Comments on: My Sleep Apnea: CPAP

By: Xelkos

Xelkos — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:20:40 +0000

Just an update:

Am able to sleep much better now with the CPAP, and my cat got used to the machine. Helped by altering a vanilla folder over the intake, so it is open on the wall side where the window is cracked open slightly. Cat has a cat perch/bed above this too, and he’s gotten used to it.

The Norco rep said to cut a 6 foot by 4 inch strip of fleece, and sew this into a long tube. Then put the CPAP hose through there, and this will keep the heated air from condensing inside the tube and prevent a lot of that face splash, and it works! – Norco also sell the tube for about $20 too, if one wants to go that route.

Sleeping is much better, and not had any sudden urges to fall asleep ‘cept for last night – but I had two days of interrupted sleep and less than five hours – so the CPAP can’t fix relatives from being uncooperative with the normal (graveyard) sleeping period.

The filter intake though, I wished was an adapter to install a micro-filter like that is used for furnaces. Since other family members & relatives come over and smoke (I don’t) and we have central heating/cooling, I’d prefer a filter to cut down on allergens/dust/etc.

The Veterans Administration got me a ResMed S8 AutoSet II CPAP machine.

If anyone knows of where to get a snap-in filter adapter to filter the air intake better, please post – I’ll check back weekly.

By: xelkos

xelkos — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:38:04 +0000

I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and I’m almost a 48 y/o man, non-smoking (get too much second had from family and co-workers).

Used the machine last night, with the mask. Took about 4 hours of getting used to it before I fell asleep – and my cat is very mad at the machine too. The agent at Norco told me cats hate these machines.

Anyhow, I felt like I has to force myself to suck in more air, wasn’t like the machine I had in the sleep study – that one was more comfortable, yet it leaked a lot.

Got some rest, started waking up, decided to sleep in more because I felt at ease. Actually got on my back, then later on my right side (both are unusual for me, as I have 99% slept on my left side for the past 6 months.)

However, I feel weird. Seems like my head is feeling like I’ve ran a few laps around the track and caught my breath afterward. That weird feeling, not light headed, but the effects “feeling” after.

Was driving tonight, and almost felt like I was in a dream state, very unusual for me. Not scary, yet not comfortable. Did some shopping, I was more cheerful (ot grouchy like i have been since this sleep issue came about), yet just feel oddly.
Drove home and forgot where the fan for the defrost was in my car.

I feel better, but not quite like myself either. Yawned a few times today, yet not felt the sudden urge to flop some place and zonk out for hours.

Will the after-exhaustion head effects wear off soon? If why I was doing a web search and found your site. I feel good, just uneasy with this dazed like state.
Just hope it’s not going to be a continual thing and maybe be an adjustment phase?

By: Les

Les — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:51:32 +0000

I’m in the process of getting used to the Respironics M Series machine. I tried the CFLEX setting last night for the first time. For the first time since starting this process, I fell asleep and slept for several hours. I’ve been at this for about three weeks. Up until last night, I either gave up or fell asleep and pulled the gear off my head while sleeping. I use the nasal pillows. I think the FLEX has possiblities.

By: tutchman

tutchman — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:00:43 +0000

Who else has experienced the very high cost of the rent-to-own CPAP machine? I’m able to sleep using my CPAP machine. However, Lifecare Solutions has been paid $356.18 by United Healthcare insurance company, and I’ve paid them $936.19. That’s a total of $1,184.21 – for the EXACT same product I can buy (brandnew) for $359!!!

By: Sleeper

Sleeper — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:09:23 +0000

Great story. I was diagnosed February of this year, after the worst winter of my life. My health was failing, I was exhausted at all times, and I suffered from anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. I thought it was related to stress, but my doctor had me go in for the sleep study. Horrible experience all around, only slept for about 3 hours, but that was enough for a diagnosis of moderate sleep apnea. I would just like to mention I do not snore, and snoring is not an indication of apnea. This is a common myth. I am also young (29) and skinny, another myth, that you have to be overweight and older.

Overall, now I sleep much better, although it took about 3 months for me to “pay back” the sleep debt I acquired from years of untreated apnea. I still have a few bad days, but the panic and anxiety has recently melted away, I can now be physically active, and my wife is so much happier with me and my demeanor.

The tough part was not adjusting to the mask, although that took persistence. For me it has been the ignorance about the condition. Even after explaining, people just think that you are just “tired” all the time. Well true, but I try to tell them think of the most tired you can get, say you are up until 3AM, and think about how that would feel to live your life like that. Could you get much done? What about the physical side effects of being that tired, headache, weakness, anxiety, shakiness, confusion, loss of focus, etc..etc…

Anyways if anyone reads this please do not resist treatment, it has changed my life and countless others.

By: steve

steve — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:27:00 +0000

56 years old, could not sleep for years. Ear and eye doctor I visited for another reason told me based on the structure of my throat tissues I probably should look into apnea. Long story short, I did. Resisted machine and mask (side sleeper) for another two years. Then my doctor told me it was putting a strain on my ticker and I better do it.

Well, I made myself keep the mask on for two weeks just to see. OMG what a difference. For the first time in years I sleep through the night. And I mean deep sleep like I have not had in years. Trust me. If you are having trouble sleeping and your spouse says you snore to much, go. Go and get one of these things and you will never regret it.

By: Vern Masters

Vern Masters — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:21:00 +0000

This is probably the most comprehensive CPAP experience I’ve ever read online, and I’m grateful that you posted it. I’ve been considering getting a CPAP machine for some years now, even though any sleep apnea I have is quite minor. I’m so happy to hear that it really can be integrated into someone’s sleep routine… I had my doubts about that problem since so many people seem to stop using their machines.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:34:00 +0000

I had the same rainout problem, I bought a hose cover made by resmed it help hold the heated air and reduced the condinsation problem by 50 % + . for 15 bucks it helps alot..

By: Tina Kubala

Tina Kubala — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:41:00 +0000

I go for my second sleep study to be fitted for a CPAP on December 3rd. These posts have meant so much to me. Best account I have found so far.

I’m so excited for the hope of not waking up tired. Oddly enough, I do better sleeping 5-6 hours. Much longer and I wake with a wicked headache. Goes without saying that caffeine is a basic survival tool.

I’ve been snoring since I was a small child. The tiredness started around 13 or so, but I chalked it up to normal teenage stuff. It’s gotten so much worse in the last couple years.

I’m hoping better sleep will lead me to a better life. I want to do so many things I don’t do because I’m too tired; go back to college, work overtime, update my blog on a regular basis, fit in some physical activity.

By: Lion

Lion — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:54:00 +0000

I have used a biPAP machine for about 5 years. Very similar to a CPAP machine, but produces 2 different airpressures (hence “BI” instead of “C” (Constant)). The machine automatically reduces pressure when I exhale. I found that better for me than the CPAP machine. Other than that, it’s the same.
Bad news on that: The “BI” machines are more expensive, and the insurance folks sometimes fuss.
But: It solved the problem of me falling asleep at red lights (when I was driving…). I was also out on the high end, having >100 episodes/hour.
It’s made all the difference.
Thanks for the great article and references.