Cpap machines

tiredingeorgia · Post by **tiredingeorgia** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:18 am

Hello everyone: I found your site quite by accident, but so thankful I did. I need some questions answered. I was told I had sleep apnea about 3 years ago, but I felt I could not sleep under a machine. I could not breathe (clostrophia ?) Anyway, I opted to take my chance. My sleep study showed I PAUSED in my breathing 17 times an hour. I developed pneumonia a few months back, which lead me to a pulmonary doctor. He feels I need to sleep under a machine, as I am just as tired when I get up as when I go to bed, and this is not normal. Anyway, I am at a loss as to what mask or machine to get. He felt the Comfortlite 2 would be good, but I found on a site just today one that goes over your mouth, not your nose, and I wondered if any of you have used one like this. This I probably could stand. Please help.

danmc · Post by **danmc** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:34 am

You've found the right place.

I've just been diagnosed and this forum has helped me a huge amount.

I cant recommend anything much as I am new myself and no one mask suits everyone anyway, but there is so much choice in masks and machines you can be certain that one that helps you is available.

Have you had a good read back through the old threads talking about masks? There are many, many discussions so I realize its a bit overwhelming when you start, but well worthwhile till you get a grip on some of the brands and choices.

Someone here might be able to tell you what masks are available for hire or to try in your area - though in mine the cost of hire per month is nearly the full cost when I buy them online from cpap.com.

Just try as many as you can get your hands on. The effort to get your therapy right for you is worth it. Good luck!

danmc · Post by **danmc** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:42 am

Masks and machines I should have said all through that reply - you did mention machines as well - there are heaps of machine choices and perhaps some will suit you more. But I think getting the mask fit right is a good start.

Have you looked at humidifiers and the various strap covers and modifications mentioned in this forum that make life so much better under cpap?

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:27 am

First, you need to make up your mind to maintain the postive attitude to treat your OSA. One thing that may help with this is to Google the health effects of untreated OSA which goes way beyond "feeling tired".

Second, you need to be proactive by taking control of your treatment and not depend completely on doctors and other health industry professionals. This means treating your condition like a diabetic where you monitor and adjust your treatment accordingly. This also requires that you insist on a data capable machine instead of settling for the "dumb" machines that are more often given to sleepy unsuspecting OSA patients to boost DME/sleep center profits.

So, to take control you need to:

1) get a copy of your sleep study report (the full report not just the summary)
2) get an original of your Rx (it's good for life)
3) visit this site often (especially early on to get up to speed on the learning curve)
4) focus on getting a leak-free mask that is also comfortable to wear all night before you even consider changing pressure settings.
5) keep the positive attitude and not give up

danmc · Post by **danmc** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:34 am

That Dreamstalker fellow has good advice. I had to drag my results out of my clinic. I don't know what a full report looks like but I suspect that I just got the summary. In black and white at about 2 dpi resolution so the graphs show ...smudges

Still trying to figure out where I've seen Dreamstalker's icon before...give me a clue someone?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:52 am

Hi Tired, welcome to the forum!

You don't sleep UNDER a CPAP, you don't even exactly sleep WITH a CPAP since it sits on the nightstand NEXT to your bed.

You DO have to wear some type of mask to direct the air pressure into your airway to keep your throat airway open.

Now, if you REALLY don't want to go the CPAP route there is always a surgical traecheotomy, the ONLY sure CURE for OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). BUT the risk of infection at ANY time is worthy of SERIOUS consideration.

CPAP "can" start sounding better and better, you know!

Its not even really clear if you ever gave wearing a CPAP mask a chance. Did you even go thru the CPAP titration study or just the sleep evaluation??Have you even had a CPAP mask on your face?

Maybe your pulmonologist could convince your sleep lab to let you try out one of each style of mask: full face, nasal cushion, nasal pillow and one of the "hyrids" (a combination of nose pillows and a mouth piece).
Maybe just let you sit around watching TV or reading a book or magazine at the sleep lab during the day w/the mask on and a CPAP set to a comfortable level. When you get comfortable w/one of the masks THEN they could schedule the titration study to find out what pressure(s) is needed to stop your apnea events and your oxygen deprivation during sleep.

Have you even read about the serious consequences of untreated sleep apnea? That might encourage you also to give CPAP a fair trial.

17 breathing "events" per hour is considered MODERATE sleep apnea. You stopped breathing more than once every 4 minutes.

Most of us breathe thru our nose most of the day and night. If you breathe thru your nose at all (how are you going to know when you're sleeping?) a mouth only mask can NOT even begin to provide you w/the pressure you need to keep yoru airway open.

DreamStalker gave you some excllent advice. Please give it serious consideraiton and educate yourself about OSA, CPAP therapy and the masks.