CPAP - Good or Bad

11/1/18 | Self

[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.

[Celerity]

It looks like not a lot of people are taking to your methods here :)

But I agree - I never considered the CPAP but I snored like a power boat. about 15 pounds UNDER weight, reformed smoker and have restless leg syndrome. Quitting cigs didn’t do anything for my sleep. (But nicotine patch dreams are THE BEST)

The RLS will put me on the couch, but since doing something similar to you (30 minutes running every day, 30 minutes exercise, 5 minutes breathing meditation) it’s gone.

Seriously, the exercise has done more for my health than the smoking cessation and the diet changes. Cheers !

[Yankee]

I was a sleep-deprived mess before I got one about 10 years ago.

Results of a sleep study determined that I did not have sleep apnea but my snoring was so bad that I continuously roused myself from the lower stages of sleep. I would not awaken fully, so I thought I slept through the night, but I never attained R.E.M. sleep and thus awakened every morning feeling worse than I did when I went to bed.

Because I did not have a sleep apnea diagnosis my insurance would not pay for my machine. I received a prescription from the doctor so I purchased my unit out-of-pocket. It’s some of the best money I ever spent.

I cannot sleep for more than an hour or so without it. I wind up waking myself up.

Good luck with yours. If yours has a humidifier make sure to use it.

The CPAP has a tendency to dry out your sinuses otherwise and you may suffer the next day with a severe runny nose as a result.

[reluctantwarrior]

A restful nights sleep is a wonderful thing and it may take a bit of work to get there. It will take time to condition yourself to leave the mask on. You will likely not tolerate the first type of mask you try. Give it a week with each type of mask, full face nasal pillows etc before deciding its a no go. It took me 90 days to settle on a mask and use it regularly, every night, and sleep through the night. I will caution you though that once I slept through the night I slept so deeply that I did not wake up to use the bathroom a couple of times. It is worth the hassle and trial and error.

[FrogMom]

I’ve had my machine for right at 6 years. It’s not WiFi-capable, so the software doesn’t work for me.

Lately my machine’s humidifier has been shutting off in the middle of the night. I’ve been fighting with my provider to get a new machine, but because mine heats at first, they say nothing is wrong with it. Plan on going to war on Tuesday.

[greeneyes]

It can save your heart, brain, and life. I was so very tired, and started having memory problems.

For example, on Thanksgiving, I told my daughter the same thing 3 times in a row in 5 minutes time, and had no memory of it.

Tests showed that my oxygen levels were down under 80% much of the time. No oxygen kills brain cells and wreaks havoc on other things.

CPAP brings it up to 94% or more.

[right way right]

CPAP Good, I'm 55 and have used one for close to 10 years.
I prefer it without a humidifier. A regular mask on my nose.
Helps prevent acid reflux at night. I use to aspirate into my lungs and wake up coughing...it was awful.
I was not breathing right and not sleepkng.
Lost 20 Lbs and probably don't need it, but I still like it.
My wife likes no snoring.

[trebb]

Pain in the butt but if you need one, a life saver...had a friend who used one and when he didn’t show for work one day, and didn’t answer the phone, we sent someone to see if he was OK...found hm dead with the CPAP mask on the pillow beside him as if he had tossed and dislodged it (I think his wasn’t one with the straps to make that almost impossible...at any rate, he died because he wasn’t breathing.

[ShadowAce]

I use the CPAP Pro. There are no straps, and it can be very quiet, it adjusted properly.

The downside is that it can be pricey. For me, it's worth it.

[joe fonebone]

the mask makes all the difference in the world. i use a dreamwear mask and it is the best i have ever used. been using cpap for 30 years now.....

[joe fonebone]

I run with a Fisher Pykel ICON machine. it is the quietest machine out there. has one drawback, it does not remember heat settings. you have to dial it in every night. I can do that in the dark.

if you are renting the machine you are over paying for it. get your script and purchase online. same goes for hoses and masks.

[JoeFromSidney]

My wife has used one for over a year. She says it helps her sleep better, and cuts down the risk of a stroke. I'd say go for it if your doctor thinks you need it.

[Revolutionary]

O2 sat is a bit confusing. You would think anything above 90% was an A. Low 90’s is already a B. Mid 80’s is a D and requires supplemental oxygen. Low 70’s is an F minus. Are you alive in the low 60’s? Wow.

Just started with my CPAP. Going good so far. I wore a mask for 14 years. So an easier transition I think.

[HangnJudge]

Lord didn’t want me yet...

[Dacula]

Update - I have been using the CPAP machine for two nights.

I slept for over 10 hours last night.... I am getting a more restful sleep and feel less drained when I wake up.

I have been using an app called MyAir and it rate my quality of sleep. It feels so nice to not be so tense all of the time.

Thank you to everyone for your input and supporting comments.