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Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 7:21:04 PM

dollparts85

Posts: 1233
Joined: 10/22/2006
From: NY
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I found out this past week that I have sleep apnea. I started on the auto CPAP on New Years Eve but I'm still not sleeping very well and I'm very tired all the time. I was just wondering if any of you use a CPAP now or in the past and about how long it took to get used to and start being helpful? I'm still trying to get it comfortable...I tend to wake up and it will feel really tight around my nose and when I take it off, it feels like I've been punched in the face. haha leaves indents and all. I have the comfort gel nose mask one. I'm following up with my lung doctor in a little more than 5 weeks and the med supply store is supposed to be contacting me on Monday, I believe.

I was also wonder if anyone experienced weight loss or gain after starting the CPAP machine...I thought it was supposed to increase my metabolism but I've "gained" 7 pounds since starting it...I know it's probably just water or something but I'm not over eating or anything so it's kinda annoying.

Thanks in advance for any personal experiences you guys are willing to share.

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"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes its the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow"

Post #: 1

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 7:49:18 PM

VampiresLair

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My exhusband had a CPAP. It took him about 2 weeks to get used to sleeping with something on his nose. His doc suggested a natural sleep aid for him when he was in the early days of his machine, so that he would make it through the night. As for weight gain or loss, it has nothing to do with the CPAP. It wont do anything but make you sleep better, which in turn will let your body function better. It in and of istself will not help you lose weight. I know this from my ex as well, the doc dispelled that myth.

Ask youd regular doctor whether they might suggest some sort of sleep aid until you get used to the mask. And also, remember there are quite a few styles of masks... so if the comfort gel nosepiece you have doesnt seem to be working, you might want to check with your sleep specalist and see if there is another mask that is better.

DV

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10/18 Wedding date. 1 year and still blissfully happy

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(in reply to dollparts85)

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 8:07:09 PM

dollparts85

Posts: 1233
Joined: 10/22/2006
From: NY
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I've tried pretty much every sleep aid out there and they don't work for me.

I was told that poor sleep from sleep apnea slows your metabolism and even on a healthy diet and exercise program, it can make it difficult to lose weight...which is what I've been having problems with.

_____________________________

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes its the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow"

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Post #: 3

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 8:08:27 PM

winniepearl

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Joined: 5/16/2008
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i have had the cpap machine since about april and it took me a long time to get used to it, i started with the same mask u are using and hated it. i switched to a mask that rests just inside my nose (which i thought i would hate) and i love it so much better, once i switched i started sleeping better and hardly tired during the day at all. i have actually lost 22 pounds in recent months, not sure if it is due to the machine or not. But i definatly see a difference. my pnly problem now is that i still take it off at night,without realizing i am doing it. but so far so good
good luck it does get better

(in reply to VampiresLair)

Post #: 4

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 8:12:31 PM

dollparts85

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Joined: 10/22/2006
From: NY
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Thanks. I'm worried about trying the nasal one b/c my nasal passages are very small and get irritated easily and bleed. I may try it if I don't get used to this one soon.

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"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes its the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow"

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Post #: 5

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 8:19:07 PM

ArticMaestro

Posts: 178
Joined: 12/8/2008
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Here is a home remedy/therapy for Apnea, which has been shown effective in Medical studies in the UK. Learn to play the dijiridoo, and circular breath for about 10 minutes before going to bed. A dijiridoo is an Australian Aboriginal musical instrument, long hollow stick that sounds sort of like a vibrator. Playing causes you to open up your nasal pasages. It s not a magic cure, but it helps. Plus it is just fun to play. It helps cut snoring and Apnea.

(in reply to dollparts85)

Post #: 6

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 8:19:56 PM

VampiresLair

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Joined: 9/3/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: dollparts85
I was told that poor sleep from sleep apnea slows your metabolism and even on a healthy diet and exercise program, it can make it difficult to lose weight...which is what I've been having problems with.

That is true, but better sleep doesnt mean you WILL lose weight, it just means when you try you will have better results. I was the outsider with the doctor, so I was the one he told all the time to keep the realistic ideas, rather than the things my ex wanted to believe whether or not they were true.

