Question:
Was just wondering if anyone here has bad sleep Apnea. I just got told 2 weeks ago I have moderate to severe sleep Apnea.
I just started out last Friday with a CPAP. machine to help me breathe at night and to help me from stop breathing.
Just wondering if anyone may have this, and if so, would you have any suggestions or tips ??
I also wonder if sleep apnea makes Psoriasis worse ?
Thanks. :)
Hi,
I don't have sleep apenea, but my husband does. He's been on a bi-pap machine for a number of years now. It has helped him sleep so much better. He uses it for naps and also at night.
One think that helped him alot with his machine is to have a water filled humidifyer attached to the bottom of it that helps keep the air moist when the mask is on. Does yours have that?
I find it kind of loud but then it's not near as loud as his snoring was. He seems to get better rest since he's been using it.
When we travel, he always takes it with us and uses it in all the motel rooms we've stayed in or any relatives homes.
He has it serviced at least once or twice a year and they come right to our house and inspect it.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about it and I'll ask Don (my DH) if he can help you with them.
Take care,
Sandy
Hi,
I don't have sleep apenea, but my husband does. He's been on a bi-pap machine for a number of years now. It has helped him sleep so much better. He uses it for naps and also at night.
One think that helped him alot with his machine is to have a water filled humidifyer attached to the bottom of it that helps keep the air moist when the mask is on. Does yours have that?
I find it kind of loud but then it's not near as loud as his snoring was. He seems to get better rest since he's been using it.
When we travel, he always takes it with us and uses it in all the motel rooms we've stayed in or any relatives homes.
He has it serviced at least once or twice a year and they come right to our house and inspect it.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about it and I'll ask Don (my DH) if he can help you with them.
Take care,
Sandy
Hi, Sandy.
Guess I have had this sleep apnea since the early 90's even though I never saw a sleep Dr. but was just told a few weeks ago at the sleep center I was at, that I have moderate to severe sleep apnea. They say I stopped breathing several times in the course of an hour.
:eek: Truthfully, I always thought sleep apnea was just something a person had to just get use too. Boy, was I dead wrong.
I had no idea this thing kills or can people :eek:
Anyhow, Sandy, I have a RemStar auto with C-Flex CPAP system. I love the machine as a whole because it's so quiet. Infact I make more noise turning over in bed then the machine. All I ever hear is that air coming from the center of that mask.
And yes I do have the humidifyer attached to the bottom of it. I love it.
My big problem is with that darn mask. Oh, how I hate that damn thing. It's a large mask, but I have one hell of a sore on the right side of my nose. :(
Is that something that I just have to get use to ? or is there something I can do to help stop that sore from coming back ?
Also, does you're husband get headaches from the machine ? In my first 2 to 3 days I woke up with a pretty good headache.
This past Thursday morning 7/6 I did sleep pretty good with the machine and mask for a change. I have to say, I did feel great, better then I have felt in about 15 years. ;)
I guess my doctor was right when she said I haven't slept in about 15 years.
At first I thought she was off her nut, but nope, she was dead on. :)
I also wonder if it would be safe to try and sleep on my back ? as I have not done that on count of my airway always closed up on me. :eek:
So, if you're husband has any tips for me, please let me have em. I am so new at this stuff it isn't funny. Not new to sleep apnea, just the machine and mask.
Thanks,
Shadow. :)
Bumping for, Sandy. ;)
Hi shadow-
My husband also uses a c-pap machine along w/ an oxygen concentrator. The concentrator makes more noise than the c-pap. There are diffeent masks available so you may want to try a different one- While in the hospital they often try him on one of the machines they have and he says the mask is not comfortable. So I always bring his along. He finds that sleeping in his recliner is the most comfortable so the machines are hookes up next to it. Good luck with figuring out what works best for you.
Hi Shadow,
I have mild to moderate sleep apnea, and have been using a bi-pap machine for about 3 years now. My husband hates it if I forget to put it on before I doze off because I snore loud enough to be heard miles away....lol. I tried a c pap machine when I was first diagnosed, and absolutely hated it!! I felt like a dog hanging my face out the window of a car going 60 mph. So after a return to the sleep center, they decided bi-pap was a better option for me. It's much more comfortable to me, and I don't feel like I can't get my breath like I did with the c-pap.
