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Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?
Sleep Health | Last Active: Sep 15, 2022 | Replies (356)Comment receiving replies
It's been awhile since I've posted about my progress with my sleep apnea so I thought I would just let my Connect friends know I'm a work in progress. I have good days and I have bad days...which I'm sure all of us do. I still am not sure about the mask I use but I'm getting more used to it and the cloth comfort cover I use really seems to help with the CPAP nose. The DreamMapper app on my phone and the website on my computer help me track my progress but I sometimes put too much focus on it. The only useful data it provides for me is AHI and Usage. The Mask Fit data is kind of a joke because you have to have a specific mask that it supports so I ignore it. I did find a free computer program that will allow you to read the data from your CPAP machines SD card and I was overwhelmed with all of the things it tracks. I still haven't had the time to try and figure it out...I'm putting it off until I have more free time to see if it can be more useful helping me improve my sleep numbers. I did create another discussion here if you want to know more about the program.
Groups > Sleep Health > Want to see all the data stored on your CPAP machine's SD Card?
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/want-to-see-all-the-data-stored-on-your-cpap-machines-sd-card/
If I look at my AHI numbers for a short period it looks like a roller coaster ride. When I look at the bigger picture and what the numbers were when I started I can see the progress. I'm wondering now if that's why I hear a lot of people say it takes about a year before you start seeing benefits of a CPAP machine.
How is your sleep health going?
Happy Friday!
John
Replies to "It's been awhile since I've posted about my progress with my sleep apnea so I thought..."
@johnbishop John, I am hoping that the good days increase in number and that the bad days go away. It's good that are you progressing and getting some better sleep.
JK
I have of long history of Sleep Apnea and had a 5 year interval Sleep Study done at the Sleep Center at Pali Momi Medical Center in Hawaii on 3/31/20. The Split Night PAP Titration was 9 Cm H20. The Pulmonologist prescribed Resmed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillows which I have successfully adapted to with use of a Respironics Deluxe Chin Strap. I adapted to the prescribed Sleep Apnea apparatus but was still unable to get restful sleep because of an unusual concurrent dental problem. I have a long history of Bruxism which was ruining my teeth resulting in multiple dental implants and the nightly use of a mouth guard. Since getting treatment with Botox injections bilaterally in my cheeks by a skilled dental surgeon to eliminate the Bruxism, I no longer need to use a mouth guard nightly and have been able to get uninterrupted restful sleep.
@johnbishop-John I would agree about it taking a year to sort things out! It was over 20 years ago and now on the 3rd C-pap machine, but I've been using the same style nasal mask from Fisher Paykel (Zest) that works for me. I do also use a chin strap since I am more of a mouth breather, but I prefer that setup for me over a full face mask.
Glad to hear about your results with the added padding that makes the mask more comfortable for you. As I have always said "the mask style & fit is everything" when it comes down to sticking with theuse of C-pap and you will never regret it!
Happy Zzzz's to you John & to all our C-pap using friends!
Merry Christmas to all. Jim @thankful
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Thank you John for the update. I do not believe that perfection is possible with CPAP masks. My CPAP doctor says they like to see 20 per cent leakage so some leakage is normal. We discussed about everyone being different in their face so I can see that some will have more problems than others. I find that my face even changes as the night goes on with my face getting less full as the night progresses. I also found out that taking my mask off in the night and then laying it down so the mask is partially covered by the bed results in the machine thinking it is leaking before the machine automatically shuts off.