Sleep Apnoea and CPAP

tnegun · 05-09-2019 8:13am

I find a normal pillow ok just don't use a very stiff or firm one and I sleep to the very edge of it with a full face mask. Am currently using the AirTouch F20 with the foam cushion but will switch back to the silicon as I'm not happy with the seal using the foam.

Just on the CPAP vs APAP I would resist any attempt to be switched back to a traditional CPAP they're awful and I would say responsible for a lot of people stopping treatment. APAP is far smarter and only ups the pressure when required and provides exhalation relief.
Just on the public v private I'm public but only get seen once per year and if I miss an appointment or its rescheduled its 9-12 months before the next one the system is definitely overloaded.

WB Yokes · 11-09-2019 3:36pm

Finally got an an appointment for the ENT department in the mater hospital, just short of 3 years after first going to my GP, does anybody know if there is a long waiting time for a sleep study after the first consultation?

Thanks.

Yenwod · 16-09-2019 1:29pm

Off home with my new CPAP machine & trying to stay optimistic. Got about 3 hours sleep total last night with it on. Wasn’t expecting a great night being in the hospital & all, but every time I moved, I seemed to have a leak which would have me wide awake with the blast of air & noise

Also feeling like an inflated balloon ðŸ˜‚

Glebee · 16-09-2019 1:35pm

Yenwod wrote: »

Off home with my new CPAP machine & trying to stay optimistic. Got about 3 hours sleep total last night with it on. Wasn’t expecting a great night being in the hospital & all, but every time I moved, I seemed to have a leak which would have me wide awake with the blast of air & noise

Also feeling like an inflated balloon &#55357;&#56834;

It takes time to get used to it and is hard at the start. No point saying otherwise. It took we a few attempts to get to grips with it before it just clicked. Stick with it and the benifits are almost instantanious.

tnegun · 16-09-2019 1:57pm

Yenwod wrote: »

Off home with my new CPAP machine & trying to stay optimistic. Got about 3 hours sleep total last night with it on. Wasn’t expecting a great night being in the hospital & all, but every time I moved, I seemed to have a leak which would have me wide awake with the blast of air & noise

Also feeling like an inflated balloon ðŸ˜‚

Is it CPAP or APAP? CPAP used to fill my stomach with air and was horrible, when I was renting and didn't know about APAP machines I was told it was a consequence and to put up with it there was nothing could be done! APAP solved that problem instantly! What sort of mask have you got? How firm is the pillow? Also try sleep to the side of it so the mask almost hangs off it.

corwill · 16-09-2019 2:30pm

Is there some clinical reason that CPAP is still being prescribed over auto/variable devices?

tnegun · 16-09-2019 2:55pm

To me it seems to be a complete lack of understanding of the issues with CPAP, I found out about APAP by accident 8 years ago when my medical card expired and I tried to source the same machine I had been renting. The suppliers came back and said we can get you that but for a few hundred more you can get a new APAP that will be more comfortable and perform the same function! I said it to my doc at the next appointment that I changed machine and they looked over the download from the machine and said it was fine. I did have issues getting the machine downloaded though as it wasn't supplied from one of the known companies (They didn't want to touch it said they could damage the machine) so now I download it myself and print off the stats and everyone is happy. I'm attending Peamount btw if it makes any difference. Before anyone changes machine they should check with their doc or at least the sleep clinic they attended.

FaganJr · 16-09-2019 7:42pm

Yenwod wrote:

Off home with my new CPAP machine & trying to stay optimistic. Got about 3 hours sleep total last night with it on. Wasnâ€™t expecting a great night being in the hospital & all, but every time I moved, I seemed to have a leak which would have me wide awake with the blast of air & noise

Yenwod wrote:

Also feeling like an inflated balloon Ã°Å¸Ëœâ€š

I also felt this in the beginning, honestly it took 3 months, it was tough, but after that I couldn't be without it.
Stick it out, like all things good for you it's hard in the beginning.
My machine broke and I was without it for one night, my god, I felt like a bus hit me in the morning, couldn't wait to get to bed the next night.
In fact now, once I put on the mask, I'm asleep in under 2 minutes.
Hang in there, it's really worth it.

