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.

thankful | @thankful | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @cece55 "Hello again everyone. It is the newbie here. I have good nights and not so good..." + (show)
@cece55

Hello again everyone. It is the newbie here. I have good nights and not so good nights but I am trying the best that I can not to take a "vacation" night! I have a couple of questions.

The first question is about cleaning all the pieces that make up our Sleep Apnea Devices. All my literature says every night. My respiratory therapist told me once a week was fine. I am cleaning everything with hot, soapy water and rinsing every morning. Am I overdoing it?

The next question is about the SoClean. I know that there is another location for the SoClean questions and I did read all the responses but they seem to be 1/2 a year old so I thought I would ask again...thoughts on purchasing a SoClean? I realize I still have to wash everything at least once a week along with using the SoClean and that is not a problem. The odd smell I am reading about is the problem. I am hyper sensitive to a lot of things and if there is an odd odor to the mask and hoses once they go thru the machine and you use them at night, I would like more info about it. Does it go away after a couple of minutes or does your mask smell that way until you get a new one? I guess where this is going is .....if I don't like the smell can I wash it away? 🙂

On one last note...I am finding as a new user of CPAP, I tend to get a little anxious right before bedtime. If I let my mind and body do this and start thinking about the mask and that this is the way I sleep for the rest of my life, I will have trouble relaxing and falling asleep. If I don't let my mind go there... I can fall asleep much easier. Any advice on acceptance and not thinking about it at around 10 p.m? Thank you everyone for your support.

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@cece55- As you may have read in my past posts I've been using C-pap for 20+ years and when I asked my sleep Dr. about the cleaning issues he just suggested just what you said about weekly. I rotate new or clean cushions for my nasal mask weekly and wash with mild soapy water using a product called Newport+ Home Lemon Verbena or Lavendar Sage that is infused with coconut & essential oils.
It's not overpowering, but gentle and leaves a nice lightly scented smell to my gear. As for the mental state of not allowing ourselves go to a negative place I have always focused on sort of my Zen position (not sure exactly want that means) but for me it means getting comfortable in bed on my back with my pillow slightly elevated and a light comforter over me and arms folded on my sides out of the blankets. I do some shallow breathing taking breaths in through my nose and then letting the air out slowly through my mouth. This helps me focus on relaxing. I do all this and if I feel sleepy enough I put on my gear and usually am asleep in 15 min. Other times especially when I have lots on my mind I do the big no no and turn on my TV. Usually Natl Geographic or History channel and set the timer for 15 minutes. I don't watch whats on, but it provides enough of a distraction that my mind doesn't kick in and usually I'm asleep before the TV goes off.
I have never been sick that I'm aware of because of unclean equipement and for me see no reason to add a SoClean to my night table.
Happy Zzzz's Jim @thankful

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @thankful "@johnbishop, @alanbruce- I wish I could have my earlier numbers when I 1st started using C-pap,..." + (show)
@thankful

@johnbishop, @alanbruce- I wish I could have my earlier numbers when I 1st started using C-pap, but that was too many years ago.
Currently I have 1-2 events throughout the night and stay in the range of 1.3- 1.7 ahi. I avg. 7.5 hrs. per night and consistantly that has been the case months on end. Perhaps longevity in using the C-pap is the real answer here and I'm an old pro at this one. You heard me say often that the mask is key for how well you take to C-pap and I still believe that, but I do believe that will take some time for everyone to settle on that's just right for them (kinda like the 3 bears :)) The one thing that I have also found that is key is that once we become aware of leakage issues there is a tendency to over correct the tightness of the mask and that often leads to further discomfort. I have found that all it takes is the slightest adjustments that really make a difference and add to a much better experience. Compared to where I started, I wear my mask much less as tight as I ever have. I still get an occasional sad face as far as leakage, but for the most part I ignore that and keep going. Happy Zzzz's Jim @thankful

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Hi Jim @thankful - thanks again for the sound advice. My mask does leak once in awhile but I've given up on trying to adjust it because that's when I started hurting my nose by getting it too tight. Now I have a small MyPillow travel pillow that I use on top of my normal pillow and can adjust my head a little if the mask starts leaking due to sleeping on my side. I'm not sure I've found my perfect mask yet but I've switched so many times that I'm going to ride this one a little longer before looking.

