Had my sleep study done...

[slag]

I know I'm the only one reading this anymore, but damn, this cpap machine is like a legal drug. Prior to using this machine, I could go to bed at 8:30pm and wake up tired as hell at 5:30am for work. Stumble around the house getting ready, drive half asleep to work, and sleep at my desk at lunch.

Last night I went to bed at 11:20 and had to force myself to sleep. I woke up at 4:50, wide awake and couldn't get back to sleep. I got up, showered, got ready, made breakfast, visited with my son who got up early to go over his book report, drove to work fully awake, and am wide awake at my desk. People have noticed something is different also and I've told them about the cpap. Its so amazing, its hard to put into words.

Yesterday when I got off work I went home and worked in the garage for a few hours. My normal routine would have been to go home, struggle to stay awake at stop lights, take a 30-45 minute nap on the bed, and then play games or hang out with the family. Go to bed between 9 and 10:30 and be tired again.

HAHA, not anymore!

 

[ThePresence]

I know I'm the only one reading this anymore, but damn, this cpap machine is like a legal drug. Prior to using this machine, I could go to bed at 8:30pm and wake up tired as hell at 5:30am for work. Stumble around the house getting ready, drive half asleep to work, and sleep at my desk at lunch.

Last night I went to bed at 11:20 and had to force myself to sleep. I woke up at 4:50, wide awake and couldn't get back to sleep. I got up, showered, got ready, made breakfast, visited with my son who got up early to go over his book report, drove to work fully awake, and am wide awake at my desk. People have noticed something is different also and I've told them about the cpap. Its so amazing, its hard to put into words.

Yesterday when I got off work I went home and worked in the garage for a few hours. My normal routine would have been to go home, struggle to stay awake at stop lights, take a 30-45 minute nap on the bed, and then play games or hang out with the family. Go to bed between 9 and 10:30 and be tired again.

HAHA, not anymore!

I had the same experience when I started using my CPAP. It made me realize that I had not had a good nights sleep in years. The sleep tech told me I was showing signs of extreme sleep deprivation.

 

[Ns1]

Based on this thread, I went back to my CPAP machine.

Having some issues...

1. The goddamn thing sounds like a tornado when I open my mouth. This is almost as bad as the snoring (according to the GF)
2. Jesus christ this thing pumps out a lot of pressure. It's difficult to get re-adjusted to exhaling.
3. Occasionally, the mask will shift and there will be a loss of pressure, or I'll open my mouth or something and the mask/air pressure goes crazy. I literally feel like I'm suffocating because I got all this air pressure coming at my nose and my body is too sleepy to handle the situation. I freak out for 30 seconds or so until I can tell my body to START MOVING and take this goddamn mask off.

Sigh...


I currently have a nose mask. Anyone here switch to a full mask? What's the difference?

 

[Dumac]

It's a wonder how the human race survived before doctors were able to diagnose and treat everyone with an acronym. I am amazed.

people weren't so damn fat and out of shape back then

They didn't survive. They died.

Life expectancy has doubled in the last 100 years. So there you go for the power of acronyms.

 

[slag]

Based on this thread, I went back to my CPAP machine.

Having some issues...

1. The goddamn thing sounds like a tornado when I open my mouth. This is almost as bad as the snoring (according to the GF)
2. Jesus christ this thing pumps out a lot of pressure. It's difficult to get re-adjusted to exhaling.
3. Occasionally, the mask will shift and there will be a loss of pressure, or I'll open my mouth or something and the mask/air pressure goes crazy. I literally feel like I'm suffocating because I got all this air pressure coming at my nose and my body is too sleepy to handle the situation. I freak out for 30 seconds or so until I can tell my body to START MOVING and take this goddamn mask off.

Sigh...


I currently have a nose mask. Anyone here switch to a full mask? What's the difference?

I have all of the same problems you do. In addition, it seems like the more moisture I use with the humidifier, the dryer my mouth gets. Makes no sense. I currently have the humidity level turned down (on a scale of 1-4, its at 1.5), and it seems to work the best for me. I still have a dry mouth, but rarely does it wake me up anymore like number 4 on the scale did, and I go through much less water.

1. Don't open your mouth. My wife still likes to talk to me but she has learned that once the mask is on, stop talking.
2. I completely agree. In fact, its weird. If I wake up to go pee or something in the middle of the night and make it quick, I don't have to hit the button that gradually increases the pressure over time and can start with it at full blast again and breathe normally. If I take more than a minute or two though, I have to let it ramp up again. HOWEVER, I always have to wash off my face because of the sweat or oil or whatever it is, the mask will not seat properly and will cause what I call "face farts" or high pitched squealing as the mask doesn't seal properly against my face and the air lets out.
3. I don't have that problem, but I really clamp the mask down on my face. Its a little uncomfortable at first and if I don't position it right, I get a bump under my nose from where it rubs, but the sleep I get and the alertness I have more than makes up for it. I always sleep on my back now, something that I used to hate to do, and always feel good in the morning.