Masala · 16-09-2019 8:15pm

Sorry to ask.... what the difference between CPAP and APAP.

I have a nasal mask ... and presume I am CPAP. Just unsure what I am missing with APAP.

Thanks all

tnegun · 16-09-2019 8:53pm

A CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) machine is like sticking a leaf blower to your face for the night. Your prescription pressure is set into it which has to be somewhat higher than you need so that its guaranteed to keep the airway open after the ramp time - warm up time - expires it goes to full pressure and blows a gale all night.
I had CPAP for the first 6 months or so and did get used to it but had all sorts of problems, lots of leaks, extremely dry mouth and troat, uncomfortable bloating etc. I was told it was that or have the Sleep Apnea slowly kill me!!

An APAP or Auto CPAP machine is much more intelligent, after the ramp time expires it monitors your breathing and if the breath is too shallow of it suspects an Apena is occuring it begins to increase the pressure until it has reopened the airway, then once it detects you exhaling it immediately drops the pressure providing exhalation relief. Where CPAP is like a leaf blower APAP is like sleeping beside an open window! The side affects I had with CPAP are mostly gone I've rarely a dry mouth, minimal leaks and never any bloating.
I don't know why they persist subscriping CPAP machines they've obviously never had to use one!

Masala · 16-09-2019 9:46pm

tnegun wrote: »

A CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) machine is like sticking a leaf blower to your face for the night. Your prescription pressure is set into it which has to be somewhat higher than you need so that its guaranteed to keep the airway open after the ramp time - warm up time - expires it goes to full pressure and blows a gale all night.
I had CPAP for the first 6 months or so and did get used to it but had all sorts of problems, lots of leaks, extremely dry mouth and troat, uncomfortable bloating etc. I was told it was that or have the Sleep Apnea slowly kill me!!

An APAP or Auto CPAP machine is much more intelligent, after the ramp time expires it monitors your breathing and if the breath is too shallow of it suspects an Apena is occuring it begins to increase the pressure until it has reopened the airway, then once it detects you exhaling it immediately drops the pressure providing exhalation relief. Where CPAP is like a leaf blower APAP is like sleeping beside an open window! The side affects I had with CPAP are mostly gone I've rarely a dry mouth, minimal leaks and never any bloating.
I don't know why they persist subscriping CPAP machines they've obviously never had to use one!

I have a Phillips Responics .. that seems to do the latter. Ramps up when needed and then levels out. So I must be on s APAP

Yenwod · 07-10-2019 10:43pm

FaganJr wrote: »

I also felt this in the beginning, honestly it took 3 months, it was tough, but after that I couldn't be without it.
Stick it out, like all things good for you it's hard in the beginning.
My machine broke and I was without it for one night, my god, I felt like a bus hit me in the morning, couldn't wait to get to bed the next night.
In fact now, once I put on the mask, I'm asleep in under 2 minutes.
Hang in there, it's really worth it.

Great to hear! I’ve been at it 3 weeks now and cautiously optimistic. Have had some bad nights but also some good ones. Although I’m still tired, the extreme fuzziness of my brain seems to be lifting. I could actually concentrate for more than 5 minutes believe in work today! If this continues, I’ll be sold!!

Yenwod · 07-10-2019 11:16pm

tnegun wrote: »

Is it CPAP or APAP? CPAP used to fill my stomach with air and was horrible, when I was renting and didn't know about APAP machines I was told it was a consequence and to put up with it there was nothing could be done! APAP solved that problem instantly! What sort of mask have you got? How firm is the pillow? Also try sleep to the side of it so the mask almost hangs off it.

I somehow missed everyone’s responses to me. Thanks all.

It’s CPAP. After 3 weeks on it, the trapped wind seems to have lessened a bit but not 100% - I’m back this week with consultant to see how I’m going so hoping the pressure isn’t increased or I’ll be bloated up again

I’ll keep the APAP in mind though!

