Tired of CPAP!!

[mars]

I can't take a nap in the recliner because my snoring/apneas will wake me up, no, I have to get in the bed and put my mask on.

Hi bworthey

There are a lot of good posts above, so I will not repeat anything (as far as I know). But here is a tip so you can sleep in your recliner. No doubt some will think it bizarre and anti-cpap, but it may allow you to do something you want to do, without causing you harm.

I loved to have a nap in my recliner. Started cpap treatment, no more naps in the recliner. Logistically and attitudinally too difficult with the machine.

Recently I bought an oximeter for all-night sleep studies, and, of course, do not set any alarms for this.

However, I can also set it so that it wakes me up if my blood oxygen level goes below a set level. I use the default one of SpO2 88.

So I slip the oximeter on to my finger, relax in my recliner, and sometimes doze off. Sometimes I go for an hour without having an event, sometimes I get an alarm within minutes of dozing off. It doesn't matter. Sometimes my pulse alarm goes off, I wake up, and my pulse is way down but my SpO2 is as usual. So I may be getting a some deeper sleep without any events. In any case I get to have the pleasure of closing my eyes and forgetting about the world and its worries. And if my blood oxygen level does goes down, I get woke up straight away.

There are many threads on pulse oximeters, I use a CMS-60D.

I know this isn't much in a world of problems, but you might like to try it. Of course, the pulse oximeter is very useful in our general overseeing of our treatment anyway.

cheers

Mars

[bworthey]

Thanks for all the information (again). I know surgery isn't an option for me, my sleep doc sent me to some other doc for a consult, but he knew before seeing me that I woudln't be a good candidate for it because my apnea is so bad (pressure of 19).

I did find out something the other night though. My wife couldn't sleep (I was already asleep) and she told me the next morning that she didn't think the cpap was doing me any good anymore either. She said that I was waking up a lot, adjusting my mask, tossing and turning....all things that I don't remember at all! So, needless to say, I gotta find me a doctor now that I've moved and see what is going on.

[roster]

........! So, needless to say, I gotta find me a doctor now that I've moved and see what is going on.

How will a doc know what is going on in your bed at night?

What are the chances of getting a data-capable machine, card reader, and software to monitor your apneas, hypopneas, snores, mask leak, and pressure? Then you can figure out what is going on in your bed at night and tell the doctor what you need help with.

That was the only way many of the members here could finally get a good CPAP therapy going.

[bworthey]

[quote="rooster"


How will a doc know what is going on in your bed at night?

What are the chances of getting a data-capable machine, card reader, and software[/quote]

Well given what little I know, it is my understanding that I can't get a machine with out a referral/prescription for the machine for it to be set to my pressure. I know I've read ways to "break in" and change the settings yourself, but I didn't think I could just show up at a DME and get a machine, or get one off the internet that way. But I could be wrong. I was supposed to go back to the doctor for another sleep study to see about setting me up on a bipap, but I never got back there and now I've moved.

[roster]

With a pressure of 19, I think you do need another titration night in a lab with BIPAP. Then get your prescription and make sure you get a fully data-capable machine.

[cflame1]

With a pressure of 19, I think you do need another titration night in a lab with BIPAP. Then get your prescription and make sure you get a fully-data capable machine.

BW... I'm going to agree with Rooster here. When you consider that your machine won't go up past 20... and you're already at 19... you need to do that BIPAP titration.

[grandmma]

bworthey, I'm sorry you're having such a low period. It is sometimes difficult, but for the majority of us we don't consider an alternative other than coping with CPAP. That tends to make the situation and attitude different - might as well be a glass half full rather than half empty, so to speak, if you're always going to be stuck with that particular glass.

I myself fight every night with a mask which often slips and slides - I'm one of those for whom the mask settings seem to change daily. I've 'settled' for the mask which works best after trialling what seems like hundreds of them, but still am often resettling and rearranging it all night. Don't really consider there's any other option. And to be honest, at my age for a female, heat is not your friend. Any overheating at all, and things tend to get sweaty and slide anyway. You just deal, as you've clearly done in the past.

4Boy, I don't think everyone here said they're tired of the routine, most welcome the restorative sleep they can look forward to and the good health and renewed energy they will feel the next day. In my husband's case, we were so happy to hear that there was a "fix" for his declining health and quality of life. So many Drs have to tell patients there is nothing that can be done for them. I guess it's a case of looking at life as a glass half empty of half full. It think most here choose the latter.

DoriC, new avatar - nice to SEE you!

[DoriC]

Thanks, and from one grandmma to another, which one of us looks more "dignified"?

[roster]

Since the first grade I have always had a thing for redheads.

[DoriC]

Classmates or Teachers?

[rjm46]

Hey "Grandmama"....I couldn't agree with you more about not needing any more heat on the face, especially when you are at an age to experience menopause!! I found a soft, thin fabric liner called RemZzzs on the internet which has stopped that sliding-around action when my face sweats. It has been a God-send!

[grandmma]

Thanks, and from one grandmma to another, which one of us looks more "dignified"?

Oh, I'd say the one without the rude face! You win hands down! Then again, whilst my workmates only see the "dignified" side of me, my family know that's never been my forte or interest!

[roster]

Classmates or Teachers?

None of them are excluded.

Ah memories of my 10th grade biology teacher. Her first year out of college. Her husband was an older looking dude. He would come to pick her up at the school in his 1965 red Ford Galaxie 500 convertible with bucket seats and red vinyl upholstery. He wore a hat and parked in a space just outside her class. While he waited on her he had the rag top down and smoked a cigar.

I just knew she secretly desired me and was barely able to keep up a professional demeanor.

[robertmarilyn]

Thanks, and from one grandmma to another, which one of us looks more "dignified"?

Oh, I'd say the one without the rude face! You win hands down! Then again, whilst my workmates only see the "dignified" side of me, my family know that's never been my forte or interest!

I love it...Grandma competitions!!!!
mar