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?

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thankful | @thankful | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @victorkach "Wgatap21. Over the course of 16 years, I've had 4 sleep studies and quit cpap use..." + (show)
@victorkach

Wgatap21. Over the course of 16 years, I've had 4 sleep studies and quit cpap use for four or so years earlier in the course. The machine sounds, sounds of leaking mask fit on my face, and uncomfortable masks.
Over the past 5-6 years, I was successful in finding the right mask, actually two masks, both nasal. Respiron Dreamwear and Resmed Nasal Pillow. Dreamwear has worked successfully and comfortably. I like it and I like the quiet Resmed Airsense 10. All paid by Medicare, but I would pay out of pocket, if I needed to.
In conclusion, I don't want to use a cpap but I want to enjoy the best quality of life and I believe that I am getting that. Got used to using cpap system because I wanted to succeed in using it. I have. I don't notice it when using it. The results are profound...alert and energetic at 76 y/o. Disciplining myself to endure using CPAP has paid off.
Wish you success .

Jump to this post

@victorkach- Great story! CPAP use especially initially is a battle! I've also said that finding the right mask is critical to sticking with it. Your story is inspiring especially for those who have had a sleep study and have been fustrated with CPAP. I've used CPAP therapy for over 20 years and just turned 68. The health ramications of continuing on with apnea's is not good at all! I highly recommend that you need to find the right mask for you! Once you experience that high level of sleep again you will wake up refreshed and realize what you had been missing. Happy Zzzz....s Jim@thankful

REPLY
Barco@2194 | @wgatap21 | Feb 5, 2020

THX...we'll find out after I have my third sleep study in 15+ yrs! Just hope I can get the right mask/machine that Medicare/United Healthcare Supp. will approve! Peace

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @wgatap21 "Question? I have had two sleep tests(0n1 15+ yrs ago(moderate, so I tried (CPAP). Frustrated as..." + (show)
@wgatap21

Question? I have had two sleep tests(0n1 15+ yrs ago(moderate, so I tried (CPAP). Frustrated as I couldn't sleep with it. Next, 8 yrs ago and same outcome.
I have tried the dental piece, even a nasal piece from Mu:te by Rhinomed. Interesting but didn't seem to do the trick. My wife has always said that it is not really snoring, but very heaving breathing(very annoying). I don't seem to wake from it unless she nudges me. If you don't wake, and you have apnea,
I gather I don't get good sleep, even though you could go through the night with apnea, never wake up(that you remember) but not feel that refreshing
wake up even after 8 hours. I believe I have it right. Now I'm 70. In pretty good shape, check-ups 2x a yr....few pills I have to take but still bothering my wife
at times. So I actually saw this ad for a new full face mask(I believe by Resmid) where I can sleep on my stomach. Not sure my Medicare/United Health care
pays but waiting to get in for ANOTHER sleep test!! Determined it has much to do with how I feel during the day. Also, my wife could hear the machine
and is a light sleeper(yrs ago)..are they quiet now...Sorry for the diatribe!! Thx

Jump to this post

@wgatap21

I thought I'd have panic attacks from my being claustrophobic. From the first night in 2002, I slept well for the first time. I used a full face mask for 15 years, but after a sleep study two years ago, I was switched to a Bipap with nasal pillows (also called nasal cushions). Instead of constant air pressure, the Bipap has two settings, mine is set at 12 for inhale and 8 for exhale. I often think that the power must have gone out because I can't tell if it's on or off.

The full face mask worked okay, but I fought every night to move it so it didn't leak. It was frustrating for both my wife and me. I'm sure that the main problem with air leaks is my beard. Now, I don't wake up to my wife poking me. I have a Dream Wave machine and it is totally silent, and the cushions don't leak all the time. I wish the supplier had fitted me with nasal pillows years ago. My marriage might have been a notch better.

Jim

REPLY
1 reply
victorkach | @victorkach | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @jimhd "@wgatap21 I thought I'd have panic attacks from my being claustrophobic. From the first night in..." + (show)
@jimhd

@wgatap21

I thought I'd have panic attacks from my being claustrophobic. From the first night in 2002, I slept well for the first time. I used a full face mask for 15 years, but after a sleep study two years ago, I was switched to a Bipap with nasal pillows (also called nasal cushions). Instead of constant air pressure, the Bipap has two settings, mine is set at 12 for inhale and 8 for exhale. I often think that the power must have gone out because I can't tell if it's on or off.