This is my CPAP machine: Fisher & Paykel HC234 CPAP Device
Here is a picture of it: http://www.criticarehhs.com/Assets/Images/CPAP_BiPAP/HC234_t470.jpg

This is my mask: FlexiFit™ 407
http://www.criticarehhs.com/Assets/Images/CPAP_BiPAP/Flexifit407-nasal.jpg

I'd like to try nasal pillows, but on a scale of 4-20 cfm, I'm at a 19 and was told nasal pillows wouldn't work well for me.

In spite of all of this, I still absolutely love the CPAP machine and would recommend it to anyone who doesn't feel like they are sleeping well and/or snoring a lot.

 

[jersiq]

Based on this thread, I went back to my CPAP machine.

Having some issues...

1. The goddamn thing sounds like a tornado when I open my mouth. This is almost as bad as the snoring (according to the GF)
2. Jesus christ this thing pumps out a lot of pressure. It's difficult to get re-adjusted to exhaling.
3. Occasionally, the mask will shift and there will be a loss of pressure, or I'll open my mouth or something and the mask/air pressure goes crazy. I literally feel like I'm suffocating because I got all this air pressure coming at my nose and my body is too sleepy to handle the situation. I freak out for 30 seconds or so until I can tell my body to START MOVING and take this goddamn mask off.

Sigh...


I currently have a nose mask. Anyone here switch to a full mask? What's the difference?

I was diagnosed with severe apnea about 2 months ago and I have had nothing but difficulty with my treatment. I try just about everything i read online, and nothing helps. I so wanted it to be like the poster above, but nothing seems to work. I've rerouted the hose, bought a "tempurpedic" pillow, clean my mask religiously, shaved my goatee, fitted and refitted my mask multiple times in the mirror and laying down, nothing works.

I went from a mirage FX to a full face mask (Ultra Mirage), as I could not stop mouth breathing even with a chin strap. the biggest issue I have with the change is getting used to a bulkier mask. It feels heavier without a doubt.

My counter shows I only average roughly 2 hours of compliance every night. freaking frustrating.

 

[Ns1]

^^

Yeah I don't have a chin strap so I open my mouth when I sleep. Tornado sounds.

 

[rifken2]

So if I have trouble waking up in the morning is this something I should look in to?

 

[Iron Woode]

276. Been around 260-280 for the last 10 years of my life and I'm doing something about it now. My goal is to be at 250 for my birthday on July 10th and around 220 by Halloween. The doctor told me the degree of my sleep apnea wouldn't change with weight loss though since it is so severe, but of course, many health issues go away the lighter you are. My metabolism basically stopped at 25, but my appetite did not.

No allergies aside from poison ivy or asthma or copd. I'm really healthy (had a stress test done in 2007) and my cholesterol is low and my blood pressure is perfect. I've been running with my wife but shin splints are killing me.

sounds like what I went through.

Same metabolism issue, weight issue and sleep apnea.

I went from 200lbs to nearly 300lbs and now down to around 250-255lbs. I hoping to achieve 200 by next year.

I wish you good luck.

 

[RossMAN]

My out of pocket is around $415 for the machine I think.

Stupid question after you pay $415 out of pocket, do you own it or you're leasing/renting it?

After (if?) you're done with it, is there a used market or demand to sell it or you're stuck with an expensive machine?

 

[Gothgar]

I read CPAP as crap. I dont know about CPAPS, but craps really help me sleep nice and sound.

 

[Ns1]

Stupid question after you pay $415 out of pocket, do you own it or you're leasing/renting it?

After (if?) you're done with it, is there a used market or demand to sell it or you're stuck with an expensive machine?

I own mine with zero out of pocket

 

[davmat787]

Learning how to play a Didgeridoo is supposed to cure sleep apnea. In Europe there are therapists that treat apnea this way even. Something to do with the circular breathing that is required and the muscle development that goes along with it.

And if nothing else the Didgeridoo sound is just plain :awe: and

http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/sleepdisorderstreatment/a/Didgeridoo.htm

 

[rommelrommel]

I tried a 2 month trial, went through 2 machines and about 6 masks and couldn't sleep with the damn thing on, plus my wife hated it and wanted to kill me every time I knocked the thing off my face and it went from mildly annoying noise to WTF noise. I really need to do another trial but not looking forward to it. My problem is probably my tongue according to the sleep doc I saw, I'm not too heavy (175/5'8") and I'm in the "moderate" camp but my sleep quality is very poor.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Results came back that I have severe sleep apnea to where I was having episodes over 120 times an hour. I'm getting fitted for a cpap machine tomorrow (Friday), but don't know what to expect. What do you cpap users recommend? Full face mask, nose mask, tubes, etc. What things should I be looking for? I'm going to get a heated humidifier with mine. Any other suggestions?

