HELP on everything about cpap

[cpapthomas]

I do not have internet at home, so if someone asks me a question, then please be patient, I'll have to wait to get back to the library, which may, in some cases, be some days away, depending on when I can get back. In advance, thank you for your help. I'll tell you a little bit about me before I ask a few questions. I took a sleep study and had mild sleep apnea and was told not to lay on my back because that is when it appeared in the testing. I have normally always slept on my stomach anyway, so that was just fine. I started cpap about 7 years ago and tried it for about 3 to 4 days and it was really uncomfortable. I stored it away. I realize that the sleep depravation makes the blood pressure go up on some people, so I have got the cpap machine out of storage and have tried it about 4 to 5 nights and had it on only about 1 to 1 1/2 hours a night. I am not at home, so I don't know the brand. It's pressure is set to 6. OK, here come the questions:
1. Does anyone have upper front teeth shifting from long term cpcp use and what did you do to either prevent it or correct it?
2. My two front teeth are crowns and the dentist said that I cannot use these two teeth to eat apples, corn on the cob, etc. and to be careful with them. The mask I have is putting pressure on these two teeth. Are there masks that do not fit under the nose and apply pressure to the teeth from the outside of the mouth?
3. My mouth is closed when I sleep. Is this normal or is the air pressure supposed to push it open? With the cpap machine going, I can lower my tongue in a different position in my mouth and the air will come pouring out of my mouth.
4. How do you know you have the right pressure
5. How do you find a doctor that knows sleep apnea, the different masks, the different dental devices and tongue retaining devices, etc.?
6. Is there a place I can go to try out different masks? Maybe some that are the most popular that I could try on so I could find the best that is out there for me?
7. What does the air going into the nose actually do, inside the mouth, that makes it give you better sleep?
8. How do you sleep comfortably and how long does it take on the average to get the full night sleep with the mask on
all night and not wake up after 11 hours in bed and still feel tired?
9. How do you not get sores on your face from using it?
10. What are some things you learned that you wished you would of known when you first started using the machine?

[brazospearl]

Welcome to the forum, cpapthomas! You have lots of excellent questions. If you could post the exact name of your machine in your profile, as well as your mask, we might be able to be more help. Does your machine show any data? If not, and if you've had it more than 7 years, it might be worth investing in a fully data capable model. That said, there are things you can do with any machine to improve your therapy. It seems like full face masks might not put as much pressure on your front teeth, but I'm just guessing at that. There have been threads addressing this on this forum before.
Your mouth should be closed while you sleep. What the air does is help keep your throat open far enough so that air gets into your lungs. (This is the most elementary explanation, others can go into MUCH more detail!) That's why keeping your mouth closed is so important-- if the air escapes through your mouth it can't do its job! This is also why you should try to avoid sleeping on your back; gravity can pull your tongue into the back of your throat, closing it off from the air trying to get to your lungs.
If you have a good DME or sleep lab handy you might be able to go sample different masks. Otherwise, you can order them online (our hosts, cpap.com carries a huge supply!) and try them that way. I'd start with the most expensive and work down to the less expensive ones, that way you'd know up front how much money you'd be spending.
Without full data, you'll have to go just by how you FEEL to know how your therapy is going. The trouble with this is that it can take a while to feel substantially better. If you currently only use the machine an hour or so a night, my guess is you pressure is either too low or you have leak problems, or you just aren't accustomed to the whole set up yet. Your pressure of 6 would be way too low for most of us.
Keep reading all you can here, read some more, ask more questions. I completely understand about going to the library to use the internet--I did that for years, and recommend it for my students who don't have access at home. Libraries are excellent places!

[Boston Guy]

