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Anyone else using a cpap machine?

What is "your" setting? I'm at 11 lbs. I'm now curious what other folks need to open up the airway.
 
Interesting article here: Sleep Apnea Relief - Without the Dreaded Mask
 
"[SIZE=12pt]Dr. Basner says EPAP is the best-studied of the emerging therapies. “This is the least invasive of all the new therapies because it doesn’t involve having any suction on you, having anything implanted, or stimulating a nerve,”[/SIZE]
 
Are there any portable solutions you guys would recommend, or do you just go without when traveling?

Or ideally, is there an everyday machine that also travels well?
 
sar127 said:
Are there any portable solutions you guys would recommend, or do you just go without when traveling?

Or ideally, is there an everyday machine that also travels well?
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The machines are really pretty small. My current one will fit in a carry on suitcase, with a few days worth of clothes, and a 5 count cigar case.
 
redraider said:
Sleep apnea is a direct symptom of smoking... FWIW
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I'll let both my grandmothers know....

In reality, the nicotine loosens the muscles and may contribute....
The largest contributor from what I've read is weight/obesity and the pressure from neck fat...
 
In my observation, everyone who has been asked to do a sleep study will end up with a CPAP. In addition, it's also tool to diagnose restless leg syndrome and other sleep related problems.
I've been on my machine for over 5 years. After my last back operation the Neuro Surgeon told me I had it, a sleep study confirmed it with restless leg syndrome!!
Furthermore, I never really got the energy boost they said I would. I know I'm sleeping better because I can dream occasionally, meaning deep rem sleep but pain is constantly waking me up im averaging 4 - 5 hours a night plus a good 2 to 2.5 hour power nap everyday.. It wasn't the panacea I was expecting but at least I'm not taking 4 naps a day to recharge..
One last thing, not using the machine will definitely enlarge your heart..
 
Sleep study says I stopped breathing over 50 times an hour. I got my machine on Tuesday. It's very quiet. The wife was worried about the noise, but there's none to worry about other than a little from the mask itself. I went with a full face mask as I can't get enough air just breathing through my nose (feels like I'm suffocating - can't get a deep breath). I have just the nose one, too, so I may go back and forth a bit to see if I can get used to it. A good provider is going to give you several mask options so you can get one that works for you. I had a second sleep study where they played with the pressure throughout the night and found the lowest setting that worked for me. The very first study I had several years ago didn't do any of that. They just threw a mask on me at a high pressure and it was horrible.
 
I'm only at a 6 for pressure. The machine is pretty advanced, too. It'll start off at 4 (barely noticeable) and then ramp up to 6 (or whatever your setting is) once it's detected you've fallen asleep. If you wake up, it goes back down to 4 and ramps up again when you fall back asleep. There's a built in humidifier. I use it as my alarm clock, now, since I have to have it on anyhow. Although if it didn't have a 10-minute snooze, I'd go back to my alarm clock. :) You can even load an MP3 onto a USB stick plugged into the machine and wake up to tunes. 
 
The hardest part is realizing that this is now a life long decision. It doesn't cure anything, so you can't really work yourself off the machine. Maybe if you lose weight, but that's not for sure. Now I realize why this carries the VA disability rating that it does - it's a very significant change that you have to accept. 
 
Only a few days in, so I'm not feeling any results yet. This weekend, when I can actually sleep in and get a full nights sleep, should realize some benefits.
 
Sweet dreams. :)
 
fpkennedyjr@me.com said:
In my observation, everyone who has been asked to do a sleep study will end up with a CPAP. In addition, it's also tool to diagnose restless leg syndrome and other sleep related problems.
I've been on my machine for over 5 years. After my last back operation the Neuro Surgeon told me I had it, a sleep study confirmed it with restless leg syndrome!!
Furthermore, I never really got the energy boost they said I would. I know I'm sleeping better because I can dream occasionally, meaning deep rem sleep but pain is constantly waking me up im averaging 4 - 5 hours a night plus a good 2 to 2.5 hour power nap everyday.. It wasn't the panacea I was expecting but at least I'm not taking 4 naps a day to recharge..
One last thing, not using the machine will definitely enlarge your heart..
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Great input. Can you please introduce yourself in a proper thread. Thanks
 
For me, it was life changing. I was falling asleep if I tried to watch a movie, if I drove more than 15-30 minutes, sitting at my desk. All that is pretty much gone. My setting is 11.
 
