Sleep Apnea

[NoWorry 0]

Just one question, when you sleep with the mask, do you have to sleep on your back or is there no problem with side sleeping? I'm a side and stomach sleeper.

I have been using the CPAP machine for the last 2 years. According to my doctor, I should NOT sleep on my back since this aggravates the condition and closes the breathing passage more readily. I have been sleeping on my side and side/stomach since I got the machine.

[serenity 1]

I have mild sleep apnea and I have the CPAP machine, I hate it, I can only sleep on my back as when I turn it is so uncomfortable. In the middle of the night, I find myself pulling it off and returning to sleep. I don't know if I will ever get used to it. I have been using it 2 weeks now. How long does it take to get acclimated?

[areellady 1]

I remember when I first starting using mine I didnt think I would ever get used to it...I think it took at least a month to really get good and used to the whole tubing and mask and leaks and getting the position just right and then having to turn over and see if something else works...I just know that I dont really dare sleep without it..even if I just take a nap I have it on....I hate waking up choking...I usually hit my husband in the chest with my hand when I wake up choking...not that he notices..he sleeps VERY DEEP!! DEanna

[Evilah 1]

Deanna,

I sleep terribly, I wake up often, have nightmares, go into these coma like states breathing hardly at all. Alternate between sleeping in a recliner and in a bed. I breathe better in the recliner, but it makes my body and especially my neck hurt.

-Evilah

[NoWorry 0]

I have mild sleep apnea and I have the CPAP machine, I hate it, I can only sleep on my back as when I turn it is so uncomfortable. In the middle of the night, I find myself pulling it off and returning to sleep. I don't know if I will ever get used to it. I have been using it 2 weeks now. How long does it take to get acclimated?

It took me about 2 months to get a full night's sleep without waking up at all. I would constantly get the tubing stuck in the mattress, under my pillow or around my head so that when I tried to turn, I couldn't move my head. Each time, I had to wake up and reposition the tube. Finally, I screwed a small hook into my head board, tied a small string around the tube and hooked the string onto the hook. This kept the tubing up and away from the mattress, pillow and my head. After that, the adjustment was a lot easier.

I'm having my Lap-Band surgery this coming week and I'm hoping that within 6 months I will have lost enough weight to not need the CPAP any more. It's my strongest motivating factor for getting the Lap-Band: more that resolving my diabetes, elevated cholestrol and high blood pressure. Even more, I think, than looking good!

[marjon9 6]

I have mild sleep apnea and I have the CPAP machine, I hate it, I can only sleep on my back as when I turn it is so uncomfortable. In the middle of the night, I find myself pulling it off and returning to sleep. I don't know if I will ever get used to it. I have been using it 2 weeks now. How long does it take to get acclimated?

I just want to mention again something that makes a big difference for me, and that is the mask. If you have a mask that covers all or part of your face, I think it is pretty tough to sleep except on your back. There are quite a few lighter masks now. I use the Mirage Swift. Check it out on the internet. It's only one exampe. There are quite a few others. Respironics has a new one called "Opti-life." I have not tried it but it is another example of the lighter mask.

Also, on the small chance you have time for additional forums, you might want to check out CPAP talk forum. This mask issue has been discussed so much on CPAP talk, it's starting to put people to sleep, which is actually a good thing in this situation. Har de har har.

[NoWorry 0]

I just want to mention again something that makes a big difference for me, and that is the mask. If you have a mask that covers all or part of your face, I think it is pretty tough to sleep except on your back. There are quite a few lighter masks now.

When I got my CPAP machine, the clinic where I got it had a large number of machines as well as masks to choose from. I spent almost 2 hours there comparing machine features and trying on masks. I guess I am assuming that everyone does the same thing rather than pick a mask at random. But if anyone hasn't had an opportunity to select the mask best suited to them, I can certainly see the wisdom of going back to step one - mask selection - before looking for another solution.

[marjon9 6]

When I got my CPAP machine, the clinic where I got it had a large number of machines as well as masks to choose from. I spent almost 2 hours there comparing machine features and trying on masks. I guess I am assuming that everyone does the same thing rather than pick a mask at random. But if anyone hasn't had an opportunity to select the mask best suited to them, I can certainly see the wisdom of going back to step one - mask selection - before looking for another solution.

Did you ever see the movie "The Man In The Iron Mask" with Leonardo DiCaprio? When I had my sleep study, that was the only mask available. It weighed about 80 pounds and made me into a pathological claustrophobic with a severe twitch in left eyelid.

At least I can say that I did not pick my mask at random. I picked exactly that specific mask - because it was the only one!

The moral of my story is - the selection of sleep hardware you had is not always available. I started looking into masks when I received my equipment and realized immediately that there had to be a better way.

