Obstructive sleep aponea

[brambles65]

Hi everyone hope your all as well as can be ive just been diagnosed with obstructive sleep aponea and am getting a CPAP machine tomorrow i am a bit worried about using it as i hate anything blowing in my face looking for some helpfull advice on it if anyone else has it thanks in advance xxxx

[Northern-soul]

Hi brambles, I have had a CPAP machine since april. Although mine is really to treat my tracheomalacia (windpipe collapses on expiration). I do have mild sleep apnoea also. I found it really hard to get used to. It is uncomfortable sleeping with it strapped to your head, particularly when you turn onto your side and it digs in a little. sometimes you can feel cold air on your face but using the humidifier and increasing the heat setting helps.

More of a problem for me was the psychological aspects. I am 53 and I suppose I found it more of an image problem but perhaps my problems were exacerbated by the fact that I have to use it during the day also.

The technicians who supply and fit the equipment have a variety of masks for you to try and are happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Good luck x

[brambles65 in reply to Northern-soul]

thanks so much for the info its appreciated im a bit worried as you can imagine im only 50 and needing 1 to help me breath during the night not had a decent nights sleep due to sleep aponea for about 2 years

[Northern-soul in reply to brambles65]

You will find that you certainly get more energy as a result of using it and feel refreshed again when you awake.

[RibvanRey]

50 is really not young to need help with sleep Apnea. It is more that it is more usual that people tend to be in their late 40's - 50's before they get a correct diagnosis. Some people do get diagnosed in their teens.

Cpap can be a wonderful for some but like with most things it is not the answer for all. When mine was diagnosed Cpap was the only practical treatment on offer. As I score over 500 Apneas per average night when I am tested I had to try very hard,

The mask in my Avatar pic is the Cpap where the constant stream of air is fed and the user has to keep the mouth shut for it to work.

I found it difficult to start with and it took a few nights before I could manage to fall asleep from fatigue with the machine running all night.

The other point is my machine was very noisy and so I used it on an extension cord into the hall. The cable just fitted under the bedroom door thank goodness.

Regards Rib

[Kathygwanny]

I've used a CPAP machine for about 8 years now. It takes time to get used to it, lots of pulling the mask off, even in your sleep. Persevere though, the difference it makes is amazing! There are lots of different types of masks to try if you don't get along with the first one you are given.

I know some NHS areas will give you a choice but not all do. If you really have a problem check out the website hope2sleep.co.uk. The lady who runs it, Kath Hope has OSA and will give you great advice if you email her.

I hope this helps Brambles. Good luck.

Kathy

[maccas]

Hi Brambles

I have sleep apnea too and have used a CPAP machine since July. It is the BEST thing in the world for me. I was stopping breathing several times at night abd oy used to manage two hours sleep. With the CPAP machine I sleep around 8 hours a night and oy stop breathing once then the machine kicks in and forces me to breathe! I go back every 6 weeks and they do a print out from the computer chip in the machine. It shows my saturation are steady now too. Now that I get that 8 hours sleep I can enjoy a better quality of life during the day. As others have said every now and again the mask can irritate abd I ha e also pulled mine off once or twice but I would never be without it now, I am a 57 year old woman and I was slightly embarrassed to put the mask on as I got into bed but hubby made a joke of it and said goodnight Dsrth Vaider! Good luck with your mask Xx

[Seaelf]

The cpap masks are forever evolviing to maximize comfort.

Its true try several and you should strike lucky otherwise just get used to it. I ve had the cpap for twelve years it is a very effective treatment. Untreated the strain on the heart could be fatal. Fortunately diagnoses are increasing i m sure my father had sleep apnoea in the seventies but

it was less known then i think.

Anyway dontworry about air on your face it should go straight up your nose .However the residual draught can be a nuisance if you sleep next to someone.

All the best with your cpap i was forty four when got it specialist things i may have developed it age 11 or 12 so its never too early !