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BajaBlanca
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Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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CPap
Hi All and thanks for the new topic Doug!
Quite a while ago Les started using the breathing machine ( I think it is called the CPap). To say there was an adjustment curve is putting it
lightly. It was an adjustment nightmare.
So, more than 6 months down the road, he still wakes up an average of 6 times a night to fix leaks, whistling. He does it very quickly, but who wants
to be woken up out of deep sleep ? Those of you WHO USE THE MACHINE, what is your experience?
Note: there is no more apparent apnea with the machine, he does not stop breathing like he used to. It is the most expensive model, top of the line,
fully automatic pressure, readings.
Note: if he takes the machine off, immediate snoring and apnea ensue. He thinks he is sleeping well. I do not get another wink in since I am used to
the wonderful soft hiss of the machine at this point (((:
Please share your stories. And maybe ask your spouses?
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Jaybo
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BajaBlanca,
I too am a cpap user, and it has made an amazing difference in my life. Getting the right mask is key, and learning to sleep in just a couple
positions will help with sleep. I was always a face down sleeper but now sleep most all of the time on my back or side.
I put my machine on the side of the bed below mattress level and that helps with the sound. My wife also wears earplugs and that too helps her stay
asleep. I have severe hearing loss and wear hearing aids during the day so noise at night is not an issue for me.
Getting the right mask setup is critical! Being down in Baja you likely do not have as many options as far as trying out different masks. I used to
use nasal pillows and those were harder to stay sealed than the nasal mask I have now. I also changed to a mask where the hose goes up over my head
instead of down where I was always getting tangled or pulling it from my face.
A great resource is the CpapTalk Forums TONS of great info there especially for people new to cpap use.
Probably the best known supply house is http://www.cpap.com/
If you want to monitor your usage and see what is working and what is not I highly recommend getting the
SleepyHead software so you can see all kinds of data. You just install the software on your computer, and you unplug the media card from your cpap
machine and plug it into your computer and download the info.
I still wake up to readjust the mask maybe 2-3 times a night but that is a lot better than waking 33 times an hour I was before using cpap. I think
your biggest hurdle is going to be getting and trying different masks but hopefully the cpap forums will be of help for you to see what others are
using and maybe narrow down different things to try.
Edit to add; I also have a pillow lengthways between us at night so the exhaust from the mask does not blow on her at night.
Hope this helps!
..Jay
[Edited on 2-4-2014 by Jaybo]
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dasubergeek
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I use CPAP and I hate both the nasal mask and the full-face mask... I'll twitch or something while asleep and then a great big gout of air comes
blowing up into my eyes... ˇchale pues!
I use nasal pillows, the things that go up your nostrils. If you're having leakage around the side, size up on the nasal pillows. Ever since then,
perfection.
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Reeljob
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I use an "Autopap". Not sure what the difference is. In my second year and would not be without it. Wife likes it better than me cause she gets some
sleep.
Makes no noise at all, easy to adjust, nose pillows.
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bajaguy
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Two things
Getting the right mask fit is critical to comfort and proper operation of the system. Unfortunately, you can't walk into a mask store and try them on,
it's a hit and miss proposition. The masks with the gel edge seal work best for me
Second, try and route the hose to the mask over the headboard or make a stand for it. Getting the hose out of the way makes a difference
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BajaBlanca
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You guys, as always rock! Good ideas, all of them.
The mask must be the issue, he started with a nose only mask but it did not work as the air was bubbling out of his mouth. Then he went to a full
mask and after much urging, he kept it on long enough for me to realize, it still isn't right. It gets very steamy and he has to wipe it down every
time he awakens. If he lowers the moisture, he then get dry mouth.
The noise does not bother me in the least, I love it after years of very loud snoring. Bring the hissing on! The air blowing does not bother me, I
slide down out of reach, no problemo. My nights are now wonderful but Les is exhausted and I wish him peaceful, as close to uninterrupted as
possible, sleep. When he had sleep apnea, he just slept right thru it ..... Can you believe it? I would wait for him to restart breathing like one
waits for the second shoe to drop.
In a couple months we will be in san diego and I will ask him to buy a different mask for every night til he finds the one that works for him.
Thanks for the advice and keep it coming if you think you have something to help.
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EnsenadaDr
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Blanca I would advise taking him to a sleep study specialist either in Mexico or in the US to observe him. They could probably come up with some good
recommendations. Good luck!! | Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
You guys, as always rock! Good ideas, all of them.
