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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.

catmomma | @catmomma | Aug 17, 2022

I've had my CPAP for six weeks or so. I'm lucky to have gotten it, with the shortages there are now. My experience is they are HARD to get used to. It's a major change, and at first, it kept me awake. I started wearing it during the day while I was watching TV. It's taken time though, a lot longer than I had anticipated.

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oldkarl | @oldkarl | Aug 18, 2022

@steve1948 I have had CPAP/BiPAPP for many years. I am convinced it, with a few meds and 2x Cardiac Bipass have kept me alive. The chief reason some folks fail with CPAP/BiPAP is that they really weren't desperate enough. You really have to want to make it work, and concentrate on that. If you think, "well, I will try it and see if I want it", the application is doomed, and so are you. But if you say "This can save me life, so I will make it work at any cost," it will almost certainly make your life stronger. Just like marriage. oldkarl

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merrilyzi | @merrilyzi | Aug 18, 2022

I have had my Cpap for 10 years. I have had many trials and tribulations during that time. It took me a long time with the help of many respiratory therapist to find the correct fitting headgear and cushion. I'm on my second
cpap machine which is far better than the first. I agree with one of the previous respondent saying you have to realize whether you are better off with it or without it. You have to remember the dangers of long term sleep apnea.
An added complications to my sleep apnea is after the 3rd sleep study I was diagnosed with Central Sleep Apnea.
The treatment besides the cpap was I had to sleep on my sides ONLY. I cannot sleep on my back or my number of events raises dramatically. When that was happening they would raise the pressures on the machines which would literally blow the mask loose which was miserable!! I have been so thankful that I am as far as I am with the help of good therapists and Doctor. My stats are good now and my events are few.
I could write a book! LOL

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1 reply
Cheryl Todd | @calfla02 | Aug 18, 2022
In reply to @merrilyzi "I have had my Cpap for 10 years. I have had many trials and tribulations during..." + (show)
@merrilyzi

I have had my Cpap for 10 years. I have had many trials and tribulations during that time. It took me a long time with the help of many respiratory therapist to find the correct fitting headgear and cushion. I'm on my second
cpap machine which is far better than the first. I agree with one of the previous respondent saying you have to realize whether you are better off with it or without it. You have to remember the dangers of long term sleep apnea.
An added complications to my sleep apnea is after the 3rd sleep study I was diagnosed with Central Sleep Apnea.
The treatment besides the cpap was I had to sleep on my sides ONLY. I cannot sleep on my back or my number of events raises dramatically. When that was happening they would raise the pressures on the machines which would literally blow the mask loose which was miserable!! I have been so thankful that I am as far as I am with the help of good therapists and Doctor. My stats are good now and my events are few.
I could write a book! LOL

Jump to this post

I have been on a BPAP starting in 2016. Went without for two years and now back on. Feeling much better. I think being off for two years may have contributed to my memory loss.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 19, 2022
In reply to @calfla02 "I have been on a BPAP starting in 2016. Went without for two years and now..." + (show)
@calfla02

I have been on a BPAP starting in 2016. Went without for two years and now back on. Feeling much better. I think being off for two years may have contributed to my memory loss.

Jump to this post

Welcome @calfla02, That's great that you are back to using your BiPAP after two years off. I'm glad you are feeling better now that you are using the BiPAP again. Was it the not feeling very well that convinced you to trying it again?

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1 reply
Cheryl Todd | @calfla02 | Aug 19, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @calfla02, That's great that you are back to using your BiPAP after two years off...." + (show)
@johnbishop

Welcome @calfla02, That's great that you are back to using your BiPAP after two years off. I'm glad you are feeling better now that you are using the BiPAP again. Was it the not feeling very well that convinced you to trying it again?

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Hi John and thank you for the welcome. Honestly it was most due to relocating from SC back to Florida and finding the time to find a good Dr. and not making it a priority. I made it a priority when I found out it could be part of what was causing my memory issues.

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bettersleep68 | @bettersleep68 | Aug 19, 2022

Tried to use a cpap..it was not a good idea...I got so much air in my stomach ..it was horrible..I am glad it helps some people but I guess it is not for everyone .

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 6, 2022

Hi @brandysparks, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer you here in this discussion where others with sleep apnea have shared what has helped them.

-- Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-and-sleep/

Your question about which CPAP mask I started with is a good one but it's a mixed bag for myself and I'm sure a lot of others when they started their CPAP treatment journey. I'm a mouth breather so I need a full face mask of some sort, or I need a nasal mask and something to keep my mouth closed (head strap, mouth tape - yuck for the stuck lips when I tried it!). I started out with a Fisher-Paykel Simplus but just couldn't get it to work for me. Over the first three months I tried multiple different masks and for awhile settled with the Dreamware full face mask (https://www.usa.philips.com/c-e/hs/sleep-apnea-therapy/dare-to-dream/full-masks.html). Then after a couple of weeks of struggling I got a ResMed AirFit F20 (https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/cpap-parts-support/sleep-apnea-full-products-list/cpap-masks/airfit-f20/).

I'm still using the ResMed AirFit F20 but have tried others off and on for the past 3 years but always end up going back because I get the best AHI numbers with it. Unfortunately I also get the proverbial CPAP nose which can be irritating. So, what I've learned is try and find one that feels comfortable and you can tolerate. I also use cloth comfort covers on the mask which helps with the "comfort" - https://cpapcomfortcover.com/.

Good luck on your journey and feel free to ask any questions you might have. I may not have the answers but there are many of us here on Connect with different experiences that might be just what you need!

REPLY
1 reply
brandysparks | @brandysparks | Sep 6, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @brandysparks, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer you here in..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @brandysparks, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer you here in this discussion where others with sleep apnea have shared what has helped them.

-- Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-and-sleep/

Your question about which CPAP mask I started with is a good one but it's a mixed bag for myself and I'm sure a lot of others when they started their CPAP treatment journey. I'm a mouth breather so I need a full face mask of some sort, or I need a nasal mask and something to keep my mouth closed (head strap, mouth tape - yuck for the stuck lips when I tried it!). I started out with a Fisher-Paykel Simplus but just couldn't get it to work for me. Over the first three months I tried multiple different masks and for awhile settled with the Dreamware full face mask (https://www.usa.philips.com/c-e/hs/sleep-apnea-therapy/dare-to-dream/full-masks.html). Then after a couple of weeks of struggling I got a ResMed AirFit F20 (https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/cpap-parts-support/sleep-apnea-full-products-list/cpap-masks/airfit-f20/).

I'm still using the ResMed AirFit F20 but have tried others off and on for the past 3 years but always end up going back because I get the best AHI numbers with it. Unfortunately I also get the proverbial CPAP nose which can be irritating. So, what I've learned is try and find one that feels comfortable and you can tolerate. I also use cloth comfort covers on the mask which helps with the "comfort" - https://cpapcomfortcover.com/.

Good luck on your journey and feel free to ask any questions you might have. I may not have the answers but there are many of us here on Connect with different experiences that might be just what you need!

Jump to this post

Thanks again @johnbishop, really helpful again.

I must ask what "CPAP nose" is?

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