1. < Sleep Health

Sleep Apnea and adjusting to a CPAP machine: Tips?

Posted by vickiw @vickiw, Sep 24, 2016

I'm confused on what to do on CPAP. I hate it and am trying to find a dentist that will take my insurance for a dental device. What would happen if I stop using my CPAP while I'm waiting for one?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

Plaid | @bob270 | Oct 19, 2016
In reply to @mollyb1968 "I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take..." + (show)
@mollyb1968

I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take some getting used to but it helps me breathe so much better. I think it is my best friend. I know it will get me breathing again when I stop in the night. I think you need to give it a chance. It is a life support to me. Hope you keep trying until you find something you feel more comfortable with.

Jump to this post

I didn't realize people can die of apnea. Sleep deprivation?

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 20, 2016
In reply to @dawn_giacabazi "@beatricefay, @flor the mask I use is a Phillips Respironics Amara Vuiew Mask. As you can..." + (show)
@dawn_giacabazi

@beatricefay, @flor the mask I use is a Phillips Respironics Amara Vuiew Mask. As you can see in the picture the mask fits under the nose eliminate pressure point on your sinus cavities, that has been my biggest problem in the spring and fall with my full-face mask.

Here is a link http://www.easybreathe.com/Amara-View-Mask-p4423.html?gclid=CjwKEAjws5zABRDqkoOniLqfywESJACjdoiGCb7ENg7WaWBLgGLzF5o9oIhTDjnUaZbpcehfb8wNABoCsnrw_wcB

Works great for mouth breathers
Dawn

Jump to this post

I haven't had trouble with the strap coming off while I'm wearing it, though it has slipped out of the notch when I put it on occasionally. I wear a chin strap that I have to have pretty tight. Whenever I get a new headgear, it takes a few nights of adjusting to stop any leaks. My wife does not like it when my mask leaks. I don't always hear or feel it.

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 20, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

What do you mean by 12-30?

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 20, 2016
In reply to @mollyb1968 "I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take..." + (show)
@mollyb1968

I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take some getting used to but it helps me breathe so much better. I think it is my best friend. I know it will get me breathing again when I stop in the night. I think you need to give it a chance. It is a life support to me. Hope you keep trying until you find something you feel more comfortable with.

Jump to this post

Sleep apnea is a factor in a number of diseases, one being heart disease. I remember that there's a long list of problems caused by sleep apnea.

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 20, 2016
In reply to @mollyb1968 "I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take..." + (show)
@mollyb1968

I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take some getting used to but it helps me breathe so much better. I think it is my best friend. I know it will get me breathing again when I stop in the night. I think you need to give it a chance. It is a life support to me. Hope you keep trying until you find something you feel more comfortable with.

Jump to this post

@hosta, The first month I had a CPAP, I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day. It took awhile to catch up after being sleep deprived for so long. I'm so sorry that you lost your son. Do you know what the apnea did to cause his death? (If you don't want to talk about it, don't feel obligated to do so.) I believe that for me, depression was exacerbated by sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea. Getting caught up on sleep helped my depression for awhile.

REPLY
Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Oct 20, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

@jimhd My pressure settings are set for a range rather than a fixed number.

REPLY
Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Oct 20, 2016
In reply to @mollyb1968 "I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take..." + (show)
@mollyb1968

I have used a CPAP for over three years and I love it. It may take some getting used to but it helps me breathe so much better. I think it is my best friend. I know it will get me breathing again when I stop in the night. I think you need to give it a chance. It is a life support to me. Hope you keep trying until you find something you feel more comfortable with.

Jump to this post

@bob270 untreated sleep apnea can result in very serious side effects and yes even death.
Here is a link that can help you. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/dxc-20205871

Thanks
Dawn

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 21, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

What triggers a change of pressure?

REPLY
Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Oct 21, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

@jimhd good question.
According to my physician, many different factors cause the need for different pressures. Your change in body positions during sleep, if you have seasonal allergies, and your depth of sleep which changes your level of alertness, to list a few. If the pressures are to high the results can cause panic attacks, leaks, swallowing to much air. The range of pressure allows for those changes.

Thanks
Dawn

REPLY
hosta, Eve | @hosta | Oct 21, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

Thanks, I need that explanation!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.