Hey Sleep Apnea folks!

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CGVT said:
Man, that's a long time to not be able to adjust to sleeping with it. I think it took me about 6 months. I still wake up and take it off once in a while, but I usually put it back on because I wake up too often without it.

You should go back and try a different type mask. It is definitely worth it. Even with some broken sleep because of the hose, it is still better than sleeping without it.
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I should add I have a very mild case and have 2 other masks (full and nasal).

I know I could drop weight fast if I could just wear the damn thing for most of the night. Then I probably wouldn't need it anymore.
 
Flonase helps me keep my nose clear when I'm having allergy problems.

I got serious about my weight loss this year. Blood pressure and a couple of blood test pointing at potential kidney issues made it a priority. I'm down 25lbs so far this year. I use Strava and a Fit Bit to track my exercise and My Fitness Pal to track my diet. And, unfortunately, cutting back on the beer.

It's helped with the blood pressure and one of the blood tests. I need to retake the second tomorrow.

Hasn't done a thing for the apnea.
 
I need to try those Breathe-Right strips... I have a deviated septum (only slightly) which constricts air flow of one of my nostrils to about 10% of the other, and it really makes my sleeping difficult.

For all of you that have to have the CPAP machine, I don't envy you... I hope to never have to go that far to breathe well, but in another 10 years... ???
 
Breath Right strips are much better than Flonase (spray). In the long term Flonase will actually cause worse inflammation. It's like a bandaid on a rash. Allergy meds and diet adjustments are also much better. Also, don't put your mask on until it's lights out and you're done. Read a non electronic book for 20 minutes beforehand ... etc. it's worth figuring it out
 
thatjonguy said:
Still can't wear my mask. Getting sick of failing.

You guys that have had problems in the past have any tips to keep it on long than 2 hours?
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you may have to try a different type of mask if you cant get comfortable with the one your using now. i had to try 3 different ones before i could get comfortable and not have leaks
 
HoppyDaze said:
Breath Right strips are much better than Flonase (spray). In the long term Flonase will actually cause worse inflammation. It's like a bandaid on a rash. Allergy meds and diet adjustments are also much better. Also, don't put your mask on until it's lights out and you're done. Read a non electronic book for 20 minutes beforehand ... etc. it's worth figuring it out
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Flonase is a use-as-needed thing, not a snort-everyday thing. I only use it a couple days a week in the spring when grass is bad, in the fall when sage is bad, and in the winter when I have a head cold.

I use it to eliminate the congestion at night when I don't want to amp myself up on allergy or cold medicine right before bed.

Breath Right strips did nothing for me. If anything, I snored louder.
 
slym2none said:
I need to try those Flo-nase strips... I have a deviated septum (only slightly) which constricts air flow of one of my nostrils to about 10% of the other, and it really makes my sleeping difficult.

For all of you that have to have the CPAP machine, I don't envy you... I hope to never have to go that far to breathe well, but in another 10 years... ???
Click to expand...


Dude, try Nozovent from Amazon. WAY better than external strips. I don't sleep without them.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001APV44/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Also, the netti pot works wonders for septum issues and allergies.
 
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I've been on mine for about 8 months. When I started, they tried to start me on a couple of nasal-only masks. Woke up constantly because I don't sleep with my mouth closed. There's no getting around that feeling when air is coming into your nose and racing out of your mouth. Plus you know it's not doing any good at that point, so you are constantly worried about it. As soon as I switched to a full face mask (covers nose and mouth), I was in FANTASTIC shape.

My wife loves it because I don't snore any more. She's even gotten used to the air blowing out of the mask. My sleep is better-ish (I DO have a little one in the room with us still). I also have both the humidifier and the ramp-up features on mine. Wouldn't do it without both. I use a Fisher & Paykel Simplus mask. Comfortable and I rarely get any significant leaks.
 
edroberts said:
I've been on mine for about 8 months. When I started, they tried to start me on a couple of nasal-only masks. Woke up constantly because I don't sleep with my mouth closed. There's no getting around that feeling when air is coming into your nose and racing out of your mouth. Plus you know it's not doing any good at that point, so you are constantly worried about it. As soon as I switched to a full face mask (covers nose and mouth), I was in FANTASTIC shape.