The full face mask worked okay, but I fought every night to move it so it didn't leak. It was frustrating for both my wife and me. I'm sure that the main problem with air leaks is my beard. Now, I don't wake up to my wife poking me. I have a Dream Wave machine and it is totally silent, and the cushions don't leak all the time. I wish the supplier had fitted me with nasal pillows years ago. My marriage might have been a notch better.

Jim

Jump to this post

That's great news. A story and results similar to mine. Thanks for sharing. Wish you continued success.

REPLY
1 reply
elwooodsdad | @elwooodsdad | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @victorkach "That's great news. A story and results similar to mine. Thanks for sharing. Wish you continued..." + (show)
@victorkach

That's great news. A story and results similar to mine. Thanks for sharing. Wish you continued success.

Jump to this post

Sounds exactly like my setup. I think I’ve been on a bipap since the beginning, about 12 years. Fighting the constant pressure of a cpap cannot be easy for some. 👍

REPLY
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 5, 2020
In reply to @victorkach "Wgatap21. Over the course of 16 years, I've had 4 sleep studies and quit cpap use..." + (show)
@victorkach

Wgatap21. Over the course of 16 years, I've had 4 sleep studies and quit cpap use for four or so years earlier in the course. The machine sounds, sounds of leaking mask fit on my face, and uncomfortable masks.
Over the past 5-6 years, I was successful in finding the right mask, actually two masks, both nasal. Respiron Dreamwear and Resmed Nasal Pillow. Dreamwear has worked successfully and comfortably. I like it and I like the quiet Resmed Airsense 10. All paid by Medicare, but I would pay out of pocket, if I needed to.
In conclusion, I don't want to use a cpap but I want to enjoy the best quality of life and I believe that I am getting that. Got used to using cpap system because I wanted to succeed in using it. I have. I don't notice it when using it. The results are profound...alert and energetic at 76 y/o. Disciplining myself to endure using CPAP has paid off.
Wish you success .

Jump to this post

Hi, @victorkach- what prompted sleep studies 4 times in your case?

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 15, 2020

I just had my 2 year sleep medicine appointment to get my RX for medicare compliance for another year. Much easier this time since I didn't have to cart in my old CPAP machine and took my travel CPAP which I switched to using full time last year shortly after I bought it. I switched because I had 4 great AHI numbers the first time I used it on a long weekend and for the most part I've had better numbers with the Dreamstation GO auto CPAP machine.

It was interesting when the RN said she couldn't find last years data online for my original CPAP machine and I had to tell her that's because I switched to my new travel CPAP full time. The tech imported the data from the CPAP machine and they were happy with the 100% compliance for medicare which is basically 4 hours per day and I averaged 8.1 hours a day. I also mentioned that Mayo Clinic Connect has a lot of great discussions in the Sleep Health group that she might want to share with other patients who are struggling when they first get started with CPAP. Some of us like me are still looking for the perfect mask.

I am currently using a ResMed AirFit F20 full face mask with a CPAP Comfort Cover cloth cover for the mask and it's working well but it covers lots of the face and makes it a little more difficult. I saw the new Fisher Paykel Evora Nasal Face Mask and it was on sale and I just had to try it. Got it Saturday and tried it Sunday night. Put it on adjusted it, really nice feeling and comfortable. Breathed with it for about 10 minutes or so and decided to try it. Disaster - woke up with my nostrils feeling cold and my mouth puffing open. Then I looked over and saw that the air setting was showing 14 where it's normally 8 to 10. Got up switched to my old AirFit F20 and another one bit the dust. Hate it when that happens but I'm always looking for something better. I think most of my problems are due to a deviated septum and as hard as I try to always breathe through the nose it's just not going to happen as planned.

REPLY
2 replies
lolaemma | @lolaemma | Sep 15, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "I just had my 2 year sleep medicine appointment to get my RX for medicare compliance..." + (show)
@johnbishop

I just had my 2 year sleep medicine appointment to get my RX for medicare compliance for another year. Much easier this time since I didn't have to cart in my old CPAP machine and took my travel CPAP which I switched to using full time last year shortly after I bought it. I switched because I had 4 great AHI numbers the first time I used it on a long weekend and for the most part I've had better numbers with the Dreamstation GO auto CPAP machine.

It was interesting when the RN said she couldn't find last years data online for my original CPAP machine and I had to tell her that's because I switched to my new travel CPAP full time. The tech imported the data from the CPAP machine and they were happy with the 100% compliance for medicare which is basically 4 hours per day and I averaged 8.1 hours a day. I also mentioned that Mayo Clinic Connect has a lot of great discussions in the Sleep Health group that she might want to share with other patients who are struggling when they first get started with CPAP. Some of us like me are still looking for the perfect mask.

