Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines

[CrimsonMaiden]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about a month ago and got my machine on Friday. I think I'm sleeping worse now than I did without it, but that's just because I can't get comfortable with the damned thing on.

Anybody else had to deal with this and if so, how long before you got used to wearing the mask and actually starting sleeping better?

 

[blackhaus7]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about a month ago and got my machine on Friday. I think I'm sleeping worse now than I did without it, but that's just because I can't get comfortable with the damned thing on.

Anybody else had to deal with this and if so, how long before you got used to wearing the mask and actually starting sleeping better?

Crim, my SIL is on one. I'll get back to you after I've investigated.

 

[S-Des]

Don't give up

The first time I used mine it was like being a kid again. Before I got it, I had gotten so bad that I was falling asleep everywhere (including the night I drove through a red light at 50 mph). They have all kinds of attatchments to make it better, but the water part is the most important. Any time it runs out of water (for humidity), I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like my nose is bleeding. Once you get used to it enough to have it work, you won't believe how much better you'll feel.

Good luck,
....S-Des

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

The first time I used mine it was like being a kid again. Before I got it, I had gotten so bad that I was falling asleep everywhere (including the night I drove through a red light at 50 mph). They have all kinds of attatchments to make it better, but the water part is the most important. Any time it runs out of water (for humidity), I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like my nose is bleeding. Once you get used to it enough to have it work, you won't believe how much better you'll feel.

Good luck,
....S-Des

Yeah, I have the falling asleep problem. I can stay awake if I have something to do or am driving, but if I'm sitting somewhere, it's siesta time.

My machine has the integrated humidifier in it. I'm not sure if I've got it turned up high enough though. My mouth and throat hasn't been dry, but today, it sounds like I'm losing my voice.

The last three nights I've ended up taking it off in the middle of the night because I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep with it on. I also find myself waking up because it seems like I'm holding my breath, and the minute I wake up it comes out (of my mouth, which I know is a no no with the machine on) with a whoosh.


Bh, that would be good. Thanks

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I have a BIPAP and love it to death. Been using it every night for about 5 years.

When the tested me for SA at the hospital, they said I had one of the worse cases they'd ever seen. I was getting like no REM time at all, waking up every 2 minutes. (Funny, because I always had nightmares about suffocating for about as long as I can remember). They put it on me right there and I couldn't stand it. The nurse would put it on and I'd tear it off. She wrapped an elastic bandage around my head to keep me from mouth-breathing and I tore that off too. We fought all night long and I left swearing I'd never wear such a stupid thing and fuck everyone.

Then the guy brought the BiPAP over and showed me how to use it, and it was like getting the first good night's sleep in twenty years. I took to it immediately and have used it every night since and take it with me whenever I travel. I'm so used to it I can't even take a nap without it.

You might want to see if you can get a BIPAP instead of a CPAP. I'm not sure of what the letters stand for, but the BIPAP detects when you're exhaling and automatically lowers the pressure so you don't have to fight it to exhale. It kind of breathes for you. Sounds creepy but it's very cool

You should also make sure that your mask isn't leaking, and that you can breathe through your nose okay. If you've got a stuffed nose or allergies, you're going to start mouth-breathing automatically. Also, you might have the pressure too high. It sounds like this thing is really pumping you full of air if the air comes out with a rush when you open your mouth. There should be a little positive pressure, but not so that you feel like it's blowing you up like a baloon.

Also, if your humidifier is like mine (just a passive unit th air blows over), there should be a temperature control. Turn it up and you'll get more moisture and maybe that will help the dryness. If it runs dry in the middle of the night, the temp mioght be set too high. I turn mine up in the winter and off in the summer.

I love mine. Whenever I want to zone out for a while, I slip on the mask and turn it on and there's that peaceful hum and my own private world. I get far fewer colds and illnesses than the rest of my family too because of the humidifier and I snore at all anymore.

 

[S-Des]

Yeah, I have the falling asleep problem. I can stay awake if I have something to do or am driving, but if I'm sitting somewhere, it's siesta time.

My machine has the integrated humidifier in it. I'm not sure if I've got it turned up high enough though. My mouth and throat hasn't been dry, but today, it sounds like I'm losing my voice.

The last three nights I've ended up taking it off in the middle of the night because I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep with it on. I also find myself waking up because it seems like I'm holding my breath, and the minute I wake up it comes out (of my mouth, which I know is a no no with the machine on) with a whoosh.


