Variable Breathing always 60%+ - Concerned

Assuming I don't get laid off (our division is getting more and more nervous with each passing day ), I was thinking of getting another 420e or maybe even the Sandman and sending it out on a "xPAP machine test drive". But yeah, the legalities...??

I am in the same boat which isn't helping with sleep any! Could be laid-off at any time.

DSM - Cpap.com doesn't rent unless you send a machine in for repair - so forget that - plus it is over $150 ...

Some additional input - I have always struggled with leaks & aerophagia when my pressure was at 15 & I just could not sustain any setting over 15.

But my Bipap Auto SV often goes to 19-20 while I sleep & I am not disturbed when it does & my wife has no issues with machine or mask noise when it does. I am not saying go try an Auto Bipap SV as I don't yet believe it will work for you but I am saying that I would never have believed I could use a machine that went over 16 - cepting this one does a lot. The Bipap Auto (with BiFlex) would & should be able to adjust as needed.

Just some thoughts re just what pressures we can handle.

DSM

Browser wrote:........
COULD all this have started with sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea??? ....

IMO, all of the things that sleep apnea does to the body and mind could have caused all of your emotional problems, including unwanted thoughts. If you could find a psychiatrist who understands this, maybe he would work with you to get off medications. It may be hard to find a good one like this.

Happy "Snoredog" Day - Remember, we pick on the ones we like Snoredog.

OK - I set to straight cpap of 11 last night, no Cflex and .5mg klonopin and Bp med and nexium.

First off my wife woke me up last night and said I was snoring and not breathing right. I told her I know and rolled over. I told her I know because I turned off CFLEX so that makes the machine sound different and I knew I would snore at 11.

The other thing is when I got up this morning one of the clips wasn't clipped on the Activa,I must not have gotten it clicked in or laying on my side unclipped it. It was on the right side and I decided to sleep on my right side. So it stayed sealed somewhat but leaked as you can see. So the noise may have been leaking from the clip coming off because she said it went away when I rolled over.

The other issue is I had great luck with a Respironics Premium black chin strap until it delaminated and then I bought the Papcap2 and it just doesn't work for me. Thats right people - papcap doesn't do it for me. It moves around too much and yes it is tight and the chin strap slips off my receeding fat double chin. So this morning I got up with the chin strap flapping in front of my face.

Reports:

Browser wrote:Happy "Snoredog" Day - Remember, we pick on the ones we like Snoredog.

OK - I set to straight cpap of 11 last night, no Cflex and .5mg klonopin and Bp med and nexium.

First off my wife woke me up last night and said I was snoring and not breathing right. I told her I know and rolled over. I told her I know because I turned off CFLEX so that makes the machine sound different and I knew I would snore at 11.

The other thing is when I got up this morning one of the clips wasn't clipped on the Activa,I must not have gotten it clicked in or laying on my side unclipped it. It was on the right side and I decided to sleep on my right side. So it stayed sealed somewhat but leaked as you can see. So the noise may have been leaking from the clip coming off because she said it went away when I rolled over.

The other issue is I had great luck with a Respironics Premium black chin strap until it delaminated and then I bought the Papcap2 and it just doesn't work for me. Thats right people - papcap doesn't do it for me. It moves around too much and yes it is tight and the chin strap slips off my receeding fat double chin. So this morning I got up with the chin strap flapping in front of my face.

I was the one that suggested 11 cm........but that's OK.....you can still pick on Snoredog.

The leak line is a little erratic, but all things considered, not that bad. And your VB was below 50%.

Den

Here is the strange thing. Even with that high AHI and all the snores I feel a little better today or at the least my head feels better and my spirits or motivation seem up-explain that? My throat is a little raw but not too bad. I discussed this VB issue with my wife and she said I do breathe funny. She says she hears me sometimes and then doesn't and then does and that she can follow a pattern and then all the sudden it is gone and she can't. This was what she said after last night but she said my breathing has always been strange?

I don't know if she quite understands that the machine sounds different depending on CFLEX on or off and 1,2 or 3 and differences in how high the pressure is.

All I know is I can tell I feel more motivated today and my head and eyes feel better even with all the issues last night. But I need to turn it up and try to cut down more on the snoring and because my wife said I sounded like I do with no cpap.

