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?
With the CPAP, my sleep is better and I don't snore. I used to snore like a freight train. And that was when I was lean and trim, so losing weight may help, but it may not be the total answer.
Got mine last June. Can’t see how I lived without it. I no longer can sleep in past 8 AM, after sleeping until noon on weekends and still feeling tired. I stay up each night until about midnight. I have a Respironics SleepEasy and use the Fisher-Paykel HC-432 full face mask. I breathe through my mouth (congenital) and need the FFM. My pressure is 10, which isn’t too high. At first I used the ramp (starts at 4, ramps up to 10 in 20 minutes), now I just fire that bag boy up at 10 right away. Make sure you get one with a humidifier. You’ll be glad you got one and get to join the rest of us “hoseheads”. Take your time in the fitting with your respiratory therapist and don’t leave until you get a mask that doesn’t leak, or it will drive you crazy.
PM me if you have any questions.
bflr
“...Do antidepressants (SSRI) and anti-anxiety meds contribute to sleep apnea? Ive been taking both for years...”
They can.
Some SSRI meds cause inflammation of the mucus membranes contributing to upper airway resistance and increased snoring.
Any hints?
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Yes. Lose weight.
(Sorry, but its true, isnt it?)........”
That helps in many causes, but certainly not all cases.
BE WARNED!
These are usually not legal purchases! CPAP / BiPAP machines are medical devices and are regulated as such. They can only be legally sold with the order of a licensed physician.
You have NO IDEA of the quality, cleanliness or proper functioning of a machine sold second hand (many, many of the CPAPs advertised on the web as 'New' are in fact machines recycled from patients who could not tolerate them. These machines were returned to the supplying company for resale.) Do you really want someone's germs blowing up your nose.
Be sure to INSIST on a humidifier, even if you have to pay for one out of pocket. Compliance and patient comfort is improved by 40% - 50% with proper humidification. Most supplies will work with you on a reasonable payment plan.
The appliance you choose is the primary determinant to your success. Mask, nasal mask, nasal pillows are all good appliances, it is a matter of choosing the one that is best for you. Here is a sampling of what is available: Google image search
If you are to be tested, be sure your facility is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine or meets their standards and is in the accreditation process.
Be sure your equipment supplier has a licensed Respiratory Therapist on staff to assist you with adjusting to the use of the machine. Many insurance companies have contracts with major companies that make your choices very limited. Usually service suffers from these major national supplies. If there is a local company in your area, with a trained RT on staff, go with them. Ask questions, lots of questions. Check for Apnea support groups in your area.
Keep your equipment clean; change filters on a regular basis. If you have allergies, consider a HEPA type air filter machine for the room where you sleep.
DO NOT ALLOW ANY SMOKING IN YOUR HOME, PERIOD. CPAP / BiPAP machines move huge volumes of air. Smoke can linger in the air for hours after a cigarette or cigar is smoked. These particles of smoke can cause your machine to lose its calibration or fail over time.
Respironics, Invacare and ResMed are the equipment manufacturers I prefer. I have placed thousands of these machines with patients for over 25 years. There are pros and cons with each. The majority of people (in my experience, 80%) require only a basic machine with minimal bells and whistles.
These are low end, but quality machines designed for years of reliable service.
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Sleep well....
I can offer you a good perspective: I started using the CPAP exactly 1 week ago. My wife had nagged me for 10 years to get something done about my apnea and snoring. I finally went in and had the study - I have severe apnea 54 AI or apneas per hour (i am not fat, 5’11” and 180 lbs). My throat muscles are just creating blockage.
For more than 10 years, I put so much strain on my body. My heart was working so hard to get oxygen to the rest of my body, i was waking up in sweaty sheets. I was tired all of the time especially after lunch. I could sleep for 12 hours and still be tired.
After my sleep study, I was convinced I had to do something. Even though my doc requested a respironics, I went with the Resmed S8 Elite II with EPR. The DME company told me they had several recalls and problems with the new respironics equipment for some reason. I also like the Resmed LCD display that allows you to view your own nightly, weekly, monthly and yearly statistics. (you don’t have to go to the doctor to know how much you are improving.
So after the first 3 nights on CPAP which were terrible, I’ve adjusted very well to the CPAP. Last night I had a terrific night of sleep. This morning, my AI (Apnea’s per hour) was only .2!!!!!! Remember that during my sleep study, my AI was 54. this is a remarkable improvement. Furthermore, I no longer snore at all. I get more refreshed with 6 hours of sleep now than I did with 12 hours before. I cannot believe I put my body through so much strain over the past 10-15 years. I really feel like a new man.
Two negatives: I have a red spot on my nose from the full face mask - I’m trying to rectify this. Also, I wake up bloated with gas - CPAP can force air into the stomach [aerophagia]. This has improved since the first few nights. The best thing to do here is to NOT eat late in the evening before bed. That makes it much worse. Also, Doc lowered my setting on the CPAP which helped.
Save your life, live longer, live healthier and USE THE CPAP.
BTW, the extremely invasive surgery is totally hit or miss. I work with a guy who went through the painful surgery and it didn’t help him at all. They basically sandblast the back of your throat.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Young as you think you are. Keep on chugging!
Welcome to FRee Republic.
Thanks for a great testimonial. You will continue to improve, but there is a point that you are as good as you are going to get. ;-P
Hopefully your experience will persuade others to get tested and treat their condition. You are correct; it could save their life.
You are quite welcome.
The Keyword there is effective.
CPAP saves lives, well actually BiPAP (which is 2 levels of CPAP) does more. CPAP is good for improvement of daily living.
BiPAP is actually (in the clinical setting) non invasive mechanical ventilation. Many folks do not tolerate BiPAP and they either end up dead or intubated and fully dependent on mechanical ventilation.
IMO, it is best to use the CPAP nocturnally, and improve quality of life, rather than resist the therapy and die prematurely or rely on MV for the remainder of ones days.
I just called the DME supplier that my sleep doc sent my prescription to. It turns out they’re giving me a Respironics DS100S with heated humidity. In a CPAP forum I’ve been reading, they go all out for a fully data capable machine that will tell you your AHI and leakage during the night. Is it worth it to fight for this feature or is a basic machine good enough?
I prefer a basic machine for my patients. You only need the features you describe if you have an extreme case of OSA that is life threatening. That is my opinion.
The decision to fight for a better machine is entirely up to you.
http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/Respironics-M-Series-DS100-CPAP-Machine.html
Thanks for your quick reply. I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea (21 AHI) and they didn’t say anything about it being life threatening.
By the way the forum at cpap.com is where I’ve been reading about people insisting on the fully data capable machine. Of course it makes me want the fancier machine, but if it’s going to take a long time to fight for one, I’m not sure it’s worth it at this point. I just want to get a machine and start sleeping like I’m supposed to ASAP!
My skinny hubby has sleep apnea, and a history of outrageous snoring since he was a kid. They don’t always go hand in hand.
If you are a bad snorer, does that mean apnea? I snore loud, but I sleep well. No fatigue next day or waking up in the middle of the night unless one of the kids come in. Could I still have apnea?
Had a friend who died before CPAPs became the golden standard...she was young, too, not yet 40. Had it horribly bad, refused to use the oral device they had fitted her with...and it killed her in the end.
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