After the mess up with the original mask with the sleep machine I am pleased to say that the new mask is operating much better
It does occasionally leak but, I think that is if I knock it whilst turning over in my sleep. I still have some trouble with the humidifier causing irritation to some parts of my face, making me itch, but on the whole I have managed to sleep much better.
Last Friday afternoon was another check up appointment at New Cross – trainers and socks ment I got there and back with out any further injuries although the appointment was of a usual NHS standard.
Firstly their clock was ten minutes fast so I only just got there on time and had a customary 20 minute wait with show jumping on the tv. I was surprised to find I remained awake durring the Swiss and French efforts and finally got called through. I would previously have fell asleep long before they came for me.
So then the fun started – blood pressure down 15 points on top notch (pretty good)and one of the nurses went off to read the data recorded on my box. I re-did the sleep questionaire and found there had been some improvement despite the mess with the first mask.
They then attempted to use the data print out to blind me with science. However, I caused some confusion by having a machine with a top reading of only 4 when they are only normally issued with a start reeading of 8+. I explained how they had been debating whether I needed a machine or not and said I believed I had been issued with it to shut me up. Nevertheless, the technician then launched into the print out showing how there had been four peaks in presure (automatic increaases to keep you breathing) over the chosen night and that otherwise it had worked fine.
I pointed out that in fact, I had either been parched by the machine or awoken by itching according to the setting. This apparantly is to be expected, but they never warn you of this and in fact it is supposed to take you about a month to get used to this. However, it is only deemed necessary to wear the mask for four hours a night, despite them telling you should wear it all night long.
So despite the obvious improvements to my sleep and ability to function durring the day a little more alert and clear headed, officially I should not have a machine, even though their data clearly illustrate three to four peaks in a night. I remain a little mystified as to what they expected to find or as to what the rest of the 30 days data print out indicated. This strikes me as yet another NHS cop out.
Still, I got to keep the machine and was told the next appointment would not be for five years and to keep using it as long as it improved my condition.