I told her a couple months ago that she snores now and sometimes pretty bad and I don't know how she could sleep through my snoring because hers is driving me nuts while I try to fall asleep. Time to find a tape recorder cause she says she doesn't believe she snores or not very bad if she does. She doesn't seem to stop breathing.

I guess I am strange cause the Papcap doesn't work for me I have better luck with the respironics premium and deluxe chin straps and the samples I got don't do anything for me. I can't even smell them after about 30 seconds. I tried one last night that my Wife couldn't stand smelling, I think it was peace? I didn't like it. I did go out and get several airwick warming plug in scent things with bottles of vanilla in them and I love it. It makes the entire house smell like a bakery or something.

OT - Anyone ever hear of a medication or issue causing the finger print area of ones fingers to get little blisters and to be sore when touched-kinda feels like sticking it with a needle. Mine have been doing this for a few months.

rooster wrote:

Browser wrote:........
COULD all this have started with sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea??? ....

IMO, all of the things that sleep apnea does to the body and mind could have caused all of your emotional problems, including unwanted thoughts. If you could find a psychiatrist who understands this, maybe he would work with you to get off medications. It may be hard to find a good one like this.

I am really starting to think so. I am 18 years or so into this and now thinking this started as sleep apnea and was diagnosed as depression which caused the intrusive unwanted thoughts ocd issue then the depression meds made me gain weight but did make me feel like I slept a little better making the apnea worse which in turn led to more depression/ocd and more and different meds and I also could only breathe out of one side of my nose and had major surgery in that sinus and to correct my septum. I never stuck with the CPAP all this time because of mostly leak issues and hard headed issues and I continued to gain weight and then my great BP shot up to 180+ over 120+ and I began having panic attacks and heart palps and major memory / fog issues which I still have. I finally got a different job that required 90% less movement and I was dozing at the desk and it was mentioned in my review(made me sound like an unmotivated lazy slob which I am not-also had issues getting to work on time - couldn't get the energy to get around) and that was my latest wakeup call along with the BP,Panic and Palps and I have been on the pipe every since but as you can see not getting the best treatment. But I never doze anywhere anymore. I just think I could be doing much better as far as quality of life.

I have a hard time remembering things and have the fog issue still and the intrusive unwanted thoughts issue and anxiety but I have come to realise I do not have depression and probably never had real depression. The antidepressants and or apnea made it or make it easier for me to stop the cycle of unwanted thoughts because of the brain fog. The AD meds make me forget things a lot easier or not dwell as much and the fatigue from the apnea kept me so tired all the time I couldn't remember the thoughts long enough and would get distracted from them easier. Unfortunately this also effects my work performance and my life. I have slept away my kids lives and been a complete bore and I don't want to be anymore. I want a life istead of as my wife says just going through the motions and existing. I have started to feel a little more desire to do things since being consistent on cpap the past few months and have done some fun things with the kids I never I thought I would do.

They are building a new biking path in my area and I intend to get me a nice bike and ride with the kids when it warms back up next spring. I WANT TO LIVE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't bother trying 9.0 cm it won't show anything different than what is seen at 11.

OK Snoredog - I am going to hold you to it ! I would like some concurrence from -SWS,SAG,DSM or other learned individuals here. I am now trying to decide if I should try and get a new study or not and if I do will they see a need for a BiPAP? Snoredog, should they be able to see a need for a Bi-PAP??? Should I just save my money and when I get my $3500 in HSA funds January 1st order a M-Series Bi-flex Auto and use the software I have and keep experimenting.

Give me your heartfelt best advice please Snoredog based on above. Consider that I don't really want to deal with another sleep study or sleep Dr. cause most of them pretty much suck and are out for a profit. Maybe I could buy it then turn it in for reimbursement also .

Give me your best advice on the best,quietest Bi-Pap you think I should get.

-SWS
SAS
DSM
anyone else please pipe in also.

Sincere Thanks

OK - I stuffed myself for sure and drank a glass of wine. But I didn't go to be for several hours. Changed pressure from 11 to 13 and had my worst night in atleast a month. You can see by the pics below.

Have a look and tell me what you think...

