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.

roserivitar | @roserivitar | Sep 30, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @roserivitar, That would be a great question for the sleep medicine doctor. There is a..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @roserivitar, That would be a great question for the sleep medicine doctor. There is a lot of different technical information available that tells you how the events are recorded but it's not so easy for the average bear including myself to understand.

Respiratory Event Detection by a Positive Airway Pressure Device: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3274337/

Rules for Scoring Respiratory Events in Sleep: Update of the 2007 AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3459210/

If I understand it correctly, it's just recording changes of air volume/pressure the machine using sensors and mathematical algorithms to come up with the events per hour. So even though you only recorded 40 minutes worth of time using the BiPAP it saw an "average" of 70 events. It does beg the question if the machine is calibrated correctly or if there is an issue with the settings which would be a great question to ask your sleep medicine doctor.

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Thank you so much for the great suggestion!! I will be taking this thought to my pulmonologist!

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 9, 2022

Hello @suzeruser, Welcome to Connect. I saw in the Open for the Holidays: Staying Connected Virtually discussion that you mentioned you were looking for suggestions to help with the difficulties you are having with your CPAP machine. I'm sure many of us here on Connect using CPAP have had similar experiences and may be able to offer some suggestions.

Are you able to share a little more about the type of problems you are having?

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Berge Markarian | @bergem | Mar 12, 2022

My AHI was 7, but they put me on CPAP machine at Cleveland Clinic Florida but my sleep pattern did not improve and I still felt tired. Lately I read that doctors are recommending CPAP without real indication, so I stopped using mine , as my doctor did not want to order a repeat sleep study as I requested to see any difference. So I am doing OK now . Thank you bergem

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1 reply
susie333 | @susie333 | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @bergem "My AHI was 7, but they put me on CPAP machine at Cleveland Clinic Florida but..." + (show)
@bergem

My AHI was 7, but they put me on CPAP machine at Cleveland Clinic Florida but my sleep pattern did not improve and I still felt tired. Lately I read that doctors are recommending CPAP without real indication, so I stopped using mine , as my doctor did not want to order a repeat sleep study as I requested to see any difference. So I am doing OK now . Thank you bergem

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I was put on Cpap with an AHI of 5.9..... overtime with no results as I was still napping daily. after a year my sleep dr started me on Sunosi 75mg with best results. it's my little magic yellow pill. I now have energy, no naps and don't feel exhausted. look for a coupon card online as its very expensive. I recently had an inpatient sleep study done that showed an AHI of 16.9. still waiting for replacement of my recalled machine but am using the full mask and an extra filter where the hose attaches to machine.

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2 replies
roserivitar | @roserivitar | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @susie333 "I was put on Cpap with an AHI of 5.9..... overtime with no results as I..." + (show)
@susie333

I was put on Cpap with an AHI of 5.9..... overtime with no results as I was still napping daily. after a year my sleep dr started me on Sunosi 75mg with best results. it's my little magic yellow pill. I now have energy, no naps and don't feel exhausted. look for a coupon card online as its very expensive. I recently had an inpatient sleep study done that showed an AHI of 16.9. still waiting for replacement of my recalled machine but am using the full mask and an extra filter where the hose attaches to machine.

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I'm just wondering why you are using an extra filter on your machine. Is that in a Resmed machine as you said you are still waiting for a replacement for your recalled machine.

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1 reply
Berge Markarian | @bergem | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @susie333 "I was put on Cpap with an AHI of 5.9..... overtime with no results as I..." + (show)
@susie333

I was put on Cpap with an AHI of 5.9..... overtime with no results as I was still napping daily. after a year my sleep dr started me on Sunosi 75mg with best results. it's my little magic yellow pill. I now have energy, no naps and don't feel exhausted. look for a coupon card online as its very expensive. I recently had an inpatient sleep study done that showed an AHI of 16.9. still waiting for replacement of my recalled machine but am using the full mask and an extra filter where the hose attaches to machine.

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Thank you Susie
I will try Sunosi

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1 reply
sophia53 | @sophia53 | Mar 13, 2022

My number was 77. Thanks Covid. It took a few months to get used to it but the one that goes under your nose was the easiest for me. Make sure you keep your mouth closed (may not make sense but will when you try it) You have to clean it every day which is a pain but I sleep 8 solid hours a night. So well rested. Nothing better than good sleep.

