Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread

[Tenor CS]

Last night did not go well. Took the mask off after a few hours of fighting it. Might try to get the Quattro full face mask. That's the one I used during my sleep study at the clinic.

It's very hard for me to NOT open my mouth during sleep. I find, when using this nasal pillow mask, that if I open my mouth, the choking sensation is unbearable.

[azherfer]

Back spasms are chest soreness are some of the initial side affects of the CPAP. Imagine that your basically inflating yourself non-stop throughout the night. They do subside, but in my case, the pressure they initially assigned me was just way too high at 14. It's not an exact science. I self-adjusted down a few until I found a pressure that not only didn't cause the soreness, but also kept my mouth from blowing open while I slept. I used the nose pillows too, and it took a good week or more to get completely comfortable, and then I didn't notice it at all.

[azherfer]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

It's very hard for me to NOT open my mouth during sleep. I find, when using this nasal pillow mask, that if I open my mouth, the choking sensation is unbearable.

Which machine were you given? Does it have Bi-flex with it? Bi-flex allows you to break pressure by opening your mouth without that overwhelming intake of air that chokes you.

Here's the machine I was given and it was best thing going at the time.

http://bipapplusmseries.respironics.com/

[Tenor CS]

Originally Posted by azherfer

Which machine were you given?

It is made by Respironics. Series M, I believe. It is not a Bipap machine. My pressure is set at 14 as well. My machine has a "ramp" button that I am supposed to use when I first put it on. It drops the pressure to 4, then over the course of 15 minutes, it gradually ramps up to 14.

[azherfer]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

It is made by Respironics. Series M, I believe. It is not a Bipap machine. My pressure is set at 14 as well. My machine has a "ramp" button that I am supposed to use when I first put it on. It drops the pressure to 4, then over the course of 15 minutes, it gradually ramps up to 14.

14 is pretty high pressure, at least it was for me. I was big guy then, so the pressure of my lungs being fully expanded against my chest wall hurt and I'd be sore all day. I found out how to change the pressure myself and dropped it down to 10 and had no problems after that. Once I had surgery and lost the weight, I had the pressure down to 4 and then just stopped it all together.

I used to have high pressures and I found it slammed my mouth shut. Now with lower pressures I had to go to a full face mask as the lower pressures would not keep my mouth shut and I didn't want to wear that stupid head band thingy.

[Gargoyle]

Do any of you have difficulties snorking? I know I'm missing out on a ton of the overall smoking experience because it is so hard to get the smoke flowing smoothly. I thought it was just me (probably is!), but do you think the changing in the breathing mechanics with the CPAP could affect this?

Originally Posted by Gargoyle

Do any of you have difficulties snorking? I know I'm missing out on a ton of the overall smoking experience because it is so hard to get the smoke flowing smoothly. I thought it was just me (probably is!), but do you think the changing in the breathing mechanics with the CPAP could affect this?

If it does I'm luck as I'm not affected by it Patrick.

[PeteSB75]

Originally Posted by Gargoyle

Do any of you have difficulties snorking? I know I'm missing out on a ton of the overall smoking experience because it is so hard to get the smoke flowing smoothly. I thought it was just me (probably is!), but do you think the changing in the breathing mechanics with the CPAP could affect this?

Not caused me any problems at all. If anything, my nose is generally clearer for being blasted with warm, moist air every night, so snorking is quite easy.

[azherfer]

Originally Posted by PeteSB75

Not caused me any problems at all. If anything, my nose is generally clearer for being blasted with warm, moist air every night, so snorking is quite easy.

This is one feature I miss after stopping the use of my CPAP. For the entire time I used it, which was just over a year, I had no colds, no sinus problems, no phlegm in the back of my throat in the morning. I actually continued using the machine even though I didn't need to because I just got addicted to how great it felt having that mask on.

[Tenor CS]

Night #2, still can't get used to it. Had to take the mask off to fall asleep. If I hit a week without it working, I'm switching masks.

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

Night #2, still can't get used to it. Had to take the mask off to fall asleep. If I hit a week without it working, I'm switching masks.

Christian...I started out with a mask similar to the one you're using and could not fall sleep either. After the first night, I called the doc to switch masks. Go with the full face mask and you will sleep like a baby. Don't wait a a week. Just my

[eber]

Originally Posted by Tenor CS

Night #2, still can't get used to it. Had to take the mask off to fall asleep. If I hit a week without it working, I'm switching masks.

I have had my CPAP for a little over 2 months and at first (2 wks) I couldn't fall asleep and ended up taking it off. Then I was able to fall asleep but would wake up with it off, and I don't remember doing it. now I am finally able to sleep the night through with it on most of the time. Everyone is different and it may take you longer to get used to it or you may get used to it in a couple days.

anyways, best of luck to you, and btw I have a full face mask and a pressure of 13

[Tenor CS]

Kelmac, at the sleep study center, I used a mask called the Quattro. Image here. I fell asleep ok, but by the 5th-6th hour of the study, the sensor they clip to your finger to monitor your Oxygen levels felt like it was being squeezed in a vice grip. It was way too tight. That night was not a good night of sleep.

I had heard good things about the nasal pillows on here, so I suggested maybe I try that one. The one I have is called the Opus. Image here.

The girl who gave me my CPAP orientation suggested I wait a week or so before I switch masks. I have also been given Flonase spray to open the nasal passages, which has helped.

[kelmac07]

Christian...here is the mask I switched to over a year ago and have no issues at all.

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-mask...sk-resmed.html

I switched masks the second day...I could not fall asleep and called them the next morning. The next day, I was there swapping masks. Hope all pans out for ya.

[Emjaysmash]

So, after dragging my feet, I'm set up for a Sleep Consultation for Sept. 18th, when I come back home for the High Holidays. After that, I'm sure its off for a sleep study.

Updates anyone?

Some of you have yet to have your tests!

[PeteSB75]

No update, just curious how often people generally go back for re-evaluation.

Originally Posted by PeteSB75

No update, just curious how often people generally go back for re-evaluation.

I go every two years if I can.

[eber]

Originally Posted by ahc4353

Updates anyone?

Some of you have yet to have your tests!

I am completely used to my CPAP mask and sleep through the night, every night with it on and wake up with it on in the morning. It took a while to get to this point but it is so worth it, I feel so much better during the day. Good luck to everyone just starting out, and if you are on the fence about getting tested, just go DO IT!