Cpac machine users

[telephonejunkie]

I started using a Cpac machine earlier this year. After an initial improvement I am back to feeling tired during the day.and wrestless sleep. I have increased the pressure on the machine, but this doesn't give any substantial improvement in my sleep. I have low thyroid, so have recently had a blood test and my levels are "within normal range ".

Do any other cpac users have any advice?

[Marylyn]

Ask for vitamin b12 active & serum,folate,ferritin,iron,red cell magnesium ,homocysteine,platelets,vit D levels.If vitamin b12 below 500 you require suppliments.Melanton & chelated magnesium assisted me heaps.view info & videos on b12awareness.

[Ritchie1268]

Have you been diagnosed at your sleep clinic?

The reason I'm asking is there is 'obstructive' which CPAP will help but, if you have the other SA, 'Central' CPAP will make it worse.

I was given a CPAP but it made mine much worse, then found out I had Central SA, I have an ASV instead of CPAP & my SA has just about vanished now.

[CDreamer]

Ritchie makes a very good point, what was your diagnosis and who supervises your usage?

I have been using CPAP for about 5 years with great results. I am supervised by the CPAP Physiologists under the supervision of a Pulmonologist who monitor my sleep reports - sent wirelessly.

I recently had some problems with restless sleep so I went in for an appointment and after looking at the usage results and talking to me changed my machine for an automatic which pauses on the out breath and adjusts the pressure to what I require so no settings or guess work required.

My air pressure was set at 15 on the old permanent pressure machine, on the automatic machine it never rises above 12.5 and I feel SO much more comfortable and it has increased my sleep quality by 25% in a week.

I don’t think CPAP machines are something we should mess about with without expert medical supervision and data and knowledge.

There are a hundred and one reasons for the symptoms you describe - very difficult pinning them down.

[telephonejunkie]

I was diagnosed by a sleep clinic and I am in the 1st 6months of usage, having had a consultant follow up and called the resp physiologists. I have called the sleep clinic AGAIN earlier this week they called when I was at work and promised call back that evening. They do call backs 3 evenings a week. However they havent called back so I have called the answer phone again.( this happened last december in my 1st week of use when I felt asif I was being smothered it took a month to get call back- Im not impressed with the local clinic!) I believ eI has obstructive apnea, but it is a problem within my extended family and not everyone is overweight-I have passed this family history onto the clinicians. My sleep reports are sent by wifi direct to the clinic. I understand the machine should automatically adjust the air pressure.

Wrt supplements I have already tried that route and take a handfulevery day.

[CDreamer in reply to telephonejunkie]

Wondered how you are getting on?

[telephonejunkie in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for asking. I managed to see the Resp Phys last week! I was told as they have 2K patients I cann't expect them to respond quickly.....2 months!!!!!

My apnea episodes is still reduced( from 35 to1.7/hr), although she only appeared to look at the previous nights data. They are switching the onlinedata back on and will look at the next 6 weeks sleep patterns.

I have been given a different mask to try a phillips dream wear full mask, it doesn't cover the nose so the feeling of suffocation is suposed to be reduced.

If I still feel tired during the day I will be refered back to the resp Consultant.

Initially the maskchange did improve, however on Sat night it was soo hot the sweat on my face was reducing the vaccum seal on the mask. Last night the seal wasn't great either. If you aren't using a full mask you may not have experienced the mask "farts" as the air escapes, it definately is not condusive to sleep. So I remove the mask at 1.30 last night a slept proped up. This morning, I going to have a look online, at how to reduce these events.

[CDreamer in reply to telephonejunkie]

There is a tutorial video on the ResMed site. It took me a while to get the right combination. Keep on trying. Best wishes.

[telephonejunkie in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks. I watched it earlier today,So fingers crossed tonight is better.

[benmaise]

What is a CPAC course please ?

[telephonejunkie]

CPAC is a machine with a face mask attached that pumps air for you to breath overnight and when the patient has an apnea event ,the machine increases the pressure of the air being blown in to keep the airways open. Most hospitals put prospective patients and partners, througha half day instruction course so the patient knows what to expect and how the machine works and day to day maintenance.

[benmaise in reply to telephonejunkie]

Thank you telephonejunkie. I was curious.