Are there any other women on this forum with OSA?

sidesleeper · Post by **sidesleeper** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:37 pm

I would vote for the Breeze or the Nasalaire 2. Both are wonderful masks, the best if you don't mouth breathe, I believe.

GeeBee · Post by **GeeBee** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:58 am

Yes, SleepyHibiscus! It is unfortunately true about so many of women's symptoms that we are overlooked, dismissed or mis-diagnosed. I read a WONDERFUL book "A Woman's Guide to Sleep Disorders" by Meir Kryger, who is a past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He talked about all the hormone changes we go through and how it effects our sleep - everything from starting menses, to pregnancy, childbirth and through menopause! I learned that only 4% of OSA patients are women, and the majority of them develope OSA after menopause! There has to be some hormonal connection, but as yet there is direct link -- could it be the weight gain with menopause? or is it a direct reaction to the body of the decrease in hormones?

It is wonderful to meet this support group of women who are dealing with the same issues. Thanks

Maureen913 · Post by **Maureen913** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:39 pm

I just had my third night on the machine and I am feeling better although I have trouble falling asleep and I find myself waking up and fussing with it somewhat. It's helpful to hear what other people are experiencing.

GeeBee · Post by **GeeBee** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:59 pm

Hi Maureen! I too am on my 3rd night (well the first night was an abort for me since the mask just did not work at all). Last night I slept from Midnight until 4:45 a.m. with my mask, but I woke myself up when I tried to breathe through my mough. My mouth was so dry I took off the mask and drank some water and did not put it back on for a couple of hours, but I was never able to fall asleep again with the mask.

The air in the mask does not feel fresh to me - that's what makes me take it off and not want to put it back on!

z754103 · Post by **z754103** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:44 pm

It took me 2 years to get my doctor to order a sleep test... she's only supporting the CPAP thing now because she thinks it could help me lose weight!

I'm so glad to hear about everyone else's experince - it's taking me 2 hours to fall asleep, and then I wake up after 4 hours and rip the mask off my face. Physically so tired... but at least now I just feel very sleepy in a normal way, not fade in and out of consciousness with my eyes open.

Has anyone actually gotten from this kind of reaction up to 7+ hours uninterrupted sleep, or is this it for the rest of my life?

Rigby · Post by **Rigby** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:05 pm

I have to chime in here regarding CPAP increasing the potential for successful weight loss. I started CPAP a year ago and I've lost 32 pounds. (And I really do think they're "lost" for good!) It's not a miracle, but I think because I don't feel as tired all the time and don't have headaches I've been able to stick with a modest exercise program and small changes in my diet. I wouldn't have been as motivated I was still feeling so crappy all the time. Good luck to you - good sleep does wonders for us!

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:04 pm

GeeBee wrote:... My mouth was so dry I took off the mask and drank some water and did not put it back on for a couple of hours...

You may want to try taping your mouth shut. Hey, it's fun to get away with saying that You can search on the subject, but in essence what I do is to use a 2" strip of "Nexcare" (3M) 'Gentle Paper' that is 3/4" wide, and comes packaged like any other tape (Scotch).
Be sure to turn over the ends at least 1/4" (something to grap when you want to remove it), and be sure to pull downwards when removing - in same direction that hair grows.

The air in the mask does not feel fresh to me - that's what makes me take it off and not want to put it back on!

Do you have your humidifier turned on? Too high maybe? If not, you may need to clean the hose and mask, preferably in baby shampoo. I've also rinsed my hose in mouthwash, then rinsed again. Makes for a fresh odor!

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:12 pm

i'm quite surprised that a doctor thinks cpap will help you lose weight, other than by not being so tired, you won't eat so much to compensate and may be more motivated to exercise.

yes, you can get 7 hours or more of sleep with cpap. you have to hang with it, and forget that you don't feel like putting the mask back on or even on in the first place. you just have to put it on; the more you do, the more it will stay on. that may sound like tough love, but that's the way it works. i wouldn't dream of sleeping without my cpap (sorry about the pun). sleep can't be restful, though, if you're fighting cpap. once you have a good night, you're home free -- the difference will be incredible. After that, you should be fine.

Caroline

GeeBee · Post by **GeeBee** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:33 am

Once again, thanks for the encouragement and suggestions. And a special thanks to Offerocker -- i did reduce the humidity and that has helped tremendously. I will also try your cleaning suggestions.

Certainly the other component is that my mouth is falling open -- my sister and the atty I work for both loved the idea of taping my mouth shut - I might try to sew up some kind of chin strap this weekend.

And you are so right about the "tuff luv" -- I am already less "sensitive" to the air going into my nose and down my throat. Hopefully if I can keep my mouth shut I won't wake up 4 hours into sleep and I can make it through the night!

linda b · Post by **linda b** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:37 pm

Another lady CPAPer here. My first night was May 11, 2006. I've been extremely lucky with my choice of machine and mask. I have been 100% compliant since starting, including a 3 week trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway in a truck camper and a stay with my daughter near Washington DC. I do have at least one bathroom interuption each night, but always get back to sleep. I can't say the 'quality' of the sleep has always been great, but so far I'm very pleased.

As to the weight loss issue: There is a very definite link between weight gain and low oxygen blood saturation. It affects certain chemicals in our bodies and makes us hungrier than normal. If you stop breathing hundreds of time during the night, your blood is not getting the amount of oxygen it needs. That is also why we feel so groggy, foggy, suffer memory loss, among other things. Whether you use supplemental oxygen or not, simply breathing better improves the situation tremendously. I've lost 35 since last December without really trying too hard. I have changed from regular Coke to Coke Zero and because of my husband being diagnosed with diabetes, we are watching sugar like crazy!! I manage about 15 minutes a day on the treadmill and hope to be able to do much more after I get a bone spur removed from my heel. I have a long way to go to get to desired weight, but this is certainly a start.

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection

Are there any other women on this forum with OSA?

Weight loss with CPAP