How can you tell if CPAP is working???

[Aimless]

If I'm sitting or standing upright I can breath through my nose. As soon as I lay down my nose swells completely closed. Any idea what would cause this? All the doctors I've been to have no idea.

My CPAP keeps my nose free & clear so that's the main reason I use it. But as far as treating my severe sleep apnea, I don't feel any different. I feel like death every day. I have no idea if it's working. I don't think it is. What can I do?

[prodigyplace]

Welcome.

Please add your equipment to your user profile so we can better assist you.

Depending on your equipment, there may be some free software that can help us direct you on how to improve your sleep.

Your DME knows CPAP is working when they get paid by insurance. That is not the answer we use here though.

[palerider]

Your DME knows CPAP is working when they get paid by insurance. That is not the answer we use here though.

This is not correct. Your DME knows you're USING the machine, and that's all they care about, whether it's working or not, they don't care.

[palerider]

I have no idea if it's working. I don't think it is. What can I do?

Start by telling us what kind of machine it is, and if it turns out it's data capable, then let's see what things look like.

[prodigyplace]

Your DME knows CPAP is working when they get paid by insurance. That is not the answer we use here though.

This is not correct. Your DME knows you're USING the machine, and that's all they care about, whether it's working or not, they don't care.

The DME just cares about your USING the machine so they can get paid by insurance though. Profit trumps all.

[zonker]

If I'm sitting or standing upright I can breath through my nose. As soon as I lay down my nose swells completely closed. Any idea what would cause this? All the doctors I've been to have no idea.

My CPAP keeps my nose free & clear so that's the main reason I use it. But as far as treating my severe sleep apnea, I don't feel any different. I feel like death every day. I have no idea if it's working. I don't think it is. What can I do?

welcome to the monkey house!

how long have you been on cpap? it can take awhile to feel the effects.

and as palerider said, let us know which machine and mask you're using. we are all different and we can and do use different machine and mask combinations. while it's all sort of the same basic therapy, it works differently for each of us. once the smart folks here can get some data from you, they can help you along.

OH! please go to the control panel and fill in the equipment profile. this way, your equipment will show up at the bottom of your post as mine does below.

good luck!

[Okie bipap]

I agree with the consensus that DMEs do not care about your treatment, only your compliance. My first machine did not report anything through the phone modem for a month. The DME called me when they did a compliance check and there was no data for the month. I had to get a different machine because of the lack of reporting.

[jnk...]

As soon as I lay down my nose swells completely closed. Any idea what would cause this?

One guess would be an allergy to dust mites.

[palerider]

As soon as I lay down my nose swells completely closed. Any idea what would cause this?

One guess would be an allergy to dust mites.

Another is just positional congestion, when my nose is stuffy, it's always worse when laying down that when sitting up/standing.

Same reason that astronauts have stuffy noses.

[D.H.]

As already stated, please tell us what equipment you're using. It's best to do so by filling in your profile.

If you're using a nasal mask or nasal pillows, try opening your mouth to see if the air is rushing out.

[Goofproof]

As already stated, please tell us what equipment you're using. It's best to do so by filling in your profile.

If you're using a nasal mask or nasal pillows, try opening your mouth to see if the air is rushing out.

But go to sleep first, because Sleep Apnea seems to happen when you sleep, when a diffeerent part of the brain is in charge. Jim

[D.H.]

To the OP:

Nobody can really give you advice with any level of detail, as you have not replied. We do not know what equipment you're using or what your settings are. We don't even know if if your machine is data-capable.

[chunkyfrog]

Aimless---we want to help. Please reply with details, so we can.

[Aimless]

Spectrum just jacked my prices up so I cancelled my service. I have no internet or phone at the moment. I'm not on here too often, have to use free wifi at the library or wherever.

I'll post more info soon, I'm not home right now to see what machine I'm using. I don't have insurance right now, I have to wait til November for open enrollment. The place I went gave me a cheap basic loner machine.

I just broke my mask, the thin rubber up by my nose split. So I'm trying to get a new mask. I'm not using the CPAP right now & I feel a lot better. Still feel like crap but a lot better than when I use CPAP.

[prodigyplace]

Spectrum just jacked my prices up so I cancelled my service. I have no internet or phone at the moment. I'm not on here too often, have to use free wifi at the library or wherever.

I'll post more info soon, I'm not home right now to see what machine I'm using. I don't have insurance right now, I have to wait til November for open enrollment. The place I went gave me a cheap basic loner machine.

I just broke my mask, the thin rubber up by my nose split. So I'm trying to get a new mask. I'm not using the CPAP right now & I feel a lot better. Still feel like crap but a lot better than when I use CPAP.

What mask & size were you using? Sometimes there are free or low cost ones here from forum members.