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?

[Islander7]

I don’t use one, but I am a respiratory therapist with 20+ years in sleep disorders.

[Responsibility2nd]

Any hints?

____________________________

Yes. Lose weight.

(Sorry, but it’s true, isn’t it?)

[Xenalyte]

Xena’s Dad does. He even has an auxiliary one at his weekend place. He loves it!

[DManA]

Been using one for about six months. I didn’t have too much problem adapting. I suggest you make a real effort to keep using it. They are finding out more and more how really dangerous this condition is. My dad died pretty young and he used to literally rock the house when he snored.

[Piranha]

My snoring went way, way down (or so my wife tells me) when I stopped eating gluten.

I’m sure that CPAPs work, but try eliminating all gluten (meaning, no bread, cake, crackers, sauces made with flour, and on and on) from your diet for a week, and see what it does.

Gluten allergies and gluten-related digestive disorders are greatly underdiagnosed in the US. For some reason, in the UK they are more widely acknowledged (however, I am in the US).

[RinaseaofDs]

For me it was weight. I used the CPAP, and it was great. I was SO much better rested, and I woke less, and my wife slept more.

I lost 100 pounds after getting Lap-Band surgery, and haven’t needed to use the CPAP since.

It’s a great tool.

[taxcontrol]

Many people can not adapt to a CPAP. I was one if those. Had the UPP surgery and Septoplasty surgery. Most painful surgery I have had to endure ...100x worth it.

[rightly_dividing]

I’ll give you my 2 pennies worth. I t helped me sleep better at night, less flipping and turning. My wife said that it was like sleeping next to a dead body. My prob come in at the face piece. It would become irritating while sleeping and I would yank it of, unknowingly. I tried adjusting the tension on the mask, but could not get it loose enough to be comfortable all night, but still seal to my face. After giving it up after a few months, my Dr. changed to a differant face piece that made a big differance.

[sima_yi]

Me too. CPAP saved my life. Took a couple of nights sleep to get used to it. It’s worth it.

[mom3boys]

Yes, I’m working on losing weight, about 40 lbs. I really hope it helps me get off it.

[Roses0508]

We (my husband, his mother and I) were staying in a friend’s guesthouse - a historic log cabin built during the early years of Tennesee’s settlement. Multiple beds in one big space. My husband and I were very alarmed by MIL’s breathing. Sometimes it seemed like she quit breathing for 90 seconds or more. We discussed it with her the next day. She went and had sleep studies done.

Long and short of it, she loves the machine. Sleeps better, is rested, doesn’t snore so loud the whole house hears her, has more energy, etc. She wouldn’t be without it now. She had a bit of adjustment - less than a week.

For her it has made a tremendous difference.

[ex-snook]

10 years no problems - prefer full face.

[Jemian]

Mozie, is this an area of your expertise?

[ichabod1]

I don’t like it much. I think I was sleepign better with it. I should use it. But since I quit smoking I’ve stopped. It’s not TOO bad, but I can’t say it’s exactly comfortable.

[Vigilanteman]

I stopped using mine about 9 months ago. It helped when I was first diagnosed. But losing weight and getting rid of some of the stress in your life which keeps you from sleeping normally helps even more.

Best machines on the market are made by Respironics. If I had it to do over again, I would consider a no mask version.

BTW, not all sleep disorders are due to overweight. Neither weight reduction nor stress reduction is a cure-all. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. These reasons may be common, but there are tons of other reasons as well.

[Responsibility2nd]

Yes it will!

I lost 40 lbs 4 years ago.

(Regretfully I’ve gained 20 back.)

But - losing 40 lbs. almost stopped my snoring problems.

Good Luck!

[Osage Orange]

Good post...........

[agedav]

I have used one for several years. I found it easy to adapt to sleeping with it. It does not allow you to be intimate with your bed partner, but you put it on when you want to go to sleep. I find that I can sleep on my back, which I could never do before. I sleep better than I have in years. I used to awaken several times during the night. I was easily awakened by any disturbance. Now, I sleep deeply and am not disturbed by even very severe noises. Once I slept through a tree falling on the house. My wife can wake me, but I now sleep much better and find myself much more rested in the morning than before. I hope you have the same experience.

[mountaineer1997]

Be aware that there are different shapes and sizes of masks.

The seal should be secure and comfortable, if not, get a mask that fits.

[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...

[mom3boys]

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.

[vpintheak]

I have known many thin people with apnea.

[rottndog]

The adjustment is on the forehead pad....it rotates front to back to adjust the compression of the gel around the nose.

[Big Horn]

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.

[mlizzy]

I lost 20 pounds and didn't have any further trouble. I've put some of the weight back on and still have no problems. I am using essential oils though and you might like to take a look at that possibility. Here's an article regarding sleep apnea and it features the company that I am going through for the oils: Link

[mom3boys]

Thank you for your story. Maybe it will prompt somebody to get a sleep study and save a life!

[Nuc1]

I use one. It has helped me a lot. I have a face plate (my name for it) that covers my nose and mouth. I am trying to get a CPCP Pro set up going b/c the current face plate is a bit uncomfortable as I keep it tight. The CPAP Pro uses tubes that plug into the nose and it is anchored with a mouthpiece that conforms to your teeth. I'm a big fellow so the universal mouth piece provided in the CPAP Pro kit didn't fit me. I am having to get a mouthpiece custom built.

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!

[LucyJo]

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.

[Brugmansian]

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.

[Nuc1]

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.