CPAP

[Mgt8]

Morning all,

I have recently discovered that sleep apnea can be associated with kidney disease.

I have been diagnosed with a mild form and have been given a CPAP machine to use. I am determined to use it as i have been told by the sleep consultant that it could make a difference to the life of my new kidney.

Trouble is, im finding it real difficult to use.

It starts off ok and i fall asleep but about an hour later i wake up with an enormous pressure on my face. I have to let the air out of the mask, go back to sleep but it happens again about an hour later and i feel like im suffocating and take it off.

Has anyone else had CPAP and can offer advice? Thanks.

Mgt

[Shellc]

You could ask if there are other masks u could try , there are half face masks that just cover the nose that keep the mouth free

[Abc64]

Hello.i use cpap. I don’t have that problem. Go back or call the dept that issued the machine to you, as they will be able to help you. I’ve not heard anything about i sleep apnoea being associated with kidney problems. I know that it can affect the brain. I used to wake up with headaches every day before I used cpap, but don’t very often now.

[Sparkles70]

Hi I have a cpap and found it uncomfortable I asked for a change of mask sometimes a smaller one and tighter helps keep it in place better and I have a humidifier with it so the air isn’t so cold. Maybe try wearing it during the day to get used to it more then it won’t feel so cubersome at night times. They aren’t the most comfortable things to wear it’s just a case of getting used to it unfortunately but the pros will outweigh the cons over time. Good luck.

[Sparkles70]

It the pressure is to high ask the doctor to turn it down and maybe try a different mask.

[LDloveslattecoffe]

I have CPAP too, when I started I had same problems as you, I changed to a different mask which was worse so I went back to the original mask. It can take a while to get used to it.

I found that changing the ramp time to 45 minutes helped and also sleeping on my left side rather than my right helped me. My target is over 4 hours a night every night.

I still have problems. Usually best thing to do if you feel like suffocating is take it off. Sit up, go to the loo etc. Try again from start of ramp. Don't get wound up about it.

If you are going to sleep ok with it on, do you know whats woken you up?

When you feel like suffocating is the mask leaking?

I find sometimes my nose and mouth dry up, you can get saline nose spray that can help with this. I often put vicks or olbas oil on before bed I find sleep better.

Try to find out what is waking you up i.e. pain and try and deal with this. I have Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis and I tend to either take a couple of paracetamol before bed or alternatively I will use a Ibuprofen gel (I have bad neck and shoulder pain).

Alternatively contact your sleep clinic and ask why you wake up suffocating with the mask on - could it be your sleep apnoea causing you to wake up? (i.e. its not psychological because you seem to be going to sleep ok with the mask on - it could be that when you wake the machine is at full ramp pressure and this is too sudden when you wake up as before you go to sleep the ramp gradually builds up. As said before best option is just turn machine off take mask off and start again and don't stress it.

I managed 7hrs last night but night before 0 - sometimes you may fall asleep before putting mask on.

Other times you may have difficult are if you are ill, make sure try and sterilise the tube and mask often while ill.

[Jellijaws]

My husband has had a cpap for a number of years and each time this happens he finds its the mask.. either the wrong size or not tight enough or loose enough. Sometimes it can be moved slightly by the way you sleep. Try cacooning your head with pillows so you sleep comfortably but the mask is not on the pillow...

[Mgt8]

Thanks for all your advice everyone.

There's some useful ideas in all of your replies.

I think its a phone call to the sleep clinic this morning.

Will let you know how i get on....

Best wishes

Mgt

[Lucybird]

Hi Mgt.

I've been using a sleep a cpap for about a year and a half. It does take some getting used t, but the clinic might be able to adjust your pressure. I also found that using a memory foam pillow has helped as it moulds around the mask more whereas my old 'normal' pillow pushed it into my face.

Hope you got some answers from the clinic today