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RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/9/2009 6:54:14 PM

winterlight

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For those that have discomfort from bleeding you can use vaseline for your nose.
As far as the mask being tight i wake up with dents in my face. i have to make sure it is snug enough that air isn't escaping around the mask itself.
Studies have shown that people that sleep 8 hours a night have less weight gain than those that don't get enough sleep. i learned this from my weight class i was taking. You must get over 7 hours of sleep 8 is preferable to not gain weight.

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/9/2009 6:59:16 PM

winterlight

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I forgot to mention what was happening to me was that i was wanting to nod off at work. I wanted to nod off while driving a car. I became alarmed, figured out what it was and went to the Doctor pronto!
I was constantly tired and had no energy. They had me fitted with a machine that i took home and used while i slept. They checked to see how often i stopped breathing during the night. From that they figured out what level i needed for air to go into my throat to keep my passages open. I am an 11 on my machine. i know a guy that is an 18 level on his machine. He has to wear ear plugs because the sound is so loud.
For some these machines are a nuisance. I remember hearing an older couple in their 70's complaining that they couldn't cuddle in bed. i thought to myself better that than dead...

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/9/2009 10:22:29 PM

nafakcha

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At one point I had obstructive and central apnea. (Obstructive apnea being caused by the relaxation of upper airway tissues and is correlated to a persons weight. Central apnea has nothing to do with your weight. When I lost weight I no longer needed the CPAP because my central apnea wasn't bad enough to be diagnosable.)

There are lots of different styles of masks and it can take a while to find one that works. There are also different styles of positive airway pressure devices. Some are constant and some only work I believe when you aren't exhaling so you don't have to fight the positive pressure. There is also an oral device that can be used for apnea (I believe obstructive only - its been a while) and another related upper airway disorder. Generally CPAP is the starting point and whether or not any of the other devices are used depends on your specific kind/s of apnea, how bad and your tolerance of the equipment.

In addition to the actual machine you can not use a humidifier, have a humidifier or a heated humidifier. Personally I loved the non-heated humidifier - but when I had it I was living in Louisiana so it didn't as cold as it would in say Vermont in the middle of winter. I also know someone who used a heated humidifier. Not having a humidifier CAN over dry the nasal tissues leading to all sorts of not fun feelings and associated problems. Doesn't happen to everyone but it can. The biggest problem with that was water condensed in the tube even with insulation to help mediate the temperature difference. What I can say is regardless of what system you are using - if you are having problems with it or are having added symptoms that develop talk to your doctor and/or the CPAP company. They can be excellent resources and talking to them may result in them changing or modifying the system to better suit your needs.

I was like other family members and after sleeping at the sleep center with the CPAP - I couldn't wait to get mine. It did take some getting used to but I slept a lot better on it. You eventually should be feeling well rested. Since with sleep apnea you are stopping breathing in the middle night (which personally I'm a fan of breathing) getting a full nights sleep greatly increases the restfulness of the night. If you have given it some adjustment period and you aren't feeling well rested this is something to bring up to your doctors as well. (And if you notice over time that you aren't feeling as good as you used to - sometimes your apnea changes, ESPECIALLY if you lose weight and modifications to your machine may need to be made.)

I also second NOT checking your CPAP. Honestly you may run into a few TSA agents who haven't seen one but they are fairly common if you look around the airport. Also, read up on the policies pertaining to exceptions to the carry on policies of airlines and the TSA - there is a medical exception but it has to meet certain guidelines. (And just in case bring a print out of the rules with you to the airport. Its not as bad as it used to be but it helps when someone doesn't know the rules.)

If you do have a humidifier, you will notice a scale buildup inside the tank overtime unless you use distilled water. I highly highly advise changing the water every day since wee-beasties can grow in that time period. Also, preventing the scale is a lot easier to do then completely get rid of it once its there. Putting denture cleaning tabs in the tank during the day can help a lot. (I used to add them in the morning before I left and clean the tank out in the evening before I used it - or while doing the dishes. The denture cleaner made cleaning easier but having a good toothbrush and bottle brush doesn't hurt either.)

I've haven't read anything correlating the actual machine - and not the lifestyle changes it brings - to weight changes. However, if you are just getting used to the machine and are not sleeping well, it could be your body adjusting.

On a side note - I hated it then but just enjoy getting to have your own personal white noise machine and making everyone else in the house think your Darth Vader.