I got the full face mask but it gave me awful trouble across the top of my nose. Got it changer to one that sits under my nose but still covers my mouth. It’s so much better and easier to manage my pillow with.

I can’t say I’m fully used to it but it’s slowly getting more tolerable so definitely keeping optimistic about it

tnegun · 08-10-2019 9:49pm

Can definately vouch for trying a few masks, and once you get the machine/mask combo right you'll bearly notice it anymore. The worst I have now is rain out where the condensation gathers and you roll over causing it to splash down on your face!! I think the next machine will have to have a heated tube!

FaganJr · 08-10-2019 9:52pm

tnegun wrote: »

Can definately vouch for trying a few masks, and once you get the machine/mask combo right you'll bearly notice it anymore. The worst I have now is rain out where the condensation gathers and you roll over causing it to splash down on your face!! I think the next machine will have to have a heated tube!

I just got rid of the water part and good to go now!

Masala · 09-10-2019 12:07am

Do many of you spend time washing/ sterilising your mouthpiece and tubes???

Just that I had a bad vomiting bug recently and realised that I could be leaving that bacteria in my CPAP if I didn't sterilise it!!! Am I being paranoid??

Odyssey 2005 · 09-10-2019 12:09am

tnegun wrote: »

Can definately vouch for trying a few masks, and once you get the machine/mask combo right you'll bearly notice it anymore. The worst I have now is rain out where the condensation gathers and you roll over causing it to splash down on your face!! I think the next machine will have to have a heated tube!

I have a humidifier with a heated tube. I use a nasal mask. Absolutely fantastic. Couldn't use anything else. A solid night's sleep,every night

the_syco · 09-10-2019 12:11am

Masala wrote: »

Do many of you spend time washing/ sterilising your mouthpiece and tubes???

Ehhh.... maybe once a month. Usually. Have found that constant washing leads to the breakdown of the plastic.

=-=

On a side note; I use the nasal CPAP mask. Had used the fabric for the face part, but more recently bought the silicone replacement. Find it a LOT better.

Masala · 09-10-2019 12:31am

[QUOTE=the_syco;111462071

On a side note; I use the nasal CPAP mask. Had used the fabric for the face part, but more recently bought the silicone replacement. Find it a LOT better.[/QUOTE]

.... haven't come across that !! You mean the fabric straps around the head and cheeks??

Drumpot · 09-10-2019 12:40am

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

I have a humidifier with a heated tube. I use a nasal mask. Absolutely fantastic. Couldn't use anything else. A solid night's sleep,every night

I might be getting another shot at a machine soon as had that sleeping test again.

When I tried on masks I didn’t like the feel of the nose mask so went with full face. Found it hard to get to sleep with it though which was why a silly consultant took me off the machine completely.

Any tips or advice on what I should ask in terms of mask for comfort?

corwill · 09-10-2019 12:44am

Drumpot wrote: »

I might be getting another shot at a machine soon as had that sleeping test again.

When I tried on masks I didn’t like the feel of the nose mask so went with full face. Found it hard to get to sleep with it though which was why a silly consultant took me off the machine completely.

Any tips or advice on what I should ask in terms of mask for comfort?

I've been using this one for a couple of years, find it excellent - https://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-professional/products/masks/airfit-20-series/airfit-f20.html

Odyssey 2005 · 09-10-2019 8:17am

Drumpot wrote: »

I might be getting another shot at a machine soon as had that sleeping test again.

When I tried on masks I didn’t like the feel of the nose mask so went with full face. Found it hard to get to sleep with it though which was why a silly consultant took me off the machine completely.

Any tips or advice on what I should ask in terms of mask for comfort?

The only mask I've ever used is the nasal one. I immediately took to it even when I was doing the sleep study. I had a H9 (think that's the name) and kept sending it back because I found it too loud. I now have an airsence 10 and find it brilliant.

FaganJr · 09-10-2019 1:43pm

Masala wrote:

Just that I had a bad vomiting bug recently and realised that I could be leaving that bacteria in my CPAP if I didn't sterilise it!!! Am I being paranoid??

