CPAP/ BIPAP machines

[Boyce3600]

Does anyone use one now or perhaps did in the past for sleep apnea or for another reason? I would like to know if you reaped any benefits from it and if so what they were.

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Boyce3600.... I have PD and my husband (75) has a CPAP machine, due to diagnosed sleep apnea, plus VERY loud snoring. He's been using it for over 2 years now and his energy level improved significantly and almost immediately, since he has been getting full restful sleeps, and so do I. No more of his terrible snoring. It took a while to get used to it and I honestly thought he wud not stick with it but he did because he realized very quickly how much better he felt after a few nights of proper, uninterrupted sleep.

Hope this helps. I live in British Columbia, Canada.

[Boyce3600 in reply to Hidden]

During that time of getting used to it did you have trouble with the mask leaking

[Hidden in reply to Boyce3600]

Not sure what you call leaking. Yes, there are occasions when the nose/mouth piece gets out of place which causes a noise that sounds like leaking, but it is easily rectified. It is not the machine, it is the person using it. If I become aware of it, and it bothers me, I usually get my husband to change his sleeping position, and it works.

[Boyce3600 in reply to Hidden]

Yes the sound of the air coming out of the Mask indicates it's leaking and yes if you put your hand up to it you can feel the leaks he gets air in his eyes he gets air under his chin and we tried numerous masks and I'm very frustrated.

[Hidden in reply to Boyce3600]

Have you discussed these problems with the mechanic at the clinic you are dealing with? It only took 2 visits for my husband to get the right fit and/or the instructions to adjust the mask or head gear as needed. Are your husband's PD restrictions complicating such adjustments?

[Boyce3600 in reply to Hidden]

Have discussed and have had the company come out and try several masks; no, PD not reason, think just shape of face. Am using Simplus mask right now. Just picked up some mask liners to try and seal it better.

[Donzim]

Read my previous post re apnea and download for free a phamplet from Amazon called, 'Sleep Interrupted' by Steven Park, MD. After reading it I was of the opinion that any neurologist who diagnoses PD should make sure that his next words are, 'Now let's check you for apnea'. Same for cardiologists. There are two forms...obstructive and central....which are referred to as events. My PD husband has over 100 obstructive events every hour which means he stops breathing 100 times due to physical obstruction. He has 127 central events. Every hour which means his brain does not signal that many times per hour that he needs to breath. He does not snore. No wonder he is exhausted and has such terrible atherosclerosis. Read the booklet..there is a direct connection.

[Hidden in reply to Donzim]

No longer a free pamphlet on Amazon. I just checked. There are 4 books by Steven Park, but they all have a cost.

[Boyce3600 in reply to Hidden]

Appreciate the leg work. Will check into them.

[Donzim in reply to Hidden]

Sorry. Maybe I was wrong. Still worth the $10 for a used or kindle cc!

[Boyce3600 in reply to Donzim]

Ok yes, worth it. Thank you!

[TheresaCurley]

What does the CPAC machine do? Is it just oxygen or what?

[Boyce3600 in reply to TheresaCurley]

No it is not considered oxygen, even though it is air ( Go figure).

CPAP is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is air put through tubing to force open the airway, which collapses and closes at back of throat in people with sleep apnea. Supposed benefits are better overall quality sleep, especially including REM sleep, where all processing of days' activities happen. It reduces daytime fatigue, headaches, and helps focus and concentration.

[rons]

was on cpap when fat on dopamine agonists (DA's caused obtstructive sleep apnea). A year after DA's I was pronounced cured of OSA and off CPAP (levadopa caused dyskinesia put paid to that and 20 kgs). CPAP was ok but happier off than on.

[Boyce3600]

Do u notice more energy and less daytime fatigue

[cjsg]

My husband and I both have used CPAP machine for years. I sleep better using it and so does my hubby. He has PD and also has had a stroke. He has found it hard to find a mask that doesn't leak because of the PD mask and the effects of the stroke on his face. Every time insurance says we can get a new frame and mask he tries a different style. After years of trying different masks he has found one that works fairly well but we still try to find something better. Usually a person has 30 days to try a mask and if it doesn't work they can go back to their old style one. I tell all my friend no matter what age, or body type to get checked for sleep apnea it is a silent killer