The mask must be the issue, he started with a nose only mask but it did not work as the air was bubbling out of his mouth. Then he went to a full
mask and after much urging, he kept it on long enough for me to realize, it still isn't right. It gets very steamy and he has to wipe it down every
time he awakens. If he lowers the moisture, he then get dry mouth.
The noise does not bother me in the least, I love it after years of very loud snoring. Bring the hissing on! The air blowing does not bother me, I
slide down out of reach, no problemo. My nights are now wonderful but Les is exhausted and I wish him peaceful, as close to uninterrupted as
possible, sleep. When he had sleep apnea, he just slept right thru it ..... Can you believe it? I would wait for him to restart breathing like one
waits for the second shoe to drop.
In a couple months we will be in san diego and I will ask him to buy a different mask for every night til he finds the one that works for him.
Thanks for the advice and keep it coming if you think you have something to help. |
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Reeljob
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The key here is he MUST breath thru his nose. Sounds like he is breathing thru his mouth. It will never work that way.
Make sure the pap has distilled water to keep the humidity at 30%.
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bajaguy
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Mask
Blanca.........have him take a look at this:
http://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisherandpaykel-fisher-payke...
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dasubergeek
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Oh, I see the issue. I wear a chin strap as well to keep my mouth shut. You don't have to tie your mouth up tight like a Warner Bros. dentist's
patient, just enough so you have to work to open it.
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BajaDixon
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Location: NORTHERN BAJA
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My problem wasn't the mask. It was that the air pressure was too high so the mask had a hard time keeping a seal. I took the machine into the sleep
clinic and they turned down the air pressure. All is well now.
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Jaybo
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Location: NW Oregon
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The Sleepyhead software will show pressures and leaks. If you have the latest and greatest of machines they are usually set to apap and will adjust
pressure as needed automatically. If it is the mouth opening at night then you will likely need a chin strap to keep the mouth closed.
I would for sure try out different mask styles, the nasal pillows, the nasal mask and the full face types and see if one is better than the other. I
would like to get a full face mask for when I have a cold and my nose is stuffed up.
For the humidity issues, try the humidifier on the lowest setting and see if that helps. I also have a hose cover on mine to help keep the moisture
down, but rainout does happen.
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BajaBlanca
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Hose cover? Didn't understand that.
He went to a sleep clinic ages ago. We do use only distilled water.
So, those of you with the nose pillow did not have an issue with breathing out of your mouth? Les started out with a nose mask, bought a bigger nose
mask. And finally bought this full face mask. With it, before it starts leaking, he breathes quietly, so quietly I had to make sure he was breathing
when we first got it. He never breathes thru his mouth. He doesnt even toss hardly at all, but the leaks drive him nuts and I end up waking up too.
The mask has no gel as far as I know and the pressure is supposed to adjust itself automatically. I really think we need the Sleepywear software to
solve this issue. This is one time I wish we lived closer to the border.
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dasubergeek
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BajaBlanca, what make and model is the machine?
I do open my mouth, but I wear a chin strap.
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Jaybo
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It's SleepyHead that is the name of the program and is available at this link. You just need a SD card slot on your computer to read the SD card in
your machine.
Here is and example of a Snuggle Skin hose cover. It does seem to help with keeping down the amount of condensation and it is more comfy against the skin at night as well
then the hard plastic hose. There are several designs like zebra, and leopard print, etc. or if you sew I'm sure they would be simple to make as well.
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dasubergeek
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I think I also have the ResMed software if it's a ResMed device.
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Jaybo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dasubergeek
I think I also have the ResMed software if it's a ResMed device. |
The resmed software is essentially useless compared to SleepyHead. Overload of information compared to a couple numbers. I'm sure there are many
threads about it on the cpaptalk forum. I was blown away at the amount of information. It tells you your AHI, as well as OSA, Leaks, Pressures,
snoring, and on and on. Very cool program.
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dasubergeek
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This is not the consumer ResMed—it provides a lot of information. I was simply providing it as an alternative.
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Jaybo
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Ahh OK, I assumed you were talking about the consumer version. It's useless compared to SleepyHead. I didn't know you could get the doctors office
version of ResMed. If you haven't gotten SleepyHead, I'd be curious if you would and compare it to what you have.
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dasubergeek
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I'll have to get a new card reader—it's been a while.
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