Yeah once a month, should be grand, two years in, no problems

corwill · 09-10-2019 4:48pm

I must admit that I'm wicked lazy about cleaning it. Usually at some stage after an extended period, I'll look in the humidifier's water reservoir when I'm filling it and shudder, and only then will I get off my arse. Will give the mask a rub of an antiseptic wipe every couple of weeks. I think I cleaned the hose on my first machine once, and haven't since!

Glebee · 09-10-2019 4:53pm

corwill wrote: »

I've been using this one for a couple of years, find it excellent - https://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-professional/products/masks/airfit-20-series/airfit-f20.html

Using the same mask at that myself. I find the inside gets a bit manky after a few nights and needs a good wash out, just with soap and warm water.

the_syco · 10-10-2019 12:51am

Masala wrote: »

.... haven't come across that !! You mean the fabric straps around the head and cheeks??

The part that goes around the cheeks.

It depends on what mask you have. This is a "replacement Mask Frame for the Respironics' Wisp Nasal Mask"; the fabric mask frame broke on me twice, so I decided to switch after reding posiitive reviews on it.

I got it from here, as it was the cheapest. As it's classed as a medical device, it was VAT free.

Find it holds the nasal mask a lot more firmer.

Fathom · 11-10-2019 10:09pm

Informative CPAP thread.

Odyssey 2005 · 12-10-2019 11:34am

I was told earlier in the thread about distilled water for the humidifier. I find it brilliant. Anyway my local chemist charges €6.50 for 5 liters. Was in Halfords of all places,same water is €4.20 for 5 liters.

Yenwod · 31-10-2019 5:15pm

Drumpot wrote: »

I might be getting another shot at a machine soon as had that sleeping test again.

When I tried on masks I didn’t like the feel of the nose mask so went with full face. Found it hard to get to sleep with it though which was why a silly consultant took me off the machine completely.

Any tips or advice on what I should ask in terms of mask for comfort?

First off I got this mask - https://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-professional/products/masks/airfit-20-series/airfit-f20.html but it destroyed the bridge of my nose. I must have very sensitive thin skin.

I switched to the https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/products/masks/airfit-f30.html which not only solved the issue I was having but I find it to be a much more comfortable and neater mask

3DataModem · 02-11-2019 7:02pm

If you are getting irritated by a mask it needs cleaning. Makes a huge difference.

I actually switched from the Airsense to the mini (I had both and actually preferred the mini) and it works fine. Was concerned about lack of humidity but not really an issue.

corwill · 02-11-2019 7:08pm

3DataModem wrote: »

If you are getting irritated by a mask it needs cleaning. Makes a huge difference.

I actually switched from the Airsense to the mini (I had both and actually preferred the mini) and it works fine. Was concerned about lack of humidity but not really an issue.

It's not just down to cleaning, different masks will chafe on different sizes and shapes of heads in different ways.

Strap adjustment can also make a big difference, sometimes the margins can be fine enough in getting the fit just right, in my experience. I often have to adjust the straps on the headgear after a haircut, for instance. I've also added an extra challenge since I started with the treatment by growing a beard.

Not that you're wrong, mind, keeping the mask clean just stands to reason (gulitly scuttles off to clean mask...).

Glebee · 19-12-2019 3:52pm

Anyone know best way to compare what rental charges are from various companies. Currently paying 100 euro a month with masks, etc every year. Get most of it back at year end with medical anyway but want to get that 100 euro down. Currenty with Air Liquide, going to ring them either way and offer 50 euro or else im gone.

TheWonderLlama · 19-12-2019 3:56pm

you could buy one from the US. I did, get your doctor to fill out a form, scan it over to cpap.com and away you go.
No chance am i renting a machine from a bunch of gougers.

19-12-2019 4:00pm

TheWonderLlama wrote: »

you could buy one from the US. I did, get your doctor to fill out a form, scan it over to cpap.com and away you go.
No chance am i renting a machine from a bunch of gougers.

What do you do when the machine goes tits up?

I've had two go without warning in the last three years and got a replacement that morning.