My wife loves it because I don't snore any more. She's even gotten used to the air blowing out of the mask. My sleep is better-ish (I DO have a little one in the room with us still). I also have both the humidifier and the ramp-up features on mine. Wouldn't do it without both. I use a Fisher & Paykel Simplus mask. Comfortable and I rarely get any significant leaks.
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I had the same thing going on and didn't want the full face mask so I went with the chin strap that keeps my mouth closed. This way I don't get a dry mouth and no snoring
 
Yeah... The chin strap was a definite no go for me, although I tried it. IMHO it was more annoying than the full face mask. Went against my natural sleep state. The humidifier took care of the dry mouth.
 
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So I've been on the CPAP about a month now. So far I'm sleeping better and am very happy with it. (For those who are curious, I've got the "nasal pillow" type mask).

What I'm wondering is this: is it okay to use Starsan on the tube and the humidifier reservoir? I'd probably was with soapy water, then Starsan, then air dry. But I figure that if I need to keep this thing clean and sanitized, what better way to do that than with a chemical that I already know is safe to consume and I have copious amounts of?
 
bwarbiany said:
What I'm wondering is this: is it okay to use Starsan on the tube and the humidifier reservoir? I'd probably was with soapy water, then Starsan, then air dry. But I figure that if I need to keep this thing clean and sanitized, what better way to do that than with a chemical that I already know is safe to consume and I have copious amounts of?
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I actually do this all the time. I typically only truly wash on weekends and then star san the hose, humidifier chamber and mask during the week.

I'm sure that the mask material being so fragile is affected negatively by using Star San, but I think it would take longer than the three months you usually have to put up with it to really start to show.

Congrats on keeping compliant by the way. I'm over 3 years in and still have trouble keeping mine on through the night.
 
My humidifier tank has a little snap on cover that you use to measure vinegar (about 3-4 Tbsp?) into the tank and then top it off with hot water. I was told to use a similar concentration of vinegar water on the mask and hose as well. I usually leave it soaking all day and rinse and dry everything off just before bed. The smell is usually a little strong for the first minute or two, but it clears quickly and I don't really mind it anyway. You could always just run it for a few minutes before putting it on if it bothers you, or soak it for a shorter time and let it air out all day.
 
starsan seems overkill...I just soak in soap and warm water, rinse good and let dry a couple hours before bed.
 
At deer camp now. Hope the battery system works. My unit has a unique DC adapter, it think I can keep it powered for a few nights.
 
bwarbiany said:
What I'm wondering is this: is it okay to use Starsan on the tube and the humidifier reservoir? I'd probably was with soapy water, then Starsan, then air dry. But I figure that if I need to keep this thing clean and sanitized, what better way to do that than with a chemical that I already know is safe to consume and I have copious amounts of?
Click to expand...

I'll chime in here.

I agree with the other posters that StarSan is overkill.

Patients are often worried about their CPAP "getting them sick". They seem to worry that they can get colds, etc. when germs "infect the tubing".

This never happens. If the tubing/humidifier chamber were black with mildew, I wouldn't use it, but other than that, you can't get sick from it. Vinegar is perfectly adequate to clean.

I think the most important thing is to let everything dry thoroughly during the day.

Is Star-San unsafe to use? I don't know. I did a literature search and found nothing since 1968.

Given as the benefit to using Star-San approaches zero, and the risk is unknown, I would avoid it.

Fun fact: your lungs can be allergic to anything. There is a disease called "malt-worker's lung". If I was going to get it, it would be today, after I triple milled my grain in a closed garage.
 
kleinstadt said:
I'll chime in here.

I agree with the other posters that StarSan is overkill.

Patients are often worried about their CPAP "getting them sick". They seem to worry that they can get colds, etc. when germs "infect the tubing".

This never happens. If the tubing/humidifier chamber were black with mildew, I wouldn't use it, but other than that, you can't get sick from it. Vinegar is perfectly adequate to clean.

I think the most important thing is to let everything dry thoroughly during the day.

Is Star-San unsafe to use? I don't know. I did a literature search and found nothing since 1968.

Given as the benefit to using Star-San approaches zero, and the risk is unknown, I would avoid it.

Fun fact: your lungs can be allergic to anything. There is a disease called "malt-worker's lung". If I was going to get it, it would be today, after I triple milled my grain in a closed garage.
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Why is white vinegar recommended?

