Post
by singsingsing » Wed Mar 15, 2017 4:07 pm
To palerider and cancun,
Aren't we supposed to help each other? I was so glad to be able to share issues and get advice, because none of my friends or my Drs were of any assistance to the issues at hand. I was made fun of with my first post, and what was said was unkind. One other commented tsk tsk to the unkind response I received that day. I haven't been back since and that was about 4 months ago.
I had 100% turn around the day after the sleep study 4 months ago. As time progressed here at home I have had challenges.
I do want to comment on the hearing difficulty. I am dealing with the same. A new issue since CPAP is ear wax build up causing hearing difficulties and in 4 months I have had to get several flushes and the Dr has had to go in and clean it all out. I am 63 and never had that issue before. Coincidence? Perhaps. Another hearing loss issue is that in the last 4 months my ears keep blocking as if I was ascending on a plane. You know when you just yawn or swallow and they reopen? Well they don't reopen and I'm in a constant state of blocked hearing. I am making and appointment with an ENT to have it checked out because I am not hard of hearing and have recently before CPAP had a full ENT work up and screening for my hearing.
Another issue is which mask to use. I have gone through 5 and this last one is a full face and it causes deep strap marks , welts on my face, and my eyes are swollen shut in the morning. I do use a CPAP mask cushion, which is no more that a piece of felt that I could have bought myself at Jo Ann Fabrics. I have water pockets under my eyes that don't go away all day. I sleep on my side, and that is the reason my eye right is completely swollen shut. I have had to go the the eye Dr regarding blepharitis, which is an extreme inflammation and swelling of the eyelids and conjunctivitis which I haven't had that for over 15 years. Coincidence? Am I blaming CPAP unfairly?
My eye Dr was so concerned for my eyes that I decided to go off the CPAP for a week. Everything cleared right up with my eyes on no medication. So, I know it was caused by CPAP. However I felt so out of breath and tired, I am very aware I need to use it. So I went right back on it and back to the eye Dr I went with the same problem. Now this time I'm on a very strong antibiotic as the condition has worsened when it came back a second time. He is once again concerned with all of the inflammation.
Everyone is different. One person may have no effects that are negative from CPAP and another may have several. When speaking to the pulmonologist or even your primary they will sometimes tell you that no, it wouldn't cause that. But they are not using these machines, we are. No one knows about it better than we do. I am honest and wouldn't make this stuff up, as I am sure none of us would. We are just looking for support, encouragement, and advice from some who have more time into this, and some who have "been there" and know what equipment is better, or how to avoid some of the issues we are struggling to find answers to.
Lets all help each other and please don't discourage this newbie.
Any mask suggestions? I've tried the nasal pillow but I swallowed air. I tried the medium mask that went above the mouth and it caused jaw pain and I swallowed air. So we are on a full face now but that is causing issues as well.
Is there anyone that has been diagnosed with both sleep apnea and narcolepsy?