Glebee · 19-12-2019 4:00pm

TheWonderLlama wrote: »

you could buy one from the US. I did, get your doctor to fill out a form, scan it over to cpap.com and away you go.
No chance am i renting a machine from a bunch of gougers.

Thought of that alright, rental is handy though if anything goes wrong, plus I get to claim back most of teh cost between tax back and medical.

kjbsrah1 · 13-03-2020 11:04pm

Great to find this thread.
I have been feeling tired for such a long time. I first went to a doctor about 10 years ago and they did a load of blood tests and from an initial thinking that I had a tumour to having a problematic tyroid, they put it down to me working shift work.
I used to be great at being very active with playing lots of sports, but gradually even putting on a pair of trainers was tyring me out. I spent a fortune going to a psychotherapist to work out what my problem was with doing exercise. In the end I was advised that I did not really want to do exercise (go for walks/swimming etc) and that i was simply not helping myself.
My time keeping over the years became worse and worse. I would sleep through my alarm almost most mornings, and was getting into so much difficulty in work for being late.
Then Christmas before last i fell asleep on the couch in my parents house. The mother noticed that i stopped breathing quite a bit. So in the January i went to another (different) doctor and he referred me to a sleep specialist. The referral got lost twice and i only ended up speaking with a sleep consultant last November. He said i was at high risk of dying in my sleep!! My sleep was so disordered. I was put on an urgent and critical list (apparently) to get an actual overnight sleep study done. After several calls back to the professors secretary, i got my sleep study at the start of February this year and my follow up consultation last week.
Apparently when a 'normal' person sleeps their blood oxygen levels fall to about 95%. If you are as low as 90% then you apparently cannot drive a truck or fly a plane. Mine apparently is 75%. The professor told me that i have likely not had deep sleep for about 10 years and that if i had not been assessed now, that i would be looking at a "major cardiac event" within five years.
I cannot imagine feeling any different to how i do now. Sooooo incredibly tired. I look like crap! Have done for ages.
I definitely snore. Have done since my late teens.
I have an extreme form of sleep apnea but it is largely a genetic type apparently - its the back of my throat is particularly narrow. My body wakes me up everytime i relax in my sleep as it thinks that i am in danger of dying.
I have my appointment with a medical company on Monday, they were the only company mentioned by my professor and he did say they were the best and had the most up to date equipment available.
I am excited to feel better, but at the same time cannot imagine how that might feel.
I am female. Aged 48.

NIMAN · 13-03-2020 11:13pm

I am going to try to chat to my gp after all this covid stuff dies down, as much of what you typed above fits me.

I too work shifts, and would often put my tiredness down to that. I'm sure many experts would as well.

I am now 51 and was always very active all my life. Started to slow down my activity levels due to age but to be honest I rarely have enough energy to do much.

My oh has been telling me for the last year or two that I often wake myself up during the night when I stop breathing. I didn't put much store in it, and I just assumed it wasn't doing much damage.

But I have read up a bit and now know it can do long lasting damage to your body and heart. And of course it leaves you very tired. I could do without that tiredness too. Even if I oversleep now I don't feel any better.

I have broke my nose twice and always put my breathing issues down to that, but sometimes even when I'm awake I can feel an area in my throat sealing if I breath a certain way. Like a tightness in the throat.

So gp appt is needed I think.

nibtrix · 13-03-2020 11:17pm

kjbsrah1 wrote: »

Apparently when a 'normal' person sleeps their blood oxygen levels fall to about 95%. If you are as low as 90% then you apparently cannot drive a truck or fly a plane. Mine apparently is 75%.

A polysomnagraphy (sleep study) normally measures the number of times you stop breathing/have restricted breathing/your oxygen saturation drops, averaged per hour - the AHI score. Did they give you this result?
If your O2 saturation level is dropping to 75% during apnoea incidents that’s one thing, if it’s consistently at 75% throughout the night that would seem like something else other than just OSA.

In my extremely amateur non-medically trained opinion, to be clear!