It is a simple acid that most people have in their household already. It is easier to recommend, as it is a food grade acid. Some acids used in industrial settings can have amounts of heavy metals in them. :eek:

I doubt any respiratory therapist or Doctor is going to recommend that laypersons get a bottle of food grade phosphoric acid and dilute to the recommended strength for cleaning a CPAP.

Vinegar is just easier and safer to recommend to the general public.

I don't think StarSan is overkill, my wife keeps a spray bottle of it around the kitchen. We use it to wipe the table, counters and other stuff down like others would with white vinegar and water.
 
On the subject of cleaning, I am incredibly lax. I wash the tube and mask only when it starts to smell funky (every 3 or 4 months) and I can't remember the last time I washed the reservoir (which I usually toss in the dishwasher). I only use distilled water in the reservoir unless I'm traveling.

My concern with StarSan is that the acid would breakdown the material faster than soap & water or vinegar.

Maybe the only reason I get away with it is because SLC has a very dry climate. I'll have to see if the same holds true when I move to Friday Harbor, WA.
 
Beernik said:
On the subject of cleaning, I am incredibly lax....

Maybe the only reason I get away with it is because SLC has a very dry climate. I'll have to see if the same holds true when I move to Friday Harbor, WA.
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Me too Beernik. And I live in Seattle. No worries here over 10 years now with compliance. But I don't use a humidifier.
 
Beernik said:
On the subject of cleaning, I am incredibly lax. I wash the tube and mask only when it starts to smell funky (every 3 or 4 months) and I can't remember the last time I washed the reservoir (which I usually toss in the dishwasher). I only use distilled water in the reservoir unless I'm traveling.

My concern with StarSan is that the acid would breakdown the material faster than soap & water or vinegar.

.
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Ha ha...me too. In fact reading this thread I am thinking about cleaning my mask and hose but...nahhhhh
 
podz said:
The real remedy for apnea is to get the weight under control. Apnea is common among overweight people, that is people with a BMI over 25. Over 30 BMI and it's incredibly common. Reduce the BMI to less than 25 and apnea almost always disappears.
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I'm about a year late seeing this but I have a problem with your assertions. I'm 5' 8", 210 pounds with a BMI around 30-31. I've had apnea and used a CPAP for at least 10 years. My issue is that I left weights, most of my weight is nbot fat. BMI is a terrible measurement that really doesn't have any meaning. I was 185 lbs before I started going to the gym 12 years ago, and I was fat. And had apnea. Muscling up and losing fat hasn't affected my apnea at all.
 
This new mask rules.

dreamwear-fitting5.jpg
 
That is interesting looking. I may have to try it out. It looks like it would reduce the amount of times I loop the tubing around my neck and pulling the whole thing off my nightstand.
 
That's not unlike what I do with mine. I loop it behind one of the bedposts and wedge the hose behind my pillow. That way the feed is north-south to the bed.

I mostly side-sleep, so the side tubes on that thing would bother me.
 
I was diagnosed with severe OSA and now have Cpap hate having it but I had got so low I got Alopecia and psoriasis which have now improved. I have just ordered a pulse oximetry my sats were 80 in R.E.M. sleep. I was having 61 apnoeas an hour. I am thinking about trying Nightlase through Dr Campey at Northlakes Qld.
Think there needs to be a Cpap club for singles goodness only knows how you meet a partner with this disorder.
 
I've been using a CPAP machine for over 6 years and all I have to say is that it works well. There are things that you can do to help. Raise the head of your bed 2 inches don't eat 2 hours before bed time.
 
shetc said:
I have severe sleep apnea (both obstructive and central). The f'ing CPAP machine was a disaster -- it sounded like a jet engine on my face. Now, it sits, gathering dust.
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Well, I'm back in the game. More than 10 years ago, I tried CPAP and it was awful. My new physician insisted I try again - she said the newer systems are much better. Well, damn, she was right! My new machine and me are so quiet, my wife got up in the middle of the night to see if I was in the room. Headgear is much better fitting and non-intrusive. The machine has a modem which sends my nightly results to my sleep specialist (and to my phone app). The other interesting aspect is the insurance coverage - it's basically rent-to-buy. I guess they want users to have more skin in the game (the insurance company can also see if I am using the CPAP). Early days but I am very encouraged.
 

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