Anyone else go away from CPAP?

[TLSnell1981]

Whatever the goal is, it's apparently doing according to the doctor (and when I look at the stats). BUT, I don't like waking up 2-3 times a night just to adjust it. I'm not old enough to get up that many times to use the bathroom, maybe this is getting me ready for that.

Besides, it being better for you (yes I know someone who died from sleep apnea) it sure helps your bed partner get a better night sleeps. I also agree with the suggestion to consider surgery.

 

[JoanneAZ]

There are also special pillows for CPAP users with cut outs to accommodate the tubing that might work for you.

 

[marymouse]

My husband got a TAP the dental device about 6-8 years ago. It was life changing for both of us. He actually uses it because it doesn't bother him and we both sleep. Insurance covered some of it but we actually bought an extra to have just in case.

 

[sunnyshari]

My husband and I both have CPAP machines. I made him get tested for sleep apnea because of his terrible snoring. He was tested and indeed had sleep apnea. Then he claimed I snored. I would sleep and never feel rested so I got tested and have moderate sleep apnea. My husband is fine with his machine. I HATE mine!! I do feel rested when I wake up but I hate the masks. I’ve tried different kinds but the strap generally slips on my hair. If I tighten it too much it hurts my head but if it’s too loose I can feel the air leaking through the mask. I had braces years ago so sleep with a retainer to keep my teeth straight so I can’t go for the mouthguard. I will continue it for my health and my marriage but I hope to find something better one day for sleep apnea.

 

[Cubbiecakes]

If you tighten your mask too much, it makes the problem worse, not better.

 

[Disney Doll]

If your mask is bothering you, find a better mask. There are literally hundreds of different models to try.

This

 

[DisneyOma]

Are there underlying issues that are causing you to snore, like obesity? If so, maybe work a bit on that too. I know my husband snores more when he's gained weight.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

My father died of COPD and sleep apnea. No advice - just take care of yourself. You have no idea how much you will be missed when you are gone.

 

[yoopermom]

I use the mouth device, but it was not hard to get used to because I had already used a mouthguard for teeth grinding for years.

I also know that if I would only lose weight, the problem would get much better. a family member was able to lose enough weight to completely get off the machine. So there's another goal for me!

Also, my medical insurance paid for the dental device, not my dental insurance. I did check with various specialist because not all dental devices are the same.

Terri

 

[sam_gordon]

Are there underlying issues that are causing you to snore, like obesity? If so, maybe work a bit on that too. I know my husband snores more when he's gained weight.

Oh, I'm convinced that's it. I need to lose weight and I want to lose weight, but I just can't get into an exercise regiment and don't have the will power to give up the foods I love. Yes, that is my problem that I need to solve.

 

[Cubbiecakes]

You're not going to lose weight unless you're using your CPAP.

 

[DisneyOma]

Oh, I'm convinced that's it. I need to lose weight and I want to lose weight, but I just can't get into an exercise regiment and don't have the will power to give up the foods I love. Yes, that is my problem that I need to solve.

I've been struggling for a year now to lose 10 lbs that I put on a summer ago. It's frustrating, for certain. My mother, who is morbidly obese, gave up her CPAP because the straps, no matter what style she wore, broke down the skin on her face. The nasal mask didn't work for her, sadly. Now she snores/stops breathing/gasps all night long. It's scary! Good luck with the weight loss

You're not going to lose weight unless you're using your CPAP.

Why do you say that?

 

[sam_gordon]

You're not going to lose weight unless you're using your CPAP.

I am using the CPAP. I never said I wasn't. But... I'm not losing weight (and that was one of the benefits I was told to using one).

I don't expect to lose weight without upping my exercise and/or changing my diet. My will power just isn't there yet.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I've been struggling for a year now to lose 10 lbs that I put on a summer ago. It's frustrating, for certain. My mother, who is morbidly obese, gave up her CPAP because the straps, no matter what style she wore, broke down the skin on her face. The nasal mask didn't work for her, sadly. Now she snores/stops breathing/gasps all night long. It's scary! Good luck with the weight loss



Why do you say that?

I found a company that makes covers for the straps. They are a very lightweight flannel. It prevents my straps from making marks on my face, but they may help your mom also. I am not sure I can link to the company, but you can google pad a cheek mask strap covers and that should take you to the company I can use. You find the model of mask you use and then pick your fabric.

 

[sam_gordon]

I found a company that makes covers for the straps. They are a very lightweight flannel. It prevents my straps from making marks on my face, but they may help your mom also. I am not sure I can link to the company, but you can google pad a cheek mask strap covers and that should take you to the company I can use. You find the model of mask you use and then pick your fabric.

some come with mine.

Replacements on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/RESPIRONICS-...reamweaver+mask+covers&qid=1587662721&sr=8-11

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You're not going to lose weight unless you're using your CPAP.

Why do you say that?

Because it becomes a vicious cycle. Lack of, or poor quality sleep, causes hormone shifts that cause weight gain and even fluid retention.

Briefly:

Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands and is mainly secreted when we are under stress, depressed, anxious, angry or physically injured. (Adding lack of sleep.)

Cortisol regulates energy levels and energy mobilization. But high levels can lead to hyperinsulinemia, increased visceral fat deposition and fat cell maturation, which can all lead to added weight on your body.

Over the last 13 months, I could count on one hand (and probably have fingers left over) when I have had full night of sleep. Every night I wake up at least 2-3 times to adjust the contraption.

This is part of the problem/cycle. It's important to figure out how to make this work.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Adding that REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the most important phase of sleep because it is restorative. If you're not getting REM sleep then your sleep is of poor quality. When you're constantly waking up during sleep, such as with sleep apnea itself or, say, fiddling with an appliance, or even going to the bathroom, hearing noises, whatever, you're not getting REM sleep. That's why you wake up feeling tired and have these hormone shifts. This is a problem for all us shift workers too!

 

[sam_gordon]

Adding that REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the most important phase of sleep because it is restorative. If you're not getting REM sleep then your sleep is of poor quality. When you're constantly waking up during sleep, such as with sleep apnea itself or, say, fiddling with an appliance, or even going to the bathroom, hearing noises, whatever, you're not getting REM sleep. That's why you wake up feeling tired and have these hormone shifts. This is a problem for all us shift workers too!

I get all that. I just want to point out that I never felt "tired" (normally. If there was a night I got to sleep late or woke up early, then maybe) when waking up BEFORE the CPAP. The ONLY reason I even went for the study was because of the snoring.

 

[DisneyOma]

Adding that REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the most important phase of sleep because it is restorative. If you're not getting REM sleep then your sleep is of poor quality. When you're constantly waking up during sleep, such as with sleep apnea itself or, say, fiddling with an appliance, or even going to the bathroom, hearing noises, whatever, you're not getting REM sleep. That's why you wake up feeling tired and have these hormone shifts. This is a problem for all us shift workers too!

From everything I've been taught in Biology classes, REM is not the restorative stage of sleep. THE NREM stages 3 and 4 are the restorative stages, although they call them N3 now, instead of 3 and 4:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/what-happens-when-you-sleep

 

[snappy]

His internist sent my husband for a sleep study a number of years ago, due to weight gain and snoring. After an hour, his blood oxygen was so low the tech abruptly aborted the study and hooked him up to a cpap on an emergency basis. Took a while to adequately titrate the machine at home once we got one. He is now on his second machine. Found a mask he can live with. We don’t leave home without it. Bought a battery run it in case of no electricity (like during a recent multi day rafting trip on the Colorado River last year, or if we lose power at home during a hurricane.)