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Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?
I was in the hospital for pneumonia and while I was getting a nebulizer treatment the therapist asked if I use a Cpap at home, at the time I didn't have one. Now mind you I was only sleeping for 2 hrs a night during my pneumonia bout (2 weeks) and the therapist asked if I were open to using a BPAP (what they call it in a hospital) it was a large machine and I said of course. Upon using it I still only slept for 2 hours but it was a very restful 2 hours of sleep and was welcomed. I told my Pulmonologist and got set up for a sleep study, and it is all history. I sleep more restful (have much less visits to the bathroom at night) and use it religiously. Medicare covered my testing and machine. After my test my doc told me I stopped breathing x amount of times a minute, and was restless (tossed and turned) an ungodly amount of time during my test. On the follow up test (with the Cpap) the number decreased significantly. My sister snores like a constant thunder storm and she went for a test and got her Cpap, and now she doesn't snore at all and tells me she sleeps much better.
There are two ways to use the machine, with a nostril mask (so to speak) and a full mask (you usually see on TV movies). The latter is what I use, I couldn't get use to the nostril application, and if you were to catch a cold, I don't know how well it would work, but I use the mask never the less. Hope this helps, and do read the instructions about your machine.
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@johnbishop Hi, John. After a while things will change. I use the ResMed headgear that is held on with magnets (friends say it works best because I have an iron head). Anyway, it works better when fastened loosely. Takes us about 5 seconds to throw it on and turn out the light. Or turn out the light first. Anyway, don't rush it. Just relax and be comfortable.
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2 ReactionsThanks @oldkarl - appreciate the feedback. My Dreamware full face mask also has the magnetic clips...might have been part of my problem last night as I've got an iron head also - might have attached to my cheek ☺
There are days when I like my full face under the nose mask and there are days when I hate it. Last night was one of the latter. Seems like I breathe better with the other masks that I have but the AHI numbers and leaks are worse. The problem I'm having now is that I still get leaks when the pressure is high and I'm not sure what will fix it. I was going to try and make a mask liner out of an old tshirt but haven't done it yet. Tonight maybe worth trying to make one. I had thought seriously about switching back to the Resmed F10 full face mask or the Fisher-Paykel Simplus full face mask. Both have drawbacks and leak when the pressure is high and I had thought about trying a liner with either one of those. I don't feel as claustrophobic with either of them as the Dreamware but the Dreamware just doesn't feel as comfortable...yet. ☺
I'm guessing I'm not alone trying to find something that you feel comfortable using so will just keep trying things. A pillow is another big issue with me. I'm a side sleeping mouth breather who is used to the large soft pillow (one of those My Pillows). I pitched that when I got the CPAP last month and started using an old small flat feather pillow that I double up and sleep off the edge. Tried one of those spendy CPAP pillows and that was an AHI disaster for me any way. Too hard on my neck from both sides - the memory foam and the cool gel foam. It was a total waste of money like the lady at the medical store said it would be - she wouldn't sell me one even though the store carried them so I went to another store and bought one. I'm back to the small flat doubled up feather pillow but have been looking at a small CPAP travel pillow that is softer. Anyone have some advice on what works for them?
John
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1 Reaction@johnbishop- I wish I could be more help to you John. The Fisher Paykal Zest nasal mask works great for me, but I too am a mouth breather and consequently use a chin strap. I have excellent movement on either side which works well for me as I prefer side sleeping. I use a medium size feather pillow that I form somewhat to whatever position I find comfortable. Happy Zzzz's to all! Jim @thankful
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3 ReactionsThanks Jim @thankful. That's how I've been using the feather pillow I have and it seems to work OK but not quite as comfy as my big pillow. If I didn't have a deviated septum with the left side of my nose always hard to breathe thru, I wouldn't mind trying a nasal pillow. One of the things I don't like about the Dreamware full face mask is that it's not too bad when I first put it on but as I have to tweak the adjustment after awhile if I have a leak then it starts putting upward pressure on the bottom of my nose and starts to hurt. I've used some moisturizer on, in and around the nose that helps a little but eventually starts bothering me again later in the night. I have to take my CPAP in on Sept 14th for a followup appointment in sleep medicine at Mayo so I'm guessing I should start writing down some questions to get answered ☺. Guess they don't trust me to download the data or print it out and bring it to them instead of carting in the whole device.
Happy Zzzz's to you too!
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1 ReactionHello - one of the members who has been active in this discussion on CPAP and also in the larger Sleep Health group is @dawn_giacabazi. Today she is featured in a Connect member spotlight. Please take a moment to read it and learn more about her story. https://mayocl.in/2CVr8Nj
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2 ReactionsHi, I was wondering where you find those nostril masks. I cannot use the face mask.
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2 Reactions@ecook- I have a local store associated with a medical center that I purchase mt C-pap supplies at which makes it easy to pick up (or return) items. If you go on line there are many places such as Amazon or The CPAP Shop. You can click on nasal masks and there are models set up for both men & women. Happy Zzzz's! Jim @thankful
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1 ReactionHi @ecook - do you have a medical store close to where you live where you could see before you decide? I think Jim @thankful uses the Fisher Paykal Zest nasal mask and may be able to offer some advice. I think this is the one he uses:
-- https://www.thecpapshop.com/fisher-paykel-zest-q-nasal-cpap-mask-with-headgear-bundle
There are quite a few others. The following link shows some of the different ones that are available:
-- https://www.thecpapshop.com/all-cpap-masks/nasal-pillow-mask
@ecook what kind of CPAP mask do you use now?
John
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3 Reactions@ecook The most important things to remember while choosing a mask and headgear: Get a headgear with a plastic frame that holds the mask securely in place. The elastic-only headgears just don't stabilize the mask. ResMed makes on, I use it. Second, the smaller the mask you are comfortable with, the better. Third, if you do not have a rather long nose with nose cavity that is open a good distance up inside the nose, don't use the nasal pillows. I tried them, and got horrible sores inside my nose, with infections which were most difficult to stop.
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