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Anyone else using a cpap machine?

Rod

Rod

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Jan 4, 2001
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Had a sleep study done a year ago only to tell me what I already knew. Finally got the machine, and I already feel better! Curious what everyone else's experiences have been. 
 
From a medical professional view it's hard to get people used to the mask. Once they can then it's great for them. There are a lot of long term consequences such a heart failure for people with untreated sleep apnea. Glad you're feeling better.
 
I've used one for years.  Mine covers my nose only, and I got used to it very quickly.  Can't even begin to describe what a difference it made for me; the difference in the quality of sleep is amazing.  I use mine religiously, but I can and do occasionally go a night or two without it if I'm traveling.
 
When I did my sleep study, my blood O2 levels were dropping down into the "you're going to have a stroke" level several times a night.  That was enough for me....
 
Apparently I would stop breathing for more than 1 min at night.  Sometimes I'd wake up gasping for air (not to mention waking myself up from snoring so loud).  I have the same setup as you Tom, nose only.  It's actually quite comfortable (if properly adjusted/fitted).  Only the 2nd night so far, and the difference is amazing.  I hear some people have vivid dreams with it, I'm still waiting for that to happen...
 
I was almost the same, Rod - I'd quit breathing and wake thrashing around gasping for air.  Scared the crap out of my wife, more than once....
 
As I understand it, dreaming is a sign of good REM sleep.  No doubt, I dream every night, way more than before the CPAP.  
 
I have the mouth piece that moves my jaw forward to open my airway but I still snore slightly.  It's working enough for me now but I hear from my wife that it doesn't work all the time.  So I might have to move up to a CPAP in the future.
 
Rod said:
Apparently I would stop breathing for more than 1 min at night.  Sometimes I'd wake up gasping for air (not to mention waking myself up from snoring so loud).  I have the same setup as you Tom, nose only.  It's actually quite comfortable (if properly adjusted/fitted).  Only the 2nd night so far, and the difference is amazing.  I hear some people have vivid dreams with it, I'm still waiting for that to happen...
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I was right there with you Rod. I would wake up gasping for air. I stopped breathing so many times at night, I would be exhausted the next day. After my sleep study, I got a CPAP and hated it (mine covered both mouth and nose though). I ended up having the surgery done where the took out my uvula, my tonsils, part of my soft palate on the roof of my mouth, and they shaved the inner walls of my nose down. The snoring is back (10 years later) but the sleep apnea is gone and I sleep like a baby again.
 
Yep. And as many have said, it is a great improvement in quality of life. I have a hard time finding a nose only mask that does not leak. I've had the best luck with ResMed masks. I'm about due for a new study to see if my setting needs to be adjusted.
 
I'm supposed to have one, but I couldn't handle the mask they had me try. Maybe I need to research these other options.
 
I have the ResMed S9 Elite.  I tightened up the nose mask and it doesn't leak.  It's really comfortable. 
 
BTW - if your machine has an SD card, you can check out all the data for yourself.  No need for another study.
 
 
SleepyHead - free open source software - http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/
 
If you want the ResMed software, which is called ResScan, then join here: http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/
Then click on Members Only Section, and you can download the free ResScan software.
 
You'll be able to see how well you're sleeping at night, and when you apnea. 
 
redraider said:
Sleep apnea is a direct symptom of smoking... FWIW
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Everything is a symptom of smoking if you believe what the medical profession tells you. I know lots of folks, including my wife, who have never, ever smoked and have sleep apnea.
 
Doc
 
Devil Doc said:
 
Sleep apnea is a direct symptom of smoking... FWIW
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Everything is a symptom of smoking if you believe what the medical profession tells you. I know lots of folks, including my wife, who have never, ever smoked and have sleep apnea.
 
Doc
 
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Agreed, I had SA way before I smoked, but after years of therapy (and many, cigars) I have had no problems for the past several years...
 
I hated mine.  Could not get used to it.  It sat on the shelf for months and I finally got rid of it.  My O2 levels were good, but I snore and do not feel rested in the morning.  I am kicking the tires on some of the surgery options, but most people say that the results do not last.
 
Maybe its time to test out the new technology.
 
Satchmo said:
I hated mine.  Could not get used to it.  It sat on the shelf for months and I finally got rid of it.  My O2 levels were good, but I snore and do not feel rested in the morning.  I am kicking the tires on some of the surgery options, but most people say that the results do not last.
 
Maybe its time to test out the new technology.
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Same boat. 
 
bfreebern said:
 
I hated mine.  Could not get used to it.  It sat on the shelf for months and I finally got rid of it.  My O2 levels were good, but I snore and do not feel rested in the morning.  I am kicking the tires on some of the surgery options, but most people say that the results do not last.
 
Maybe its time to test out the new technology.
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Same boat. 
 
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I had moderate sleep apnea with minor O2 drop so if you don't mind the mouth piece, it's a great alternative.
 
Setharsis said:
 
 


I hated mine.  Could not get used to it.  It sat on the shelf for months and I finally got rid of it.  My O2 levels were good, but I snore and do not feel rested in the morning.  I am kicking the tires on some of the surgery options, but most people say that the results do not last.
 
Maybe its time to test out the new technology.
Click to expand...
 
Same boat. 
 
Click to expand...
I had moderate sleep apnea with minor O2 drop so if you don't mind the mouth piece, it's a great alternative.
 


I may have to try it.  I'm sure Brandon could get used to it as well(just like his tiara and gag ball).
 
Satchmo said:
 
I may have to try it.  I'm sure Brandon could get used to it as well(just like his tiara and gag ball).


 

 
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I only wear the tiara for you, nowadays.
 
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