Posted on 10/04/2024 4:53:42 AM PDT by LouAvul
I’ve always snored. My dad did too and so does my brother. My brother got a CPAP machine but after a while came to really dislike it. We both independently discovered that if we are a little elevated rather than totally flat, that helps with the sleep apnea. Also, my dentist fitted me for a mouthpiece that keeps me from grinding my teeth (she knew I snored from how I’d been grinding my teeth) but it also keeps me from snoring.
I’ll take that any day over a CPAP. I don’t think I could ever sleep well with either a mask over my face or a couple tubes going into my nose.
I was compliant for a year before it turned on me, constantly waking me up.
Since it was defeating its purpose, I packed it up an put it in the closet.
FWIW, I’ve never met a single soul who had a sleep study that wasn’t prescribed CPAP, so draw your own conclusions, as I did.
Husband and I both have cpaps. He’s always had the full face mask. I started out with the nasal mask, but after a few years I was snoring again with it, so had to adjust to a full face mask. Then, after my last sleep study, I got a new mask for side-sleepers. It’s hard to describe, but the mask sits under your nose and over your mouth, with the hose coming out on top of your head.
I still wake up several times a night from the mask slipping (which results in noise), but that’s better than stopping breathing hundreds of times a night.
The point of it all is NOT to give you a better night’s sleep, but to keep you from dying in your sleep.
I’ve had 3 different units (provided by the VA) since 2005/2006, and honestly, they’ve gotten smaller quieter, and I absolutely cannot sleep without it. I have fallen asleep on a couch, in a chair watching football, etc. - but when I lie down in bed, the mask goes on.
Great post. It’s all in the data. I had 59 episodes a night and when I first got my machine I slept for 12 hours straight. I use it every night and even if I take a nap. The proof is in the data which gets uploaded to the doc. I go in every couple of years but they a periodically check my data. It works. And it’s not just about sleep but long term health.
On my 2nd machine & can’t live without it. I have no problem sleeping on my stomach with it but I’m the exception. There are a lot of options. I haven’t met anyone who has gone the Inspire surgery route, but know people who have success with mouth guards and even lasering of their throat but my understanding is that’s only good for several years. Best of luck.
I need one, but can’t wear the face hugger. Hope you have a better experience.
I had a friend that nodded off in the daytime.
I was not able to convince him that he had a problem.
About six months later he got a CPAP machine.
Properly adjusted, it worked well for him.
I don’t recollect the machine being noisy. It does make some noise, though.
There is something about a CPAP machine and an aging parent that tests your patience and “compassionate” care when you are bombarded with requests to get them working right and every usage situation seems to have unique “other” things for them to work right. But they did give to me when I was unable to care for myself . . .
The ONLY thing that was good about the time it took me to get it was that by the time I got hooked up, they had brought out the tiny 2-nostril mask. I avoided the whole full-face Darth Vader Mask era. It took me about a month to get used to it, because there WILL be nights when you wake up and THINK THERE IS A DAMN ALIEN FACE-HUGGER on your face. But once I got through that... pure bliss. NOW if I don't sleep well, it's because of the new kitten or because I didn't get my ass in bed early enough. DO IT.
I tried one of those and it was so loud! The rep kept saying I didn’t have a good seal, but I know how to wear nasal pillow type masks. It was only loud upon exhaling. I liked the idea of it, but I couldn’t make it work. As far as the overall machine noise, I use a Yogasleep Dohm, which is like a fan in an enclosure. It makes the fan noise without all the air movement. You would instantly recognize it, as they have been advertised in magazines for decades (probably under a different name).
When the doc said I’d have to wear it for the rest of my life my reaction was F—K THAT! I just didn’t want to live that way. My lady friend, a nurse tried it twice and gave up.
The doc then told me to see a psychiatrist.
I live alone.
Thanks for the link- hadn’t heard of that one before. Looks intriguing.
My machine: Is a Resperonics. The model name is on the back of the thing,
and it’s
buried under stuff on the nightstand - so I can’t get at it right now.
But when selecting a machine - the quieter the better.
My mask: Is a BMC 3B RIO II Nasal Pillows Interface. Item# RII1000
Trust me on the Nasal Pillows - they make a comfort difference.
Masks come in Small, Medium, and Large.
Note: The mask is made in China, so….
Another discovery I’ve made - Nasal saline gel. What the heck is it?
A clear sterile saline paste, put a tiny dab of your finger and rub it on the
inside of you nostrils at bedtime before putting on the mask. Keeps your
nostrils hydrated. Even the moisturized air from the CPAP machine can
dry out the inside of you nostrils and they can get sore. This saline paste
mostly solves that problem. If the nostril soreness thing gets problematic,
I skip a night or two of the CPAP machine. But with the gel, it is almost
never a problem.
But with the usage of the thing, I sleep better, more soundly, and wake up more refreshed.
Seems to help keep me from getting congested also..
Good luck!
They told me I had 64 episodes an hour, where I supposedly stopped breathing, however, I downloaded a recording app, recorded for the whole night, and listened to myself breathing normally and consistently the whole night. Never heard any snorting or choking or gasping or fighting to breathe, and the breathing was steady.
Me too. Besides, who doesn’t want to go peacefully in their sleep?
My situation is a bit different, cpap causes problems with another health issue I have, so I opted not to wear it- was too much trouble to deal with- I did try for 3 months, but the problems it created were insurmountablez- I never did wake refreshed and “feeling amazing” like they said I would. Still woke feeling like a Mac truck had run me over th3n backed up and did it again.
If your doctor says you need a CPAP by all means find equipment that works for you. Sleep apnea is not just about snoring ott not sleeping well. It means you stop breathing many times during the night. Obviously this is not good for you and the oxygen deprivation can cause a myriad of problems that could potentially be fatal. There are a variety of different machines and masks/nasal pillows you can try. The machine generally is less of a problem than the mask or pillow. Make sure it’s a good fit and that it’s reasonably comfortable. The sensation of breathing is different than ordinary breathing, but you will get used to it.
I was fortunate. I never had any real issue getting used to my equipment, but I certainly understand that it’s difficult for a lot of people. Don’t give up though; it is medically necessary and could save your life
Unable to determine what blocked the flow, since the tube is on a swivel.
Now on O2, but need a quieter machine.
CPAP machines seem to me to be another medical product, like blood pressure medicines, that try to treat or offset symptoms and do not get to, or alter, the real underlying cause or causes. Just my opinion.
You are probably right; most people who have sleep studies done are recommended to get a CPAP. That doesn’t imply some conspiracy on the part of medical providers though. Sleep studies are not routine care. People who get them have symptoms of sleep issues, so it’s not really surprising that a lot of people who get sleep studies need CPAP. They wouldn’t be doing the study unless they were having sleep problems.
Most people who have cardiac catheterization have coronary artery blockages. Most people who get MRIs on their knee have some kind of ligament damage. This really is no different than those examples.
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