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @thankful "@cece55- As you may have read in my past posts I've been using C-pap for 20+..." + (show)
@thankful

@cece55- As you may have read in my past posts I've been using C-pap for 20+ years and when I asked my sleep Dr. about the cleaning issues he just suggested just what you said about weekly. I rotate new or clean cushions for my nasal mask weekly and wash with mild soapy water using a product called Newport+ Home Lemon Verbena or Lavendar Sage that is infused with coconut & essential oils.
It's not overpowering, but gentle and leaves a nice lightly scented smell to my gear. As for the mental state of not allowing ourselves go to a negative place I have always focused on sort of my Zen position (not sure exactly want that means) but for me it means getting comfortable in bed on my back with my pillow slightly elevated and a light comforter over me and arms folded on my sides out of the blankets. I do some shallow breathing taking breaths in through my nose and then letting the air out slowly through my mouth. This helps me focus on relaxing. I do all this and if I feel sleepy enough I put on my gear and usually am asleep in 15 min. Other times especially when I have lots on my mind I do the big no no and turn on my TV. Usually Natl Geographic or History channel and set the timer for 15 minutes. I don't watch whats on, but it provides enough of a distraction that my mind doesn't kick in and usually I'm asleep before the TV goes off.
I have never been sick that I'm aware of because of unclean equipement and for me see no reason to add a SoClean to my night table.
Happy Zzzz's Jim @thankful

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@thankful and @cece55 -- I jumped on the SoClean 2 bandwagon after the second week of cleaning the mask, hose and humidifier tank. It is just too easy to put the mask in it, press the button and walk away. I still wash the hose, tank and mask about once every 2 to 3 weeks with a solution that is made for CPAP equipment. I just use a couple of capfuls in the sink with lukewarm water, scrub a dub rinse and air dry. Generally takes me about 15 to 20 minutes every few weeks vs doing it daily. I do change the filters in the SoClean every 2 weeks but it's a one minute job plus however long it takes me to dig the filter out of my CPAP storage container. I will have to check out the Newport+ stuff - sounds good. Happy Zzzz's to you two too! (and all of our CPAP friends ☺)

REPLY
1 reply
cece55 | @cece55 | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "@thankful and @cece55 -- I jumped on the SoClean 2 bandwagon after the second week of..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@thankful and @cece55 -- I jumped on the SoClean 2 bandwagon after the second week of cleaning the mask, hose and humidifier tank. It is just too easy to put the mask in it, press the button and walk away. I still wash the hose, tank and mask about once every 2 to 3 weeks with a solution that is made for CPAP equipment. I just use a couple of capfuls in the sink with lukewarm water, scrub a dub rinse and air dry. Generally takes me about 15 to 20 minutes every few weeks vs doing it daily. I do change the filters in the SoClean every 2 weeks but it's a one minute job plus however long it takes me to dig the filter out of my CPAP storage container. I will have to check out the Newport+ stuff - sounds good. Happy Zzzz's to you two too! (and all of our CPAP friends ☺)

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Hello John, can you tell me anything about the ozone smell that I read about in the reviews?

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 10, 2019
In reply to @cece55 "Hello John, can you tell me anything about the ozone smell that I read about in..." + (show)
@cece55

Hello John, can you tell me anything about the ozone smell that I read about in the reviews?

Jump to this post

@cece55 I can smell a small amount when I open the SoClean machine after it's done but it's not bad or much - for me anyway. I generally start it right when I take a shower and it runs for 2 minutes and makes the buzzing noise that some people don't like. Then it has to stay closed for 2 hours which is the time it takes for the sanitation process. So I usually open the cover in the afternoon and change the water in the humidifier tank so that when I go to bed I don't notice any ozone smell.

REPLY
cece55 | @cece55 | Jan 10, 2019

John, thank you always for your quick response. My main concern was when I go to use the CPAP at night. It sounds like it isn't a problem by then. My doctor said that I should wait to purchase the SoClean. He said that soap and water have been around for a long time and just take this time to get used to all my equipment. I am just trying to avoid sinus infections. I will have to think about this one.....Have a good night.

REPLY
beatricefay | @beatricefay | Jan 11, 2019

I was told I can wash my hose every other day if I use distilled vinegar (3 cups water to one cup vinegar). I pour it through my hose many times. I like to rinse my nasal pillow every day. I have been doing this for over a year with no problems. I hang up my hose every day to dry. I also change the distilled water every other day. No problems.

Hopefully over time you will adjust to the CPAP machine and will see it as your friend. It does take a while to get used to. Now I can't sleep without it. Keep the thought in your mind that it is a way to improve your health and feel less tired during the day. Good luck.