I turned off the ramp-up on mine, as I prefer full blast right away.  Actually, it's set at 5, but I've woken up and seen it at 7.  Get ready for some weird and vivid dreams.
 
Also, it may not be a lifelong thing.  I have several friends who have used it for two years, and it cured their apnea.  
 
JHolmes763 said:
Sleep study says I stopped breathing over 50 times an hour. I got my machine on Tuesday. It's very quiet. The wife was worried about the noise, but there's none to worry about other than a little from the mask itself. I went with a full face mask as I can't get enough air just breathing through my nose (feels like I'm suffocating - can't get a deep breath). I have just the nose one, too, so I may go back and forth a bit to see if I can get used to it. A good provider is going to give you several mask options so you can get one that works for you. I had a second sleep study where they played with the pressure throughout the night and found the lowest setting that worked for me. The very first study I had several years ago didn't do any of that. They just threw a mask on me at a high pressure and it was horrible.
 
I'm only at a 6 for pressure. The machine is pretty advanced, too. It'll start off at 4 (barely noticeable) and then ramp up to 6 (or whatever your setting is) once it's detected you've fallen asleep. If you wake up, it goes back down to 4 and ramps up again when you fall back asleep. There's a built in humidifier. I use it as my alarm clock, now, since I have to have it on anyhow. Although if it didn't have a 10-minute snooze, I'd go back to my alarm clock. :) You can even load an MP3 onto a USB stick plugged into the machine and wake up to tunes. 
 
The hardest part is realizing that this is now a life long decision. It doesn't cure anything, so you can't really work yourself off the machine. Maybe if you lose weight, but that's not for sure. Now I realize why this carries the VA disability rating that it does - it's a very significant change that you have to accept. 
 
Only a few days in, so I'm not feeling any results yet. This weekend, when I can actually sleep in and get a full nights sleep, should realize some benefits.
 
Sweet dreams. :)
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Great info here, thanks! I have terrible insurance and my coverage is so low, shopping around is going to be key for me. Anything else I should know to look for besides what you already mentioned?


On a separate note, the link between being overweight and having apnea could certainly apply to me today, however I once was 180lbs at 6'4" and still had the same problem.
 
Try a variety of masks to find what works for you. There are ones that cover nose and mouth or just nose. One was even a plug type that kind of went in your nose. Benefit there was that it was the smallest mask and was less likely to shift or leak.

The second sleep night was key for me, too, so they could zero in on the right pressure. I think you need one night to confirm the apnea and then another to determine treatment. My provider even took chest x-rays, EKG and lung function test to baseline.

I imagine crappy coverage will try to cut some of that out.
MadMonk said:
For me, it was life changing. I was falling asleep if I tried to watch a movie, if I drove more than 15-30 minutes, sitting at my desk. All that is pretty much gone. My setting is 11.
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I'm glad mine isn't that high. I think it got that high while they were testing. The pressure on my noise made it squeeze shut more than open up.
 
Dx'ed with apnea. Started using machine Monday. Haven't had better sleep in years. I would strongly encourage you to see a healthcare provider for a sleep study if you suspect you may be dealing with this. Feeling tired all the time, yawning excessively, nodding off during day or watching tv isn't fun or normal. My study was a take home device and then follow up for results and Dx/treatment if applicable. Better health takes one step at a time.
 
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That's cool that the sleep test is a take home device now.

I wore an apap for a few years, but after having unrelated sinus surgery quit wearing it.

Might need to revisit since the test doesn't require spending the night in a strange bed anymore.
 
I have one for several months and HATE it. But my wife gets to sleep better and I won't die so I guess the pros outweigh the cons. I'm concidering surgery to correct the issues that are causing me to need it.
 
jbfurdog said:
I have one for several months and HATE it. But my wife gets to sleep better and I won't die so I guess the pros outweigh the cons. I'm concidering surgery to correct the issues that are causing me to need it.
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Why do you hate it?
 
Scap said:
Why do you hate it?
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I, unfortunately, breath through my mouth at night due to a largely deviated septum. I need the full nose/mouth mask. It starts out good but when I move unconsciously to sleep on my side which is my favorite position the mask moves and blows air in my eyes then I wake up. Or my arm hits the hose and moves it and again, air in my eyes. Happens at least 5 times a night. Not only do I have the deviated septum but the doc says my uvula and tonsils/adenoids rest below the horizon in the rear of my throat which also makes me snore and stop breathing. Surgery is an option like I mentioned, I'm still debating.
 
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