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CPAP Machine

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SaxMan

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Does anyone else use one of these? I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and just picked up my machine today. It's got all the bells and whistles -- even has its own wifi, lol.

Funny thing was that on paper, I was not considered a high risk for apnea. 150 pounds dripping wet, 16 inch neck and all my vitals were in the good range. The sleep specialist was as surprised as I was when the home sleep study kicked back the results it did. If you have more than 5 episodes an hour, you are considered to have apnea. 15 is moderate, 30 is severe. I averaged 37 events per hour and got little or no REM sleep. Again, on paper, that score would be considered a life-threatening situation. However, the fact that I've done so much cycling and other exercise over the last dozen or so years pretty much mitigated the medical complications from that kind of apnea. It would have caught up to me eventually, so I'm glad I spoke up about it to my doctor and we're now doing something about it.

I'm definitely curious to see what happens once I get used to sleeping with it. People who have the CPAP machines say it's a night-and-day difference for them.
 
Yep, I'm a user, and have been a pretty compliant patient now for 2 years. I had a similar diagnosis and CPAP machine significantly improved my situation - and it completely stopped any snoring. I have a Philips ("System 1" I think it's called) that doesn't have Wi-Fi but it captures all data on an SD card (which is enough); it's fun to occasionally see how you're doing (with free software you can download - called "Sleepyhead"). It DOES TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO. I use a "P10" nasal type cushion because I dreaded the entire idea of a mask. A humidifier is essential, and once you find the sweet spot, it's easy to use. The thing I hate most is travel... where I have to pack it all up and take it everywhere (though it doesn't count as a carry-on for flights because it's considered medical equipment).

My biggest piece of advice is to take your time and be patient. You WILL get used to it. It's just part of my life now. BTW, there are several user bulletin boards or groups that can provide a lot of additional information.

EDIT: here is a good forum... https://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apnea-Forum.html
 
I've found having spent so much time wearing a paint mask from either doing work on the Sprite or working on the aircraft parts, the CPAP mask really doesn't feel too bad, but let's see what it's like falling asleep with it.

With the Wi-Fi, it connects to a website so I can analyze my data within about 60 minutes of waking up. Wild!
 
SaxMan said:
I've found having spent so much time wearing a paint mask from either doing work on the Sprite or working on the aircraft parts, the CPAP mask really doesn't feel too bad, but let's see what it's like falling asleep with it.
With the Wi-Fi, it connects to a website so I can analyze my data within about 60 minutes of waking up. Wild!
Click to expand...

If you're used to masks, you'll be just fine. There is some fussing about related to pillows and moving about in the night, but you'll find a groove.
At first you'll want to look at all the data, but there comes a time when you just have to let it go. For some people the improvement (notably in the number of sleep interruption events) will come down slowly. I started at about 20-25, and quickly came down to 10... but I've had a hard time getting below 5. Again, the best part of all this, according to my wife, is the complete cessation of snoring.

Good luck!
 
I'll tell you a story. True.
Many years ago my rheumatologist wanted me to go in for the overnight study.
Okay.
Oddly, I was the only one there.
Laid down, got the instructions to unplug the harness if I needed to use the can.
Went right to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, I got up, unplugged, did my bit, back to the bed, plugged in, laid on the other side, and went to sleep.
In the morning, the "monitor" woke me up, and as I was getting ready to leave, he said..."I have never seen anything like it. You laid down on one side and NEVER MOVED. No "episodes", nothing. Got up went back to bed, laid on the other side and NEVER MOVED!"

Two weeks later I go visit the doctor for the results.

"Acute, severe sleep apnea, 100 episodes, prescribe a CPAP machine".

I looked at the Doc, then told him the story from the monitor.
I asked him how many of these he has consulted with patients on.
Lots and lots.

Do all the reports read EXACTLY like this one?

Suddenly it dawned upon him.

The sleep study place wants money for the CPAP.

We investigated further, had my nose reamed out and I wear a breathe-right strip (nose thingie) at night and I'm fine.

End of my story.
 
Well, you're fortunate. I've had trouble sleeping for years. Went for a study ten or twelve years ago and it was determined that I should use a CPAP. Did that for a year or so and could never get used to it. Changed tack and went with a dental appliance. It helped, but I was still not sleeping like I should. Went for another study a month ago, with the appliance in, and it showed a better result than the earlier result, but still not ideal.

Got another CPAP, this one with all the bells and whistles; a lot better fitting mask as well. First night I had less than 3 events per hour; down to under 2 now. More importantly, I'm sleeping much better.