_____________________________

Separately we are DiurnalVampire and DVsFox

10/18 Wedding date. 1 year and still blissfully happy

10/13/10 3 year anniversary of his becoming my Fox

Talk impolitely to me, baby - Thanks sunshinemiss

(in reply to dollparts85)

Post #: 7

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 8:22:02 PM

dollparts85

Posts: 1233
Joined: 10/22/2006
From: NY
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Yeah...I don't expect to drop down to a normal weight without even trying or anything. LOL I just would like to be able to eat normal amounts without gaining weight.

_____________________________

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes its the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow"

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Post #: 8

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 8:28:05 PM

LeMis

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From: Florida
Status: offline

When I had to use a Cpap machine along w/ an oxygen recycler, I slept like a baby from almost the very first night.
zzz......
It was the best thing to have happened to me at the time.
I no longer need it and sleep just fine, usually.

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Post #: 9

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 9:35:22 PM

winniepearl

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Joined: 5/16/2008
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I have the same problem with my nose and being small and bleeding easily especailly if it is dry and such, i just turn the humidity up on the cpap and use a saline spray and that helps keep things moist and therefore no problems

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Post #: 10

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 9:36:48 PM

porcelain26

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Joined: 11/16/2007
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It's possible that you're just cinching up the mask TOO tight. I know it needs to be on snug, but you might be making it too tight. Try to loosen it just a little bit. As long as you can't feel an air leak, you don't have to sleep with it cranked down on your face. Another issue might be that you don't have the machine on a high enough setting and it's simply not doing it's job and keeping your air passages open at all times....hence the reason you're still feeling very tired.

(in reply to LeMis)

Post #: 11

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 9:40:52 PM

RainydayNE

Posts: 978
Joined: 10/21/2008
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the people i know who've had to use them lost some weight when they got started.
they do seem to take a while to get used to
having dents in your face sooouunds liek you've got the mask on too tight
if you try one of the machines with the nasal thingamabob, they usually have humidifiers to keep nosebleeds from dry nasal skin from happening
i'd definitely recommend talking to whoever fitted you for your machine, perhaps you could take a test run with the nasal thingies?

(in reply to porcelain26)

Post #: 12

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 9:53:32 PM

dollparts85

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Joined: 10/22/2006
From: NY
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My CPAP has a humidifer in it...I'm on the auto one right now to see what setting I will need it to be put on...so it just adjusts to whatever setting I need, if I understood the lady correctly. I do use the saline spray at times which helps.

_____________________________

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes its the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow"

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Post #: 13

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/3/2009 10:27:09 PM

igor2003

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Joined: 1/1/2004
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I've had sleep apnea for many years but I don't use a cpap or anything. I've just kind of learned to put up with it.

As far as losing weight, I believe that once you start sleeping better and more soundly at night you will be more rested and have more energy during the day. What you do with that extra energy will have the biggest effect on whether you lose weight or not. If you use that extra energy to go for walks or bike rides, or just to get more work done each day, you have a good chance of losing weight as long as you don't do something to offset the extra exercise like eating more.

(in reply to dollparts85)

Post #: 14

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/4/2009 12:41:47 AM

YoursMistress

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Joined: 12/17/2008
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I was diagnosed as borderline apnetic and under went a series of somnoplasty procedures (application of an RF probe to my soft palate to scar and tighten loose tissue in the airway). It has significantly improved my snoring (well I guess it actually didn't improve my snoring but rather diminished it instead, or am I being too picky about words here?) and may represent an alternative treatment depending on your diagnosis.

yours

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As a rule, I don't like to make general statements.

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Post #: 15

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/4/2009 2:59:17 PM

sub4hire

Posts: 6775
Joined: 1/1/2004
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Doug has apnea. When he first got the c-pap he used to take it off in the middle of the night. I'd wake him up and tell him to put it back on. That lasted about 6 month's.
I also agree with the person who told you to have the mask adjusted.

If you're feeling congested/headache you may want to check the humidity. He gets that way when he has a sinus infection..the pap seems to make things worse.