I do not have internet at home, so if someone asks me a question, then please be patient, I'll have to wait to get back to the library, which may, in some cases, be some days away, depending on when I can get back. In advance, thank you for your help. I'll tell you a little bit about me before I ask a few questions. I took a sleep study and had mild sleep apnea and was told not to lay on my back because that is when it appeared in the testing. I have normally always slept on my stomach anyway, so that was just fine. I started cpap about 7 years ago and tried it for about 3 to 4 days and it was really uncomfortable. I stored it away. I realize that the sleep depravation makes the blood pressure go up on some people, so I have got the cpap machine out of storage and have tried it about 4 to 5 nights and had it on only about 1 to 1 1/2 hours a night. I am not at home, so I don't know the brand. It's pressure is set to 6. OK, here come the questions:
1. Does anyone have upper front teeth shifting from long term cpcp use and what did you do to either prevent it or correct it?
2. My two front teeth are crowns and the dentist said that I cannot use these two teeth to eat apples, corn on the cob, etc. and to be careful with them. The mask I have is putting pressure on these two teeth. Are there masks that do not fit under the nose and apply pressure to the teeth from the outside of the mouth?
3. My mouth is closed when I sleep. Is this normal or is the air pressure supposed to push it open? With the cpap machine going, I can lower my tongue in a different position in my mouth and the air will come pouring out of my mouth.
4. How do you know you have the right pressure
5. How do you find a doctor that knows sleep apnea, the different masks, the different dental devices and tongue retaining devices, etc.?
6. Is there a place I can go to try out different masks? Maybe some that are the most popular that I could try on so I could find the best that is out there for me?
7. What does the air going into the nose actually do, inside the mouth, that makes it give you better sleep?
8. How do you sleep comfortably and how long does it take on the average to get the full night sleep with the mask on
all night and not wake up after 11 hours in bed and still feel tired?
9. How do you not get sores on your face from using it?
10. What are some things you learned that you wished you would of known when you first started using the machine?

1. I used to wake up and my front teeth which are slightly large would feel a little sore which I assumed was from the mask pressing them. However that hasn't happened to me in a couple years and my teeth appear the same as they did a while back. I wouldn't worry about your front teeth as there are plenty of masks out there that can go way around your front teeth and won't hurt them.

2. Yes there are, my mask is one of them. It is called a full face mask. It goes bellow your bottom teeth around your cheeks and ends right above your nose. It's just like a typical hospital mask.

3. Once again you should try to get a full face mask. If you cannot get one for whatever reason, I have a few extras if you want one.

4. Did you get a sleep study done? You need to talk to a doctor and get a sleep study done so they can find out exactly what pressure you need. If you did have a sleep study and they set your pressure to 6, it may need to be adjusted if you gained weight or have had physical changes since your original sleep study.

5. You need to call your local major hospital or google the nearest Sleep Specialist or Somnologist. That's the two terms I have used in the past to find doctors.

6. There is a store 30 minutes from me in massachusetts which has all the supplies. Once again you can find all this info out by scheduling an appointment to see a sleep specialist or somologist.

7. The air keeps your throat muscle open so you dont choke and snore once your passed out.

8. With the correct settings you should need the average amount of sleep time to feel rested. 6-8 hours a night. Perhaps trying a little exercise and not oversleeping would also help a lot, as it did for me. If your sleeping 11 hours a night your going to feel tired once you wake up because you OVERSLEPT!! I've made the same mistake and trust me, once you get into a good sleeping pattern ( 12 a.m. - 8a.m.) you feel much better. more than 8 hours of sleep a night can actually make you more tired through the day rather than more rested.

9. Sores could be solved by making sure the mask is clean when putting it on your face, make sure no skin oils are on the parts that touch your face. Also make sure your face is clean as well. Don't put the mask on to tight to prevent irritation. upon waking up wash your face, to unclog any pores that where covered by the mask all night.

10. I wish I knew the cpap machine alone wasn't going to solve all my problems and not to get my hopes up so high. Don't get me wrong the machine helps greatly. But without a light to moderate exercise routine and proper sleep pattern, you won't achieve night and day energy levels. Try getting up early as a starter and see if that doesn't make you feel better after a week.

If you want to give me you city and state I could find you the nearest sleep specialist in your area. If you don't feel comfortable giving me the exact city you live in just give me one near you.

Hope I helped.

[Julie]

Book a long library session reading all the links attached to the site you get to by clicking the lightbulb at the top of the forum page (all the info. you never wanted to know about OSA and Cpap). I think your pressure of 6 is ridiculous and most of us are at 10-ish, plus your biggest problem is probably getting the right mask in the right size adjusted properly for YOU when you're lying down as you would at home. And here's what I do on my stomach... got a big very deep slab of memory foam (not astronomically expensive Tempur-pedic tho') in a 5.2 lb wt. in whatever bed size you want (you can Google companies). With a turkey carving knife I sliced down from the 'head' 3-4" deep, 3" wide and about a foot long towards the foot of the bed. This lets my Ultra Mirage full face mask dip in diagonally when I'm asleep (definitely a full time tummy-er) and air vents aren't blocked by bedding (or mattress) as they would be on other masks (at the angle where mask bends to meet hose) because the UM vents at a higher place. A good deep topper might do the trick just as well - I just wanted a new bed anyhow, so went this route.

[Janknitz]

Thomas,

You absolutely, positively need a new sleep study! That sleep study 7 years ago is simply too old at this point. Your body may have changed dramatically in the meantime and anything you do based on that old sleep study is not going to apply to your body today. There is no option here. You MUST contact your doctor and get a new sleep study.

