Poll: How long on cpap? How old are you?

[KellyR]

I'm 44, and I've been using my CPAP for 2 nights.

And yes, I'm frikken exhausted. But I slept 4 hours straight w/it last night, so that's progress.

[Diplomacy]

You can be on cpap every day with CPAP.com

[Dimaryp]

Holy crap. I feel so young. I guess that means I'm pretty damn unhealthy for my age. I'm only 24 and I've been on the CPAP since I was 16 so that's 8 years on the CPAP. I found out that I had Sleep Apnea when I confronted my doctor about my embarassing bet-wetting problem still into my late teens. He suggested a sleep study and I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and was put on the REMstar and sleep at a 12 currently. My problem was solved instantaneously. Turns out my body was shutting down to get the required sleep it needed because of how little I was breathing in my sleep. So my body was basically more concerned with keeping oxygen to my system than worrying about holding my bladder. I wonder, has anyone else had this problem before they started using a CPAP? Just curious.

[snnnark]

Dimaryp, unless you are doing drugs or eating crap... it's not your fault! OSA is usually a genetic predisposition especially in someone so young. So blame your parents!

Your story reminds me that one of my friends sons has the same symptoms. I never considered that sleep apnea may be to blame. Your bravery ( even if it's anonymous it takes guts to tell your story) may well help someone else.

[Dimaryp]

It's a serious problem. I think a lot more people have it then people are willing to believe. Also, I used to weigh over 350 lbs and lost 100 within the next three years of using the CPAP. And yeah, both of my parents are on the CPAP as well.

[Rick B]

I am 61 and have been on BiPap since May, 2010. After my sleep study and discussing my symptoms with the sleep doctor, I probably should have gotten on it many, many years ago. Kinda feel stupid that I didn't check it out earlier. I can say that my sleep may still not be the best, but it is a whole lot better than it used to be.

[Marvinvwinkle]

I've been on cpap for 13 years(not sure) and am 63 yrs old. I had hoped at one time that I might be able to quit, but found out soon enough that that was not going to happen..

[jilliansue]

I am 56 and have been on CPAP (BiPAP actually) for 5 months

[NancyAZ]

I'm 61 and I've been on CPAP for 2 weeks.

[brinho]

I have been using a cpap for almost a year now and im 17

[prefer2breathe]

I'll be 36 the end of this month and I've been on cpap since November of '08.

[ladyhen]

54, and been on APAP for a little over 2 years.

BadThad - congrats on being able to reduce your settings, on your wieght loss, and the overall success of your therapy!

I am, unfortunately, thinking about adjusting mine setting a little higher. My AHI is not bad - generally below 3; but I am at or near the top of my range (9.5-13) frequently. I'm just not sure which to adjust - or should I adjust both? The only concern I have about adjusting the higher number is that I did have a few Centrals during my study and titration.

Your APAP is running a lot at 13? If so, I would definately increase it to 14 to see how you respond. As far as the range, my feeling is you should be about 80% at the bottom each night. If you're running 80% at the top, your titration is too low. You should probably try 11-14 and see how it works for you. Like I said....and this is just my opinion....you should be 80% or more at your lowest pressure.

Why not just adjust your APAP up to the max? Mine is set 4-20 and it goes wherever it wants - although is usually around 9 and up to 13ish.

[ladyhen]

Oh, and I'm 34 and have been on CPAP for I think 7 weeks.

[MsBea]

I'm 59 and have been on bipap since 12/15/10.

[jimnsc]

I'm a young almost 70 (Oct) and am finishing up my second week. Guess you could say I've been fortunate all these years!