CPAP Machine for sleep apnea

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seeitrun2006

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This is something totally off the subject of appliances. Well kinda off the subject!

Does anyone in this organization of appliance lovers use a CPAP machine when sleeping.

I got one yesterday with the "swift nose pillows". Didn't get much sound sleep last night (which was the first night I had it). But I undoubtly got more sleep then I thought since I feel like I have more energy this morning with no headache.

My questions is how long did it take to get use to it?

Any replies would be most appreciated!

Thanks!
David
 
CPAP = constant positive airway pressure.

Sleep apnea is a cessation or interruption of breathing during sleep typically due to collapse of soft tissues in the nasal passages when muscles relax. It interrupts the brain from falling into deep sleep, even though the individual doesn't actually awaken. Essentially, deep sleep is prevented from occurring or is continually interrupted.

The CPAP machine is a nose- or full face-mask that blows a steam of compressed air into the nasal passages to prevent the collapse of tissue.
 
CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine provides air at a slightly higher pressure than in the room, it is useful in the treatment of Sleep Apnoea and various lung conditions such as fluid build up.
Sleep Apnoea is a condition that causes pauses in breathing during sleep, it is more common in people that are overweight and can be life threatening.

Good luck with the CPAP machine David, I hope it provides you some relief.

David

 
Since 1996

This device literally saved my life. Before I was diagnosed, I could fall asleep (and snore!) literally anywhere. At my desk, in meetings, driving a car... I have always used the nasal mask. I do have a full-face mask available for the times when my nose is plugged, although the full-face mask is for me uncomfortable and unsatisfactory. However I can tell you that in the eleven-odd years since getting the thing, there have been fewer than a half-dozen nights when I did not use it. When I first obtained the device, it worked so well so soon that I was amazed. I had DREAMS for the first time in years. I have no recollection of how long the adjustment took, although I discontinued the ramp function after a couple of weeks. Just hook up, power on, and SLEEP. Best of luck to you.

Tom
 
Stopping breathing

I went for a sleep analysis test back in August. I stop breathing on average 11 times per hour during the night in an 7~8 hour period. My oxygen saturation level during the night drops to about 80%. Normally it should be at 98~100%. When it's that low you tend to retain cardon dioxide in your tissues. Get out of bed next morning with headache, extreme fatigue, heavy in chest and sleeping all the time. Had echo stress test on my heart with great test results. The Docs figured it was sleep apnea. My doctor has also put me on a diet to lower my triglycerides. They are at 335 and should be at 150. Have to limit my intake of junk food and fast food. Mainly stick to a low fat diet. He wants me to walk at least 30 minutes a day plus work out at least 3~4 times a week which I aleady do. I am not extremely over weight but could stand to lose about 20 lbs. We you hit your 50's the Docs keep a somewhat closer watch on things like your heart, weight etc. Thanks GOD for good insurance!

Maybe the weight loss and the CPAC will do the trick!

Thanks for the kind wishes!
 
FYI

This guy has been selling supplies and stuff for CPAP on the web since there was a web. I've bought masks, tubing, filters, and other miscellaneous stuff from him, and also had questions answered.

 
I have a CPAP as well and have had it for going on 2 years now. I cant sleep without it. It has been a lifesaver amd I dont snore anymore. I have the Fisher and Paykel CPAP with the nose pillows...it goes up the nose and works well. The other CPAP I have is a Resperonics one that my insurance sent to me. It has the nose mask. Its not a full face it covers the nose. That mask does collect water from the breath when its cold in the room...condensation effect. Both machines have the humidty feature where you fill a tank with water and it has to be distilled water at that.
My heart rate finally goes down at night...down into the low 50's and during the day I have more stamina and I dont feel the need for a nap like I used to. I dont snore anymore either and that is a big plus. I snored like a freight train and would wake up trying to catch my breath or choking. I am not overly heavy...i could stand to lose a few and I am doing that.
When I had my sleep study I was told that I would wake up 600 times a night in an eight hour period...the most amount of sleep I got was a whopping 171 mins total. After years of this going on I paid the ultimate price for putting a sleep study off....I had a massive heart attack that almost killed me. It has been a slow road back to where I was before the heart attack and the CPAP has helped tremendously. Give it time to get used to it and before you know it you too will start to feel like you have more energy and it will help you all around.
Mike
 