Keiko

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/13/2009 2:13:06 PM

dollparts85

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I just wanted to give a bit of an update...within just a couple days of using the CPAP...I started feeling SO much better...I haven't felt this good in years. I have so much energy...I'm not as achey all over as I was...I'm also not sweating as much, which I find weird. And I'm not getting out of breath as easily as I used to. I can concentrate better too. I've lost 12 lbs in like...two weeks? Not sure how much of that is body fat though.

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 1/13/2009 5:26:49 PM

angelikaJ

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I am very happy for you.

(things will likely to continue to get better for you if you keep focusing on the positives)

< Message edited by angelikaJ -- 1/13/2009 5:29:22 PM >

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 9/14/2009 12:04:52 PM

andreaC

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I was suffering from Apnea, i was borderline, but due to a major surgery, i had to use a CPAP for 6 months prior to the surgery. I have tried the mask, but i went with the nasal breather. It took me about 3 weeks to get used to it. Of course at first, i wasnt sleeping much, but once it started to work.........i had no more nightmares and i wasnt tired, so full or energy.

I would go back to where you bought or rented the CPAP and discuss with the specialist about your concerns and maybe try another mask or the nasal breather.

I wish you the best of luck :)

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 9/14/2009 9:22:15 PM

DavanKael

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I had an ex-boyfriend who has sleep apnea. I slept terribly whenever I slept with him...it's really disconcerting to know a person has stopped breathing and be lying there contemplating how long you're going to wait before you shake or hit them to start them breathing again.
The doctors tried to get him to use a cpap and he felt very claustrophobic. I tried it (Because I couldn't poo-poo his concerns or address them without understanding wtf he was feeling). It was a weird sensation. He mentioned the mask being uncomfortable and restrictive. I know that there are a number of different types of masks and fits available and it sounds as if you really just need to find the right one for you.
I am not sure how severe your apnea is but his was pretty severe and the doctor told him he would take years off of his life if he didn't address it properly, so I really strongly encourage you to talk with your doctor aboutproper fit.
Oh, and if you find the mask distracting or whatever, a temporary dose of something like ativan (Similar to valium) helped to 'take the edge off' for him when he finally started listening to the docs a bit more.
Best wishes,
Davan

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RE: Sleep apnea. - 9/15/2009 3:28:13 AM

WolvenFury

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There are also alternatives in surgery I wish to add if the CPAP machine is not working sufficiently for you. I underwent two of these three procedures when I was 14 and have never had any issue. The heal time was a total of about three weeks for me, but it may vary.

Septoplasty: Surgical altering of the nose itself, isolated to the septum portion. This will alter the cartilage and sometimes the bone in your nose. When I underwent this procedure, the surgeon removed some of the cartilage from the septum and shaved down a small portion of the bone.

Bilateral Turbinate Excision or Reduction: This surgery is isolated to the turbinates, which are a portion of the upper nasal passages. This is the most painful part, as the packing will increase sinus pressure while in place, and will hurt for a short while after removal. The term "bilateral" merely signifies both sides, while an excision is the surgical removal of something, in this case a portion of the turbinates. Most often, the area surgically altered will be the inferior turbinates.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, or UPPP: A surgical altering of the uvula, palate, and pharynx. This was deemed unnecessary in my case but may be needed in some cases of severe sleep apnea. The uvula is the small part in the back of the mouth, most often known by laypeople as the organ used as a punching bag in the old Tom and Jerry cartoons. If enlarged, this may block the airway during inhalation and contribute to the volume of snoring when exhaling. The palate, in this case the soft palate, is also surgically altered if needed. This is the part from which the uvula hangs. It closes the nasal passages when you swallow so that food and liquid does not damage the nasal passages. The final part is the pharnyx, which is the place where the nasal passages meet the oral cavity. The epiglottis is the part that will most likely be altered here. It is a small piece of the pharnyx which covers the trachea, or airway, when you swallow so you do not come to harm when consuming food or drink. It is a major factor in snoring, and lends heavily to the distinctive vibration when a person snores.

The surgical altering of the nasal passages and oral cavity is a serious procedure, and should only be attempted when use of a CPAP is ineffective or when the use of a CPAP proves to be a major interruption to the daily life and function of the patient.

I hope this helps you if the CPAP turns out to be ineffective. I wish you the best.

-Leo, RPT/CPT and medical student

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