Bad Advice or Myths About CPAP

What sorts of bad advice or myths have you heard about CPAP?

For instance, I was told by my sleep technician to avoid getting a heated humidifier. He said they made him feel like he was sleeping in a jungle. I got one and it feels fine to me - it's just a matter of adjusting to it to the right heat level.

Dont expect to see an immediate improvement when you start to use CPAP.

Not sure if this qualifies as bad advice or myth, but it still bugs me a lot. When I asked my first sleep doc about getting a full data machine, he told me, "You do not need a full data because you will feel better in two weeks."

Two weeks after starting CPAP, my daytime functioning had plummeted and I was feeling about 100 times worse than pre-CPAP.

"Don't use your cpap when you have a cold or flu"

I don't think I have had easier to live with colds, flus or pneumonia then since I have had my cpap. Nothing beats warm moist air when you have a cold, flu or pneumonia.

I haven't heard this personally since I don't use a bricks/mortar DME, but have read many posts on this forum where DMEs have told people (incorrectly) --

"Nasal pillows can't be used above a pressure of 15."

BlackSpinner wrote:"Don't use your cpap when you have a cold or flu"

I don't think I have had easier to live with colds, flus or pneumonia then since I have had my cpap. Nothing beats warm moist air when you have a cold, flu or pneumonia.

Agree completely.

That everything has to be cleaned thoroughly and often.

I too was told that I didn't need data.

"Patients don't need data."
--and I'm diabetic--not having information could be deadly!

"You are not the poster child for sleep apnea." my sleep doctor commented that I was too slim to suffer from sleep apnea. He may have been right, since I have UARS, but the therapy is the same. I was almost sent home from the office but I persisted.

Linus wrote:"You are not the poster child for sleep apnea." my sleep doctor commented that I was too slim to suffer from sleep apnea. He may have been right, since I have UARS, but the therapy is the same. I was almost sent home from the office but I persisted.

Haha.... I've heard that before too, but with my heart condition. I actually had a cardiologist tell me "you are too young for a heart condition" I just looked at him and asked him "do they not teach the word 'congenital' in medical school any longer?"

The one myth I was told "You can't use a nasal mask because you are a mouth breather". Right! That's why my AHI is lower on a pillow than a FFM.

I have to agree with some of the other posters above. When I had a cold, best sleep by far on the CPAP. And I am using 16cm of pressure with my pillows with no problems what so ever.

John

"You don't need software, too much information is dangerous"!

You can't change the pressure on your machine yourself.

This machine records full data.

This used CPAP machine I'm selling has been thoroughly sanitized.

There's no point in the doctor looking at the data your machine records because it isn't accurate.

Your insurance won't pay for that particular model of machine.

We can't get replacement cushions, only full masks.

Auto CPAP machines are a bad idea.

This is the best device that is made.

DME told me..."Don;t listen to those people on the internet, they don;t know what they are talking about'...LOL

"Let's cinch your new mask down nice and TIGHT so it doesn't leak..."