I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in 2000. I started with the cpap machine for about 2 years but I still couldn't sleep well because of all the constant leaks I had from the nose mask. Then they started me with the full face mask which is what I use now (I became a mouth breather). The doctor then put me on bipap (similiar to cpap except that there are 2 pressures - one for inhaling and one for exhaling) because my pressure was so high (17). Just a few months ago I go an auto bipap machine which automatically regulates the pressure based on how the machines senses I am breathing. I can't sleep without the machine. When the power goes out (like it is right now) at night time, I am awake until it comes back on. My partner has sleep apnea also and uses cpap. When I first met him he snored like you wouldn't believe. He could wake up the dead it was so loud. I made him go for the sleep tests and sure enough, he had sleep apnea also.

Gary
 
BiPAP Here

I've been on a BiPAP machine for 8 years. I had cronic sleep apnea. I can't even take a nap without mine now.

Joe
jamman_98
 
Thats the one thing about the machine is when the power does go out ...you wake up and fast. I cannot sleep until the power comes back on. I have tried to sleep without it and I cant. I wake myself up. One thing I forgot was that without my cpap the blood oxygen levels in my body dropped to a dangerous 58%...when I was having my sleep test they had to give me oxygen.
One wish that I have is that they should come out with a machine that has battery back up...so if you lose power it switches over to the battery ...and it has to be a battery that lasts at least 8 hours. So if the power is out you can still get a nights sleep.
 


Hmmmmm. Well this is all new stuff to me and I thot I knew everything already, haha!

I don't have sleep apnea, as far as I know, but I do have a problem with "mouth breathing" at night. Sometimes in the morning my mouth is all dried out and irritated from breathing through my mouth in my sleep.

I am not sure when I started doing this. It was actually my dentist who pointed out at my last checkup that I have "dry mouth." He recommended Biotene mouth wash, toothpaste and oral hydration. That also seems to help, although I seem to be thirsty a lot of the time. He mentioned diabetes, but I know I don't have that, as I just had a checkup when I was so sick earlier this year. Nothing like that came up in any of the blood work they did. (I was a human pincussion during that time, ouch)

I have found a little thing called the "chin-up strip" that, in connection with "Breathe Right Nasal Strips," seems to do the trick. I use the white u-shaped one. (There are three styles.)

 
I have had a CPAP for about a year now and I LOVE it. It's a bit akward on camping trips/retreats and such, but I can't sleep without it. I was waking up 360 times during the night, and I could really tell that my energy levels were low.

I do have some seasonal allergies, so I make sure to take a Claritin about an hour before bed when I'm congested. Other than that, things are great. I have the nose mask and not the full face mask.

This thing has saved my life, and I am very blessed to have it.

Bryan
 
Amen

When they first showed me the CPAP I said, " You've got to be kidding!" There was no way I was going to go to sleep with the little ALIEN facehugger attached to my head. Fortunately, a friend who had experience with it told me that my first good night of sleep would come within the first two weeks and it would make a believer out of me. My first night of good sleep came on the third night and it did make a believer out of me.

Now I take the thing with me on trips. When I last flew it was the week of that heightened alert when they wouldn't allow liquids or gels in your carry-on luggage. I decided it would be prudent to check the bag with the CPAP machine instead of carrying it on. The baggage check officer saw me placing it in the xray line and said, "My god, why don't you carry this on the plane with you, it's so important!" I asked her if she knew what it was and she said, "Absolutely, my CPAP machine has saved my life! I don't go anywhere without it".

We believers, we're a cult.
 
I take my bipap machine with me everywhere I go, even when I went on vacation to Mexico. The first time I went I didn't know that most outlets in the hotels are 2 prong and not 3 prong grounded. Since my bipap was 3 prong I was in a bit of a panic. I finally found a store that had an adapter to fit the plug. The next time I went, I brought my own adapter with me. I always carry the bipap on the plane with me - there is no way I am checking it with the luggage. That's all I would need is to have it get lost or damaged. I also carry a letter from my doctor indicating what the machine is and why I need it just in case there is questioning at security. I've never had a problem though.

Gary
 
How do you sleep without becoming all tangled up in the air line?
My doctor wants me to take a sleep test. He thinks I may have sleep apnea. I toss and turn all night long. I think that I would be wrapped up like a roast come morning.
 
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