Posted on 11/01/2018 4:11:06 PM PDT by Dacula
A couple of months ago I had an incident with my heart The doctor recommended changes to my medicine along with getting a CPAP machine.
My machine arrived today and I will begin journey of using the new machine.
I am curious if anyone has any comments, good or bad about using a CPAP machine.
Daughter has used one for years - says it’s a bit awkward at times, but loves it for the comfortable sleep it gives her otherwise.....
My experience is that most sleep apnea problems can be remedied by losing weight.
...Can’t sleep without one.
Ditto here
I would be dead now without it
BP went up to 240/140, chest pain, sob
Didn’t know I was stopping breathing 50x/hr
O2 sat dropping to 62%
Dramatically improved over one month of BiPap
I REFUSE to go to bed without it
Data doesn’t lie if you had a good sleep study done. Mine was done 5 years ago, I had 59 episodes of apnea during the night. I go in every 2 years now for a check up and they read the data on my CPAP. I was just there recently. My machine has over 16,000 hours on it and I’ll be able to get a new one after Christmas. It will be 5 years now just after Christmas and I am at 100% usage 8-9 hours a night and I average 2 episodes of apnea a night. I sleep good, I even dream again. Best wishes on your journey.
Very quiet. I sleep sooo much better. 10 years. Also low oxygen can lead to cancer too.
Another thing, the SoClean cpap cleaner they advertise on TV is great. Well worth it.
Use the citrus wipes daily and the masks last months.
I have been using CPAP for over 25 years, my FP and Cardiologist feel that it has keep me alive.
The new models are quiet and the masks are minimal re weight.
Get a CPAP machine that has a reservoir for water to moisturize your in coming air and a hose that maintains a steady warm temp.
Clean your mask and hoses every morning after using them.
I use one every day, but my spouse has tried numerous types of headgear and nasal apparatuses. Turns out she’s allergic to the rubber/plastic that fits against her skin.
I had the nasal pillow for years and then “zap”, it started making the inside of my nasal passage sensitive.
I love mine - took a little getting used to, but now I love it.
And, no AFib episodes in 3 years.
Can I ask you what kind of incident did you have with your heart? I was having AFIB’s. Now I’m on Flecainide. Since I’ve been on it I get no more AFIB’s!
I use an APAP nose pillow and love it. I could never get comfortable with a CPAP mask. Feel better after beginning use than I had for many years!
Greatest single improvement to my health, ever.
Bottom line: You WILL get used to it, your sleep will vastly improve, and your overall health will too.
Good lord! I go CAMPING with boyscouts with my CPAP. Get a Goal Zero battery pack and get outside! My CPAP saved my marriage!
They are not the quietist thing to sleep with. Take a bit to find out exactly what type of mask your comfortable with. I would say about 3 months to figure out how you want to sleep with it.
“With a clap, you no longer need to sacrifice oxygen for safety. You can hide under the blankets and continue to breathe just fine, even if there ie a fart under the covers!”
Au contraire!
The CPAP machine sucks in the surrounding air and pushes it with pressure into your airway - that includes stray farts wafting around in the room.
One time our dog was sleeping on our bed with her butt pointed RIGHT AT my CPAP machine, and let go...
I just about died.
This is the one and only thing I never liked about the CPAP, but even with this bio hazard, it’s well worth it.
Another thumbs up for the Philips Respironics DreamStation. It shows bar charts and stats on a color LCD display. For example it tells you if too much air is leaking out at night (percent). It’s a bit expensive but my insurance covered it.
I don’t post too often but I am passionate about this because CPAPs save / improve lives. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea and have since I was a kid. While being overweight is often the primary cause in adults, that’s not the case not me. It’s just the way my head, neck and throat are built! I’ve been an athlete and very fit my entire life and it’s had no bearing on the severity of my apnea . I’m on my third machine and the newer units are extremely quiet. As others here have said, take your time with the RT and get a set up that fits. You will likely need to try several types of masks. The new machines are amazing and the soft gel headgear and (for me) the nasal pillow are extremely comfortable and allow you to sleep on your side if you are so inclined. I now end up on my back as soon as I fall asleep.
I am 100% compliant and can’t / won’t sleep without it. My CPAP literally changed my life. I also paid $1200 for a custom oral appliance (the OTC things are JUNK) because I also have severe bruxism which is VERY common for apnea sufferers. If you also grind your teeth and can afford a proper oral appliance I highly recommend you see your dentist and discuss. I used to have a regular night guard for grinding but the new apnea appliances are amazing. They are two piece, fit very firmly and are adjustable. Not cheap but well made and help tremendously. Get your CPAP, get used to it and use it. It will save / extend your life. Don’t let some armchair doctor here or anywhere else tell you it won’t or that CPAPs are for sissies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.