Bh, that would be good. Thanks

I had the throat problem for the first month or two. I sing in bands and found myself suddenly unable to hit most of my notes. However, once my body adjusted, my voice came back better than ever (the quality of my voice is much better because I don't have that swollen thing from the apnea anymore). I'm not a doctor, so don't take my word for anything. Just letting you know my experience.

Everything you seem to be going through are things I did as well. I'm interested in the one dr_mabeuse was talking about. The weird pressure problem can be annoying when you're trying to breathe. It's still 1000 times better than it was before. I had to stop working day jobs because I would fall asleep any time I sat down. Now I drink coffee once a day because I like it, not two or three times because I have to have it.

Good luck and use the machine. There are very bad stories about what can happen to people with Apnea. It's more than just annoying.

 

[Guest]

Can I trade in my insomnia for some SA? I hate being awake twenty or more hours a day.

 

[S-Des]

Can I trade in my insomnia for some SA? I hate being awake twenty or more hours a day.

Trust me, nothing is worse than sleep apnea (I have back and knee problems and they are cake in comparison). I didn't have the energy to do stuff, I gained weight, lost jobs, fell asleep during my daughter's visits, and often woke in the middle of the night from nightmares where I felt like I was dying. I am grateful every day that it's receeded somewhat.

BTW, are you OK? I saw the post about your mom. Hope all is well.

Best wishes,

 

[AURALSEX]

Cpap

Hi Babe,

I know just what you are going through. Most all of those who have posted understand also. It really is a bitch for awhile. It definitely will be bothersome for more than a short period of time. You feel like you are not sleeping as well because you are aware that something is different even when you do get to sleep.

I have been using a cpap for a little over ten years and still some nights it bothers me But even on those nights I feel much more rested than before. Fortunately the masks are very much more comfortable than when I started. My first mask had a brace that was just above the bridge of my nose. It was to help keep the mask secure. In four days it had worn through the skin and I still have a scar.

The only advice that I can give to you is to tough it out. Some folks get used to it in a short time others do not. The bottom line though is staying alive. The first time I complained to my doctor he quite bluntly told me to just consider the alternative. That did not maked it easier but it did make it a lot more desirable.

My wife got a lot more rest also because my snoring wasn`t keeping her awake anymore. You will eventually get used to it. Every user does and the return of energy during your waking hours is well worth a little discomfort.

Be very consistant about keeping it clean. It can really be a germ catcher.

When I crank mine up tonight I`l be thinking of you.

 

[blackhaus7]

Couple of suggestions from my wife (RN). Elevate your head. If you're using one pillow, try two. Make sure the mask fits correctly. And CPAP runs continuously, BiPAP senses the oxygen level dropping and increases pressure then. If you have some specific questions, let me know and I'll ask. She works in long term care, so she has had a variety of experience with the units and their users.

Oh, yeah. SIL adapted fairly quickly and is happy.

 

[SensualCealy]

Oh I can relate, I have had one for three years I think, not exactly sure since I quit using it. Most likely it was the worst thing I could do but I did.

First off, the latex from the mask makes my face flair up and break out, not in pimples but in a fine red rash.
Havent looked into something else yet...

Then there is the tube that the air flows through. Did you know if you turn over during the night it makes a cool corigated cardboard sound against the side of the table- very annoying for someone who sleeps so light.

Oh and dont forget how attractive you look and sound, Hubby joked that I should wear black to bed and ask him every so often if he knows who his father is- Darth Vader in the making.

Do I sound like I enjoyed it, no not really. Like you said, I sleep lighter, and much different with it on. If I turn over the nose cover slips and shoots a piercing spray of moist air right in my eyes.
I also forgot, the moist air, if you dont have a short enough tube or have the machine lower than the mask, you get a condensation in the tube, thats always nice shooting at you like a gale force wind!

I know it would work better if I kept using it, but my sleep was being reduced so much I was a Zombie. I have MS as well, and when Im sleep deprived my speach is screwed up and my balance, well, I dont have to drink to look drunk.

Most of my problem is due to weight, when I was tested, I woke 157 times in an 8 hour sleep study. Between my weight and fatigue the dr has finally come to the conclusion that my problems all relate. Maybe just maybe things will be looking up in the future!

I wish you all the best with yours, and hope more success than I have had with mine.
Lots of love
C

 

[MercyMia]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about a month ago and got my machine on Friday. I think I'm sleeping worse now than I did without it, but that's just because I can't get comfortable with the damned thing on.

Anybody else had to deal with this and if so, how long before you got used to wearing the mask and actually starting sleeping better?

