[Brian37]

anyone using a CPAP for sleeping?

I'm in the process of getting one now....my sleep apnea is bad and I had the results of my study this morning....I stopped breathing 67 times in one hour of sleep....anything over 30 is considered severe
plus add in the fact im overweight and im not getting enuff Oxygen to my brain

however the doctor says it may help with the depression as well as
other areas......

[Christina86]

Hey Brian...

I know some other members here have talked about using CPAP before... if you do a search, it should bring something up.

[ECHOES]

Brian,

I used a CPAP for about 10 years and I loved it. The day they delivered it, I hooked it up and took a nap in my recliner and that was the best sleep I'd had in a long time.

I did make me feel better, by helping me get good quality sleep.

I've since lost weight and quit smoking, so I no longer need it, but I'm really glad it was there when I did!

[sujunew]

I haven't used CPAP personally but both my father and daughter have done with totally different results. My father continually took the mask off in his sleep so it was a waste of time for him (although my mother said that when it was on she slept so well because she wasn't lying awake waiting for him to stop breathing...)
With my daughter it was wonderful; she slept really well every night and woke up well rested and happy each morning...
I hope that you find much relief in using it Brian.

[sabby]

I too suffer from severe sleep apnea.....my breathing stopped 83 times an hour....scary isn't it Brian???

The cpap worked well for me. You do feel better after getting used to the machine and the mask. Once your brain gets the true rest it needs so many things come back to you like, energy, improved memory, better moods, quicker motor skill response times (like when driving your vehicle), less anger, and I could go on and on.

I really hope the cpap works well for you. I, myself always loved looking like an elephant when I went to bed at night


sabby

[Brian37]

the only concern I have is more of a "phobia".....if you have ever seen the movie "Alien", you'll know what im talking about.....I hate the idea of something strapped over my mouth and nose!

eeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww!

that movie gives me the creeps!

[sabby]

Hey Brian, they do have different kinds of face masks you can try and I believe they have one that just goes over the nose if that might help. I would talk to the company that is providing the cpap to you and find out what your options are.

I'm not the type that freaks out easily with anything like that but I do remember waking up in a panic a number of times with the mask over my face. It took about a week for me to get used to it and train my brain that it was ok to have it there. As with anything....time and practice should help.

I also remember them telling me that if I had to work up to a full night with it on by going a few hours at a time every night...like starting off with 3 hours, then 4 then 5 etc etc....that seemed to help me a lot too.

Good luck with it!


sabby

[(JD)]

Good for you Brian!!

Yes, breathing is important. Also sleep is highly important. Once you get those two things in order, then some of the rest will begin to fall into line. Eating healthily will also help.

good wishes!

[jbug]

I use CPAP. I can really tell the nights I use it vs the nights I don't. The nights I don't the next day I am cranky, tired and very symptomatic but the nights I use the mask I am a nice person to be around. I need to start wearing it again i.e. sleeping in my bed instead of sleeping on the couch.

Jbug

[Danialla]

Brian, I have a Bi-pap machine that I use, along with a "nasal pillows" mask. A bi-pap is very similar to a CPAP except that it delivers 2 different pressures, a stronger pressure for one for inhaling and a lighter one for exhaling.

I love my nasal pillows mask! It fits just into the nostrils, I know that must sound gross, but it allows me to read or do computer work while I am adjusting to the pressure.

I have to say a good nights sleep, although rare in my neck of the world due to other issues, is PRICELESS!

Good luck!

[ECHOES]

Brian, just an additional thought... There are also dental appliances you can have made to wear at night that will position the jaw so it won't drop back and cause the interrupted breathing. I've seen them advertised by dentists but that's all I know about them. I assume there must be people who take that route instead of the CPAP.

Just wanted to share that with you.

[Brian37]

I had to get the full mask.....the doctor set me on 16 psi (20 is max) ...so im getting quite a flow of air

I slept most of the night with it on....I took it off around 4 am because my face was sore especially around the bridge of my nose....

Im not as groggy this morning, but its only the first night

[sabby]

Wow, you did great the first night! Maybe your mask is a bit too tight? If it helped that much the first night, imagine how great you will feel when it works through the whole night!


sabby

[Brian37]

my wife said I farted all night....I wonder if this is the result of all the air im taking in...it has to go out somewhere...right?

anyway...I hope it works

[Danialla]

How is the CPAP going? Are you feeling any better in the morning?

[whales75]

HI, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in January 2008. I also had loud snorning and was taking sleeping pills, lunesta, ambien,etc to get to sleep. Turns out I had sleep apnea. My setting is a on a 12. But now I'm sleeping better, and I don't snore. It was hard to get use to the mask though. I too, have to use a full face mask.

[Brian37]

getting used to wearing it more each night........still farting quite often after taking it off......feel somewhat better in the mornings........

[sabby]

Good go know progress is being made ((((((((((( Brian )))))))))))

Maybe you need to watch what you eat before going to bed??


sabby

[Brian37]

according to the survey I took........"stomach bloating" is a side effect of wearing the mask.....

and I have to agree.......

[ECHOES]

Hang in there, it goes away. Your body is learning to work with the mask and air.

[Brian37]

I havent noticed a huge improvement since using the CPAP.....still wake up feeling gassy ..........and of course I cant spoon with my wife anymore.....now I can hear her snore all night

[Perna]

You don't have any more energy or feel more awake more during the day? Hate that lying awake and listening to one's mate snore! I wake every 2-4 hours from my asthma and having to pee but I do better when my husband is up and out of the bed and it's all mine :-)

[JimWriter]

I was dx with sleep apnea about 10 years ago and was given one of those machines. It was awful. I wasn't claustrophobic, but i like to sleep on my side. i also couldn't get used to all the straps.
But. like some of the previous posts have indicated, there are newer, more sophisticated machines available that really cut down on the straps and masks.
I might very well talk to my MD about the newer CPAP myself. Thanks for bringing it up.
Good luck.

[PsyChris]

Maybe you should have your sleep apnea re-evaluated. Just to be clear, are you still waking up as many times as you did without the CPAP?

[Brian37]

I hate it....too many straps...too much air,.....I can only keep it on about 3-4 hours before I have to rip it off and have a belching session....

and yes the only real position you can sleep is on your back....

if you move around the mask gets loose and you lose air.....

and the damn lights on the machine lite up the whole freaking bedroom , so I had to cover the buttons with tape, but it still comes thru some

ugh