First time on this forum

[Oldie68]

I am a 68 years old male with insomnia and apnea, both obstructive and central, for years. I just started using a CPAP machine and I am not thrilled. Looking to connect with people with similar health problems and learn more about their experience.

[Lybra]

Hello I have all of these symptoms, I. Was born with Sleep Apnea, but not diagnosed for57 years. I use the CPAP machine every night, and take it with me wherever I go, please use it. You may have trouble getting used to it, but it is worth it. I have wonderful Clinic, any problems I just phone and it is sorted. My Doctor worked with me, and sorted out Pain killers too. My prescription is , 8 paracetamol and 5 Nefopam, aided by Voltarol For the pain , this of course may not help you, but your Doctor should be able to sort out something suitable fo you. If there is anything in particular with using the CPAP machine, please let me know.

[Oldie68 in reply to Lybra]

Thank you very much for your reply. I guess you live in Europe, right? Paracetamol is Acetaminophen on this side of the Atlantic. I take it also almost every night before going to bed. I am slowly getting used to the CPAP machine (Airsense 11 by Reliable Respiratory). The Auto settings don't work for me. I wake up after less then an hour with dry mouth, almost gasping for air. I am trying different manual settings but have a hard time finding the optimum. When the humidity is high enough at the start the tube gradually become full with condensed water and I wake up. What do the numbers before the meds indicate (8 paracetamol, 5 Nefopam)? What kind of pain are you talking about? Is it apnea related or some other medical condition?

[Lybra in reply to Oldie68]

Thank you for the reply. I posted on here because some one was asking for help, because he had just been given a CPAP machine. As I had been on one since 1997, and invited him to ask me anything. The pain I mentioned is Osteoarthritis, for which I take Paracetamol ,at a dose of 8 per day, plus 5 Nefopam . This the maximum dose of Paracetamol that can be taken per day. Back to Sleep Apnea, I have had over the years, many different CPAP machines, the one I have now, would have cost nearly a Thousand Pounds, if I had to buy it. It came with a new mask, which clips on with magnetic straps. Both these are the best I have ever had, this of course is thanks to our marvellous National Health Service. At moment it is being destroyed by this Government, we need people to wake up, or it will be to late, to save. Back to Sleep Apnea, this machine I have now, is the easiest one to adjust, that I have ever had. I am considered a mild case, although it does not feel like it, because I was born with the condition, it has left me with impaired Cognition and so bad a memory, my Wife wondered if I was in the early stages of Dementia. Being accepted as a mild case, I don,t have report anything to our marvellous Clinic. I just adjust the air flow to my needs, as I said wherever I go that needs to sleeping away somewhere, the machine goes with me. When I was still going abroad on Holiday, the Clinic gave me a letter explaining what was in my bag, and that was always accepted at the Airports. I want to make something clear, it took 57 years to Diagnose my condition, but this is no slur against Medical Services, because Apnea was hardly known then, in fact my Doctor admitted he had never even heard of this. If anyone wants to ask me something via this wonderful Health Unlocked, please do.

[Cowbsky]

Hi,_ did not get whether you have RLS, in addition to sleep disorder breathing;

_ I am a RLS (since 7) and UARS sufferer (since 17);

_ I do use sucessfully a Bilevel CPAP since some 2.8 year, life saver; See my replies just in case

this is great Forum on SDB: apneaboard.com/forums/searc... ....lots of learnings there

all the best and good luck

[Oldie68 in reply to Cowbsky]

Thanks for your reply. I don't have RLS, just apnea. Not too bad when I sleep on my side but still bothersome. When I sleep on my back it is severe. I'll try the Apnea board site at some point but now it is a bit too much for me.

[Cowbsky]

_ hi,_ just to mention, based on my own experience and of so many others in this Forum above, central apnea is a very rare phenomenum. Outside the periodic breathing style (true central apnea), absolute majority of central apneas are false, either related with non-tailored pressures and pressure support or post arousal/awakenings-back to sleep changes in respiratory pattern (very common for people like me with UARS and RLS).

ALL the best and good luck

[Oldie68 in reply to Cowbsky]

Thank you for your reply. That's an interesting statement. I was diagnosed with central apnea both at a home and in a clinic study. Can you point me to some references?

[Cowbsky in reply to Oldie68]

Hi,_ yes, indeed, you may want eventually start somewhere in here, with these two papers;

_ I the apneaboard Forum I have seen so many people been indicated to use ASV CPAP with no needs, once their Central Apneas are false, mainly related to sleep-transitions post the so frequent arousals, in people with UARS and RLS/PLMS. That is, before, address the CA themselves, one should address the sleep instability first.

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

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/149...

later on I will send some more

all the best and good luck

[Cowbsky in reply to Cowbsky]

journal.chestnet.org/articl...

[Cowbsky in reply to Cowbsky]

journal.chestnet.org/articl...

[Cowbsky in reply to Cowbsky]

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

[Oldie68]

Great references! Thank you so much!!

[Taz79]

I have obstructive sleep apnea and have a small CPAP machine, I couldn't have the nasal type masks as I sleep with my mouth open. I have a mask that sits just under my nose and covers my mouth. I have tried one of the full face masks and it was awful. My pressures have been changed on a number of occasions as I felt I wasn't benefiting anymore. I have been on the machine for over 2 years and I can't sleep without it now

[Oldie68 in reply to Taz79]

I am so glad it has worked for you! What brand is the machine? What company is providing the tech support?