OSA problem using a CPAP

[crispess]

HI,

I was diagnosed a year or so ago with OSA at Papworth Hospital. I was given a CPAP machine with a mouth mask as I tend to be a mouth breather whilst asleep. Snoring loudly is a problem too. I don't have a severe problem, but enough to warrant a machine. I have had various masks to try, and have had the CPAP swapped to a model that is not constant but only gives out oxygen when it senses that you have stopped breathing. The trouble is I have had to send that machine back too as I was waking up in the middle of the night with extreme wind in the stomach causing dreadful pain. I couldn't get used to it as it caused me to be in agony. Now I'm not using a machine and I have reverted back to being tired during the day and stopping breathing at night as well as the snoring. any advice anyone?

[Reykua]

Hi crispess,

I have severe OSA and have tried virtually all the different masks as well. I've settled on two - the one that just sits over your nostrils and one that covers my nose And mouth. I alternate them as necessary depending on how I feel and how my asthma is affecting me.

I know how difficult it is to get used to the machine but I had the good fortune to watch a tape of myself sleeping Without the CPAP and quickly realised how awful it was and how my body struggled to cope. Unfortunatley, my daytime tiredness is linked to other conditions I'm struggling to manage but I'm determined not to address the symptoms of my SOSA so I have one less issue to deal with.

Please don't give up. If you can get another machine, do. The one I have blows air very gently. I put it on a number 1 setting. However, when I stop breathing, it senses it and increases the flow dramatically to force me to take an inward breath.

I've also got an anti-snore pillow I bought online - not sure how well it works and used to use a 'snore ring' I bought from Boots but again, it had some positive effects re; the snoring but I later read more about it online and discovered it was not supposed to be used by people with OSA so I stopped - that may be worth a try if your's is very mild although I doubt they would have offered you a machine if they didn't think it would help.

Wishing you all the very best. Don't give up. OSA weakens your heart over a period of time so it needs to be addressed.

[Bumley]

Hi Crispess,

I am another person with OSA and was diagnosed with moderate level 15 months ago and having started with a CPAP machine is was later changed to an APAP which changes the amount of pressure required to keep your airways open. I was started with a nasal mask and then given a full face mask which was much better and had less wind . I have just been given an upgrade to a new full face mask which is even better than my last one

A lot of people find difficulty keeping their mouth closed and tend to breathe through their mouth. One solution is a chin strap which is a piece of elasticated material that goes over the Top of the head and under the chin to keep your mouth closed whilst you have the mask on. I dont know whether this will solve you problem but I suggest you speak to your clinic before ditching it completely

I now belong to a forum on WWW.Hope2sleep.co.uk and in addition they have a Facebook closed user group which I prefer and the link is facebook.com/groups/SleepAp...

One universal point of view on these sites is they would be happy not to have to use the machine but on balance they enjoy the quality of life the machine helps them achieve.

There are lot of great people on these site that will help with your problem if they can and there a sleep technicians that help give their time voluntarily. Does not cost anything and your type of problem is one that comes up very frequently but everybody is different.

Above all dont give up on your machine it could save your life. I have slept well averaging 7 hours quality sleep a night and wake up feeling refreshed. If I feel tired and sleepy during the day there is a reason for it! I am a type 2 diabetic on insulin, High blood pressure and had a bypass 6 years ago, Lord knows how different life could have been for me if I had had an earlier diagnosis of OSA.

Best of luck

David