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Hey everyone,
I am going to get my CPAP machine tomorrow. I am curious for those out there who use CPAPS, are they really that effective? If so then how quickly do you see/feel results. I am expecting this miraculous turnaround where I will stop snoring, will get a great night's sleep, get more energy back etc.. Does this really happen? any insights would be much appreciative.
Thanks,
Amir
Exercise Dehydration Heart disease Surgery Sleep apnea Allergies CPAP Diabetes Anemia Obesity Depression
My CPAP gave my husband and I both better sleep almost immediately. It took a couple nights to get used to the small sound, but after that we can't even hear it. I found out once you wear it, you don't sleep well without it. I hear too many people say, they have one but don't use it. WHY??? Sorry I prefer to breathe.
Good luck and happy sleeping!
Ditto!!
I cannot sleep with out it. I have had it for ten years.
I've been using CPAP for 11 or 12 years now and I have had moderate success with it. I use it every night with very few exceptions. I had to go to a full-face mask after several years because the pressure on my upper lip from the nasal masks caused a problem with my gums that required oral surgery to repair. I'm looking for an alternative to the full-face masks I have tried. Those masks cause abrasions on the bridge of my nose, leak if they are not tightly strapped down (I have a narrow face with hollow cheeks), and leave mask and strap marks on my face.
I've considered the ResMed Liberty but am hesitant to try it because of some user comments that it transfers the mask pressure from the bridge of the nose to the upper lip. I don't want to cause more problems for my gums. Any suggestions/advice on mask choices? Has anyone tried and had success with dental appliances for apnea? Thanks. SG
Hi, I don't know if you do this or not, but I found out by switching my type of mask every couple days it relieves my pressure points. I was told to make sure my face and mask were both clean and not to tighten them to tight. (which I was doing, until I started with the graduation air, it gave the mask time to seal)
I use the Mirage Swift fit Mask and nasal by ResMed and the new one I have and really like is the new soft nasal is the Opti Life by RESPIRONICS. God bless and keep using it!
Good advice thanks. I tried nasal pillows several years ago but found that they didn't work very well and left sores on my nostrils. I'll check out the masks you mention. I have one Respironics full-face mask but the adjuster for the forehead piece is flimsy and difficult to adjust. In general, I've been happier with the ResMed products. Thanks for the tips.
Amir,
I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in September 2004. I received my sleep study and in December 2004, my CPAP machine and mask were delivered to my home by a technician who showed me how to use them properly. My CPAP machine and mask have changed my life.
In 2004, Reggie White, the NFL player died at age 43 because he wouldn't use his CPAP machine and mask. White knew for 5 years that he had sleep apnea but refused to use his CPAP mask because he didn't like the look and feel of it on his face. He didn't exercise to lose weight and he wouldn't control his bad eating habits. Since my diagnosis in September 2994, I know of 3 other people who have died from not using their sleep apnea equipment.
On Christmas Eve, I visited Dr. Rajiv Pandit, an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, who specializes in sleep apnea. Every 2 years in December, I must get a sleep study to check-up on my sleep apnea. This was my third sleep apnea study. Dr. Pandit specializes in sleep apnea and my visit with him to prepare for my sleep study was extremely different from the ones I had in 2004 with a pulmonary specialist and in 2006 with an internal medicine doctor. They only checked my blood pressure and then had their office managers set up my sleep study.
This year, Dr. Pandit provided new information about my sleep apnea condition. He said while it’s good for me to lose weight, the primary cause of my snoring is not obesity, but the structure of my palate and tongue. My palate is positioned low and is soft with poor muscle tone. The structure of the palate is normally stiffer. The tongue is all muscle and doesn’t lose weight as the body loses weight.
Dr. Pandit said that my tongue is too bulky (big) and is taking up too much space between it and the palate. As a result, when I fall asleep my too soft palate collapses and takes up even more space. This causes me to snore. Dr. Pandit said that in my case, surgery for my sleep apnea (including the pillar procedure) isn’t an option because it won’t do any good. I will still snore! I recall, snoring as a child in grade school. I have always snored even when I was thin! Back then I talked and walked in my sleep as well. As an adult, my husband hasn't mentioned the walking and I don't talk in my sleep often.
From a past sleep study report, Dr. Pandit focused on my oxygen level data. He said that the oxygen level should not drop below 90% when a person is asleep. Without wearing a CPAP Mask, my oxygen level drops to 79%, which he says is considerably low. Oxygen levels at 95 percent and above are normal. Levels below 70 percent are considered dangerously low. When this low, the heart may beat irregularly and may cause death.
Dr. Pandit pointed out another structural problem that I have no control over -- the popping sound when I open my mouth. He said this means I have tight jaws and to keep from damaging them I should bite and chew my food slowly, especially crunchy foods like nuts and carrots.
When I return to Dr. Pandit in February, his audiologist will check my ears. Until meeting Dr. Pandit, I never thought about getting my ears checked, which haven’t been checked since elementary school, over 50 years ago. The ears are very vital to our overall well-being! Dr. Pandit referred me to a neurologist to have my sleep study done. I have never been to a neurologist! I didn't even know that they specialized in sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
I encourage you to visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor to find out what’s going on in those areas of your body because they are related to sleep apnea.
The number one cause why people don’t exercise is low energy! Reasons for feeling rundown, tired, and fatigued are: boredom; allergies; being over caffeinated; multi-tasking; anemia; poor posture; underactive thyroid; undiagnosed heart disease; not exercising enough; dehydration; pre-diabetes; and sleep apnea.
Using my CPAP machine and mask along with exercising 5 to 6 days a week, have given me an abundance of energy. I don't get sleepy during the day and I go to bed each night between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. I sleep peacefully and wake refreshed.
I look forward to hearing what the neurologist has to say about my sleep study. I will visit with him in the next week or two.
Good luck with your CPAP mask. It takes getting adjusted to (6 months to a year) because we're not used to having something covering part of our face. But, it is a life-saving measure so be sure to wear it! Remember, without it, like Reggie White, the NFL player, you could stop breathing in your sleep and die instantly!
I have been using my CPAP for about 3 years. It probabably took me two weeks to get used to it and a month to start really feeling positive effects from using it. Now, 3 years later I can say with absolute certainty that my CPAP has made my life a 1000% better and probably saved my life from the long term effects of sleep apnea. For me, I find the key is having the mask on just right so the pressure on my face is not too hard, but firm enough so as not to leak. Having the temperature of the humidifier right for you is also very important for comfort.
Don't let your humidifier run out of water because you will wake up hurting from such dry air blowing hard all night long.
Lastly, I am a mild drinker, but I can see a huge difference in the quality of my sleep if I have had any alcoholic beverages within 3 hours before bed time.
Hope that helps!
When I was first diagnosed, sleep apnea was all but unheard of! I know I had never heard of it. My doctor at that time had heard of it but, I had no clue about it. In fact, he said I may have it but I was Too heavy and they probably wouldn't test me. Well, now we all know that over-weight people are actually the most frequently group to be at risk for it.
Anyway, I was suffering from all of the classic symptoms and even some that had not yet been discovered. I had lost control of my bodily functions when I was asleep, I sweated profusely in my sleep, hallucinations, loss of appetite etc..
I was finally talked into getting a second opinion and the new doctor was astounded by my regular doctors remarks. I went in on a Friday for the second opinion, was admitted into a sleep clinic by Monday and was subsequently diagnosed with the worst case of Sleep Apnea they had diagnosed to date!
I wasn't "asleep" for very long before my heart had stopped and I was coded. As soon as I woke up my heart started going again without any invasive procedures. I scared the daylights out of the Sleep Technicians that night!
They found an appropriate mask and I put it on.
When I woke up 6 hours later, I was totally amazed! It was my first real sleep in so long! I started to cry when I got my head on straight. I didn't sweat, I didn't wet myself, and for the first time in a very long time, I actually felt like I had rested! I was in awe!
I know every one's experience is different, but for me it was a miracle. I lost some of the weight I had gained, my energy level went through the roof, the depression I felt was not all gone but it was 80% better.
Like I said, everyone is different. I adjusted to the equipment immediately. My Auntie couldn't wear a mask. As for the noise, I also have a O2 concentrator and the sound is actually soothing.
So far, everyone I know says the same thing about the noise. The biggest adjustment for most is the mask. I wear a mask that covers my nose only. I tried the one that is inserted in the nose and I have tried the one that covers the mouth and the nose. It depends on what you are comfortable with
Amir, I wish the very best to you and I hope your
outcome is one of a success!
I have probably been on C-pap for 6-7 years, already wore out 2 machines after about 3 years each. Currently I use about 8# pressure on the ResMed S-8. I also have a oxygen generator that gives me a rate of 2 liters (I also like the sound scooter!!!). I use the full face because I am a mouth breather. My nostrils plug up after about a half hour of lying down. My humidifier (set on 3/4) runs out of water after about 6 hours of sleep and that is close enough to the standard 8 that I will get up and finish last 1-2 hrs in the recliner (machine-less). I wonder where the 6oz. or so of water goes? must be asorbed by body as my pillow never gets wet. I still wake up for thirsty and bathroom break every 3 hrs.
Hi Amir,
Just got mine last nite, 11/06/2009. Will let you know how it turns out...I'm anxious to see results also.
Phil the Thrill
Phil...........1 week now. How did it go?? What's your pressure? kind of mask? lotsa luck.
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