I am currently using a ResMed AirFit F20 full face mask with a CPAP Comfort Cover cloth cover for the mask and it's working well but it covers lots of the face and makes it a little more difficult. I saw the new Fisher Paykel Evora Nasal Face Mask and it was on sale and I just had to try it. Got it Saturday and tried it Sunday night. Put it on adjusted it, really nice feeling and comfortable. Breathed with it for about 10 minutes or so and decided to try it. Disaster - woke up with my nostrils feeling cold and my mouth puffing open. Then I looked over and saw that the air setting was showing 14 where it's normally 8 to 10. Got up switched to my old AirFit F20 and another one bit the dust. Hate it when that happens but I'm always looking for something better. I think most of my problems are due to a deviated septum and as hard as I try to always breathe through the nose it's just not going to happen as planned.

Jump to this post

Wow! John you too! Actually I had five sleep studies before the final was read and reported correctly to my doctor. I have obstructive sleep apnea and sleep with my mouth open. One nostril is partially blocked right up to my skull scar tissue started building up right after my nose was broken. My brother knocked me down onto my back and while I was stunned ripped the black 50's phone off the wall and broke it on my face. The medical profession experimented for years with stentorious
Snorers. Snoring drew a number of complaints from any one in hearing.Forty years later my chronic fatigue forced the primitive testing. 1993 finally there was something else to torture me with. Twenty years later I received head gear and face mask that fit and made a real seal that fit my face quietly. I have the dream station with the same mask Air Fit 20 large. You sound like a candidate for a BiPap. Ask your doctor to verify that you are a mouth breather. I have been sleeping better and quieter. It is easy to take off and put back on but it's better to turn it off if you are coming back to it soon. The newest head set has several adjustment Velcro straps. Don't suffer. Check it out.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 15, 2020
In reply to @lolaemma "Wow! John you too! Actually I had five sleep studies before the final was read and..." + (show)
@lolaemma

Wow! John you too! Actually I had five sleep studies before the final was read and reported correctly to my doctor. I have obstructive sleep apnea and sleep with my mouth open. One nostril is partially blocked right up to my skull scar tissue started building up right after my nose was broken. My brother knocked me down onto my back and while I was stunned ripped the black 50's phone off the wall and broke it on my face. The medical profession experimented for years with stentorious
Snorers. Snoring drew a number of complaints from any one in hearing.Forty years later my chronic fatigue forced the primitive testing. 1993 finally there was something else to torture me with. Twenty years later I received head gear and face mask that fit and made a real seal that fit my face quietly. I have the dream station with the same mask Air Fit 20 large. You sound like a candidate for a BiPap. Ask your doctor to verify that you are a mouth breather. I have been sleeping better and quieter. It is easy to take off and put back on but it's better to turn it off if you are coming back to it soon. The newest head set has several adjustment Velcro straps. Don't suffer. Check it out.

Jump to this post

@lolaemma, I have the newest ResMed headgear with the AirFit F20 large full face mask. It is easy to take off with the magnetic clips at the side of the mask and is easy to adjust with the Velcro straps. My AHI has averaged 3.3 for the past 90 days with the exception of the night I tried the Evora Nasal mask. Then the AHI was 5.5. I don't think a BiPAP would buy me anything since the Dreamstation Go is Auto CPAP which adjusts the settings on a breath by breath basis if I'm not mistaken. Thanks anyway though! Most of my "internal in my thoughts debate" is over whether a septoplasty to fix my deviated septum would help and if so do I really want to go through the pain 🙂

I complain a lot about the mask because it seems like it should be more comfortable. It took me 4 different masks until I finally settled on the F20 and it works really well for me so I should just leave it at that. I know a lot of members have struggled with masks and I'm sure it's because no two faces are alike as far as a fit goes.

REPLY
lolaemma | @lolaemma | Sep 15, 2020

@john my concern is your mouth breathing. The BiPap adjusts the pressure to keep your breathing comfortable. Medicare pays for the machine and supplies prescribed by your doctor. Actually my health insurance paid until I transitioned. I had a pulmonary work up before the diagnosis of apnea was made. The f20 is the best for me as well. The previous head bands left a dent in my forehead. I know that you are self aware but I've lost trust with many doctors.

REPLY
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