My out of pocket is around $415 for the machine I think.

I have several older friends that have CPAP machines, and they swear by them. Say its the best thing the have ever done. They are all severely overweight, however, and I wonder if their issues would have resolved themselves if they simply lost weight.

 

[slag]

Stupid question after you pay $415 out of pocket, do you own it or you're leasing/renting it?

After (if?) you're done with it, is there a used market or demand to sell it or you're stuck with an expensive machine?

I own it. There is a market for them, but the problem is that they have to be programmed with a special tool and I don't have that tool. I have to take it in to the cpap store and they can do it for me. Mine is fixed at 19 CFM and that is probably too high for someone else.

 

[slag]

I have several older friends that have CPAP machines, and they swear by them. Say its the best thing the have ever done. They are all severely overweight, however, and I wonder if their issues would have resolved themselves if they simply lost weight.

My ENT told me that while losing weight would probably help, my apnea is so severe that it wouldn't cure me and I would probably need surgery or just keep using the machine.

 

[Ns1]

Lately I've been waking up with my mask off. Evidently I've been getting so pissed off at it at night I take it off and turn off the machine. I rarely remember why I take the mask off.

 

[slag]

Lately I've been waking up with my mask off. Evidently I've been getting so pissed off at it at night I take it off and turn off the machine. I rarely remember why I take the mask off.

LOL.. I did that on and off for about 2 weeks a month or two back. Felt like shit also cause I wasn't getting a good sleep. I finally just stopped doing it. I thought I was the only one who did that...

 

[Saint Nick]

Sleep apnea = you're fat.

Quit over eating.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Sleep apnea = you're fat.

Quit over eating.

Nice generalization.
And maybe follow what your sig says.

 

[Ns1]

Sleep apnea = you're fat.

Quit over eating.

5'8" 145 pounds...

 

[mcveigh]

Learning how to play a Didgeridoo is supposed to cure sleep apnea. In Europe there are therapists that treat apnea this way even. Something to do with the circular breathing that is required and the muscle development that goes along with it.

And if nothing else the Didgeridoo sound is just plain :awe: and

http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/sleepdisorderstreatment/a/Didgeridoo.htm

interesting, but I call bullshit when someone goes into REM sleep.
In REM your body paralyses itself, including the muscles around the air way.

CPAP is the best treatment out there for apnea but I want to remind people of some alternatives.

Surgey.....for the most part I say NO...Hell NO to this. the common procedure is called a UPPP, they basically go in like a plumber and rotor-rooter out any excess tissue. very very painful and in the long term the tissue often grows back
I am for surgery if a doc sees something specific to fix like a deviated septum, nasal polyps, etc.

Oral appliances. these are a mouth piece you sleep with that shifts the jaw forward. be careful b/c dentists often act like this works for eveyone. it's most effective if your main airway problem is that your jaw sits too far back

provent http://www.proventtherapy.com/index.php it's little stickers with valves on them you stick on your nostrils at night. best for mild apnea, I still saw apnea in REM

I was involved in some research with this. It can work well but I never it saw it eliminate apnea completely.
One doctor told me he has had luck prescribing the provent AND an oral appliance to use them together. (if I get apnea I think I'll try this first)


an implant device from Inspire http://www.inspiresleep.com/

I am involved in the FDA trials for this right now. It's approved in some countries in europe.

this is a device similar to a pacemaker and a major surgery to install. also insurance wont cover it.

There's another new device which was recently approved in the US, Winx
http://apnicure.com/
it's mouth piece you sleep with and it uses negative pressure to keep the tonugue and palate forward and the airway open. I have no experience with this at all. it's supposed to be available late this year or early 2013


hope this helps!!

 

[tcsenter]

It's a wonder how the human race survived before doctors were able to diagnose and treat everyone with an acronym. I am amazed.

The human race survived because those with OSA died of cardiac arrest or arrhythmia in their sleep @ 35 or 45, or while doing something strenuous after developing hypertension and cardiomegaly. Then everyone just shrugged their shoulders and said "And he was so young, too. I guess when its your time to go, its just your time, eh?"

Yes most cases of OSA are tied to obesity but there are plenty of others that are not. e.g. I know someone who was 6' and weighed 165lbs when diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA. He was rail thin.

Sleep apnea can be deadly. I've had four episodes of atrial fibrillation that were eventually linked to sleep apnea (it took two sleep studies to finally detect it, and then another two studies to get the pressure right). There is no reason why my cardiac arrhythmias could not have been a fatal type, except chance or dumb luck.

If you have been diagnosed with OSA, please use your CPAP device. I know its a bitch to get used to. I've ripped my mask off half-way through the night in utter disgust a few dozen times. But eventually, I got used to it. And I'm probably still alive today because of it.

 

[Soccerman06]

5'8" 145 pounds...

Fatty fat fat fat :hmm: