Sleep Apnea

[hiwaygal]

I'm glad to hear he is going along with it all!! I've heard of people not wanting to wear the mask and stuff for vanity reasons or just because they believe they don't need it.

Some people do notice the benefits right away...I didn't. I guess I figured it took a few years of bad sleep for me to get that tired, it might take a few months for me to catch back up! He may notice some things right away and others in a few weeks or so.

I used to come home from work in the evening and pass out on the couch within an hour or two...then go upstairs and sleep all night. I don't do that anymore (okay, sometimes I still do...when I don't feel well).

I think your DH will feel more energetic. He may (surprisingly) feel more relaxed (blood pressure is another issue that sleep apnea makes worse). He may be calmer and notice fewer "aches and pains" if he had any. It's hard to really say since each person is different.

 

[CruisinEars]

I have been using it for 4 nights now. These last 2 I have used it all night long. It does help me breathe easier, but I am still not getting undisturbed sleep. I tend to wake up when the mask shifts or condensation drips on my nose. Last night I started with it and it was whistling. So I had to take it apart and try again. Then I couldn't get a consistent seal. But, I kept at it and still slept with it all night. I was still tired at my desk this morning. Could just not stay awake. I think it is because I sit at my desk and computer most of the time. I have noticed that I am not as stiff and sore anymore. That is a nice benefit.

 

[hiwaygal]

I had a hard time with getting the seal right too. It will take some getting used to.

Believe it or not, you are probably getting better quality sleep when you are sleeping so it kinda makes up for the waking up when the mask leaks or something.

If it gets really bothersome, you might want to see about a different kind of mask. Maybe something that fits your sleep pattern better (some are better for back sleepers, some are better for side sleepers).

Or maybe a different pillow...or just the pillows arranged differently.

 

[CruisinEars]

I spent a few minutes last evening adjusting the mask and realized I just didn't have it tight enough. So, I tightened it and was able to sleep all night with it. The condensation is still bothersome though. I have to dry it out a couple of times during the night. I keep the moist setting at about 1/2 and if I turn it off, my throat dries out. I guess I will just have to deal with the occasional drips.

 

[hiwaygal]

I think that condensation problem would annoy the crap out of me too...maybe talk to your provider and see if they have any suggestions on how to reduce or eliminate it. It just seems like you are really having a lot of condensation.

Glad you were able to adjust the fit!

Are you feeling like you are more "awake" during the day?

 

[cruisindisney]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago and I couldn't stand the cpap and mask. I never could sleep more than a few hours before ripping it off in panic.

I went to my nose and throat doctor and he did surgery on me. He removed my tonsils, my top soft pallet and seared down my adnoids. I sleep all night now and feel rested. WOO HOO!! I also don't snore much if at all. My husband loves that.

 

[CruisinEars]

I think that condensation problem would annoy the crap out of me too...maybe talk to your provider and see if they have any suggestions on how to reduce or eliminate it. It just seems like you are really having a lot of condensation.

Glad you were able to adjust the fit!

Are you feeling like you are more "awake" during the day?

Yep, I am feeling more alert during the day. My coworkers are noticing too. I think it will take more time to get used to it though. But so far, I am pretty happy with it. the mask is reasonably light and comfortable and it allows me to sleep on my side. I think I will get some fabric and make a sleeve for the hose though. it slides against the wood side rails of my bed and makes that "bump, bump, bump" sound.

 

[hiwaygal]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago and I couldn't stand the cpap and mask. I never could sleep more than a few hours before ripping it off in panic.

I went to my nose and throat doctor and he did surgery on me. He removed my tonsils, my top soft pallet and seared down my adnoids. I sleep all night now and feel rested. WOO HOO!! I also don't snore much if at all. My husband loves that.

I'm glad that worked for you! I've only heard of two folks who have had surgery to correct sleep apnea, and both were here on the DIS. One poster's surgery was significantly more drastic than yours, IIRC.

I'm just not sure I'd be willing to go through all that!!

Yep, I am feeling more alert during the day. My coworkers are noticing too. I think it will take more time to get used to it though. But so far, I am pretty happy with it. the mask is reasonably light and comfortable and it allows me to sleep on my side. I think I will get some fabric and make a sleeve for the hose though. it slides against the wood side rails of my bed and makes that "bump, bump, bump" sound.

I'm glad you are feeling better and getting more used to the mask. Yeah, I agree it will take more time. Good luck with the hose sleeve! I wonder if that will help with the condensation...

 

[Bee]

My ex-husband had sleep apnea.... then he had gastric bypass surgery her was 587 and 6'6..... After the surgery he lost so much weight and he doesnt have sleep apnea anymore.

But, for those concerned it will bother the husband or wife that sleeps with you... I will tell you from my own experience... it was a little difficult to get used to... but it was a constant noise.. not the loud snores, then gasping for air than no air being taken in.. I for one can say when he started to use the machine... I slept better...

Hope that helps.

Bee

 

[hiwaygal]

Bee - thanks for your input!

I think a lot of us who use the machine wonder what our partners think. My DH mostly says he doesn't hear it...but then he'll make a comment about something (if we hear a leak or something) and I know he does.

Do you think it's kinda like a white noise machine?

I'm sure it did help you sleep better just knowing that he was breathing! My mother has apnea (never treated it) and it used to terrify me when she stopped breathing!

Congrats to your DH on the gastric bypass too!! I have been told that sometimes losing as little as 20 pounds can make a difference in overweight apnea patients.

 

[Bee]

It was easier to sleep because is was a constant noise..

Unfortunately he is now my ex-husband... he got skinny, better looking and now he is engaged to another.

He almost died from the surgery and I a glad he didnt...

I wish I had the machine now... I believe I could use it.... lol


Bee

 

[cgrobin]

I did not know I had sleep apnea until I was diagnosed.

I'm a Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor, and during a standard follow up CT scan the radiologist noted that my Waldeyer's throat ring was enlarged and should be examined.

This concerned my oncologist who then referred me to a ENT who ruled out any disease, including cancer.

When updating my GP (who also happens to be a sleep specialist) on my scan results, he immediately scheduled me for a study. The study showed that when I hit REM sleep, I stopped breathing 60 times an hour. That means that every 60 seconds, I'm not breathing for at least 10 seconds.

I was absolutely miserable during the second half of the study, when I was fitted with the mask and the pressure required was being determined. I was fighting a panic attack from mask, while attempting to get get enough sleep for a successful study. Back then, I thought I'd never have a truly restful sleep again, being forced to wear a mask.

When the respiratory therapist came by with my CPAP, I requested the nose pillows instead of the regular mask. He setup the Ramp Up feature, which starts at a pressure of 5 and over a period of a 1/2 hour ramps up to 12. I find if I have to remove the mask in the middle of the night, I can continue at 12.

I don't used the humidifier. I figure the air in Florida is humid enough, and I have a nasal drip which keeps my nasal passages moist. A few times in the beginning when my nose was stuffy, I must have breathed through my mouth, casing it to be dry.

Now I'm hooked on my CPAP, and one night when I attempted to sleep without it, I was miserable like a toddler without their favorite blankie.

 

[hiwaygal]

cgrobin - Glad you came by to share you experience!

And to you for beating cancer!

I'm glad you were able to find a mask and settings to make it work for you! I think they sort of expect people to have some problems during the study.

I also agree that trying to sleep without it seems really weird now...like I can't get fully comfortable.

 

[cgrobin]

The ramp up feature really makes it easier too. It was set to hit full strength at a 1/2 hour because the study showed I took 20 minutes to fall asleep. Even now I have to start the night adjusting to the pressure, then I'm good for the night.

 

[hiwaygal]

How long have you been using the CPAP?

My RT was not helpful at all. My ramp-up feature didn't go long enough and they claimed they couldn't re-set it to go longer. Maybe they couldn't, I suppose it could depend on the type of machine. But, I finally got used to it and haven't used the ramp-up since about 2 months after I got the machine (it's been 2 years now).

 

[cgrobin]

I've had mine about 8 months.

I have the REMstar Plus M Series with C-Flex

And the OptiLife mask.

I find if the pillow is centered on the nose, you don't even feel the pressure. I used to wave my hand over the vent to make sure it's on.

The CPAP sits next to the bed, so I just have to remember when I flip over to lift the tubing and take it with me when I turn. If not, I can pull the CPAP onto the bed. This has become as much habit as it would be to pull my blanket with me too.

I run the tubing under the blanket and find that keeps it warm enough that I don't get a chill.

 

[CruisinEars]

I found a website cpap.com that sells accessories for the machine. I found out that the "rainout" condensation can be taken care of by wrapping the hose in fabric. They sell a couple of styles, but I think I might make my own. I might also by the softer more flexible tubing. Great fun to look through the site and see solutions to problems that you didn't know you had. They even sell special pillows and gadgets to keep the hose out of your way.

 

[cgrobin]

I wonder if having the tubing under the blanket would help. It would keep a large section of the tubing warm on the outside.

 

[CruisinEars]

I tried, but I just can't put the tubing under the blanket. My sleep style just doesn't allow it. I don't even put my arms under the blankets. I am just going to buy some fleece and make a tube that will slide onto the tubing. Super simple. plus the other reason I wanted it is because the tube makes noise scraping against the side rail of my bed and my nightstand.

 

[GDUL]

I wonder if having the tubing under the blanket would help. It would keep a large section of the tubing warm on the outside.

Keeping the tubing under a blanket will help with the condensation problems. I'm not able to do this myself as the tubing gets tangled up and the next thing I know, the Auto CPAP is on the floor - LOL!

Condensation occurs when the temperature drops as the air moves along a cool tube. You have warm, humidified air near the humidifier and it begins to cool as it moves down the tubing. Warm air holds more moisture than cool air so some of the humidity begins to "rain out." Technically, the temperature of the air decreases about 1 degree for each foot that it travels. Anything that can be done to help keep the temperature stable will decrease the amount of rain out. For instance, if you have your CPAP / humidifier near a cold window, it would help if you're able to move your unit away from the window.

Gary