Few Questions About Sleep Apnea

[Kabuto]

1) Tried using my Nasal Pillow Mask. Used machine + humidifier. Why halfway through my sleep did I feel discomfort in my nose and take the mask off, despite using the humidifier?

2) When will my depressive symptoms from sleep apnea disappear, after continual sleep/CPAP usage?

3) What are the side effects from untreated sleep apnea? Anything I should be aware about/cognizant of?

4) How do people who successfully use their CPAP EVERY NIGHT do it? What motivates them? What makes them certain of their committal to the CPAP?

[Okie bipap]

1, I can't address any question about nasal pillows since I am unable to use them.
2. Some people notice improvements immediately. For others, like me, the change is gradual and takes place over several weeks or months.
3. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to feeling tired all the time, depression like symptoms, high blood pressure, possible heart problems, and many other things.
4. Those of us that use it nightly have made up our minds to treat it like any other medical problem. We know what it does to our bodies and minds and we refuse to give in to it. It takes a lot of adjustment to get used to using the machine. I feel better since being on my machine. My asthma symptoms are much less than they were before treatment. I have more energy than I did prior to treatment. The benefits far outweigh the inconvenience of using the machine every night.

[Wulfman...]

1) Tried using my Nasal Pillow Mask. Used machine + humidifier. Why halfway through my sleep did I feel discomfort in my nose and take the mask off, despite using the humidifier?

Don't know. I've never used a nasal mask of any kind.

2) When will my depressive symptoms from sleep apnea disappear, after continual sleep/CPAP usage?

Sometime (maybe months) after you've gotten your therapy "dialed in", are getting a considerable amount of sleep to start paying back your sleep debt.

3) What are the side effects from untreated sleep apnea? Anything I should be aware about/cognizant of?

Death, stroke, diabetes, other heart conditions like AFIB and a whole bunch of things. Look it up.

4) How do people who successfully use their CPAP EVERY NIGHT do it? What motivates them? What makes them certain of their committal to the CPAP?

They/we stick with it. We took control of our own therapy, and using software, tweaked it to the optimum settings.
Motivation is not to experience any or further effects mentioned in #3. The feelings of having "GOOD SLEEP" after years of untreated apnea is a YUUUUGE motivator.
Monitoring the reports and the good feelings are part of the committal. It pays off.

About two weeks into therapy (May/June 2005), I came down with a horrible cough and cold and couldn't keep my mask on for any length of time at night, so I suspended therapy until I could. It turned out to be about 10 days and during that time, the old (daytime sleepy) feelings started coming back and convinced me that the therapy was working. I never missed another night since then. Over the years, I haven't had nearly as many colds or flu either.
I use the reports and some logic to figure things out for myself.
And, for me, personally.......I'm not a quitter. Not using the therapy that makes my life better is not an option.


Den

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[Julie]

Having no knowledge of your medical history (and not being doctors ourselves) no one can possibly say whether or not your depression will go away, or when, on Cpap, but you are likely to feel somewhat better at least once you have everything working well, fitting properly, etc.

[Wulfman...]

Here are a couple of links (to more links) regarding the connection between sleep apnea and depression.
The reading should keep you busy for a little while.

viewtopic/t115075/search.php?keywords=depression

https://www.google.com/search?q=sleep+a ... 8&oe=utf-8

There are many other medical connections to sleep apnea, too.
Just do Google searches of "sleep apnea and ___________ "(fill in the blank) and you will probably find some references.


Den

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[Mikaghan]

3) What are the side effects from untreated sleep apnea? Anything I should be aware about/cognizant of?

My best friend died from sleep apnea - for a checkup he presented to his doctor with shortness of breath and exhaustion. Examination and testing revealed enlarged heart and congestive heart failure brought on by years of untreated sleep apnea. He died a few months later.
Shortly thereafter I had a consult with 4th cardiologist in an attempt to find a solution for uncontrollable high blood pressure - She asked if I had been tested for sleep apnea. I had not and subsequent sleep study confirmed moderate? sleep apnea with an AHI of 54. In an instant with the results of of the sleep study, my medical history (Quintuple bypass surgery, grossly enlarged prostate, uncontrollable blood pressure, chronic low energy) clarified - I had no genetic makeup that would forecast the health issues I had experienced. All my markers, inflammation, PSA, cholesterol, etc. were perfect, I ate healthy, I exercised - running an average of 30 miles a week. And yet my body was falling apart. The medical consensus was that my medical issues were triggered by sleep apnea.
With this background and understanding, I embraced my CPAP machine not as something to try, but rather as a life saver. I googled "sleep apnea forum", found this one and began to study. First I found Pugsy, I revere her. Her writings led me to "Sleepyhead" and educated me on how to understand the data, take control of my own CPAP destiny - tweaking pressure, understanding large leaks and a good night's sleep, which graphs were important and which ones were noise, etc. From this forum I also found a mask that works for me, the value of a chin strap (for me), humidifier settings - in short everything I needed to fully control and manage my sleep.
Three years have passed since my sleep study. Now I sleep so well (with CPAP - never a night goes by without it though I really no longer know I'm wearing it) that I only need 4 -5 hours sleep per night (full of magnificent dreams). My AHI averages about .4 - not 4 but .4. My blood pressure has returned to normal. I have the energy of a 30 year old - I'm 76. Recent exam shows no evidence of plaque in arteries - grafts are clear, prostate issues have been resolved...it's a good life.
Sleep Apnea is not to be trifled with, It will in fact kill you. You can control it, but you have to take charge of your own situation. No one else will (don't understand or don't really care) or can. If it's to be, it's up to thee!