Browser wrote:OK Snoredog - I am going to hold you to it ! I would like some concurrence from -SWS,SAG,DSM or other learned individuals here. I am now trying to decide if I should try and get a new study or not and if I do will they see a need for a BiPAP? Snoredog, should they be able to see a need for a Bi-PAP??? Should I just save my money and when I get my $3500 in HSA funds January 1st order a M-Series Bi-flex Auto and use the software I have and keep experimenting.

Give me your heartfelt best advice please Snoredog based on above. Consider that I don't really want to deal with another sleep study or sleep Dr. cause most of them pretty much suck and are out for a profit. Maybe I could buy it then turn it in for reimbursement also .

Give me your best advice on the best,quietest Bi-Pap you think I should get.

-SWS
SAS
DSM
anyone else please pipe in also.

Sincere Thanks

Browser,

I believe another sleep study will tell us what we already know & I also believe a Bipap Auto is (IMHO) likely to be the most effective therapy device for you BUT, you still need to work on the weight.

I am down 1 kilo of the 5 I have targeted to get rid of. Am doing this by resuming a morning walk - I am not bothering to jog it as my ankles tend to feel it.

Depression & anxiety are a downside of people coming into xPAP therapy - I firmly believe that good xPAP therapy improves on the anxiety and lifts people from depression. Both of those conditions have a lot to do with breathing & you have described a classic waking sleeping respiration pattern that goes hand in hand with both side effects.

Exercise is even more effective than xPAP at getting respiration stable. XPAP therapy helps as with the sleeping side of it.

Good luck

DSM

dsm wrote:

Browser wrote:OK Snoredog - I am going to hold you to it ! I would like some concurrence from -SWS,SAG,DSM or other learned individuals here. I am now trying to decide if I should try and get a new study or not and if I do will they see a need for a BiPAP? Snoredog, should they be able to see a need for a Bi-PAP??? Should I just save my money and when I get my $3500 in HSA funds January 1st order a M-Series Bi-flex Auto and use the software I have and keep experimenting.

Give me your heartfelt best advice please Snoredog based on above. Consider that I don't really want to deal with another sleep study or sleep Dr. cause most of them pretty much suck and are out for a profit. Maybe I could buy it then turn it in for reimbursement also .

Give me your best advice on the best,quietest Bi-Pap you think I should get.

-SWS
SAS
DSM
anyone else please pipe in also.

Sincere Thanks

Browser,

I believe another sleep study will tell us what we already know & I also believe a Bipap Auto is (IMHO) likely to be the most effective therapy device for you BUT, you still need to work on the weight.

I am down 1 kilo of the 5 I have targeted to get rid of. Am doing this by resuming a morning walk - I am not bothering to jog it as my ankles tend to feel it.

Depression & anxiety are a downside of people coming into xPAP therapy - I firmly believe that good xPAP therapy improves on the anxiety and lifts people from depression. Both of those conditions have a lot to do with breathing & you have described a classic waking sleeping respiration pattern that goes hand in hand with both side effects.

Exercise is even more effective than xPAP at getting respiration stable. XPAP therapy helps as with the sleeping side of it.

Good luck

DSM

I got you there DSM on the weight loss but it isn't the answer to my current question,maybe Snoredog can respond to my last post.

OK Snoredog - I am going to hold you to it ! I would like some concurrence from -SWS,SAG,DSM or other learned individuals here. I am now trying to decide if I should try and get a new study or not and if I do will they see a need for a BiPAP? Snoredog, should they be able to see a need for a Bi-PAP??? Should I just save my money and when I get my $3500 in HSA funds January 1st order a M-Series Bi-flex Auto and use the software I have and keep experimenting.

Give me your heartfelt best advice please Snoredog based on above. Consider that I don't really want to deal with another sleep study or sleep Dr. cause most of them pretty much suck and are out for a profit. Maybe I could buy it then turn it in for reimbursement also .

Give me your best advice on the best,quietest Bi-Pap you think I should get.

I'd hate to have to read all nine pages of this thread to ask this question, if it's already been answered.......but......do you sleep on your back?


Den

Wulfman wrote:I'd hate to have to read all nine pages of this thread to ask this question, if it's already been answered.......but......do you sleep on your back?


Den

I understand,wish I could clean it up. No I do not sleep on my back although I would like to.