1. < Sleep Health

Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?

Posted by steve1948 @steve1948, Feb 24, 2017

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.

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

oldkarl | @oldkarl | Sep 14, 2018
In reply to @ecook "Hi, I was wondering where you find those nostril masks. I cannot use the face mask." + (show)
@ecook

Hi, I was wondering where you find those nostril masks. I cannot use the face mask.

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@ecook. Just looking at your picture. Be wary of a nostril mask. Your nose is not long enough and nostrils not large enough for them. The part that goes inside the nostrils will make your nose sore. A small ResMed whole nose mask with a plastic semi-frame to hold it in position should work well for you, as it does for me.

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1 reply
Tttttt | @ecook | Sep 14, 2018
In reply to @oldkarl "@ecook. Just looking at your picture. Be wary of a nostril mask. Your nose is not..." + (show)
@oldkarl

@ecook. Just looking at your picture. Be wary of a nostril mask. Your nose is not long enough and nostrils not large enough for them. The part that goes inside the nostrils will make your nose sore. A small ResMed whole nose mask with a plastic semi-frame to hold it in position should work well for you, as it does for me.

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Thanks for the insight and advice!

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Tttttt | @ecook | Sep 14, 2018
In reply to @oldkarl "@ecook The most important things to remember while choosing a mask and headgear: Get a headgear..." + (show)
@oldkarl

@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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Thanks!

REPLY
Tttttt | @ecook | Sep 14, 2018
In reply to @oldkarl "@ecook The most important things to remember while choosing a mask and headgear: Get a headgear..." + (show)
@oldkarl

@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.

Jump to this post

Thanks that info was really helpful. I appreciate it!

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Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Sep 15, 2018
In reply to @ecook "Hi, I was wondering where you find those nostril masks. I cannot use the face mask." + (show)
@ecook

Hi, I was wondering where you find those nostril masks. I cannot use the face mask.

Jump to this post

Hi @ecook
Do you mind sharing alittle more about what types of mask you have tried in the past and what types of mask issues you are experiencing?

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thankful | @thankful | Sep 15, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @ecook - do you have a medical store close to where you live where you..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @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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@ecook, @johnbishop- John, you are correct. I have been using the Zest for over 15 years and really like it. @ecook, I agree with John about finding a local medical device store in your area is always the best way to go. I can get new mask, cushions for mask, filters, hose, etc. on different time periods so I always have a fresh new componet when needed.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 18, 2018

Greetings fellow CPAP users, I recently had my "Medicare compliance" appointment in sleep medicine...at least that's one of the aspects of the initial followup for new CPAP users. They have to show that they have used the CPAP device for at least 4 hours per day in order for Medicare to pay anything. I started using the CPAP machine after my overnight study at Mayo Clinic. I purchased the device at the Mayo Store on Gonda 17 and was kind of surprised that I didn't have the option to pay the full amount. You basically rent it for thirteen months, making your co-payments for what's not covered by Medicare (if you're on Medicare) and then it's yours. An appointment is setup after the first month to check. No problem with the usage for me but I can't say I enjoyed it much.

I'm still working on getting my AHI numbers to 4 or lower. I've had one night at 3.2 and a couple of nights under 5 but other than those successes, the number jumps up and down on a daily basis. I have noticed the bad nights have more sleeping on my back so I try to avoid that if I can. I had thought I found the perfect mask in the Dreamware full face mask but I can't get through a night with it anymore - makes me claustrophobic, so I'm back to the cover the nose and mouth mask that I used in the overnight study which is a ResMed F10 which is marginally better for me than the Fisher Paykel Simplus full face mask I got with the CPAP machine. So now I'm in the situation of wanting to try a different mask but not knowing if I can get another one yet per the 1 mask each 3 months Medicare rule. I can get by with the original one but it has not been what I consider nose friendly with the top of my nose...kind of rubs me the wrong way and provides some red spots for my glasses to reside on. The nurse was pretty happy with the information that was downloaded. She also gave me a tip on a site that sells comfort covers for full face masks. So I'm probably going to visit and get one to see it helps
-- http://www.CPAPComfortCover.com/

Regardless, I'm sticking with it and will keep trying new things until I get into the comfort zone.