Wow, there seems to be an epidemic of sleep apnea mushrooming all over the world. My husband's family seems genetically prone to obstructions that prevent proper breathing when they are on their backs, asleep. So far 3 in the family are on CPAP machines. As far as feeling horrible after the first couple of nights, I hear this is pretty common. It takes some getting used to the mask being strapped on to your face.

My BIL says the first 6 weeks, you don't feel the improvements in your health due to better sleep because you have such a deficit that it takes a while for your body to pay it back. He calls it REM rebound. He loves his CPAP, has had it for 8 months now and I notice it has given him a changed outlook on life because he's not so fucking tired all the time. He used to fall asleep even just standing in line to pay for groceries.

There are CPAP machines with sensors that do what dr_mabeuse described his BIPAP doing--easing off the air pressure when you exhale.

Happy Zzzzzz's.

 

[SensualCealy]

I thought of taking the machine with me on this trip Im taking, only because of my snoring. We are sharing rooms with other adults and I really dont want to screw someone else out of sleep, well maybe if it was a really cute woman or handsome guy, she is neither-

Time will tell,
C

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Thanks for all the replies.

Last night was better. It didn't take as long to go to sleep. I still yanked the mask off at about 5am, but at least I wasn't as restless during the night as I had been the previous nights, so I guess that's some improvement.

I'm not sure how many times I woke up during my study. I haven't gotten all the details yet. I think mine may be a mild case because my score was only 11 (anything over 6? is apnea) and he said they had people who scored over 100. The main thing he said was that my ox sat levels were going down into the 60s while I slept. I go see the doctor in two weeks, so I'm guessing I'll get more details then.

The machine can be set (pressure-wise) anywhere from 4 to 20. Mine is set at 10. It's got a ramping feature, so it gradually increases over the space of thirty minutes. I can change it to take as long as 45 if needed.

 

[texhud]

It Works . . . . . .

Been using one for about 6 years and can't sleep (almost) without one. I fought it initially and cussed like a wildman at it but now it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

During my study I was waking up 40+ times in an hour. Never would go into the REM sleep. I would be so sleepy during the day I could go to sleep at a stop light.


Stay with it . . . . .

 

[dr_mabeuse]

The machine can be set (pressure-wise) anywhere from 4 to 20. Mine is set at 10. It's got a ramping feature, so it gradually increases over the space of thirty minutes. I can change it to take as long as 45 if needed.

Those numbers measure pressure in units of "centimeters of water." If you took a U-shaped tube upen at both ends and put some water in the bottom, then applied a pressure of 4 cm. H2O to one side, it would push the water up the other side 4 centimeters.

By BiPAP is set at 8/14 as I recall. As I understand it, that means that it's set to 14 when I inhale, and drops to 8 when I exhale to make exhalation easier. Resistance to exhalation can be very unpleasant. When I was in the hospital they initially set mine at 10 for exhale and I couldn't take it. Felt like it was blowing me up like a balloon.

I'd really look into getting a BiPAP if you can, or at least trying one. The pressure levels are actually determined during your hospital evaluation, where they measure blood oxygen levels as they adjust the pressure, looking for the right one. Blood oxygen levels in SA sufferers can fall as low as 60-70% of normal, which is what wakes you up, I guess.

The reason it seems like suddenly evryone has SA is one of those diagnosis things. The medical profession was finally convinced that SA involved more than just snoring and is a big factor in heart disease and other problems.

I'm really sorry to hear you're having such trouble love. I took to mine right away. I'm terrible about cleaning it and usually don't do anything but rinse our the hhumidifier chamber and refill it with tap water. Maybe twice a year I change the filters and rinse the hoses, but in 5 years I've never had any problems with respiratory infections or anything like that.

I checked my machine and it's made a Sullivan V-pap II with a Fisher/Paykal mask.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Part of the problem is that I hate having stuff near my face... so having to wear a mask on it is bothersome.

I really appreciate all the replies. Helps me to have some reassurance that I'll get used to it.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I have the same kind you have with the humidifier... I stopped using mine with the humidifier... per Doc's okay, because water condensation would collect on the mask and then the water would run down my face and wake me up. . Did it improved my sleeping... personally I don't think so, but that is just me, I'm odd . Mine was moderate with me holding my breath for 57 seconds at one time. I snore horribly...*sigh*... Mine is also weight related and hopefully, my insurance will approve me for GBS and sleep apnea usually goes away when the excess weight goes off.