I don't think you should even be trying with your old machine and mask. First, the settings can't possibly be correct after these many years. Secondly, the technology has changed dramatically and you don't want to judge this therapy's efficacy and comfort for you based on caveman equipment. Third, the parts on your machine and your mask are old and may crumble in your hands. You cannot expect to get a good seal on a 7 year old mask, or to use a 7 year old hose without leaks.

There are some well meaning people here who might encourage you to buy yourself a new machine and titrate yourself, but you MUST have a sleep study first. Remember we are not doctors here and we aren't giving you medical advice--you need a doctor involved. Period.

THat all said, you ask some great questions. People here will tackle some of your basic questions and you have time to "study up" in the meantime, so that when you go for your sleep study, your medical consultation and most importantly deal with your DME you will be fully educated and knowledgeable.

BUT, do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not strap anything to your face and breathe before you get a new sleep study!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GumbyCT]

I do not have internet at home, so if someone asks me a question, then please be patient, I'll have to wait to get back to the library, which may, in some cases, be some days away, depending on when I can get back. In advance, thank you for your help. I'll tell you a little bit about me before I ask a few questions. I took a sleep study and had mild sleep apnea and was told not to lay on my back because that is when it appeared in the testing. I have normally always slept on my stomach anyway, so that was just fine. I started cpap about 7 years ago and tried it for about 3 to 4 days and it was really uncomfortable. I stored it away. I realize that the sleep depravation makes the blood pressure go up on some people, so I have got the cpap machine out of storage and have tried it about 4 to 5 nights and had it on only about 1 to 1 1/2 hours a night. I am not at home, so I don't know the brand. It's pressure is set to 6. OK, here come the questions:
1. Does anyone have upper front teeth shifting from long term cpcp use and what did you do to either prevent it or correct it?
2. My two front teeth are crowns and the dentist said that I cannot use these two teeth to eat apples, corn on the cob, etc. and to be careful with them. The mask I have is putting pressure on these two teeth. Are there masks that do not fit under the nose and apply pressure to the teeth from the outside of the mouth?
3. My mouth is closed when I sleep. Is this normal or is the air pressure supposed to push it open? With the cpap machine going, I can lower my tongue in a different position in my mouth and the air will come pouring out of my mouth.
4. How do you know you have the right pressure
5. How do you find a doctor that knows sleep apnea, the different masks, the different dental devices and tongue retaining devices, etc.?
6. Is there a place I can go to try out different masks? Maybe some that are the most popular that I could try on so I could find the best that is out there for me?
7. What does the air going into the nose actually do, inside the mouth, that makes it give you better sleep?
8. How do you sleep comfortably and how long does it take on the average to get the full night sleep with the mask on
all night and not wake up after 11 hours in bed and still feel tired?
9. How do you not get sores on your face from using it?
10. What are some things you learned that you wished you would of known when you first started using the machine?

10. What are some things you learned that you wished you would of known when you first started using the machine?
Let me start here. Finding this forum. Reading and learning here. The is no substitute to education. Keep a notebook for your questions and for answers. Or for daily entries - esp. IF you changed something and are tracking your data. But even just went well, what did not, and how you feel. OSA causes memory loss - get a notebook AND use it.

Do yourself a favor - learn to search. Use the "Advanced Search" option located on the top of each forum page directly under the "Home" icon.

search.php
Search for your mask then use "Search these results:" to search just those terms to narrow down more what it is you are looking for.

But by all means if you have a question post again.

Welcome to THE BEST forum on the internet.
6. Is there a place I can go to try out different masks? Maybe some that are the most popular that I could try on so I could find the best that is out there for me? Most Sleep Labs can do a mask fitting for you, they will bill your insurance. If you can't lay down in your sleeping position with mask on and at your FULL pressure then it's not really a 'mask fitting'. Just trying on a mask at your DME is not the same thing. Search here for popular masks and tips/solutions to common problems. This forum is loaded with solutions.
4. How do you know you have the right pressure
The ONLY way to know - well there are two but how you feel is one. Checking your data daily until you get things worked out is the other. But you can't do that unless you have a data capable machine and the software.
3. My mouth is closed when I sleep. Is this normal or is the air pressure supposed to push it open? With the cpap machine going, I can lower my tongue in a different position in my mouth and the air will come pouring out of my mouth.
Yes it is normal - your nose and mouth share the same passage. This leads to leaks which reduce your effective pressure (NOT good) and dry out your mouth.
2. My two front teeth are crowns and the dentist said that I cannot use these two teeth to eat apples, corn on the cob, etc. and to be careful with them. The mask I have is putting pressure on these two teeth. Are there masks that do not fit under the nose and apply pressure to the teeth from the outside of the mouth?
Yes there are 3 basic types of masks
2-1. FFM=Full Face Mask - used by mouth breathers. Can be difficult to seal at higher pressures bc of the larger sealing surface contact.
2-2. Nasal Mask - sounds like what you have. Seals over the nose only.
2-3. Nasal Pillows or Cannulas - the pillows seal are the nares. Cannulas 'inside' the nostrils. These are usu. the easiest to seal bc the touch the least amount of skin.