[Bill44133]

1) Tried using my Nasal Pillow Mask. Used machine + humidifier. Why halfway through my sleep did I feel discomfort in my nose and take the mask off, despite using the humidifier?

2) When will my depressive symptoms from sleep apnea disappear, after continual sleep/CPAP usage?

3) What are the side effects from untreated sleep apnea? Anything I should be aware about/cognizant of?

4) How do people who successfully use their CPAP EVERY NIGHT do it? What motivates them? What makes them certain of their committal to the CPAP?

Take 15 minutes and review this youtube video it will help you understand what is going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c

This video put the whole thing in perspective for me.

It should be required viewing for any one who is new. You can show it to your family and friends so they will understand and can be supportive of you.


I wish you well...

[kteague]

1) ...Nasal Pillow Mask... halfway through my sleep did I feel discomfort in my nose...
4) How do people who successfully use their CPAP EVERY NIGHT do it? What motivates them? What makes them certain of their committal to the CPAP?

1) Is the discomfort in your nose from being dried out or from the pillows rubbing? Pinpointing the cause may help you find solutions.
4) To be honest, my primary motivations in the beginning were fear and desperation. The severity of my nighttime symptoms put me in fear of a heart attack or stroke during the night. My daytime symptoms, health issues, and cognitive decline cost me my career. CPAP was my last ditch effort to stop the downward spiral. I NEVER want to feel that bad again. How am I certain? Me before CPAP vs me after CPAP. The evidence is undeniable. I did not get off to an easy start - even tried to quit 5 months in. So very glad I persevered to the point the treatment became routine, a non issue.

[y_not]

1) Tried using my Nasal Pillow Mask. Used machine + humidifier. Why halfway through my sleep did I feel discomfort in my nose and take the mask off, despite using the humidifier?

2) When will my depressive symptoms from sleep apnea disappear, after continual sleep/CPAP usage?

3) What are the side effects from untreated sleep apnea? Anything I should be aware about/cognizant of?

4) How do people who successfully use their CPAP EVERY NIGHT do it? What motivates them? What makes them certain of their committal to the CPAP?

1. I use full mask with humidifier but still sometimes wake to find I removed it during the night
2. Felt better in less than a week but, a year on, still not 100% better
3. Depression, sleep (whilst driving ain't good!), relationship issues (who wants a grumpy git?)
4. I LOVE my CPAP(s) - yes, I use two, one regular Airsense 10 most nights and a Transcend with battery for afternoon naps and going away. As soon as you start to use them regularly you begin to wake up - no headaches and the brain begins to function - why wouldn't I want to use it?

In fairness, I doubt if, even after six months use, I would have given such positive answers - it's all about time!

[Soothest Sleep]

Hi, Kabuto,

1-3) Lots of input from previous posters will guide your research.

4) My mother lived with undiagnosed sleep apnea from at least the age of 45 (my estimate). When I was very young, I would waken in the night to hear her gasping desperately for breath--a terrifying experience for a child, because I didn't know what it was or if my mother was dying before me or what I could do to help her. Her other chronic health problems were obesity (weight loss was a difficult process for her), high blood pressure (treated), congestive heart failure (managed) and depression (untreated). She lived to age 90, not really enjoying life and seemingly without a desire to make improvements to do so. I never wanted to feel that way about my own life. As an adult, I have gained weight to an obese level (even with attempts to lose pounds), have treated depression with psychotherapy and medication, have high blood pressure (treated)--sound familiar? The difference is that I am consciously working to manage my health to keep me happier in my life. I do it for me, not because my doctor says I should (which was my mother's only motivation). Now that I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, I see firsthand how all these health issues impact each other. I understand what those midnight gaspings of my mother's were and why she would suddenly fall asleep watching tv in the evening; and that my mother's later life experience may have been improved had she received, and accepted, treatment for her sleep issues. I hope to live to a ripe old age in reasonable health, with good self-esteem, and feeling joy in the daily round. I am tired of being sleep deprived, low in energy, and living with mind fog. If wearing my mask every night and willingly solving the discomforts that may come up with CPAP is going to get me to that end, then that's what I do.

Jean

[poppi2]

3) .... First I found Pugsy, I revere her. Her writings led me to "Sleepyhead" and educated me ...

I second all that Mikaghan has written. Find any comments that Pugsy has made and read carefully. She will not lead you astray. (Speaking of Pugsy, I haven't seen her around for a long time.)

Mikaghan: you must live near my hometown (Hub City?) Earl