Category: Health and Wellness
This topic is for discussing all things related to either central or obstructive sleep apnea. I was recently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, as the study I had last week indicates I stop breathing every five minutes. This oxygen deprivation to the brain and poor-quality sleep explains why I've had such issues with memory and alertness over the years, minus the topamax I took for treating seizures from 2012-2013. I will be receiving a device to begin CPAP therapy nightly here at home in the coming weeks. I still need to take the medicine I already use to help me get to sleep, which is okay, but at least now the sleep issues will be treated properly. glad I got the second study done even though results came a year later than I would have liked. Moving forward, certain this will work.
This topic will probably help with some info on CPAP and apnea
That's great, joanne. I'm glad you got your diagnosis. I'm too scared to get mine, but I probably should. lol. I need to go for a sleep study to determine whether I have sleep apnea, but I'm pretty sure I do; my mother has it--she's been diagnosed, and I display the simptomes of someone who does as well. ugh.
I wish you the very best, Joanne. Hugs!
The study isn't painful, just uncomfortable because of all the electrodes they use on your head for reading brain wave activity, and the two belts around your waste and chest for them to see when you struggle to breathe. It can happen in your sleep without you knowing it. Many people wonder how the hell one can sleep with all that shit attached, but since there's really nothing else to do there, and that's why you're there in the first place, you just get drowsy enough to doze off, I guess. Not sure how else to put it. lol It's worth it if they can see how you breathe during all five stages of sleep.
Going to call later today to see if they got the preauthorization and insurance stuff squared away. I don't want to have to travel all the way down there, only to find that they can't do the second ... I think it's called a Titration study when they watch you sleep with a mask on and set the machine to the correct pressure, etc. Electrodes and a mask ... Should be interesting. apparently, if I get the breathing apparatus and associated equipment through this clinic, I'll go home with the device the day after the study and not have to wait weeks for stuff to be delivered. That would be fantastic. the sooner I can breathe properly while sleeping, the better.
evidently, CPAP has been shown to reverse memory loss associated with apnea, along with the brain's chemistry, so there's still hope I can remember things the way I used to, but it will take possibly months of consistent use before I notice any results. That, or the improvement in memory and quality of sleep could be gradual. We will see.
Down to two more weeks until I have the second study done. Can't wait to wake up feeling refreshed.
I have the machine, and like all things I have good and not so good days with it. I have both the nose mask, and the in-nose plugs. Most people use the in nose attachment for best results, because they don't leak air like the on-nose mask can sometimes do. You can use the machine ither with or without the humidifier, but it's generally best to use it with it, and you must use distilled water when you do use the humidifier.
I will need the mask that goes over the mouth and nose asI bbreathe out of my mouth when I sleep. This may seem like a silly qquestion, but where can one typically buy distilled water? I've never shopped for it, so don't know exactly where to search.
Can a person sleep on their side with the mask on? Is there some kind of strap?
You can get distilled water at the grocery store. I think it's by the bottled watter. It usually comes in plastic jugs like milk jugs and it will say distilled water. It's about a dollar a jug.
There are a couple of things yiu'll want to prepare yourself for. You'll need to be very diligent about keeping yur supplies sanitized. I was and I still found myself often having colds, headaches, etc when I wore a cpap. Also, the this is TMI but this is the zone so what the hell. You may find that at first, you fart like a frait train. Seriously, all that air it pumps into your body has got to come out somewhere. lol
I hesitated to post on this because, clearly, I'm not a fan of the CPAP. I ended up getting my tonsils out and having the surgery to widen my nose passage to avoid having to continue waring the mask. That is obviously a drastic action though. Hopefully you'll have good luck with the mask.
From what I saw of a friend's BiPAP machine, (which I'm told looks very similar to a CPAP machine, yes, you can' sleep on your side. There are straps that secure the mask to one's face. I'm sure there would be something similar for the nasal pillows.
There is, and I have my machine set to smart start, meaning I don't have to hit the button to start it, it just starts automatically when you breathe, and stops when you take it off if you need to use the bathroom at night.
Eddie... that's pretty cool.
I was started on a ResMed S9 autoset... it started after I put my mask on and breathed in
and out a few times. If I needed to go to the can in the night, I had to manually turn it off.
I've got a new machine here in the UK and I don't really like it... no humidifier, so I often
wake up with cotton mouth... it's nasty.
I have sinus problems, so I use a full face mask... I've got the Quattro FX mask... it doesn't
have that annoying forehead bar, so I can wear my glasses and read before bed.
eww, no humidifier? Yuck. I hope mine has one. I just hope I get one that's not so damn complicated to maintain where removing the tubing and the mask for cleaning or tube changes is concerned. If anyone has recommendations, please, fire away.
Nah, it's not hard to remove the tubing. The provider will give you all the instructions and show you how to do all of it.
Got the water yesterday. Now on the hunt for a table that can hold the machine, tubing and mask. I have a small, padded bench next to my bed, but that won't cut it. *sigh*
Walmart has faux wooden TV trays for about $10 each. That might work unless you're looking for something fansy.
Thanks. Tonight's the night of the titration study. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back in the morning.
They sent me home with a CPAP machine. It's all set and ready to go for tonight. I tolerated the mask well last night, and only woke up briefly when the pressure had changed. They determined that I needed a pressure setting of ten. I was expecting to have to wait a while to get the machine, but the doctor was like, "Well, I can either get you set up with a home medical equipment delivery company, or I can just call down to DME, (durable medical equipment), and you can leave here with one today." so glad I can get started with treatig the apnea.
Yay! Best of luck to you on that!
The first night with the mask went okay. It took me a while to get comfortable, but once I did, I was gone for at least several hours, again, waking up briefly a couple times, but each time being able to get back to sleep in les than five minutes. I woke up this morning feeling more refreshed than I've felt in at least several years, and have been able to stay awake and concentrate on things much better. If that is what the first night brought, I can't wait to see what happens weeks from now.
I was brought back to semiconsciousness while removing the mask.. Grrrr, damn it. I guess some nights are going to be easier than others. Hoping tonight is better.
I'm glad it's working Joanne! I need to find out what's keeping me up at nights. I have something, but I will figure it out. Glad you're sleeping better.
Did you get one with a Humidafire?
God Bless,
Sarah
I did. Hopefully, if you're seeing a sleep medicine specialist, they can help you get to the bottom of your sleep difficulties.
So the past month has been an interesting time, as I'm still adapting to the mask at night, but I am noticing a difference in how I'm feeling in the morning when I wake up.
oh crap, topamax can do that? I've have horrid memory. I can put something down and a minute later forget about it. just one example.
I'm glad I don't have those kind of sleep issues, I used to have difficulty falling asleep, but my kid tires me out to well now.
hope your finding your nights a lot easier. best wishes
It is difficult to believe it has been almost a year using this thing. I have not always been as consistent where putting the mask on before sleep is concerned, but it is getting better.