Posted on 09/22/2009 2:51:14 PM PDT by 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?
I would like to eventually use the nasal pillows. That’s why they tried it on me first, because they looked more comfortable to me and I asked for them.
The tech did say that some people need to get used to CPAP first before they are able to tolerate the nasal pillows. Others are lucky enough to be able to wear them from the beginning.
They did tell me that the mask you use doesn’t matter, as long as it’s what’s comfortable for you and is effective.
I have known many thin people with apnea.
The adjustment is on the forehead pad....it rotates front to back to adjust the compression of the gel around the nose.
I have had one for at least five years and would not sleep without it. I feel more rested more energy and you sleep better than ever. The nose mask is no problem.
Thank you for your story. Maybe it will prompt somebody to get a sleep study and save a life!
Don't worry, my sleep study center presented me with many different options and I bet yours will too. Keep an open mind and don't be afraid to experiment. And don't be afraid to contact your physican and /or your sleep study center to get things dialed in just so.
I had reached a point where my fatigue was really affecting my life. Just steering a car was almost beyond my ability. Since starting with my CPAP machine I have been much better. It really helps.
One thing keep everything clean and follow instructions for the care of your machine. In two years I have yet to have a problem.
Good luck!
This is an interesting and informative thread.
After seeing the pictures, and reading the posts, I’m curious about the cleaning and sterilizing routine for these machines.
Been using one for two years. It’s a life saver. My dad died, I know now, from conditions brought on by sleep apnea. He had been miserable for years. Never diagnosed. First CPAP machine was tested the year before he passed away. Mine was so bad (waking up 23 times an hour, not breathing for more than 10 seconds at a time 8 times an hour) that I had no problem adjusting to the machine. First morning after using one in the lab, I woke up and felt intoxicated. “Normal” felt like being high. Some have problems adjusting but for me, using the machine is like putting on reading glasses. I do not even think about it.
I clean my face mask with dish washing liquid and warm water. Rinse and air dry. Flush my hose weekly (sometimes every two weeks) with hot water for about five minutes. Blow air from the CPAP machine through it every hour or so until it drys. Takes three to four hours. Wash the CPAP intake sponge filter every two weeks and replace the sponge filter and HEPA filter quarterly. My mask seal is a membrane that uses CPCP pressure to seal and it tends to weaken over time I replace it, the mask, and hose quarterly. Oh, I wash the face mask strap weekly with dish washing liquid and water. Sounds like a lot but it’s really no big deal.
bttt
Does anyone use a special pillow at night with their CPAP?
I’m thinking of getting something like this:
http://www.cpap.com/viewImage.php?PNum=2450&Image=Double-Edged—PAPillow.jpg
It’s pretty pricey for a pillow, but if it really helps, I’m willing to spend the money.
I have over 30,000 hours using CPAPs - more than 13 years.
It all started with the onset of migraine headaches. A dozen doctors including 8 neurologists couldn’t give me an answer. They did give me lots and lots of different drugs including all sorts of anti-depressants. Every drug came with the same instruction - take with food - and surprise, most of them, especially the anti-depressants carry the side-effect of destroying your metabolism. That caused me to gain 80 pounds over those 5 years. That, of course, caused my apnea to get progressively worse. It took five years and falling asleep during an accupuncture treatment to finally get the right diagnosis.
Sleep apnea is most often diagnosed in people who are middle-aged and 40 or more pounds overweight. Losing weight absolutely reduces the need for the CPAP. You don’t normally just stop using a CPAP. As your weight comes down, your doc will reduce your pressure until you are ready to come off the machine. Sleep apnea is a huge cause of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and others. I read one study when I was first diagnosed that really got my attention. One of the East Coast schools did a survey of 1000 patients who had sleep-time strokes. They found that 98% of them had sleep apnea. Take it seriously.
Your choice of mask is the absolutely most important decision you will make concerning your sleep apnea. The proper fit and seal is the difference between good sleep and fighting leaks all night. It will take time to determine the best mask for you and the only way to do that is unfortunately the very expensive trial and error method. Masks regularly cost over $200 each and some insurance companies don’t cover them.
Most insurance companies have what is basically a rent-to-own agreement with the equipment suppliers. That makes sense for new patients. The failure rates are high for new patients. It is aggravating for us old heads. I can buy a new CPAP on the internet for less than what my annual deductible and co-payments are on the monthly billing for the rent to own.
Thank you Nuc1,
That really isn’t that complicated, as you indicated.
I had thought it might be more involved than that, although that would be the least of the concerns considering the benefits, of course.
Ditto! My LAP -Band weight loss is still under way,I'm down 95lbs and have thrown away that damned CPAP machine! I also can refer to myself as a former diabetic,
I'm down from 340 lbs and can now do a mile a day on the treadmill...used to be I couldn't do 100 yards.This is at age 70,so it's never too late.
41 and been on CPAP for a year now. Use just a nose mask, but I wake rested and not throughout the night. Used to wake up tired and wife would say I snored horribly with my breathing stopping a lot. I think it’s a life savior.
I have used CPAPs for 18+ yrs. Haven’t had an uninterrupted night’s sleep in that time. Things to think about:
1. With me, the CPAP pressure pushes my tongue and jaw forward, clearing the airway. This placed the front teeth in position for teeth grinding.
2. Doctor’s Night Guard is inexpensive, but I immediately bit through them. They are too soft.
3. If you are paying for it yourself, look on the internet: You can get the same machine for 1/3 to 1/4 the cost from “Medical Supply” places (but someone has to set the pressure your MD prescribed).
4. If you have narrow nostrils, if the mask touches your nostril, it may hinder breathing.
5. The testers decide on the pressure, in both Brainwaves, and oxygen saturation. In certain situations, when carbon monoxide replaces a little of the oxygen in the blood, they may set the pressure too low. The oximeter reads the CO as O2.
6. At first, I did all the washing, etc as recommended. that machine finally broke down; the two I have used since are still working, with essentially no maintenance (I do change the filters occasionally).
People Are Not All The Same. Your experience may well be entirely different.
DG
Lots of great responses so far. Hoping to hear more!
You haven’t had an uninterrupted night’s sleep in over 18 years? Yikes! But has the CPAP worked for you when you DO sleep?
>>”has the CPAP worked for you when you DO sleep?”
Well, yes, it does work. I cannot sleep without it. Mostly the problem has been allergies.
DG
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