If you're not comfortable with the mask, don't be afraid to tell your doctor or sleep center. They should let you try several until you find a comfortable one. The one I have is soft and padded, and very comfortable. It's very small, and really just covers my nose.
As to your question about sleeping on your back, you should probably check with your doctor, but I was told that I should be sleeping on my back, and have always done so. Be sure you follow the instructions on cleaning the machine and changing the air filter. You should also be on some sort of maintenance program to have the machine checked out on a regular basis for any leaks or problems. They should also give you new parts about every six months (mask, tubing, and anything else showing wear).
It does take a while to get used to sleeping with c-pap or bi-pap, but it can truly be a lifesaver in the most literal sense of the word. I can really notice a difference the next day if I fall asleep before I put it on, but sometimes it does feel good to skip it for just one night. That may not be safe in your case, as your apnea sounds pretty severe. Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you, and sweet dreams. :)
Hi,
Sorry I wasn't able to get back here eariler. Kim has given you great ionformation!
My husband said the same thing about the mask. Either it might be adjusted too tight or you may have to shop around for another mask that will fit better.
Also about sleeping on your back, my husband always sleeps on his back or side and has no problems with the machine or mask or sleeping.
It's very important, as Kim said, to have a maintence program for it. We ususally have someone come right to our house to service it and check it all over. Make sure you look into that.
Don said he never experienced any headaches at all from it,but maybe you might be from it being too tight and in addition to cause your face to get sore, it could also be causing the headache.
Good luck and sweet dreams!
Sandy
I've been using a cpap since '92 and have found the weakest link is the mask. I'm one of those folks who falls asleep on my back and doesn't move all night, so my mask really doesn't need all the straps and "anchors." I use a gel-filled mask because it is soft and seals better. The one I have now is a "Phantom" by a company called Sleepnet. And, no I didn't buy it because it had a cool name ... I bought it because it was a pretty blue ;) I stripped-down the straps it came with so I only have one that goes from either side of the mask and around the back of my head. About those headaches ... I used to get headaches before I got a machine with a heated humidifier. That may help.
I just started out last Friday with a CPAP. machine to help me breathe at night and to help me from stop breathing.
Just wondering if anyone may have this, and if so, would you have any suggestions or tips ??
I also wonder if sleep apnea makes Psoriasis worse ?
Thanks. :)
Answers:
Hi,
I don't have sleep apenea, but my husband does. He's been on a bi-pap machine for a number of years now. It has helped him sleep so much better. He uses it for naps and also at night.
One think that helped him alot with his machine is to have a water filled humidifyer attached to the bottom of it that helps keep the air moist when the mask is on. Does yours have that?
I find it kind of loud but then it's not near as loud as his snoring was. He seems to get better rest since he's been using it.
When we travel, he always takes it with us and uses it in all the motel rooms we've stayed in or any relatives homes.
He has it serviced at least once or twice a year and they come right to our house and inspect it.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about it and I'll ask Don (my DH) if he can help you with them.
Take care,
Sandy
Answers:
Hi,
I don't have sleep apenea, but my husband does. He's been on a bi-pap machine for a number of years now. It has helped him sleep so much better. He uses it for naps and also at night.
One think that helped him alot with his machine is to have a water filled humidifyer attached to the bottom of it that helps keep the air moist when the mask is on. Does yours have that?
I find it kind of loud but then it's not near as loud as his snoring was. He seems to get better rest since he's been using it.
When we travel, he always takes it with us and uses it in all the motel rooms we've stayed in or any relatives homes.
He has it serviced at least once or twice a year and they come right to our house and inspect it.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about it and I'll ask Don (my DH) if he can help you with them.
Take care,
Sandy
Hi, Sandy.
Guess I have had this sleep apnea since the early 90's even though I never saw a sleep Dr. but was just told a few weeks ago at the sleep center I was at, that I have moderate to severe sleep apnea. They say I stopped breathing several times in the course of an hour.
:eek: Truthfully, I always thought sleep apnea was just something a person had to just get use too. Boy, was I dead wrong.