Highly doubtful its going to help you lose weight.

(in reply to dollparts85)

Post #: 16

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/4/2009 10:00:08 PM

cagliostro

Posts: 128
Joined: 12/29/2007
Status: offline

There are a million different masks, and it took 4 tries for me to find one that really works well for me. And actually, I was more tired after I started with the machine. I woke up on average once a minute while sleeping, so I never got to the point where my system slowed down. Then once the apnea was fixed, I did hit those deep sleep levels, and I guess my body didn't know how to wake up from it. But that went away. It took a couple months though. I think part of it is just getting used to sleeping with the mask on.

You should probably play with the tension on the straps. It can be too tight, and as you get used to sleeping with the mask it doesn't need to be as tight.

To my knowledge, there isn't much of an effect on your metabolism.

(in reply to sub4hire)

Post #: 17

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/9/2009 6:32:49 PM

MsFlutter

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Joined: 11/12/2008
From: East Coast
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quote:

ORIGINAL: dollparts85

...I've tried pretty much every sleep aid out there and they don't work for me......

I have some pretty miserable sleep habits and the one thing that has worked is Sleepinal (available on Amazon). The stuff knocks my wheels off. I take one about 7, go to bed about 9, get up at 5 (without the help of dynamite!)

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Post #: 18

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/9/2009 6:48:55 PM

winterlight

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I have been on a CPAP for 5 years or more. There are many kinds of machines. There is one where you have a water chamber to it and it blows air into your nose (the air is the same temp as the room). There is another one where you get one where it heats up the air (so i hear, need a Doctors prescription for it). I have the first one. If my room is cold i get cold air up my nose.
There are many kinds of masks. There is the kind like /\ shape that covers your nose. There is also the kind that has these pillows that go up into your nostrils. I have tried those first. They are nice but when you have a cold or a sinus infection they are hell. I am on the mask shaped like this > /\ because i have lots of infections in my sinues.
It took me 2 weeks to a month to get used to the mask etc. I wake up every night at least once a night because i wake up with a dry mouth. What you need to do is put the cpap mask on properly. To test it turn the machine on and open your mouth. If you have a rush of air coming through your mouth you have it on correctly. If not, your straps and mask need adjusting. See the place that gave you the mask. Ask for help in adjusting it. If you are still tired you might need your mask adjusted.
Weight gain: I never heard about this one but then again i am overweight. I don't know of a correlation between weight loss and gain on this machine.
Make sure you use Distilled water with your machine. The water chamber must be cleaned twice a week with soap, then rinsed. After that you use vinegar and water for cleaning it. Make sure you wash your mask, headgear, pillows (whatever you use) at least once a week or more.
Airport traveling: Make sure if you travel that you keep your CPAP with you. DO NOT CHECK IT IT! It must go through Airport screening then they take it and swipe it out to see if there are any chemicals in it. They are looking for terrorists..They may put a wand in it to see if they sense anything in there. This is just normal Airport screening.
I hope i haven't repeated anybody's advice. I haven't had a chance to read all of the replies.
I seem to recall that using a sleep aid might hinder with the breathing. I am NOT sure ask your Doctor. Ask somebody qualified in the use of the CPAP machine what are the best ways to use it.
I have been told even if i get thin i will still be on this for the rest of my life. Using it is more preferable to stop breathing, having a heart attack or stroking out.

(in reply to MsFlutter)

Post #: 19

RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/9/2009 6:53:07 PM

LadyHibiscus

Posts: 27124
Joined: 8/15/2005
From: Island Of Misfit Toys
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I tried the CPAP for a year. I never got used to it. I tried several masks, with attendant head strap to keep my mouth closed. It doubled the amount of time it takes me to fall asleep (and it takes nearly an hour normally) and after six months or so, it didn't even help the fatigue. Also, it was giving me sinus infections, in spite of my scrupulous cleaning of the water tank.

My apnea is not the kind where I will die, just fall over from exhaustion. I finally put the thing into its case. Anyone need a really nice CPAP, contact me!

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