Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread

[PeteSB75]

Originally Posted by pnoon

I have a REMstar Auto A-Flex and a Respironics System One Heated Humidifier.
http://respironicssleeptherapysystems.respironics.com/

The mask is the ResMed Mirage Quattro.
http://www.resmed.com/us/products/mi...ml?nc=patients

I didn't decide on the mask. My specialist prescribed a full mask and this is the one I was given.

Not sure about that specific machine, but with my respironics machine, I have to turn the heating element for the humidifier on separately from the compressor.

[FriendlyMan]

Wow
I'm so happy I found this thread. I also have sleep apnea. I most likely have it for years but I just finaly went for the test in September. Because I had a lot of migranes and I'm tired but couldnt sleep during the day and was up a lot during the night.

I'm very much the type of guy that like to try things before giving up.
The test was really bad. The tech was really nasty and very un supportive. She put the full face mask on me and I felt like I'm in a jail with all those wires. But I lived,
At the end I was given a bipap machine and I use the "M" size face mask. It's usualy comfortable when I go to sleep, I like to fall a sleep on my side but I usaly have this thing all most every night at about the same time. After about sleeping 4 - 41/2 I wake up, feel un comfortable and remove the mask. I am sure that those few hours that I sleep with the machine are much deeper and un interupted. But I want to get used to maybe taking it off (and maybe use the bathroom or maybe not) make my self cumfy again and fall back a sleep. Anyone have this issue?
I know I'm makeing improvment but I want to do it right.

Thanks.

[hotreds]

I'm still not finding a difference after a couple months, but so be it. Last visit with the Doc he told me I needed to use the machine, ok. Then again, I didn't feel I had a problem to begin with, the heart nurse wanted me to take the test- I think she thought maybe needing the pacemaker was caused in part by my supposed apnea.

Anybody tried this?

http://www.nomask.com/

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by hotreds

I'm still not finding a difference after a couple months, but so be it. Last visit with the Doc he told me I needed to use the machine, ok. Then again, I didn't feel I had a problem to begin with, the heart nurse wanted me to take the test- I think she thought maybe needing the pacemaker was caused in part by my supposed apnea.

Anybody tried this?

http://www.nomask.com/

Stick with it Hugh. I say the same thing after using my CPAP for almost 20 months.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by PeteSB75

Not sure about that specific machine, but with my respironics machine, I have to turn the heating element for the humidifier on separately from the compressor.

Mine is a separate unit but attached. They come apart so I can use the machine without the humidifier if I wanted to. For now, I am using them both.

Heading into night #4. I know I will get used to it soon enough. But I am also fighting a cold with some mild congestion and post-nasal drip. So the adjustment to the mask has been a bit of a challenge. I am determined to make it work, though.

[PeteSB75]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Mine is a separate unit but attached. They come apart so I can use the machine without the humidifier if I wanted to. For now, I am using them both.

Heading into night #4. I know I will get used to it soon enough. But I am also fighting a cold with some mild congestion and post-nasal drip. So the adjustment to the mask has been a bit of a challenge. I am determined to make it work, though.

Dunno about others, but since starting to use my CPAP, I've noticed a marked drop in the intensity and duration of the colds I do get. Whether that's from the stream of warm, moist air flowing through my sinuses every night or just my overall well-being, I can't say.

[CigarNut]

I also find that colds are easier with my CPAP, since the CPAP is pushing air in it seems to keep my nasal passages a little more open. Also, when I have a cold I turn up the heat on my humidifier a notch -- that always helps me.

I have also noticed "little signs" about myself -- if I find myself randomly "sniffing" (frequently) throughout the day -- when I finally do realize it** -- I know that I need to turn up my humnidifier because I am sniffing due to being to dried out.

**most of the day I am in a fog and have no idea what I am doing or why

[hotreds]

Actually, I had to discontinue use of the machine when I had my latest cold- I was stopped up and had to breathe thru my mouth. I remain unconvinced about the whole rigamarole, but I reckon I might as well keep using the dang thing as my BOTL here indicate its usage is a positive- and I'll believe them over any brochure that tells me so!

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by hotreds

Actually, I had to discontinue use of the machine when I had my latest cold- I was stopped up and had to breathe thru my mouth. I remain unconvinced about the whole rigamarole, but I reckon I might as well keep using the dang thing as my BOTL here indicate its usage is a positive- and I'll believe them over any brochure that tells me so!

Couldn't you use a full mask, Hugh?
My mask covers my nose and mouth.

[hotreds]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Couldn't you use a full mask, Hugh?
My mask covers my nose and mouth.

I was given just the "nose pillows" as it was observed during my study that I slept with my mouth closed and didn't need the full mask. FWIW. Interesting thing is that when I was traveling recently I didn't use the machine at the hotel(1 night) and sure didn't feel any better or worse. But, with the BOTL here telling me it takes quite sometime to notice a difference- esp. if you weren't feeling bad to begin with- I guess I should use it- and will.