Boulevardier · 16-03-2020 12:43pm

I am wondering if the CPAP could be helpful to any of us who may catch Coronavirus. If we have breathing difficulties, could CPAP air pressure help with this?

kjbsrah1 · 16-03-2020 8:22pm

NIMAN wrote: »

I am going to try to chat to my gp after all this covid stuff dies down, as much of what you typed above fits me.

I too work shifts, and would often put my tiredness down to that. I'm sure many experts would as well.

I am now 51 and was always very active all my life. Started to slow down my activity levels due to age but to be honest I rarely have enough energy to do much.

My oh has been telling me for the last year or two that I often wake myself up during the night when I stop breathing. I didn't put much store in it, and I just assumed it wasn't doing much damage.

But I have read up a bit and now know it can do long lasting damage to your body and heart. And of course it leaves you very tired. I could do without that tiredness too. Even if I oversleep now I don't feel any better.

I have broke my nose twice and always put my breathing issues down to that, but sometimes even when I'm awake I can feel an area in my throat sealing if I breath a certain way. Like a tightness in the throat.

So gp appt is needed I think.

Your GP will send a referral on. Depending on if you go private or public. I went private but my referral letter got lost twice (secretary of intended doctor in the clinic/hospital was somewhat incompetent) so I was waiting 11 months for my initial consultation. So I’d recommend chasing up the referral often about 6 weeks.

I got my cpap equipment today. I was the last client of that company before they stand back due to the current coronavirus. Really hoping it won’t take too long to become firm friends with it and I start to feel like a human again 😁🤞🤞🤞

nibtrix · 16-03-2020 10:07pm

kjbsrah1 wrote: »

I got my cpap equipment today. I was the last client of that company before they stand back due to the current coronavirus. Really hoping it won’t take too long to become firm friends with it and I start to feel like a human again ðŸ˜ðŸ€žðŸ€žðŸ€ž

I’m 4 weeks in tomorrow, and it’s getting easier for me to tolerate it. In case it helps - I found the first couple of nights ok, then I had 2-3 nights where I couldn’t get the seal right, kept waking because of leaks, nearly threw the thing across the room a couple of times! My face was sore from the mask, I felt I was drooling all over myself, my eyes were hurting from the flow of air. Since then it has slowly improved until at this point I’d say I’ve slept well with practically no waking and no issues for 2 out of every 3 nights the last 10 days. Still not 100% happy with it, but I think I’ll be able to stick with it.

Also, I’m not sure yet what effects it is having on my fatigue level but the constant sore throat I’ve had for months has disappeared, which is a massive bonus.

kjbsrah1 · 16-03-2020 10:14pm

nibtrix wrote: »

I’m 4 weeks in tomorrow, and it’s getting easier for me to tolerate it. In case it helps - I found the first couple of nights ok, then I had 2-3 nights where I couldn’t get the seal right, kept waking because of leaks, nearly threw the thing across the room a couple of times! My face was sore from the mask, I felt I was drooling all over myself, my eyes were hurting from the flow of air. Since then it has slowly improved until at this point I’d say I’ve slept well with practically no waking and no issues for 2 out of every 3 nights the last 10 days. Still not 100% happy with it, but I think I’ll be able to stick with it.

Also, I’m not sure yet what effects it is having on my fatigue level but the constant sore throat I’ve had for months has disappeared, which is a massive bonus.

Have you been in contact with the person that gave you the equipment? They should be able to come back and check that you have the right apparatus ... the Professor I saw told me that if I’m not happy with anything at any time to get in touch with the company straight away.

Looking forward to trying mine out tonight.

chuky_r_law · 02-04-2020 1:58pm

i see a lot of companies are developing cpap machines to combat covid-19

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/30/tech/mercedes-f1-breathing-aid-coronavirus/index.html

apparently those put on them reduce the later need for ventilators

i spoke to my consultant a couple of weeks back and he said to stop using the cpap machine (a philips dreamstation) if i came down with the symptoms. has anyone here heard anything different? how do these new machines differ? are the sleep apnoea machines of any use whatsoever?