With that I'd say your gonna need some time at the library to play catch-up.

Good Luck

[DaveMunson]

First, see what I said on #8. Just wanted to point that response out. I don't think you have the right setting. My mask sits right below my noise before my teeth or gums and it applies pressure equally all around. Called the Activa LT. IT has a "billows" rather than hard points and applies pressure equally.

1-2- For 1, No and for 2 you may have to try other masks. I'm pretty sure that the one you have is not right for you.

3- Mouth closed is normal. Pretty weird feeling about the air pouring out. Some people have issues with opening your mouth at night. We call it “mouth breathing” and it prevents the cpap from working right. If it happens you will find tape or chin straps help. It really sounds weird if your machine is at 20 and you open your mouth. I want to try it with a whistle some time.

4- You are able to sleep and feel refreshed in the morning. Does it solve the apnea? Does it solve all those other side effects of apnea? Too little and you suffer apnea or snore. The side effects of apnea do not go away and it degrades you more and more. Too much pressure and you have bloat or difficulty breathing. If you are lucky, your machine tells you the night’s AHI every morning so you can see what the machine thought. Even more lucky the machine can pass data to your computer so you can check that everything is ok just like your sleep study. It is easier when the machine is an auto and it adjusts within a set range. You should have asked how to figure out what to set the humidifier to (most have different settings).

5 - I’m still searching. Let me know if you find a good one. All the doctors I have met with so far are lacking in due diligence. I am searching to replace mine. Also find a good trustworthy DME. Go to the different available DME’s and ask questions on the masks and hardware you have to discover which you can trust. Some DME’s spout the nonsense they have been told to and others help through practical experience what works with what. (Some masks work better at higher pressure, others don’t). Some fit narrow female faces and others don't.

6 – I read the mask reviews on cpap.com and research the best masks here. The problem is, every one’s pressure is different and face and needs. At least I can find which are the most popular masks and have good reviews. From those you can create a list of potential masks you want to check out. The last sleep study, I was able to try 3-4 full face masks they had to see if any would work for me. Ask your local doctor and DME to try them out or where you can. I believe that I could march into the sleep center and try out the masks.

7- The pressure keeps your throat from relaxing and closing your air pipe. The volume (pressure and flow) of air going in carries oxygen to your lungs that somehow oxygenates your blood. Low oxygen in the blood causes a list of things to happen, all very bad. High blood pressure is just one side affect of the apnea destroying your mind and body.

8 – I usually sleep 7-1/2 hours. I usually start on my side and wake on my back. With the mask on. I would say that I’m lucky but through help, I found what pressure works for me, what masks works well at that pressure and an auto machine. I’ve been lucky. <important > From what you said, I don’t think you have the right settings. I don’t think you have the right pressure. The machine may not be helping make this easier. Sounds like the wrong mask.< /important > There is something called “sleep debt” that must be paid once you get things fixed.

9- Do you wash your mask every day? Are you allergic to the mask? Your question is scary in that I have never got a reaction from my mask. Do you Wash and dry your mask every day? Wash your face before sleep? I use Baby soap on my mask nightly and dish soap every now and then. Also, monthly or bi-weekly soaking in 25-50% vinegar (the mask and all parts actually) will do you well (followed by a normal cleaning to get rid of the vinegar smell). Use no harsh chemicals and don’t spend a lot of money on special mask cleaning stuff. If this mask is a few years old, you probably will need to replace it.

10. I found this place right off. I spent -days- studying old posts (in 2005). Asked a lot of questions (Thank you again rested). It took a bit to learn my doctor was so far off her guess I would be dead if I did not take this in my own hands. How to change pressure in my machine was a MAJOR MILESTONE and the most important thing I probably ever did. It took forever to pay off my sleep debt once things were set right. Duct tape works for me when I need it. You need to manage the humidity setting. I wish I would have started working out when the cpap started really working. Just the first few that comes to mind.

Hope this helps.