I'm also not the "normal" apnea person: weight around 165, 15.5" neck.
 
These stories are always fascinating to me. I've got a friend in Wisconsin who uses the "mask" - and says it's uncomfortable, but seems to help. But she also said she never had any problems before the test other than not sleeping well, so she wonders why the test showed she had dozens of "episodes".

Gentlemen - what were the symptoms you had before testing? In other words, how'd you know you needed the test?

Dave's comment "The sleep study place wants money for the CPAP." got me wondering.

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
First night wasn't too bad. Dropped from 37 to 7. The base setting is 4 psi and that was able to quash most of the episodes. When the machine spooled up to address the episodes I could feel it. Above 10 psi felt uncomfortable to me. First time I was able to wake up in the morning without hitting snooze in years. At one point, one of the dogs got me up to let him out. I felt the same with 3 hours sleep with the mask as I did all night without one.

Morning workout felt different. I wasn't any stronger or acquired super powers, but it just seemed to feel better. I'm curious what I'll feel like on the bike.

My symptoms were that there were points during the day where I simply could not keep my eyes open no matter what I did. That's not so bad when you're sitting behind a desk, but when you're behind the wheel of a car, it's downright scary. I let this go on for years, but it had worsened as of late
 
I don't use one but have a number of friends who do - for the most part they would say it transformed their lives.
 
NutmegCT said:
These stories are always fascinating to me. I've got a friend in Wisconsin who uses the "mask" - and says it's uncomfortable, but seems to help. But she also said she never had any problems before the test other than not sleeping well, so she wonders why the test showed she had dozens of "episodes".

Gentlemen - what were the symptoms you had before testing? In other words, how'd you know you needed the test?

Dave's comment "The sleep study place wants money for the CPAP." got me wondering.

Thanks.
Tom M.
Click to expand...

I knew I needed SOMEthing because I was waking up three or four times a night. And snoring like a buzzsaw. And now I'm sleeping through the night, with the exception of getting up once to take care of business. And that's not every night.

As for the study centers wanting money, aren't we all? :devilgrin: But I'd heard too many success stories about CPAP usage to be too much of a skeptic. And to have two different doctors (we've moved since the first one) recommend at least getting checked out was pretty good motivation as well.
 
NutmegCT said:
Gentlemen - what were the symptoms you had before testing? In other words, how'd you know you needed the test?

Dave's comment "The sleep study place wants money for the CPAP." got me wondering.

Thanks.
Tom M.
Click to expand...

Snoring sometimes...but taught myself to just sleep on my side, and mostly gone.
Sometimes poor sleeping...but it was pain mostly, and allergies (even in winter). Fibromyalgia, hence the Rheumatologist. One of the "early" things they tried for my allergies was Benadryl.
That stopped the allergies, gave a small boost to sleep....and this last annual physical, Doc says can't use Benadryl any more. Seems males over 50 or is it 60 have issues complicated by Benadryl.
 
Additional stray comments:
1) I was suspicious I needed one because of snoring and waking up tired a lot... then an overnight sleep study confirmed (and my O2 levels would really fall during such events). In my case, though, I did sleep soundly, or thought I did (and I didn't fall asleep in the middle of the day).
2) many, many studies have shown a significant increase in cardiovascular risk with obstructive sleep apnea, and with a family history, it was an easy decision to make
3) all my gear and supplies are paid for by my admittedly very good health insurance - and I can get replacement bits on a fairly regular basis
4) IF you want to buy supplies, CPAP.com is pretty good - I once ordered an overnight delivery of a humidification tray that I forgot to pack for a trip, and they got it to me at a hotel for a very reasonable price (otherwise, my health plan covers provides it all)
5) if traveling, I'd add to your carrying case a 9-12' extension cord because you can never be sure that an electrical outlet is bedside
6) I rarely get under 5 incidents/hour so I think I have some "central" sleep apnea too (in addition to the more common "obstructive" sleep apnea)
7) I haven't heard too many success stories with dental appliances - and those can be every bit as expensive as CPAP gear
8) any machine you acquire should have a "ramp" feature that turns it down so it can more gradually increase pressure... and I am set to rise to 9cm+ (though the machines are all automatic and provide what they think you need)
9) looking at data with a program like "Sleeyhead" is initially fun, but it can also get one to be worrisome, so I let the doc decide how I'm doing
10) cleaning it all is a pain, but I've found that I can go weekly (for cleaning the hoses, mask and reservoir)
11) I think the "nasal pillow" (which is very small) is ideal, and I like it
12) funny that now that I have one, I see the CPAP carrying cases in airports all the time. :smile: It's pretty common.