Walter Sobchak III · 03-04-2020 12:32am

A sibling of mine who suffers from sleep apnoea and is using a CPAP machine, also works in frontline services has been advised by her GP that the condition constitues a "respitory condition" under guidelines for Covid19 and has been advised to distance and take extreme care. I too suffer from sleep apnoea and am using a MirageXF and have read two conflicting reports. One says if you contract the virus, stop using the device. The other I read says if you are unfortunate to contract Covid19 and need hospitalisation, your machine can be converted to ventilator. Sorry I cant provide sources.

KBurke85 · 03-04-2020 10:30am

A message I received from my CPAP provider

CPAP MACHINE

During the current Covid19 pandemic people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea should continue to use their CPAP at home as normal.
There is no evidence that using CPAP makes you more likely to catch COVID-19, and nothing to suggest that CPAP will make you more unwell if you do catch it.

Routine hygiene is adequate for infection control: wash mask, straps, tubing and humidifier chamber regularly with hand-hot soapy water (washing up liquid).

If you are admitted to hospital due to suspected/confirmed COVID-19 follow any advice given by hospital regarding use.

tiny14 · 07-04-2020 12:50am

Hi all new here & new to using cpap machine!! Was diagnosd recently with obstructive sleep apnea and im finding it so hard to get used to machine longest its stayed on is 3hrs where i must pull it off!! My sleep is terrible and disruptive as in i sit up aslep and sometimes turn wrong way and fall out of bed or sometimes wake like this & doze off again sitting up or my partner will lie me down has anyone here had this? Was so happy to find a forum coz i dont no anyone that has it!! Im 46 yr old female & feel like an old woman x

Masala · 07-04-2020 9:40am

tiny14 wrote: »

Hi all new here & new to using cpap machine!! Was diagnosd recently with obstructive sleep apnea and im finding it so hard to get used to machine longest its stayed on is 3hrs where i must pull it off!! My sleep is terrible and disruptive as in i sit up aslep and sometimes turn wrong way and fall out of bed or sometimes wake like this & doze off again sitting up or my partner will lie me down has anyone here had this? Was so happy to find a forum coz i dont no anyone that has it!! Im 46 yr old female & feel like an old woman x

You gotta stick with it..... it will come together.

tnegun · 07-04-2020 12:16pm

What machine did you get?

nibtrix · 07-04-2020 3:21pm

tiny14 wrote: »

Hi all new here & new to using cpap machine!! Was diagnosd recently with obstructive sleep apnea and im finding it so hard to get used to machine longest its stayed on is 3hrs where i must pull it off!! My sleep is terrible and disruptive as in i sit up aslep and sometimes turn wrong way and fall out of bed or sometimes wake like this & doze off again sitting up or my partner will lie me down has anyone here had this? Was so happy to find a forum coz i dont no anyone that has it!! Im 46 yr old female & feel like an old woman x

It took me almost a month to get used to it and to sleep (most of the way) through the night. I still wake occasionally if I turn the wrong way and the hose gets caught, or if I turn my face too far into the pillow and push the mask sideways. However, I've gotten used to the mask and the pressure on my face and around my head from the straps now, and I don't need to take it off or readjust nearly as much as in the beginning.

Stick with it if you can! It also might be worth considering a different kind of mask if you can't get used to the system you have.

Odyssey 2005 · 07-04-2020 3:41pm

tiny14 wrote: »

Hi all new here & new to using cpap machine!! Was diagnosd recently with obstructive sleep apnea and im finding it so hard to get used to machine longest its stayed on is 3hrs where i must pull it off!! My sleep is terrible and disruptive as in i sit up aslep and sometimes turn wrong way and fall out of bed or sometimes wake like this & doze off again sitting up or my partner will lie me down has anyone here had this? Was so happy to find a forum coz i dont no anyone that has it!! Im 46 yr old female & feel like an old woman x

You just have to hoor it out I'm afraid. I have to say it didnt take me long at all. Do you have a humidifier on the machine, as the tube tends to be a bit longer than the regular one. Maybe if you get a harder pillow,where your head doesn't sink into it and dislodge the mask?, I found this helps me a lot.
It will become 2nd nature after a short while and you wont feel like an old woman.

Sleep Apnoea and CPAP

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