First Ever Suffocation Scare

I had many nights of that feeling of suffocation while I was going through perimenopause. I wasn't using CPAP then. I think alot of women begin to have apnea during this time......plus because of the decrease in hormones, our tissues in our throats start getting lax.
I'm sorry you had a rough night. Hopefully it won't happen again.

Thank you, everyone. I'm surprised so many of you experience similar so many times prior to CPAP! You must be some pretty tough people!! Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I really meant to check the Quattro and its vents over thoroughly before going to bed last night - but - the road to down below is paved w/good intentions and I didn't follow thru. I just donned my trusty ole Simplicity and collapsed into bed. And SLEPT!

Wow! The weather in Cleveland for that football game was something else. I was thorougly disgusted that we couldn't get our beloved Patriot's game in our area. But it was a real pleasure to watch Dave Garrard and the Jaguars beat the Steelers. I have a soft spot in my heart for Garrard and the Jaguars due to Garrard's being a fellow "crohnie". It is a thrill to see him doing so well after his resection!!

In other words, I'm fine, no lasting ill effects from Saturday night, and, yes, I will inform U of M and the sleep doctor of what transpired and is happening on occasion. And even my pulmonologist and family doctor.

Thanks again, to all of you, for your support and advice and sharing of your experience!!!

Great connection of posts ozij--it sounds like you are going to follow through with your docs slinky--don't let the light of day and a few nights without problem lull you into a sense of security about the problem.

I've had it happen to me with 3 different machines. It was because the machines were actually stopping and then starting back up. Am told it is a air pressure sensor. Had to replace all 3. Was awake watching news when the last one stopped so, I am aware and sure they stop. (Yes, a separate circuit for the machine and a battery back up.)

Wow! THREE machines?? That's almost unbelievable, isn't it? I mean these xPAPs are all pretty good, tough machines. Look at some of them lasting 10-12 years even. Murphy sure must have been poking thru the boxes picking out "just" the machines for you, SthnReb!

I took an hour and 3/4 nap today w/the Quattro. No problems. Weird what happened Saturday night. Weather is supposed to be clear tomorrow so looks like the drive to U of M and back is gonna be no sweat.

God bless you all, rest well!

It sure appears someone was picking out my machines. The first was a bipap pro II purchased here and it stopped within a couple of weeks for no reason. It may run all night one night and the next stop several times and start back up. I ended up purchasing a bipap auto from another site. After a year, it began stopping. They replaced it with a recertified machine and sent me a new humidifier tank with a backflow valve. That also stopped the auto on feature. I figured moisture was getting back into the machine causing problems. After having this one a year I returned it two weeks ago for another recertified machine. I was watching TV at bedtime and it stopped too (and during the night would awake me stopping). It would start back up though, I don't know how with no auto on feature but it did. I was told it must have a air flow sensor problem. So, even though they are expensive "medical" machines and the prices are to go up for minimum Internet pricing....they are still expensive now with no insurance. I have 2 years until Medicare, sure hope it pays on them. I do still have a trusty old bipap pro as a backup but I really like the auto.

Sounds like if it weren't for bad luck you wouldn't have any luck at all when it comes to xPAP machines!! Sheesh! And OW! xPAPs are expensive enough, given the cost of the bi-levels, much less bi-level autos you REALLY have my sympathy!!! Man, you have a FORTUNE invested!!

I thought most all of these xPAPs had at least a two year warranty and it sure seems like each should have been replaced w/a brand new machine by the manufacturer, altho, of course, you have to go thru the DME supplier for the warranty.

Before accepting a re-certified machine for a failed xPAP under warranty I would have contacted the manufacturer about the situation. I had to do that w/a recalled xPAP that my (then) local DME didn't want to replace. I got a brand new replacement.

At the beginning, my insurance had a life time amount of $2500 for OSA. Two titrations got most of that. The remainder, about $300, went for a rental through a DME until it ran out the first month. They wanted $3400 for bipap duet, a discontinued model. I purchased a bipap pro online for $1550 on Internet, out of pocket. That one I still use as a backup. I decided to upgrade and get the Bipap pro II so I would have an extra. That's when the stopping began. They do carry a 2 year warranty from the manufacturer. Supposedly a 30 day warranty for manufacturer defects. That's what I argued about, mine stopping after only about 2 weeks. The 30 day replacement starts from the time the machine leaves the manufacturers dock. Say 5 days to reach supplier. If they warehouse 5 more days and then fill an order, 5-8 more days, over half the 30 day warranty is gone before you get the machine. So, the best to expect is about a 10 day window. Also, after emailing, I was put off on responding and asked questions etc. When it was over and I demanded a replacement, they said the 30 day warranty had ran out. I said I didn't want a used machine but a new one. They would not replace it. I finally said fix mine so I don't have to take a used one. I paid and sent it back. When I finally got it back, it was the same, still stopping. I complained and lit up the board and finally got a refund but they refuse to sell me anything else or use of the auction. So, instead of repurchasing from them, I went elsewhere and it was also cheaper. They even send me prepaid UPS labels to return any item and are extremely fast. I went with a company close to the manufacturer for that reason. Instead of shipping back and forth across the USA for repairs. I think that is an important issue when purchasing a machine now, location. Anyway, the first bipap auto quit and I returned for a recertified and recently that one stopped too and was replaced. Both under the 2 year warranty and no cost to me. This one has a new 2 year warranty and should get me to Medicare regardless. Long Bipap story huh? I still love the machine when it works. It must take me at least 5 minutes to fall asleep after I turn it on. It works for me when it runs OK...I normally get about 8 hours a night.

I'm so glad you're OK. That must have been scarey! I'm not used to having a hose that isn't fastened up over my head. With the Quattro if I route the hose up it inhibits the exhaust. I've thought about at some point I will pull the hose off and the Quattro is so hard to breathe in without incoming air. Just the thought of it is bad enough, let alone having your experience!

Glad you're going to Dr to see about the reduced breathing on your sides.

The next time I'm awake I'm signing on!

Funny story to cheer you up: From time to time a stray hair gets between me and my mask, or I pull the mask off a little bit to reseat the seal. Anyway, last night when I did that my husband said "Thar she blows!" We laughed ourselves silly.

Giggle. Yup, I've had the itchy nose, lift the mask to scratch and resulting noise too. "Thar she blows" is a good one!!!