Lets Talk About Sleep Apnea/CPAP Machines

[nik-]

you could try muffling the sound of the breathing ... perhaps with a pillow?

[Fuzz]

Funny, but I think I'll keep her around.

So I put it in a box with bubble wrap(couldn't find foam) on the floor and it was a million times better. Maybe being exhausted helped, too. But I couldn't hear the thing at all. She had a few issues with it falling off in the night. Unfortunately she has the smallest size strap available, and it still seams to large. I might suggest duct tape.

[Flames89]

My dad has sleep apnea and hated the machine, so talked to a dentist who is knowledgeable about it and got a special mouth guard. Works great for him (and he prefers it far more than the crazy machine).
Also, I have a friend who runs a company here in TO that has another solution called "Provent".
https://www.proventtherapy.com/
It is these weird stickers you put over your nostrils. Again, less intrusive than the machine.

[Fuzz]

Ya, she has a pack of the provent to try. I have an O2 monitor so I'd like to run that at night and see if she has any drops. The problem with them is they aren't insurance covered, and big surprise, the couple sleep clinic doctors she talked to don't recommend them(no kickback!). The dental thing might be an option, but it may cause other issues for her. Would suck to spend all that money and have it not work.

[harmony]

it's nasty. mine was mostly stress related, and I got better after going on a relaxing vacation. it may be hereditary as well. my father has it bad. he's managed to avoid using cpap by sleeping in a recliner, partially reclined.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

She has the nose one right now, only one night. She doesn't, as near as I can tell, have sleep apnea though. She had one issue all night on the study and I've never heard her have breathing problems. The bigger issue is her O2 sat drops and I don't think a sleep clinic is really the right place to deal with that issue.

If she doesn't stop breathing, why does she have a CPAP? A CPAP is for more severe sleep apnea (more than some number of events an hour) so it seems strange that she would be given one if the tests didn't show that it was happening.

As for you getting used to the sound, it will happen. If it doesn't, get some custom ear plugs.

[Fuzz]

Why did they recommend one? Do you want my cynical answer? Because I have that.

I wasn't at the appointment, but I get the feeling I should have been.

[Erick Estrada]

Is it the typical 30-day trial Philips Respironics unit (brick like in appearance and looks like an old Intellivision add-on)? Those are loud so I wouldn't worry too much about that as the ResMed are considerably quieter so if you have to purchase a new one do some research on models.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Rathji

If she doesn't stop breathing, why does she have a CPAP? A CPAP is for more severe sleep apnea (more than some number of events an hour) so it seems strange that she would be given one if the tests didn't show that it was happening.

As for you getting used to the sound, it will happen. If it doesn't, get some custom ear plugs.

The major health issue is low O2 levels as mine were dropping to 82% so if her levels are low it's definitely a breathing problem in her sleep.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by harmony

it's nasty. mine was mostly stress related, and I got better after going on a relaxing vacation. it may be hereditary as well. my father has it bad. he's managed to avoid using cpap by sleeping in a recliner, partially reclined.

Haha, as though sleeping in a chair is better than a big comfy bed? 'Managing' to avoid a CPAP machine is a weird way to word it. They dramatically improve quality of sleep, quality of life and longevity. People who use them get completely used to them if not within weeks then within months. Avoiding one if you need it is an absolutely terrible idea; not an accomplishment somebody skillfully achieved.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The major health issue is low O2 levels as mine were dropping to 82% so if her levels are low it's definitely a breathing problem in her sleep.

Yep. I have a CPAP and while my counts of not breathing make it borderline for CPAP treatment. But when combined with my O2 numbers it made CPAP the best treatment.

When it comes to the machine, you will get used to the noise. If you can get one with the humidifier/water tray as that will decrease the sound. Though it's not as loud as the furnace or AC.

From what I understand there are three different types of sleep apnea (Obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea). Obstructive is where the tissue collapses and prevents air from getting in and associated with snoring issues etc so I imagine mouth guards and what not can help in this regard. CPAP can as well as the forced air keeps the airways open.

Central is quite plainly your brain trying to kill you by forgetting to tell you to take a breath. CPAP is very effective for this as it tracks your breathing and if you miss a breath or two it forces air into your lungs and triggers your breath.

The third is a mixture of the two brilliantly called Mixed Sleep Apnea <---this is what I have. Though I've lost near 60 pounds since my test was done that I need to do another one. Doctor isn't a hurry to get it done though as the best case scenario is likely that I no longer have obstructive sleep apnea but my other counts will still be high enough for a CPAP machine to be beneficial (but may not be high enough for the insurance company to believe it's beneficial enough so we just aren't doing it). The kicker is use of a CPAP machine can also create central sleep apnea....or cure it altogether!

