CPAP machine

I was diagnosed with sleep apmea over 1 1/2 years ago, though I know I have had it 15 years before that. I was given a CPAP machine and to this day, I have NOT slept through the night without removing the mask while I sleep. Does anyone have this problem? Is there anything I can do to stop this?

Also, this new issue has been happening recently...I wake up with pain in my sinus cavety, like someone punch a hole through my nose through my sinuses...This has happened 4 times, the first time was the most severe. I sneeze alot and have no control of any fluids through my nostril. and smetimes, it hurts to breath in. Therefore, I stopped using my machine. Has anyone experience this? If so, what can I do to cure this?

I must admit, I started slacking wihen it came to using my machine lately; however, with the recent death to Reggie White, I decided to go back to using my machine. When I woke this morning, the mask was off and I felt like I was about to get a cold again, as my eye was watering.

Please advise.

Thanx

i am very concerned, especially question number 2.

Thanx

I'm not a medical professional, but I wonder if you've got a sinus infection. I think you should see a doctor and get that checked out.

As to your first question - I too found myself frequently removing my mask while sleeping. I even turned off the CPAP, but didn't realize it until I awoke more fully later, only vaguely remembering having done it, but not remembering why. For me, though, that only happened a dozen times or so over several months. However, there were many more nights where I either didn't sleep well because of discomfort and leaks, or knowingly took off the mask part way through the night.

Two things have changed that for me (yes, I've now managed to sleep through the night several nights in a row!):

• • I got a new CPAP machine - a REMstar Auto CFlex - so it adjusts the pressure throughout the night, and relaxes the pressure when I exhale.
  
  • I changed masks - I was using a Comfort Classic - I am now using the Breeze Nasal Pillows which I find much more comfortable, and less leak prone for sleeping on my side

So, if you've been using the same kind of mask, and/or the same CPAP machine for the whole time, I'd suggest that it may be time to experiment. See if you can try out different CPAP machines through your DME, and invest the $$ into testing out some different masks. I spent almost 9 months being frustrated because I just took what my DME gave me without really knowing there were options - now that I've taken on more of the responsibility for my treatment myself, I'm much happier.

In reply to your statement, "I'm not a medical professional, but I wonder if you've got a sinus infection. I think you should see a doctor and get that checked out.", I am not sure about that...What I do have is I do not have a CLEAR passage to my left nostril, only my right, and that is the one that always seems to be effected. But I will check with my doctor anyways...THX.

In reply to your last statement, "• I got a new CPAP machine - a REMstar Auto CFlex - so it adjusts the pressure throughout the night, and relaxes the pressure when I exhale. & • I changed masks - I was using a Comfort Classic - I am now using the Breeze Nasal Pillows which I find much more comfortable, and less leak prone for sleeping on my side"... Are you saying I need to purchase these items? I am military retired, and I got this from tri-care. I don't think I have a choice... If I do purchase on my own, where would I go? I am truly interested in the Nasal pillow. What is DME?

Thank you for responding.

DME = Durable Medical Equipment supplier. I'm not sure how it works for retired military - I would think you should be covered, but who knows, the whole medical insurance system has problems, and I'm not sure whether it's any better for military.

The first thing is to check with tri-care; find out what other CPAP equipment they can offer you, on a trial basis, so that you try multiple options if needed in the search to find what's right for you. If it works for you anything like it does for us who are under private insurance - where you have a deductible - it might be cheaper to buy the stuff yourself when that time comes. If tri-care can get you different machines to try, and supply you with masks, without tons of hoops to clear first, then I'd say go with that first - then see what the deal is through them to get a "permanent" machine, and decide whether it's better through them or on your own.

If you do decide to get the stuff yourself, you'll need a prescription in order to purchase a CPAP machine (if you've still got your original, that might do), but you can get masks without one. There are several online suppliers of CPAP machines and masks - try https://www.cpap.com -- that could also be helpful just in terms of seeing what's available, and what the prices are, so that you can compare with what you find with tri-care (both in terms of what it will cost you and what you can actually get).

Here's a link to the Breeze Nasal Pillow system for sale on cpap.com:https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1449 -- I alternate between the large and extra large nasal pillows, and I have a pretty average sized male nose.

Hope that helps.

"DME" is message board shorthand for talking about the store or person you get your medical equipment from. A "home health care provider", in other words. The initials DME stand for "durable medical equipment".

If you have good insurance coverage, you probably do go to your local home health care store for your machine, mask, etc. Or they send someone out to you. I don't have insurance, so I prefer to buy my equipment from an online store like cpap.com (the sponsors of this message board.) Online stores offer a wider range of equipment at much lower prices than most local bricks-and-mortar "DME"s.

Even people with insurance often find that by the time they pay their deductible and co-pay, it's cheaper for them to just buy from an online store. And in some cases (Wader, here's your cue... ) people have contacted their insurance company and gotten the ok to buy online and receive partial reimbursement from the insurance company - saving both themselves and the insurance company a considerable amount of money. I have no idea what your situation as a military retiree is with Tricare.

You don't need a prescription to buy masks, humidifiers or any cpap equipment other than a machine itself from an online store.
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oops, sinemac, I didn't see your excellent follow-up post until I'd already hit submit on mine. Very good information!

Thanx for the great replies!!!