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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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@johnhans my sleep medicine doctor wants my AHI number to be under 4 also. I've been using my CPAP for going on 4 months now and have been under 4 five or six nights so far but it keeps going up a few notches when I have a good night. My last 4 nights have been 4, 3.3, 6.9 and 6.5. It seems like it's related to not sleeping on my side as much but not sure.
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2 ReactionsKeep up the good work. It is all a trial and error, but the best is using the CPAP.
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3 ReactionsIt'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
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2 ReactionsThank 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.
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1 Reaction@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
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1 Reaction@johnhans and JK @contentandwell, thank you -- I'm pretty sure things will get better but probably not as fast as I would like ☺ My dear mother used to tell me "Gimme, Gimme My Name is Jimmy!" when I was growing up. I guess I haven't changed much in wanting stuff to happen quickly. I think a lot of my problem may be related to my bad knee and the pain sleeping on either side. I try to stay sleeping on my side because the apnea is worse when I sleep on my back and forget about sleeping on the stomach...doesn't work for me. I'm hoping a knee replace in the Spring may help with that part of the sleeping. I know that will be another hurdle during rehab and something I'll have to work on.
John
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2 Reactions@johnbishop I have bursitis in both hips that acts up regularly so then I cannot sleep on my sides. I have trouble sleeping on my back, so stomach it is.
I too want stuff to happen quickly, but unfortunately that does not usually happen.
jK
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2 ReactionsI 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.
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2 Reactions@etaniguchi, thank you for sharing your Bruxism treatment information. I didn't know that's what it was called. I'm glad it has helped you get uninterrupted sleep. I wished a nasal pillow would work for me. I breath through my mouth mostly and I think it's due to having a deviated septum. The sleep medicine doctor didn't think that would help much to get it fixed. I've lived with it most of my life so I haven't worried about having surgery to fix it.
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1 Reaction@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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