Struggle to use CPAP

[knackersyard]

I struggled with poor sleep all my life, but am also a loud snorer.

Many mornings I was convinced that I’d had zero sleep, but would be told I’d been snoring all night. Wife often moved to another room & even kids complaining from their rooms.

So I went to the doc & had several overnight sleep studies.

The studies showed lots of episodes, but no issues with Oxygen saturation, probably because I wake instantly.

So I was sent to have my Tonsils, Uvula & some flappy tissue removed by laser.

That stopped my snoring overnight & I had the best sleep ever (as did the family).

Unfortunately, 2 years later, the snoring returned as bad as ever (I’m told). Well I’ve heard it, because I record it on a SleepClock App.

I really couldn’t be bothered going through the NHS hoops again, so I did a private sleep study & bought a top of the range Resmed Autosense 10 CPAP machine.

The problem is, I’m a wriggler & (apart from the odd occasion when I’m paralytic drunk) I cannot sleep on my back. I sleep face down.

So I’ve not used the thing for nearly 2 years.

[JayceeW]

Please, please start using your CPAP. A young doctor friend of mine asked to see me wearing my CPAP and then asked me how I coped with it. I replied truthfully that it was a love hate relationship. I love it because in makes sure that I waken up in the morning but obviously hate having to wear it every night. I have had two friends who went to sleep and didn’t waken up.

I don’t sleep on my back and constantly move from alternative sides or on to my stomach. I have a Resmed like yours and it gives no problem whatsoever.

Hope this helps.

[knackersyard in reply to JayceeW]

Thanks for your concern. If I could I would!

Believe me I tried!!!

I’m tempted to order a nasal pillow mask. See if I can tolerate that.

[Hidden]

I also have a Resmed 10. I have been using it since March. Started off with full face mask but unable to tolerate. My sleep clinic gave me nasal pillows to try and I haven’t looked back. The long flexible tubing means I can turn from one side to the other with no problem at all. Initially I developed a very hoarse voice and found the addition of a humidifier very helpful.

All of my equipment has been provided free of charge on the NHS via my local hospital sleep clinic. They have given me so much help and support. It might be worth contacting your local sleep clinic. They would give you the nasal pillows to try free of charge.

Do persevere with this if you possibly can. I feel so much better, it has changed my life. Good luck to you.

[RAGurl1 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah - They started me at the titration study with the wrong mask (full face), wrong size (medium) and wrong ramp (they set it for 11). Over the last 9 months, I have gotten it to a small mask, small headgear, nasal mask (no pillows) and a ramp of 10. WOW!! what a difference, and now I can frequently get 6 - 8 hours a night with the mask on. I hope you find the right combination for you!

[Rubymurray25]

I discovered I had Atrial Fibrillation about 5 years ago and 12 months ago severe sleep apnea and more recently my cardiologist was totally convinced the AF was caused by the SA. I have been married for 40 years and my wife was always complaining about my snoring, now we both sleep like babies! Not only has changed my life I know it has saved it. I was mortified when I was told I would have to wear a mask as I am extremely claustrophobic and really pleaded for a chance to try the nose pillows , which after a couple of weeks I just about could handle, the nightly episodes came down to 20 from 68 per hour, but the Sleep Consultant insisted I needed a mask to get it down to below 5; I tried but just couldn't handle it, so I bought several chin straps and finally found one which did the trick and with a few stitching amends to the nose cushion strap I am now getting readings of 0.9 -2.5 , but it takes time ( 3-6 months ) . I also purchased a Air 30 small mask which just covers the bottom half of the nose and mouth, it seems alright , but all the time I can use the cushions I will as I now don't mind them at all, in fact I would miss them if I was told to stop as the control my breathing so well. I loved sleeping on my side but can't as it sets of heart pain on the left and I get numbness on the right ( bit of a mess really! ) . I have learnt to sleep on my back, BUT having the right pillow is the key. Good luck.

[Hidden]

If you can sleep on your side or, preferably, your stomach that will assist in stopping the collapse of the tubes - which cause your apnoea.

I am bearded so cannot use a full face mask. I use a mask which just covers my nose. There is also a new nasal pillow that has the CPAP pipe at the top of your head. That makes it easier to move around while asleep.

I now use the sleep clinic at Boston Pilgrim Hospital in Lincolnshire. They have given my the latest Phillips ultra quiet machine, with humidifier in case I need it. My machine has a SIM card in it and is *constantly* monitored by Phillips and the data passed to the clinic. It is a fantastic service from both Phillips and the clinic.

The clinic now attracts patients from as far away as Liverpool. As it is NHS, all is free.

[knackersyard]

Thanks Osidge

That’s interesting.

As I said, I don’t officially have Apnoea, because I don’t stop breathing & lose oxygen saturation. So I would struggle to get help from the NHS.

What I have is chronic snoring, which disturbs me. I’m not overweight, but always had a big neck.

Never been able to sleep on my back, as the second I drop off, all my soft tissue must relax & I jump.

I would often think I was being prodded by the wife, but would wake up & she wasn’t there. I was waking myself.

So the NHS took out my Tonsils & Uvula as well as some flappy tissue.

That worked a treat, but 2 years later, the snoring came back as bad as ever.

I snore face down.

I’ve seen the ResMed nasal pillows with the tube at the top of head. Looks interesting & I will contact them this week to see if I can try them.

I wonder if other manufacturers masks have the same fittings?

[Artist44]

I was given a CPAP as tests showed I was waking up over 88:times an HOUR, Seems ridiculous but that is what I was told.

Determined to use the machine and hopefully get some proper sleep I persevered for several days but found it just too difficult. Every time I moved my head there would be a leakage of air from the mask and it became more of a pain than the disruption to my sleep by stopping breathing.

In addition, as I have severe COPD and Depression it was just too much to contend with.

I have returned the machine to the hospital and when my depression is under control (soon please God) I will try again.

Ever hopeful.

JJ

[RAGurl1 in reply to Artist44]

Yeah - I was 94 - but in hypopnea (meaning I slow way down breathing, but don't stop breathing totally (apnea). That IS crazy huh?

[KrierandRosie]

I hate cpap. There are few options. There is a surgery called Inspire that is not covered by insurance and sounds awful. I take melatonin and a pill I found on the Internet. Hope to hear more cpap stories. Having a thing on my nose and face makes me unable to sleep. The sound of blowing air is awful. I returned it to Lincare, which is a horrible company with poor service.

[noviceAFIB]

#1

please see healthunlocked.com/sleep-ma...

ensure you check out the oximeter link; it is like having an in-home sleep study every night

#2

sounds dreadful but mouth taping does work & painless

amazon.com/gp/product/B00IC...

#3

as for snoring, i found sleep and 30 to 45 degrees reduces snoring significantly

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

#4

consult your trusted doctors before trying anything