwill for 99 cents so I'll be making extras so I have some thing to change off and on when these are washed. Doesn't matter what type of a mask you have, just measure the straps and your in business. Good luck, Huggies, Fay

My daughter uses one and recently got a bigger full face mask and it is much better now.

Great idea! Thank you for sharing with us :D:D:D

I do use a full face mask and I always have those marks on my face. Which sometimes takes quite awhile to disappear. I really need something like this, could you explain a little more how you made them? Pleaaaase!

Thank you - I will make some too.

I just measured the straps on my mask with a piece of the fabric and then put a mark where my finger was and then measured how wide and how long it should be. Then I cut 2 pieces of fleece 3 1/2"W x 7"L and then sewed them up on the long edge,1/4" seam allowance. Back stitch at the beginning and at the end of the stitching and then use a pair of hemostadts and then turn them right side out and then you unfasten the mask from the straps, depending on the style of he mask and slide them on. If you prefer, you can cut them a little bit wider and add velcro to the long edge and then wrap it around the straps with out having to unfasten them from the mask. They do feel good against the skin and are washable. when I get back from Seattle, I do plan to make a couple of sets of them. I can't get over how many diffrent styles of masks there are and what we have to do to make things more comfortable. Enjoy, Huggies, Fay

Fay,
Thank you so much. I am definitely going to make some for my mask. The material they use is definitely not the most comfortable, and sometimes if it turns just the wrong way my long hair gets caught in the velcro. Ouch!!!

I used to use a c-pap now I have a mouth appliance which I can tolerate much better.

Hi Fay,

I use this exact same mask, too!! It is by far the BEST one I've ever had, and I've used several. Anyway, I'm still using the velcro wraps that came with mine, but after nearly 6 months of use (I do hand wash them frequently), they're beginning to feel a bit scratchy. I can see how using fleece would make our masks even more comfortable.

Bless your heart for posting this great idea, too. As another poster mentioned, I imagine that there are many of us CPAP users out there, but we rarely say anything about it. If anyone out there has been told they have sleep apnea but are dubious about using a CPAP - my advice to you is JUST DO IT! I could not believe how much better I sleep and feel after using one now for almost two years.

I am quite claustrophobic, and couldn't imagine being able to use a mask, but I was fortunate that my doc recommended a
"CPAP desensitization" clinic for me. All it really amounted to was wearing my new mask (mask only, not using the machine) for only 15 minutes a day (while awake) for a week, then twice a day for 15 minutes each for another week before I was to start using my CPAP at night. This made a HUGE difference in my ability to use a mask. It helped me to wear it while I was watching TV or something like that where I was a bit distracted and not really thinking about it.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you do not begin CPAP therapy, you leave yourself wide open for a stroke or even death. This is serious business. We quit breathing many times a night when we have untreated sleep apnea. Oxygen then cannot be carried to our vital organs as needed. And, we do not get the amount of sleep nor quality of sleep we need. I was so "sleep deprived" when my apnea was diagnosed, that my doctor advised me to NOT drive, operate machinery or make any important decisions for at least two months until I could get caught up on my sleep. We need our CPAP masks to force our airway open during the night so it will not collapse and cause us to stop breathing.

Sleep apnea has been found to run in families too, so if you or someone in your family has it then it's possible another family member has it or may develop it as well. My son was actually diagnosed with it a couple of years before I was. And, out of all the possible symptoms to watch for, the only one I had was snoring. I didn't take naps during the day or fall asleep during other activities, etc. Sleep apnea can really sneak up on a person.

I hope my taking the time to share this helps someone else out there.

I do, I just left a lengthy reply concerning CPAP.

I agree! I have people tell me they don't use their machines for a huge variety of reasons. I have used mine every single night since I first received it. One night the power went out and I had the worst migraine when I woke up. The doctor said it was because my body has now become accustomed to having oxygon when I sleep. No more oxygon deprivation. I suppose it was easier for me to just force myself because my husband would desat and I knew what it looked like. If that doesn't scare you nothing will.

I used one in hospital for week , they were testing me I hated it. I feel for all of you that have to use them, but hey you need them, so God Bless you all.

I make straps for the cannula that they use for oxygen. My husband was getting sore ears and when I put one on his, the ears healed.

just want to second the lady about being tested for sleep apnea. It changed my life. blessed sleep that we need to keep our minds, heart, etc going the right way. only symptom I had was snoring. I would have worn that thing home from the sleep clinic if they would let me. first time I slept 6 hours in a row in many years. Just do it !

I do!
My Sis does!
My DH does
I know tons of people that do!

Hey, I never thought of this - what a smashing idea!! :thumbup: Hubby and I both need oxygen 24/7 and our ears get especially sore when we inadvertently step on each others 50' hose! :shock: :cry: Talk about doing the Tango, er, I mean Tangle!! :lol:

Did you know that some machines are capable of using a battery pack? Mine is, but I haven't gotten one. If a person is concerned about power outages, etc., this is worth looking into.

My O2 sats bottomed out at 75 during my sleep test. Considering over 90 is required, no wonder I was in bad shape. Hubby's got down to 78. He was the one that urged me to get tested because he spent many sleepless nights trying to get me to turn over or nudging me so I would start breathing again. Yep, it's really scary!!

Thanks! Yes, sleep is absolutely blessed!! Folks don't realize what they're missing out on until they haven't had enough sleep in a long time.

I wear the full mask because I am a mouth snorer.

They found my sleep apnea when they did a heart cath. on me. They couldn't hardly get my test done because I stopped breathing so much. As soon as I woke up from the test my cardiologist told me that I had to have the test done for sleep apnea the next night. My heart and everything was ok, it was my sleep apnea causing everything. When they did the test, I stopped breathing 91 times in an hour. Since I have had the cpap machine I really sleep all night now.

My husband uses a cpap, which in some way rubs sores on one of his ears. Would your idea help with that, do you think?

Thanks for posting will be making a set when I get home. Hugs from on c-papper to another.

This sounds like improper fitting from the straps of the mask. Perhaps the straps are too tight? Or, not positioned correctly? I would suggest either referring to the fitting instructions or CD that came with his mask or looking his mask up on the manufacturer's website where they probably also have this information. If neither of these things work, then I'd suggest he call or see his respiratory therapist in person for assistance. Good luck.

Your very welcome. Let me know if I can be of any more help. good luck wiht your padacheeks. Huggies, Fay..sheese , now I have to figure out a way to get the back of my Swift FX to stay put. It rides up and I don't like that. Well more figuring to do.

Do you put the strap below your hair, near the hairline or under your ponytail if you have one? Shown here:

http://www.resmed.com/int/products/s...ml?nc=patients

click on Fitting Guide under Documents on the right side of the page. A PDF will download. Look at the inset diagram near the top of instruction #3. Maybe this will help you.

Thank you Fay for this ideal , I also am on a cpap when I sleep
and this would help on those marks that is left across my face every morning, Hugs to you
:D :thumbup:

I love it! Great job! My DH uses a Cpap and he is forever bad about taking it off in his sleep. Grrrrr Thought about making him some sort of something that will make it harder to remove it.LOL Thank You for sharing.

I can tell I am getting really tired because my brain isn't wanting to function. You know the soft mink-like material that you can get to put on casts to prevent sores--they have a self sticky type that is available to put on the canula hose for oxygon. The home health nurse gave use some and then Norco provided it after that. We put it on for my husband because he was on 02 all of the time and it did cause sores.

Thanks so much for idea. I also use cpap machine and hate those marks left on my face each time. Gonna try to make one myself.