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1 reply
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @sophia53 "My number was 77. Thanks Covid. It took a few months to get used to it..." + (show)
@sophia53

My number was 77. Thanks Covid. It took a few months to get used to it but the one that goes under your nose was the easiest for me. Make sure you keep your mouth closed (may not make sense but will when you try it) You have to clean it every day which is a pain but I sleep 8 solid hours a night. So well rested. Nothing better than good sleep.

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@sophia53 and all...So right. It took me months to really make adjustments and learn more possibilities for easy used I have a Resmed, for a couple of years. I now almost like it. Recently had sinus surgery and have had some issues, but basically have a good experience.

Best thing ever...I bought a SoClean machine. I repeatedly got bronchitis from my machine. I have trouble using my hands and other issues, so had trouble cleaning the machine, hose et al. Now, I stick the mask, nasal cushion...sits under the nose comfortably with little leaking...couldn't use it at all if I didn't have this cushion. I use mine as a bi-pap since I have trouble remembering to breath in, even awake. Better now since using bi-pap.
Since using the Soclean machine, no respiratory issues. Amazing. Just use the machine, clean it with wipes several times weekly, change little filter often. I use the humidifier and a heated hose that message it more comfy.

Wish you well. Blessings as you breath and sleep.
Elizabeth

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sophia53 | @sophia53 | Mar 13, 2022

I have a Resmd I use for travel - still not used to it. It has a humidification attachment but still have a dry mouth. My dream station with tank works great but has the recall. It may cause cancer but would die a lot quicker by not breathing at night. Been to 3 sleep centers and they just give you the run around. It will be 8 months before I get a replacement machine. The resmd I bought out of pocket for $1000 because you can only have 1 with insurance even though one is recalled. They don’t pay for filters or anything. Ridiculous. Thank goodness I’m not broke and have a decent husband to take care of me. I heard the cleaners are bad from one and one tried to sell me one but I would definitely go by how you are feeling and not getting infections. Glad you are feeling better. Listen to your body & advocate for yourself. Going to up my antidepressant and adding an anti anxiety. Talk to a therapist once a month. Take a break - till next winter. Then go get another set of tests & opinions from different doctors to hopefully speed up the process when they have more information. It’s been a tough couple years - really need a break & some good news for a change.

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1 reply
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @sophia53 "I have a Resmd I use for travel - still not used to it. It has..." + (show)
@sophia53

I have a Resmd I use for travel - still not used to it. It has a humidification attachment but still have a dry mouth. My dream station with tank works great but has the recall. It may cause cancer but would die a lot quicker by not breathing at night. Been to 3 sleep centers and they just give you the run around. It will be 8 months before I get a replacement machine. The resmd I bought out of pocket for $1000 because you can only have 1 with insurance even though one is recalled. They don’t pay for filters or anything. Ridiculous. Thank goodness I’m not broke and have a decent husband to take care of me. I heard the cleaners are bad from one and one tried to sell me one but I would definitely go by how you are feeling and not getting infections. Glad you are feeling better. Listen to your body & advocate for yourself. Going to up my antidepressant and adding an anti anxiety. Talk to a therapist once a month. Take a break - till next winter. Then go get another set of tests & opinions from different doctors to hopefully speed up the process when they have more information. It’s been a tough couple years - really need a break & some good news for a change.

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@sophia53...I'm so sorry you've had a tough few years. I agree, and probably every person I know would agree that the last 3 years have been some of the worst in many ways. It's going to take us all a while to recover from covid, whether we had it or not. I didn't, or would probably not be here today as I have so many health issues.

These past few years have been so crazy and our bodies, emotional and physical, have paid a price, I think. I've been having emotional problems worsen and my doctor and I are working on the right meds to calm things down. I have PTSD, didn't realize I had it until this year. Had an experience that brought back some bad times and brought it to the surface, so now I get to deal with things I thought I'd already dealt with effectively. Well, I guess I didn't.

So, I'm thrilled I now have good nights of sleep. I now use medical marijuana tincture, 1x1 THC: CBD. It has helped me immensely with anxiety, pain, sleep, etc. I'm finding, at age 75, to think out of the box and be willing to fight to find answers that work for me. So, keep using your c-pap and give it a good try. My sleep apnea testing was definitive. So, this machine is truly saving my life.

Be well, be safe, be blessed. elizabeth

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