Newbie

[stu68]

Hello all, I'm new to the site I came across it as I was looking for some info. I was diagnosed with OSA about 5 years ago at 32, however my medical history indicates I've probably had it most of my life just never knew. At 5 years old I had my Tonsils and aomething else removed as apparently I slept all day and snored all night, this obviously never helped. The threat of divorce forced me to the doctors and ended up on CPAP I no longer find this difficult to use but I'm still not convinced it has changed me. I no longer snore and I no longer stop breathing so this is obviously a good thing. However, I still wake up a couple of times a night because of saliva coming out of my mouth so I still don't get a good sleep and still feel tired. I mentioned it the the clinic go to and they told me to see my doctor, I've just never got around to it.


Prior to CPAP I was a mouth breather I dont suppose this helps as the wife has told me I still sleep with my mouth open at times blowing air onto her.

I've noticed on other posts people have heated hoses and humidifiers, what are these for??? I just have a standard CPAP machine and mask.

Thanks for letting me have a bit moan

Stuart

[NeurosurgeryNP]

If you are a mouth breather, you may want to try a chin strap. I use one and it works well for me. I also occasionally use a full face mask.
As for a heated humidifier - it makes the air you are breathing in warm and moist - as to not dry you up - as for the heated hose, many people like to se the heated humidifier on it's maximum setting - to allow for the mositest air possible - however, this can cause "rain out" or a build up of condensation in the hose. The way to solve this is to either make your bedroom warmer, or make the hose warmer, the heated hose come sin here - it had a warmer built in it to keep the air warm throughout it's journey to you not allowing condensation to form.

If you go to the cpap=opedia - and look up the terms "rain out" and "heated hose" - you should be able to find out more info.

They say that one of the main reasons that people give up is due to the lack of heated humidification and the complaint that they are so dry. So, a heated humidifier is a great way to remain comfortable and compliant - I would not go without the heated hose or humidifier - ever - it makes it that comfortable for me.

[NightHawkeye]

Welcome Stuart,

I no longer snore and I no longer stop breathing so this is obviously a good thing. However, I still wake up a couple of times a night because of saliva coming out of my mouth so I still don't get a good sleep and still feel tired.

Since you've had your current machine for more than five years you might consider getting one of the newer CPAP's or Auto-PAP's which records your events for you. That way you'll know for sure how effective your treatment is. Also, since it's been more than five years, there's a good chance your insurance may pay for it.

Getting a new machine is a lot less expensive than a new sleep study and some of us believe that it's more effective besides.

Regards,
Bill

[stu68]

Hello again, I don't have a problem with dry mouth or anything. Quite the opposite too wet as to leak out my mouth and wake me up. My machine and mask are replaced every year, I live in the UK and our health service pays for it. It may just be me, I've never actually talked to anyone with OSA since I was diagnosed with it. The staff in the clinic are nice but they don't suffer so they don't really understand. As I mentioned before the general jist of what I've been told is if I don't snore and don't stop breathing anymore it is generally controlled. I think I need to try and sort out the excess saliva coming out of my mouth on a night which wakes me up. I no longer sleep with my mouth open just only now and again, once possibly twice per month.

Thanks for the info and the advice so far