I was not lucky

[areellady 1]

Oh boy I have had sooo many masks..and had to pay for them all myself because once I used it the medical place would not take them back and then the insurance would not cover anymore for 3 to 6 months...I have had everyone but the FULL face mask...covering the whole face and dont think I could handle that...nose pillows, outside the nose resting up against the nose..nose and mouth, just over the nose...I am not sure which one I have right now..but I like it...It is not gel I know that...it has been the best one so far and I have gotten three of them in a row. I tried using the ramp button last night since I cant get into doc until the 22nd, and that was awesome...my pressure is set at 14 and the ramp starts out at 4...when it hit around 8 it was perfect!!!! I slept like crap last night the pressure kept blowing my mouth open...I sure wish there was a way to adjust this machine ourselves...I think we know if we need more or less...Deanna

[NoWorry 0]

I sure wish there was a way to adjust this machine ourselves...I think we know if we need more or less...Deanna

I called my clinic and pretended I was out of the country and that my doctor had told me I needed a pressure adjustment. They talked me through doing the adjustment step by step. Ever since, I have been able to change the pressure myself. A friend of mine just asked the clinic technician 'nicely' and she told him exactly how to reprogram his machine himself.

[marjon9 6]

Oh boy I have had sooo many masks..and had to pay for them all myself because once I used it the medical place would not take them back and then the insurance would not cover anymore for 3 to 6 months...I have had everyone but the FULL face mask...covering the whole face and dont think I could handle that...nose pillows, outside the nose resting up against the nose..nose and mouth, just over the nose...I am not sure which one I have right now..but I like it...It is not gel I know that...it has been the best one so far and I have gotten three of them in a row. I tried using the ramp button last night since I cant get into doc until the 22nd, and that was awesome...my pressure is set at 14 and the ramp starts out at 4...when it hit around 8 it was perfect!!!! I slept like crap last night the pressure kept blowing my mouth open...I sure wish there was a way to adjust this machine ourselves...I think we know if we need more or less...Deanna

The last time I had a technician come out I said to him "I sure wish there was a way to adjust the machine ourselves." He got a slightly guilty twinkle in his eye, looked both ways, and then told me "You can find the procedure for adjusting most CPAPs on the internet." I found mine posted by someone on the CPAP Talk forum. And I used it right away. The last person who tested me on the sleep study somehow concluded that I needed a setting of 16. WRONG!! At 16 I felt like a balloon with the air coming out flying around the room. I am much more comfortable at 10. So, if you can live with the guilt, wink wink, you can probably find out how to adjust your machine on the net. If all else fails, post a question on CPAP Talk forum: "Can someone please tell me how to adjust a xxxxxxxx model machine."

[jdarrwest 0]

Well. I made it through. It really wasn't too bad for me. The mask wasn't too bad. It was one that just covered my nose and I think the electrodes in my head bothered me more than the mask. I was able to sleep on my side no problem. So now I guess I wait to hear from the home health peeps. One goodie though, I had to weigh again for them and I lost another 3 lbs!! yipee!!!

[dialit 0]

I tried the "mini" gas mask looking things and the nasal pillows, but I got claustrophobia and spent most of my night ripping my mask off as well.

I finally went with the Nasal AireII. The Nasal AireII looks basically like and oversized O2 tube. It has 2 individual "tubes" that seal into each nostril with a main line under the nose that wraps around the ears. Here is a link to a supplier with a photo

http://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1828&PAID=297.

I modified the "head band" into a single strap that goes from behind one ear to behind the other around the back of my head. (I also had a problem with "that headgear feel".

My provider fought me pretty hard on this because he states he has a LOT of patients who have a very difficult time using the Nasal Aire products because the nasal canulas "fall out" during the night. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. If I hadn't found this system, I would be off my CPAP by now because I was THAT frustrated.

I have had that "gasp" reflex before, and it usually happens when I open my mouth while sleeping. I HATE chin straps, but that may be something you could try. I found that sleeping with my dental night guard solved the problem for me.

Good Luck! I agree that if you can tough it out to find the mask that is right for you, you will really feel the difference!

Diane

[CJULZGO 0]

Wow,

Lots of good CPAP info. I hate mine. It was good at first. And once in awhile I sleep well with it. I liked it before my surgery when the mask fit right. Now the mask covers the upper part of my nose and I can't breath. And I can't keep it up high enough. I'm tugging and pulling on it all night long. I pulled the front off of it awhile back. I put it back together now it's messed up. I need to take it in to be fixed. But, I also think I need a different mask. I know if I could get the mask right I would sleep better with it. It just drives me crazy at the moment.

[marjon9 6]

Wow,

Lots of good CPAP info. I hate mine. It was good at first. And once in awhile I sleep well with it. I liked it before my surgery when the mask fit right. Now the mask covers the upper part of my nose and I can't breath. And I can't keep it up high enough. I'm tugging and pulling on it all night long. I pulled the front off of it awhile back. I put it back together now it's messed up. I need to take it in to be fixed. But, I also think I need a different mask. I know if I could get the mask right I would sleep better with it. It just drives me crazy at the moment.

I don't mean to act like a scolding school teacher, but the mask thing is really important. The CPAP will never work without a mask that works for you. And this is a problem with a lot of potential solutions. Now, put on this pointy hat on and go stand in the corner.