Non Compliance

mxylplik2 · Post by **mxylplik2** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 8:18 pm

My new year's resolution is to make a strong attempt to use the CPAP machine that I have stored in my closed for a year or two now. A little background:

I probably had my first sleep study about five years ago. I was diagnosed with a mild case of sleep apnea. Not too severe but I had a lack of concentration, a couple of close calls with driving accidents, a lack of focus and a deteriorating relationship with wife and kids. So I got a CPAP machine and used it a couple of times for the first two weeks and really couldn't bear it so I stopped using it. Then after about two years, I got another sleep study, got another machine and same thing happened - quit using it. But this was at a period where we had our baby sleep with us because it was just too tiring to keep staying up to feed him so this hindered my ability to use the CPAP.

I use resmed S6 but it is not APAP.

My major compliant was that I felt like I was gasping for air and call it weird but it felt like I couldn't breathe at times. This was magnified as I have allergies and have nasal congestion, which I am taking Singulair and Rhinocort spray for. Also, the few days that I did use it, I did not feel any better than when I slept without CPAP (I know it takes some time to feel better). There were times I would wake up with the CPAP removed so I must have subconciously taken it off.

Maybe I just didn't want to "deal with the problem" and avoided it all together.

(posting transfered here from introductions)

Waverly · Post by **Waverly** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 8:28 pm

Sounds like your ramp time needs to be shorter or off completely..Possible that your pressure is lower than needed. Buy an Autotitrating unit !

Waverly

mxylplik2 · Post by **mxylplik2** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:24 am

If I already have a unit, will most insurance companies spring for another unit (i.e., APAP)? They paid for two sleep studies and two machines already - don't know what there limits are - I'm afraid to ask as they may figure out that I shouldn't have gotten them.

RestInSeattle · Post by **RestInSeattle** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:12 pm

Interesting thing about congestion. I find that with my heated humidier and the pressure of CPAP that when I suffer my seasonal allergies and/or colds that I can breathe better with the CPAP on than with it off!

In fact, during my last cold I really looked forward to using my CPAP for the easier breathing it would provide.

Your RESMED S6, do you have a heated humidifier with it? It will really help to increase your comfort level.

If it's been a while since your previous sleep study, you may want to do a new one. Apnea typically tends to worsen over time (unless weightloss and other healthy behaviours are successfull, note that weightloss isn't a magic bullet as it had no impact on my OSA even though I lost lots of weight and went down several clothes sizes.)

If your new sleep study indicates a different pressure setting, great. In addition there are newer equipment out there, including new Auto-PAP systems. If you can get a perscription and your insurance will cover rental, try different ones until you find that equipment that suites you best.

Even if you can't get a new CPAP, a heated humidifier and the correct pressure level can really make a difference.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:11 pm

Not a heated humidifier but a cool water one.

A new sleep study is probably a good idea as I may have gained a little weight and as the pressue setting may be different. Also probably should get the best machine so help ensure compliance.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:29 pm

Come on - give it to me - I need to be given that extra push to start wearing a CPAP.

Tell me what can happen to me (medically) if I don't use my CPAP.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:37 pm

Well do you want the bad first . Death. In your sleep, or a heart attack in the morning around 8am. Stroke, high blood pressure, Kill yourself , your family or some innocent family while falling asleep behind the wheel. Gom broke on health care. loose your job.

just do it . After a week it will be like putting your sox on.

Good luck ,

Cheers,

Chris

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:18 am

I have been using my machine now for the last 5 years. And to tell you the truth i can't go to sleep without it at this point. It's like a reflex, I lay down it goes on. I must say i never have periods of falling asleep in the middle of the day anymore. I have one way for you to look at it, "Reggie White". Granted he had other things wrong with him, but think how your wife must feel when you stop breathing in your sleep. That is my whole reason for sticking with it when i first got it. So Good luck and do what you know you must do.

mxylplik2 · Post by **mxylplik2** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 7:17 am

I think one of the reasons why I haven't used it is b/c I have been extremely LUCKY and have been "getting by".

- a few close calls on driving - but no crash;
- poor performance at work - but not yet reamed;
- deteriorating relationship - but she is putting up with me;
- I'm 34 years old and figure the health problems don't set in yet until later;

- I blame nasal congestion as a factor - but have been on Rhinocort and Singulair;

Again, I was diagnosed with a mild case but do always feel tired. Maybe trying to sleep close to eight hours would help?

Call me a procrastinator. But I am determined to start this and continue with it this year. I think I need a new sleep study.

What about using this board to post good ENT's/other doctors in each state?

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 8:22 am

I have found that this forum has been great for me. Whenever I feel like giving up on the machine and mask and everything else, I log on and am encouraged that there are others struggling and that if I keep up with it, it will continue to work. I've been on CPAP since November and I have good nights and bad nights. Keep it up and visit here often!

Jeanne

croberts · Post by **croberts** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:26 am

You wrote:
Again, I was diagnosed with a mild case but do always feel tired. Maybe trying to sleep close to eight hours would help?

Before CPAP...I could sleep all night AND all day...and I would still be extremely tired...falling asleep anywhere if I wasn't moving... .

I've been using mine since July...and it has been a "long hard road"...but I'm so much better since I've been using it. Still have problems using mine all night long...about 5 hours is all I can stand...and then I can't go back to sleep with it on. The noise wakes me up.

BTW...I'm so glad I found this forum!

BetterBreathinBob · Post by **BetterBreathinBob** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:35 pm

Consider this scenario- death passes you by and you survive your heart attack caused by OSA but nobody was able to start CPR fast enough and the severe stroke has left you in a wheelchair with weak chest muscles and you are not able to cough strong enough to keep your lungs clear.

So the doctor places a tube in your throat so someone can insert a suction tube and suck out your smelling mucus which has been growing bacterial monsters deep in your lungs. Yep, you now have pnemonia and your lungs will fill up and drown you with your own secretions all because you didn't want to learn to tolerate CPAP.

Sounds gross but it happens all the time!
Bob

mxylplik2 · Post by **mxylplik2** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 7:42 pm

That is both horrible and disgusting. How about (forbid), heart attack and brain damage due to lack of oxygen going to your brain? That would be horrible.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:16 am

The comment was made about 'getting 8hrs' of sleep in lieu of using the CPAP. You gotta realize tho' that when you stop breathing, that's where the damage is being done. Getting more sleep time in only means more time to have the possibility of not breathing, hence, more damage. Look at it this way. You sleep 4hrs without any apnea, and wake up. Yeah, you're tired, but not dead on your feet. But, if you sleep 4 hours without any apnea, and then "sleep" 4 more hours with apnea, you'll be less rested, because for 4 hrs you were deprived of oxygen. Just because you were unconcious for a full 8 hrs doesn't necessessarily mean your body and mind are refreshed. Make sense?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:57 am

Makes perfect sense to me, Peter. Well said.

I don't know what it is about the word "sleep" that lulls us into thinking, "I just need more sleep and I'll feel better." If the throat is collapsing when we sleep, we aren't getting enough air. We aren't really sleeping, in the sense of getting rested. We're going through a physical struggle all night whether we realize it or not. As a poster on another board put it, it's like having an intruder standing over your bed strangling you, then stopping; strangling you then stopping - over and over again all night long. Fill in your own AHI to see how many times an hour that goes on. Cpap treatment to keep the throat open is definitely worth doing during every sleeping moment, including naps.

Non Compliance

Non Compliance

Insurance pays?

Effect of Non-Compliance

Yeah - Just DO IT! ! ! !

Non-Compliant

Keep those "Scare Tactics" coming.....

Mask