sleep apnea

The general tenor of your statement suggests that you are really suffering. It does not, however, provide enough information for the many of us out here who are apnea sufferers as well. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran and have severe sleep apnea as well. I still remember my first few nights trying to sleep with what I have come to call "The Alien Creature" on my face. The VA helped me by providing different types of devices until I arrived at what I have now.

That is why I would like to know if you have a general intolerance for CPAP or have you tried different CPAP devices? (I avoid using "mask" for the very reason you speak of)

I use a "Nasal Pillow". The entire thing just lays on my upper lip and the CPAP pressure creates a seal that does 2 things for me; 1. It prevents apnea episodes. 2. It delivers also the oxygen my concentrator provides. I look at my nasal pillow as that which helps provide re-cooperative sleep and now a friend that helps deliver oxygen for me.

Surgery has been my last resort for several issues. Sleep apnea has not been one of them. It is great on "this side of the perspective" and I hope you can experiment with different devices before seeking a surgical approach. Good luck.

my problem is severe stuffed up nose--I wake up and find I have cpap pulled off face. Usually get up and sit up many nights. Exhausted. Am interested in your reference to oxygen. Does this help you. I don't smoke, drink, but have gained weight and feel my horrible sleep problems contributed to weight gain. Also pre-diabetic. Thanks for posting your info.

margareto

18 years after initial diagnosis I finally have a mask that provides 100% fit. However, I notice with this mask as well as previous masks (that on the occasion had a better fit) the better the fit the higher my apnea episodes. My struggle has been long and hard going from C-Pap, to Bi-Pap to Dental Appliance, and finally currently to ASV machine and the results are the same. The better the mask fit, the more episodes I have. What is with that!!!

I went to a sleep center after my daughter and son in law said during the night I was stopping breathing all night really bad while we were in Las Vegas and needed to go get that checked out. I took a at home sleep study and found out I was having 300 episodes or more per night anyway they said do you want a c-pap or a mouth devise I said lets try the mouth devise by Panthera Dental it holds my lower jaw forward while I sleep preventing my tongue from going falling back in my throat. Took a couple days to get use to it but my wife is amazed I don't snore anymore I feel rested again muscles in my leg are better it's amazing. I would try that before a surgery unless you've tried one anyway good luck.

Have you tried a dental appliance from Panthera dental to hold your bottom jaw forward? Also has it been determined what type apnea you have mine is over bite jaw where my lower jaw sits back from the upper jaw causing my tongue to fall back when I'm asleep. There is one where the signal from the brain is interrupted during sleep. Have you had a sleep study done?

Me too the dental device I use from Panthera Dental it holds my lower jaw forward keeping my tongue from falling back in my throat so far I can breath really well at night wake up refreshed and feeling much better. Have you tried that yet? My wife says I no longer snore I sleep soundly through the night took me a couple days to get use to it but I'm really glad I tried it. good luck.