As I previously wrote, once you get beyond the initial adjustment phase (and many do not), it's just a regular part of your life and isn't bothersome at all.
Honestly, my wife says that the single best thing about it all is that it COMPLETELY eliminated snoring! :p
 
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Yep - the nasal "pillow" mask is much more comfortable. And I neglected to mention the O2 levels; they were WAY low on my last study.

Same family history here; both my grandfathers died in their sleep; father's side when he was 62, and mother's side much earlier.
 
I had to do a double take on the subject. I thought this was going to be a thread about really bad cars that fall apart.
 
My O2 levels while awake are usually close to 99%, thanks to the cardio I get from riding the bike. During the sleep study that number dipped at one point to 74%. I'm told people who need supplemental oxygen have O2 levels of about 85%. That's part of the reason I'd wake up groggy or with a headache.
 
SaxMan said:
My O2 levels while awake are usually close to 99%, thanks to the cardio I get from riding the bike. During the sleep study that number dipped at one point to 74%. I'm told people who need supplemental oxygen have O2 levels of about 85%. That's part of the reason I'd wake up groggy or with a headache.
Click to expand...

Similar with me. Actually most people are normally 95-99% but I, too, dropped into the 70s during apnea. It certainly begins to make the connection to cardiovascular difficulties.
 
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My turn.

I use a CPAP machine. Mine is a ResMed unit and is probably 5 years old now. It does not have all the bells and whistles. How did I know I needed one? My wife told me.

Each person's story and results will be different. The following are my observations.


  • People ask me if I sleep better at night now. The answer is "No, my wife sleeps better at night" (since I don't snore anymore). I wake up several times a night due to whistling air, twisted hoses, and uncomfortable pressure on my nostrils.
  • Nasal pillows are more comfortable than a face mask. I understand there are now some plug-type cannula type devices which are even more comfortable.
  • IF you have high-deductible medical insurance through your employer (like I do) do NOT be lead into thinking the cost of the CPAP machine or its supplies are covered. They will NOT be covered until you reach your deductible. The machine and its supplies are NOT cheap. Based on TV commercials it sounds like Medicare patients are covered better than I am. Boink certainly is covered better than I am.
  • A CPAP humidifier is pretty important in the winter. I don't typically fill the water compartment in mine during the humid southern summers.
  • As stated above, at first you'll be tempted to look at the history the CPAP machine records over a week or month. Pretty soon you won't care anymore.

I do NOT like CPAP machines but I will reluctantly continue to use one.

Minor correction. Someone above posted their CPAP pressure was 4 PSI. The "4" would be for centimeters of water which is a lot lower than PSI. 4 cm H[SUB]2[/SUB]0 = 0.06 PSI.
 
Night number 2 was a little bit bumpier -- episodes went up to 13, and I had several occasions where the machine when up past 10cm (thank you, Doug), which feels really uncomfortable at this point. I'm sure that will take some getting used to. I detached to hose to let it reset at 4cm and went back to sleep. Still, a better night than without the CPAP.

I took the bike out this morning and was hoping to get a true apples to apples comparison, but traffic, some wetness on the roads and a balky derailleur were working against me. Still, I did feel better out on the bike. No, I'm not Lance Armstrong on EPO, but I was able to push bigger gears on the flats and be less winded on the climbs.

I'm guessing we're looking at a 4 to 6 week period before I really settle in.
 
Doug hits it on the head with several points. The biggest point is one I can really relate to... I DO NOT like the machine but I reluctantly use it (and my wife loves it). It's just part of life now. Saxman, as Doug also reports, after awhile you'll lose interest in checking the data. It does take time to get the numbers down anyway. My biggest piece of advice for a newbie is to try to hang-in there. If the pressure gets to be too high, hit the "ramp" button and try to get to sleep before it creeps back up. Most of these newer machines are actually "APAP" (automatic CPAP), and they wonder to where they need to. Yes, you are looking at a good month to adapt.

BTW, I have good days (mostly) and bad days (only occasionally) with it. Not sure why. Sometimes I accumulate excessive moisture (though not to the point of what they call "rain-out", which as also happened once or twice), and the small screens at the nasal cushion become a little clogged... and then breathing becomes more labored.
 
Just wondering - does your doctor give you advice on using the machine, and on how to get used to it?

Or do you just take it out of the box and try to figure out how to adjust it?

TM
 
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