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cece55 | @cece55 | Jan 15, 2019

Hi, it's the newbie here adjusting. I have a question that I hope someone can answer. I keep switching back and forth from small to medium on my nasal pillows using Swift FX for Her. I am now using my small size again because I kept adjusting the medium until I could find that "sweet spot" which felt the most comfortable. When I use the small, I just adjust occasionally so I feel that is probably telling me small is my size. Two things are happening. First, when I awake in the morning, I feel like the machine is not on. I am breathing normally, as if I am not connected to anything and not having to have the same breathing pattern I use when I first put it on at night. I am not pushing air out and am taking regular, even somewhat limited air in. Then I open my mouth and air escapes and I realize it is on. Am I losing my mind or just adjusting? Has this happened to anyone else?

Secondly, when I get up in the morning the hose is pulling the nasal pillows out of my nose when I stand up, almost like the straps have stretched. Because I am not actually using the CPAP, I am not concerned but wondering if the straps are just dislocated or actually stretch during the night. Has anyone experienced this?

Thank you for answers...just trying to understand. CeCe55

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 15, 2019

Hi @cece55, I'm sure the headgear straps can stretch a little during the night due to head movement at least mine have when I first started. Maybe the hose pulling out the nasal pillows when you stand up is just the slack in the hose? I bought a hose holder that holds the hose off of the floor and above my head. I put the stand under the edge of the mattress and it holds the hose up in the air which seems to work pretty good. I bought a cheaper one from Amazon but a medical store may have other versions. This one shows the stand under the edge of the side of the mattress but I find I like it at the top edge of the mattress to keep it out of the way when I get up.
https://www.amazon.com/BodyHealt-CPAP-Hose-Holder/dp/B078HQ9RF5/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1547574922&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=cpap+hose+holder&psc=1%5D

REPLY
jjspokane61 | @jjspokane61 | Jan 15, 2019
In reply to @cece55 "Hi, it's the newbie here adjusting. I have a question that I hope someone can answer...." + (show)
@cece55

Hi, it's the newbie here adjusting. I have a question that I hope someone can answer. I keep switching back and forth from small to medium on my nasal pillows using Swift FX for Her. I am now using my small size again because I kept adjusting the medium until I could find that "sweet spot" which felt the most comfortable. When I use the small, I just adjust occasionally so I feel that is probably telling me small is my size. Two things are happening. First, when I awake in the morning, I feel like the machine is not on. I am breathing normally, as if I am not connected to anything and not having to have the same breathing pattern I use when I first put it on at night. I am not pushing air out and am taking regular, even somewhat limited air in. Then I open my mouth and air escapes and I realize it is on. Am I losing my mind or just adjusting? Has this happened to anyone else?

Secondly, when I get up in the morning the hose is pulling the nasal pillows out of my nose when I stand up, almost like the straps have stretched. Because I am not actually using the CPAP, I am not concerned but wondering if the straps are just dislocated or actually stretch during the night. Has anyone experienced this?

Thank you for answers...just trying to understand. CeCe55

Jump to this post

Hello @cece55

I'm pretty new at this too... about a month+ in. I started out with a full face mask (pillows under nose but also covered my mouth). That worked 'pretty well' but I decided to switch to the pillow style where the mouth isn't covered. I too experience what you are talking about when you open your mouth the air rushes out... very strange sensation... basically your mouth has become part of the whole pressurized system... so opening your mouth becomes a 'leak'.

I like the nasal pillows much more than the full face. Do you use the type that has the tubes that insert into your nose a bit? I haven't tried those - but I'm thinking about it. I really like the Respironics brand of masks because they allow you to switch out the mask type while keeping all the same head gear (almost all the same)... maybe other brands do that too, but it seems great for new users because you can easily try the other types of masks and find what works best for you. Also... the swivel on the top of the head works great - I have no troubles with the hose at all.

I'm a little confused about the nasal pillows pulling out when you stand up... I always take the mask off while I'm still in the bed. Not sure why you would standup while still connected? As long as the pillow isn't pulled off while your in bed I wouldn't worry about it. I do find that during the night I sometimes adjust the straps... usually just by pulling is down in the back which tightens things back up... I don't adjust the velcro - just pull the strap back down into position. I did find that my hair was making me crazy with all the straps etc. Finally decided to just pull into a short little pony tail - keeps most of it up out of the way and keeping straps tight seems to be working better!!

Hope that helps... JJ

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