Sleep apnea and potential treatments

Thx...Saw that

Consider a change to a bi-pap. The cpap is continuous pressure, and the bi-pap supplies inhalation air pressure, but allows exhalation without pressure, which seems to be an issue for adjusting to a cpap. I have never used a cpap, but a bi-pap has been part of my life for over ten years. Just my experience and $.02...

@wgatap21 I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 15+ years ago. I'm claustrophobic, so I didn't expect to be able to use the mask. Surprise! I was so sleep deprived, I slept 12 hour nights plus naps the first month. I used the full face mask for more than 10 years, and yes, it did make some noise. The machine didn't make much noise but I fought for years with the leaking mask. I think that part of the reason was my beard. A couple of years ago I had a sleep study and the doctor thought that a Bipap machine with nasal cushions would work better for me.

The new machine makes no noise at all. The cushions are so much better than the mask. Sometimes my moving around in my sleep, the cushions get pushed out of where they need to be, and will make a little noise, but when I put them on and adjust them, they are totally silent. Sometimes I take it off because I can't tell if the Bipap is on.

My wife was unhappy with the leaking noise for years and threatened to make me sleep in the guest room. The new machine is a ResMed air wave 10. I use it with a humidifier, and it has a heated hose. Medicare pays for two cushions and filters each month, and I learned with the full face mask the importance of replacing the mask/cushions twice a month.

I know that a lot of people can't get used to a mask, but there are several options that are pretty recent that have improved the functionality of the machine.

The other, compelling reason, that I started using a CPAP was my snoring. No more snoring. If you snore and/or stop breathing when you're on your back, the doctor told me that I could try the low tech solution, sewing a tennis ball in the back of a t-shirt. I never tried it, but it would possibly work for me. But I'm so used to my mask I don't want to quit using it.

I hope you can find a way to treat your apnea. The health risk list for untreated sleep apnea is a long one.

Jim

thanks very much for your story and advice. I will look into it. Have a good day

Sounds like something I would have written. I am claustrophobic and never have used anything but the nasal cushions. So pleased the combination of the BiPap and nasal cushions are working for you. I have the same equipment, and it makes life better, and longer, according to medical studies. Great news!

I have been using CPAP device for nearly 9 years. To begin, any Dr or sleep specialist who tells you by using CPAP you'll get the best sleep of your life is blowing smoke. I started with a solid plastic nose piece but found every time I moved my head even slightly, the seal would break and the hissing would wake my wife. After several adjustments I learned of the Dreamwear nose cushion. It can be used with either pillows which have a flange-like pad that sits just inside the nostril, or there is a pillow that rests on the upper lip just below the nostril. the pressure setting allows for air to gently blow into the nose to the back of the throat and out the mouth keeping the airway open. It attaches to the head by a soft very flexible head piece, and the air is supplied via a flexible hose attached to the top of the head gear. Thus no snoring. Nevertheless, I still need to adjust once or twice throughout the night. It works, but its not great. If I do not wear it I am guaranteed what I describe as panic dreams where I am in crazy situations and gasping for breath. I've read, that is my brain telling my body to wake up.

Hello @star20284, Welcome to Connect. Thanks for sharing your experience. I've had a great experience with my Mayo sleep medicine doctor and therapist at my follow up appointments but then they never told me I would get the best sleep of my life 🙂 They gave me a target of an AHI of 4 to improve my sleep which I'm close to most of the time since using a CPAP almost 3 years. I have struggled with the face mask as I have issues breathing through the nose and have to use some form of a full face mask. The Dreamwear full face mask was the second one I tried and it worked for a couple of weeks before I had to find something else. I have an ENT consult coming up later this month to see if there is anything that can be done to fix my problem breathing through the nose. I hope it goes well because I want to try a mask similar to the Dreamwear one again.

It sounds like the mask you have is doing it's job for you even if you have to adjust it during the night. Have you thought about asking your sleep specialist if they have any suggestions to help with the adjustment problems?

I have mild obstructive sleep apnea. My usual position for sleep is pretty much on my face so getting used to CPAP has been a process. So far, I put in the hours required by Medicare and then take it off and get some "real" sleep. However I am pleased to report that I am getting better and better at gettin "some" sleep with it on. (Been on it a month) The monitor reports that my "not breathing" events have all but disappeared. The best thing about it is that it rehabs one's sinuses to the point that my "old lady drip" has almost disappeared. I am 81 years old and have well supported the tissue industry since my 70s.

I'm not a medical doctor, but sharing my experience. I have been battling extreme fatigue for about the last 10 years and have tried everything to get to the root of the problem. This resulted in my body having blood problems and ongoing worsening blood results, fearing leukemia or polycythemia. I've been to cancer specialists, TRT specialists, sleep specialists, natural medicine, you name it. Turns out my body had very low oxygen, and regardless of every single supplement or treatment I tried, the low oxygen was the culprit. I struggled very much with CPAP and gave up, but after worsening blood test results again and the ongoing fear of polycythemia and leukemia in my blood tests, I am back to dedicating to making CPAP work. This time though the difference was in me finding the right mask that I can stick with. So, for those seriously struggling, I highly recommend if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are struggling with CPAP, I highly recommend to require your provider to have you try multiple masks until you find the one that truly works for you. Originally, I was only given one mask with the machine and I think that is a major letdown in the medical field. When you go in for a mask fitting, I'd just tell them outright you want to try one of each mask, do not put up with them only giving you one mask to "try" (so full face mask, mouth and nasal pillow mask, and nasal pillow only mask at least). Try them each for a week at least and see what works best. Keep trying different masks until you find the right one.

Welcome @omlor, Great to hear that you are sticking with it. Can't tell you how many different masks that I have gone through in my last 4 or 5 years of struggling with my CPAP. I can definitely relate to your CPAP journey. Like you I've tried full face mask, mouth and nasal pillow mask, and even one that covered above my eyes and to my chin like a gas mask 🙃which was a definite no go and got ripped off during the first night. I'm currently back to a Simplus full face mask with guard that touches the middle of your forehead which I started with because it seemed to take the pressure off of my nose but I am waiting for a new one old one that I've used once to see if I can make it work this time - ResMed AirTouch F20.

Thanks again for sharing your experience!