VANITY: Anyone use a CPAP machine?

Me

[mom3boys]

I was just diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and waiting for a my prescription for my CPAP machine.

I'm just wondering if there are any Freepers who've had experience with CPAP. Any hints? Tips? Websites? Will I ever be able to stop using it?

[mom3boys]

I’m the only one in my family who’s been diagnosed with apnea. But then again, I’m the only one who’s ever had a sleep study done!

Oddly, the loudest snorer in my family was my grandfather. He’s 96 (yes, he’s still around!)

[mom3boys]

Do antidepressants (SSRI) and anti-anxiety meds contribute to sleep apnea? I’ve been taking both for years.

[lady lawyer]

It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it, but now I love it. I am more rested, and just generally feel better. I don’t wake up constantly.

[rightly_dividing]

BTW, not all sleep disorders are due to overweight.

I'm not in the medical field at all, so I am not expert, but do know that my Dr. uses one, and his nurse, too. Both of them are trim and fit looking.

[Radix]

I never believed that so many folks could be claustrophobic.

The CPAP/BiPAP masks do cause an amount of closure, but they are life savers.

CPAP will save your life. I wish that I could share all the testimonies that I have.

[DManA]

I suppose your going to tell me he smokes 5 cigars a day too ggggg.

[mom3boys]

Nah, he never smoked or drank excessively. He’s just one of those tough old guys who use to work very very hard at the farm when he was young.

[Yardstick]

I’m pretty sure I have apnea symptoms when I sleep on my back. I tend to snore and occasionally will wake up gasping for breath. It’s like my glottis relaxes and blocks my airway. No problem though if I sleep on my side or my belly.

I wonder how many people who suffer from sleep apnea sleep on their back? It wouldn’t surprise me if it were 100%. And I wonder how many CPAP users could do away with the CPAP by changing sleeping positions.

[mom3boys]

I sleep on my side, well, at least I fall asleep on my side, but who knows what happens during the night?

They say that 90% of sleep apnea goes undiagnosed. I guess I should consider myself lucky that I was sent for a sleep study and can do something about it.

[Plumberman27]

Instead of a mask try using what are called nose pillows. I sleep like a brick now.

[mom3boys]

At my titration study last week, I first tried on the nasal pillow because I told them I was a bit claustrophobic. I could only stand it for 10 minutes. They felt like leaf blowers stuck up my nose! Then they tried me on a nasal mask and did much, much better. Didn’t feel claustrophobic at all.

The worse part was when the tech would ask me a question. Talking while wearing it was uncomfortable. I also had a dry throat, but the tech said I probably opened my mouth a little but my numbers were still good, so they’re recommending the nasal mask.

The machine I tried was Respironics, with the humidifier.

[goat granny]

My husband had bad sleep apnea..sometimes I would be in bed and finally have to kick him to get him to breath...he died at the age of 52. Sudden and only heart attach in the back yard...Sleep apnea is far worse than snoring...

I use breath rite strips and it cuts down on my snoring. (I have been told by my grand daughters when we shared a cabin on an Alaskan cruise.) It also lets me breath better when laying down....

Hubby took no medications what so ever and looked strong as an ox....In 33 years of marriage, he was sick only once, after he took a flu shot at work...

[mom3boys]

Was your husband ever treated for his sleep apnea?

[rightly_dividing]

Thanks, they switched me to a unit that fits on the upper lip and has two nostril outlets. That works a lot better. They started to irritate the inside of my nostrils after a week or so, but a little trimming to fit helped. I do like the machine, and the better rest is well worth the trouble. I highly advise using it if diagnosed with apnea.

[rottndog]

I've had a cpap for 5 years now. It took me several months to get used to it, but then again, I am a very picky sleeper. It was very much worth the time it took to learn how to tolerate. I sleep very well now, and don't sleep without it.

The mask makes all the difference. I use a Respironics Comfort Gel nasal mask (not full face)...

It is really adjustable and very comfortable. The key is patience....it will take time to figure out how to fit it just right to your face.

Another issue you will have is learning to sleep with your mouth closed. CPAP won't work if the air just blows out your mouth (what will happen if you don't have a full face). I found that wearing a dental night guard helps for that (my dentist made me wear one to keep me from grinding my teeth, and it helped to keep my mouth shut).


Well worth the effort and patience needed to learn how to sleep with it on. Benefits FAR outweigh the negatives.

[lawdave]

I use one. The only way to get rid of it is to loose weight. I am working on that right now. I got used to mine very fast and sleep much better now. I prefer the CPAP to being a zombie from lack of sleep.

[Radix]

A lot of folks prefer the pillows. Many of them also need a chin strap. Mouth breathers are quite problematic when they are uncomfortable with full face masks.

I have seen that the masks are troublesome for a lot of patients. I have also seen that those who are compliant with the therapy (and masks) tend to live a lot longer than those who are not.

[mom3boys]

I think that’s the one I tried that worked for me. Does it have a clip thing in the front of the nose so you can adjust it?

[edh]

“Yes. Lose weight.
(Sorry, but it’s true, isn’t it?)”

Nope. Sometimes, but not always.

I am a *bit* overweight (as in 15 pounds), but that is not the problem. The problem is that the throat muscles seem to relax a bit too much thus cutting off the ability to breathe. It is relatively common.

As far as using a CPAP, I highly recommend getting one with a humidifier and DO NOT GIVE UP ON IT. You will get used to it and it makes a world of difference.

[goat granny]

All the nagging in the world could not get that 240 pound polock to the doctor....He missed out on 13 grandchildren...take care of your health...After he passed, I nagged my children not to ignore their health...My oldest (and a freeper) had a major heart attack in his mid 40’s. Son #2 had to have a stent put in his coronary artery's in his mid 40’s....They both did not ignore their problems..It took a while for me to get over being pis$ed off at him...but that was 20 years ago...