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.

cece55 | @cece55 | Jan 15, 2019
In reply to @jjspokane61 "Hello @cece55 I'm pretty new at this too... about a month+ in. I started out with..." + (show)
@jjspokane61

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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Hi jjspokane61,

Thank you for responding to me. I use a Resmed Swift FX For Her mask which is a line of masks for females and their smaller features. I really like it because it is like wearing next to nothing on your face. 🙂 I have small nostrils and and it fits me better than the Dreamwear mask that I started with. Yes, the nasal pillows insert into my nose slightly but they are not tubes. Just a small addition to the actual pillow. I don't take my mask off when I get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom because I don't want to have to put it back on again before getting back in bed...so I carry all the tubing with me.... Taking the mask off before getting out of bed in the morning makes sense though. I called my respiratory therapist and she suggested the same thing. Talking about these masks make me feel like a "Bank Robber"!! I do the same thing in adjusting the straps in the middle of the night...I just pull down the back straps.

My therapist told me I am down to 3 apneas an hour from 30! I am so excited...it makes the whole process worthwhile and bedtime easier to accept. She also told me that the feeling I get when I wake up of not wearing a mask is showing that I am gradually becoming accustomed to the whole process.

Sweet Dreams...

Thank you everyone once again for feedback.

REPLY
1 reply
thankful | @thankful | Jan 16, 2019
In reply to @cece55 "Hi jjspokane61, Thank you for responding to me. I use a Resmed Swift FX For Her..." + (show)
@cece55

Hi jjspokane61,

Thank you for responding to me. I use a Resmed Swift FX For Her mask which is a line of masks for females and their smaller features. I really like it because it is like wearing next to nothing on your face. 🙂 I have small nostrils and and it fits me better than the Dreamwear mask that I started with. Yes, the nasal pillows insert into my nose slightly but they are not tubes. Just a small addition to the actual pillow. I don't take my mask off when I get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom because I don't want to have to put it back on again before getting back in bed...so I carry all the tubing with me.... Taking the mask off before getting out of bed in the morning makes sense though. I called my respiratory therapist and she suggested the same thing. Talking about these masks make me feel like a "Bank Robber"!! I do the same thing in adjusting the straps in the middle of the night...I just pull down the back straps.

My therapist told me I am down to 3 apneas an hour from 30! I am so excited...it makes the whole process worthwhile and bedtime easier to accept. She also told me that the feeling I get when I wake up of not wearing a mask is showing that I am gradually becoming accustomed to the whole process.

Sweet Dreams...

Thank you everyone once again for feedback.

Jump to this post

@cece55- Good for you! I've been following your posts on this matter and didn't really have anything to add in that I use a totally different mask, but sounds like you are making great progress! Jim @thankful

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sleepy0 | @sleepy0 | Jan 26, 2019

Good Morning, anybody with the problem of ResMed P10 pillows whistling upon exhale. Tried all kinds of adjustments without success. Any suggestions, have enough problems without the whistling.

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Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Jan 26, 2019

Hi @sleepy0

Are you sure it’s the pillows? My machine just started doing the exact same thing last week. Very annoying!! They gave me a new machine but still using all my other attachments and I haven’t heard it again.

Thanks
Dawn

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 29, 2019

Hello - I wanted to let you know that one of the Mayo Clinic Connect members active in this "CPAP and Sleep" conversation, @johnbishop, is featured along with two other Mayo Clinic Connect volunteer mentors in a newsfeed post today. The post includes video of John talking about how he found Connect and how he enjoys giving back to others by sharing from his personal experience and research. Please come check out the post, play the videos and make a comment. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed/connect-sharing-strengthens-us-and-others/

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Jan 31, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Hello - I wanted to let you know that one of the Mayo Clinic Connect members..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hello - I wanted to let you know that one of the Mayo Clinic Connect members active in this "CPAP and Sleep" conversation, @johnbishop, is featured along with two other Mayo Clinic Connect volunteer mentors in a newsfeed post today. The post includes video of John talking about how he found Connect and how he enjoys giving back to others by sharing from his personal experience and research. Please come check out the post, play the videos and make a comment. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed/connect-sharing-strengthens-us-and-others/

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@lisalucier @johnbishop I am really looking forward to viewing this. The past couple of days were very busy due to our trip to Denver. I am on the plane now so I am hoping to use the time to catch up because after tomorrow I know we will be very occupied.
JK

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gerryserafino | @gerryserafino | Feb 18, 2019

I am new to this group which I found by looking for any feedback or reviews re: Inspire Therapy for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Anyone out there have experience with the Mayo Clinic's Inspire Team? Anyone had the implant yet? If so, how would you rate it? I am very depressed with my CPAP and I'd do just about anything to sleep well without it. Now, I wake up 2 or 3 times a night because of the CPAP equipment and my relationship with my wife has been severely affected by it. I find myself avoiding going to bed because I dread using it. While it may appear to be working well, I am awake many hours, reading, while I wait to return to sleep, still breathing with the CPAP machine. I hate it. I am currently waiting for Mayo to call me to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 18, 2019

Hello @gerryserafino, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I was not familiar with the new Inspire therapy. For others who are not familiar, more information is available on Mayo Clinic's website here.

The emerging option of upper airway stimulation therapy
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/pulmonary-medicine/news/the-emerging-option-of-upper-airway-stimulation-therapy/mac-20431242

I'm thinking most here do not qualify for getting the new therapy because CPAP works for us (more or less). Hoping we have some members who are using the new therapy and can provide some information for you.

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1 reply
alan bruce | @alanbruce | Feb 18, 2019

I read about a Doctor who does the surgery however I understand if you have the surgery you can not get a MRI in the future. You might want to check that out.

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thankful | @thankful | Feb 18, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @gerryserafino, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I was not familiar with the new Inspire therapy...." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @gerryserafino, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I was not familiar with the new Inspire therapy. For others who are not familiar, more information is available on Mayo Clinic's website here.

The emerging option of upper airway stimulation therapy
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/pulmonary-medicine/news/the-emerging-option-of-upper-airway-stimulation-therapy/mac-20431242

I'm thinking most here do not qualify for getting the new therapy because CPAP works for us (more or less). Hoping we have some members who are using the new therapy and can provide some information for you.

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@johnbishop- I agree John, I'm sure this device would be a lifesaver for those that C-pap does not work for.
Happy Z'zzz's my friends! Jim @thankful

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