Happy Zzzzs to all,
John
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1 reply
bernese53 | @bernese53 | Sep 18, 2018

Have you tried the Amara view? It is a full face mask but id very minimal in terms of covering your nose and mouth. How pro-active did you need to be in terms of thr follow-up appointment at Mayo? I also had a sleep study done at Mayo and got my CPAP at Gonda 17 about eighteen months ago but gave heard nothing from Mayo in terms of follow-up.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @bernese53 "Have you tried the Amara view? It is a full face mask but id very minimal..." + (show)
@bernese53

Have you tried the Amara view? It is a full face mask but id very minimal in terms of covering your nose and mouth. How pro-active did you need to be in terms of thr follow-up appointment at Mayo? I also had a sleep study done at Mayo and got my CPAP at Gonda 17 about eighteen months ago but gave heard nothing from Mayo in terms of follow-up.

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Hi @bernese53, the Amara View is much like my Dreamware full face mask that fits under the nose. I had thought about trying it but feel I will have the same issues as with the Dreamware since it's under the nose and breathing through a hole in the mask to the nose.

Are you on Medicare? I don't think the follow up is as important if you are not on Medicare unless you are having trouble. When you got your CPAP machine at Mayo did you have to sign a contract for purchasing it? If you are having problems I would definitely recommend calling and making a follow up appointment. I think they can be helpful in analyzing sleep breathing problems.

REPLY
1 reply
thankful | @thankful | Sep 18, 2018
In reply to @johnbishop "Greetings fellow CPAP users, I recently had my "Medicare compliance" appointment in sleep medicine...at least that's..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Greetings fellow CPAP users, I recently had my "Medicare compliance" appointment in sleep medicine...at least that's one of the aspects of the initial followup for new CPAP users. They have to show that they have used the CPAP device for at least 4 hours per day in order for Medicare to pay anything. I started using the CPAP machine after my overnight study at Mayo Clinic. I purchased the device at the Mayo Store on Gonda 17 and was kind of surprised that I didn't have the option to pay the full amount. You basically rent it for thirteen months, making your co-payments for what's not covered by Medicare (if you're on Medicare) and then it's yours. An appointment is setup after the first month to check. No problem with the usage for me but I can't say I enjoyed it much.

I'm still working on getting my AHI numbers to 4 or lower. I've had one night at 3.2 and a couple of nights under 5 but other than those successes, the number jumps up and down on a daily basis. I have noticed the bad nights have more sleeping on my back so I try to avoid that if I can. I had thought I found the perfect mask in the Dreamware full face mask but I can't get through a night with it anymore - makes me claustrophobic, so I'm back to the cover the nose and mouth mask that I used in the overnight study which is a ResMed F10 which is marginally better for me than the Fisher Paykel Simplus full face mask I got with the CPAP machine. So now I'm in the situation of wanting to try a different mask but not knowing if I can get another one yet per the 1 mask each 3 months Medicare rule. I can get by with the original one but it has not been what I consider nose friendly with the top of my nose...kind of rubs me the wrong way and provides some red spots for my glasses to reside on. The nurse was pretty happy with the information that was downloaded. She also gave me a tip on a site that sells comfort covers for full face masks. So I'm probably going to visit and get one to see it helps
-- http://www.CPAPComfortCover.com/

Regardless, I'm sticking with it and will keep trying new things until I get into the comfort zone.

Happy Zzzzs to all,
John

Jump to this post

@johnbishop- Congrats John! As I have written in past posts, the mask really makes the difference. My AHI is usually between .07 and 1.5 and my ususage is over 7 hrs per day. This was not the case early on as I struggled to find the right mask as well as getting the correct pressure dialed in. The thing for me that helped me hang in there was I really noticed the difference especially on the nights that I kept the mask on and I woke up rested and refreshed! That will soon come for you I'm sure! Keep trying different masks until you find the right one and if necessary ask the sleep clinic about changing the pressure. My pressure is set at 12 and I know I have a ramp of 15 min. Sending you a fortune cookie notice "you will have sucess in your sleep endeavors"! Jim @thankful

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