This is from memory....might be wrong.

[harmony]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Haha, as though sleeping in a chair is better than a big comfy bed? 'Managing' to avoid a CPAP machine is a weird way to word it. They dramatically improve quality of sleep, quality of life and longevity. People who use them get completely used to them if not within weeks then within months. Avoiding one if you need it is an absolutely terrible idea; not an accomplishment somebody skillfully achieved.

Just stfu with your self absorbed ignorance. Cpap was horribly invasive and uncomfortable for him. It doesn't work for everyone.

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[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Haha, as though sleeping in a chair is better than a big comfy bed? 'Managing' to avoid a CPAP machine is a weird way to word it. They dramatically improve quality of sleep, quality of life and longevity. People who use them get completely used to them if not within weeks then within months. Avoiding one if you need it is an absolutely terrible idea; not an accomplishment somebody skillfully achieved.

I've had one for almost two years now, and while I admit it has increased my quality of life, I ####ing hate everything else about it. The only reason I continue to use it is because if I don't, I wake up with panic attacks when my brain stops telling me to breathe and I spring up from bed gasping for air and it scares the #### out of my wife.

I have not, nor will I ever get used to it. It's a prison sentence to me. Sometimes I feel like chucking out the window, regardless of the adverse health consequences to myself.

So I don't really believe what it is you are selling.

[Dan02]

any of you guys following the development of airing?

www.fundairing.com

[MoneyGuy]

I know it's unusual but I got used to mine first time I used it. I don't like having to use a machine but my wife likes It because I don't snore and it doesn't bother my sleep one bit. I have a friend who is frequently tired and probably has sleep apnea and now says he MAY follow my advice and get tested. It is a pain for travel. I had 32 breathing episodes an hour. I may. Get a new machine that's smaller and quieter, although mine is not noisy.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by harmony

Just stfu with your self absorbed ignorance. Cpap was horribly invasive and uncomfortable for him. It doesn't work for everyone.

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lol chill, bro.

What masks did he try? I had the nose one at first and didn't like it. Now I rock the full mask and like it a lot more. Have a heated hose and my own personal humidifier for a perfectly comfy sleep.

Does sleeping in a chair even do anything positive to help apnea? I've never heard of this as a treatment.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I've had one for almost two years now, and while I admit it has increased my quality of life, I ####ing hate everything else about it. The only reason I continue to use it is because if I don't, I wake up with panic attacks when my brain stops telling me to breathe and I spring up from bed gasping for air and it scares the #### out of my wife.

I have not, nor will I ever get used to it. It's a prison sentence to me. Sometimes I feel like chucking out the window, regardless of the adverse health consequences to myself.

So I don't really believe what it is you are selling.

You don't believe what I'm selling, yet the machine has improved your quality of life and even though nobody is forcing you to wear it, you choose to wear it because the benefits outweigh the negatives? I'm pretty sure you are, in fact, buying what I'm selling.

[harmony]

Originally Posted by Sliver

lol chill, bro.

What masks did he try? I had the nose one at first and didn't like it. Now I rock the full mask and like it a lot more. Have a heated hose and my own personal humidifier for a perfectly comfy sleep.

Does sleeping in a chair even do anything positive to help apnea? I've never heard of this as a treatment.

Sorry. I'm a bit edgy due to not sleeping well. anyway, I'm not sure which ones he's tried. But for whatever reason sleeping half reclined mitigates his apnea. He prefers it to cpap.

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[Cuz]

Originally Posted by Sliver

lol chill, bro.

What masks did he try? I had the nose one at first and didn't like it. Now I rock the full mask and like it a lot more. Have a heated hose and my own personal humidifier for a perfectly comfy sleep.

Does sleeping in a chair even do anything positive to help apnea? I've never heard of this as a treatment.

Originally Posted by harmony

Sorry. I'm a bit edgy due to not sleeping well. anyway, I'm not sure which ones he's tried. But for whatever reason sleeping half reclined mitigates his apnea. He prefers it to cpap.

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A lot of obstructive sleep apnea is caused by weak muscles around the airway which cause it to collapse a bit under gravity, making the airway smaller and obstructing the airway. Sleeping in a more upright position would reduce/eliminate some of this from occurring.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by harmony

Just stfu with your self absorbed ignorance. Cpap was horribly invasive and uncomfortable for him. It doesn't work for everyone.

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If it bothers Fuzz... Then I guess his wife should just not use it and suffer the consequences down the road. All for Fuzz's good nights sleep.