I had no idea this thing kills or can people :eek:
Anyhow, Sandy, I have a RemStar auto with C-Flex CPAP system. I love the machine as a whole because it's so quiet. Infact I make more noise turning over in bed then the machine. All I ever hear is that air coming from the center of that mask.
And yes I do have the humidifyer attached to the bottom of it. I love it.
My big problem is with that darn mask. Oh, how I hate that damn thing. It's a large mask, but I have one hell of a sore on the right side of my nose. :(
Is that something that I just have to get use to ? or is there something I can do to help stop that sore from coming back ?
Also, does you're husband get headaches from the machine ? In my first 2 to 3 days I woke up with a pretty good headache.
This past Thursday morning 7/6 I did sleep pretty good with the machine and mask for a change. I have to say, I did feel great, better then I have felt in about 15 years. ;)
I guess my doctor was right when she said I haven't slept in about 15 years.
At first I thought she was off her nut, but nope, she was dead on. :)
I also wonder if it would be safe to try and sleep on my back ? as I have not done that on count of my airway always closed up on me. :eek:
So, if you're husband has any tips for me, please let me have em. I am so new at this stuff it isn't funny. Not new to sleep apnea, just the machine and mask.
Thanks,
Shadow. :)
Answers:
Bumping for, Sandy. ;)
Answers:
Hi shadow-
My husband also uses a c-pap machine along w/ an oxygen concentrator. The concentrator makes more noise than the c-pap. There are diffeent masks available so you may want to try a different one- While in the hospital they often try him on one of the machines they have and he says the mask is not comfortable. So I always bring his along. He finds that sleeping in his recliner is the most comfortable so the machines are hookes up next to it. Good luck with figuring out what works best for you.
Answers:
Hi Shadow,
I have mild to moderate sleep apnea, and have been using a bi-pap machine for about 3 years now. My husband hates it if I forget to put it on before I doze off because I snore loud enough to be heard miles away....lol. I tried a c pap machine when I was first diagnosed, and absolutely hated it!! I felt like a dog hanging my face out the window of a car going 60 mph. So after a return to the sleep center, they decided bi-pap was a better option for me. It's much more comfortable to me, and I don't feel like I can't get my breath like I did with the c-pap.
If you're not comfortable with the mask, don't be afraid to tell your doctor or sleep center. They should let you try several until you find a comfortable one. The one I have is soft and padded, and very comfortable. It's very small, and really just covers my nose.
As to your question about sleeping on your back, you should probably check with your doctor, but I was told that I should be sleeping on my back, and have always done so. Be sure you follow the instructions on cleaning the machine and changing the air filter. You should also be on some sort of maintenance program to have the machine checked out on a regular basis for any leaks or problems. They should also give you new parts about every six months (mask, tubing, and anything else showing wear).
It does take a while to get used to sleeping with c-pap or bi-pap, but it can truly be a lifesaver in the most literal sense of the word. I can really notice a difference the next day if I fall asleep before I put it on, but sometimes it does feel good to skip it for just one night. That may not be safe in your case, as your apnea sounds pretty severe. Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you, and sweet dreams. :)
Answers:
Hi,
Sorry I wasn't able to get back here eariler. Kim has given you great ionformation!
My husband said the same thing about the mask. Either it might be adjusted too tight or you may have to shop around for another mask that will fit better.
Also about sleeping on your back, my husband always sleeps on his back or side and has no problems with the machine or mask or sleeping.
It's very important, as Kim said, to have a maintence program for it. We ususally have someone come right to our house to service it and check it all over. Make sure you look into that.
Don said he never experienced any headaches at all from it,but maybe you might be from it being too tight and in addition to cause your face to get sore, it could also be causing the headache.
Good luck and sweet dreams!
Sandy
Answers:
I've been using a cpap since '92 and have found the weakest link is the mask. I'm one of those folks who falls asleep on my back and doesn't move all night, so my mask really doesn't need all the straps and "anchors." I use a gel-filled mask because it is soft and seals better. The one I have now is a "Phantom" by a company called Sleepnet. And, no I didn't buy it because it had a cool name ... I bought it because it was a pretty blue ;) I stripped-down the straps it came with so I only have one that goes from either side of the mask and around the back of my head. About those headaches ... I used to get headaches before I got a machine with a heated humidifier. That may help.
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