CPAP machines

[davidhelmly]

I've been using one for about 10 years and can't sleep without it! I use the ResMed Swift FX nose pillows, I like the FX but don't love it, I may try something new the next time I order a mask. There are 2 guys that I work with that have had a CPAP for 3-4 years and never use them, I do not understand it.

 

[Aaron]

I use mine even for a nap. Hate nights when power goes out, I don’t sleep very good. I have had mine for about 10 years also. Sleep apnea runs in my family, my dad had it but never went for a sleep study, my sister has a cpap and my brother should. I still think my dads sleep apnea was part or what killed my dad. I had it so bad the whole bed would jerk sometimes when I would start breathing again, it scared my wife. I would stop breathing like 60 times an hour.

 

[Aaron]

I just looked at my nasal pillow and I also have the swift fx. David do you use a chin strap? My nasal pillow will pull away from my nose some time, but it is still better than the other masks I have used that leaked and made noise all night.

 

[davidhelmly]

I just looked at my nasal pillow and I also have the swift fx. David do you use a chin strap? My nasal pillow will pull away from my nose some time, but it is still better than the other masks I have used that leaked and made noise all night.

Aaron, I do use a separate chin strap to keep me mouth closed. My nose pillow will get pulled away sometime but like you, it’s better than anything else I’ve used.

 

[Red Picqua]

Aaron, I do use a separate chin strap to keep me mouth closed. My nose pillow will get pulled away sometime but like you, it’s better than anything else I’ve used.

once you get the P10 you will never use your chin strap again like bill said. I had the swift fx a long time ago, totally different feel then the P10. I don't ever see it being replaced with another one for me.

to the comments on the surgery. I know of "personally" two people that had the surgery. They had the laser surgery that removes the uvala?? and prevents the snoring sound. They BOTH use the cpap still and one of them constantly chokes on stuff and his voice is a "tiny" bit squeaker. fyi... I would HIGHLY recommend against it via my two friends. The other guy has really no complications other than when he pukes it always shoots out his nose!! He says it's not a complication, but I asked him when you puked did it shoot out your nose ever before, he said not really. That's a complication in my humble opinion. Granted he doesn't puke rarely but if I do I am quite confident that I would not want it shooting out my nostrils.

 

[j-bird]

To be 100% honest.....I need to get back to using mine. When they are set-up properly they can make a world of difference in how you feel. It can take some time to get used to and yes you have to put your pride aside because they tend to look funny, but in the grand scheme of things.... it can be well worth it. One thing that I can tell you that may seem funny, but I know it is the cause. I don't dream. My body struggles to reach REM sleep which is required for dreaming because it's too busy making sure I continue to breathe! Typing this really sort of demonstrates to myself that I really need to get back on that wagon! Yes it helps with the snoring as well. I have actually woken myself up from the noise I make while "sleeping" without it.

The biggest difference I saw was in the very first time I used it. I have NEVER been a morning person. The night I went in for the first time with the mask - I was woken at 4am. Normally at 4am - your fix'n for a fight with me! Instead, I was up and on my feet and ready to take on the world! For the first time....in a long time....my body had finally had a chance to fully recharge. I was very against it, but my grandfather had one and he talked to me about it and the difference it made for him.

 

[bueller]

My brother got the surgery about 15 years ago. He was back to snoring and on a CPAP again within 5 years. Maybe it's better these days but for me the machine is easier.

to the comments on the surgery. I know of "personally" two people that had the surgery. They had the laser surgery that removes the uvala?? and prevents the snoring sound. They BOTH use the cpap still and one of them constantly chokes on stuff and his voice is a "tiny" bit squeaker. fyi... I would HIGHLY recommend against it via my two friends. The other guy has really no complications other than when he pukes it always shoots out his nose!! He says it's not a complication, but I asked him when you puked did it shoot out your nose ever before, he said not really. That's a complication in my humble opinion. Granted he doesn't puke rarely but if I do I am quite confident that I would not want it shooting out my nostrils.

Thanks guys. Seems the surgery really isn't a good option IMO.

 

[Red Picqua]

To be 100% honest.....I need to get back to using mine. When they are set-up properly they can make a world of difference in how you feel. It can take some time to get used to and yes you have to put your pride aside because they tend to look funny, but in the grand scheme of things.... it can be well worth it. One thing that I can tell you that may seem funny, but I know it is the cause. I don't dream. My body struggles to reach REM sleep which is required for dreaming because it's too busy making sure I continue to breathe! Typing this really sort of demonstrates to myself that I really need to get back on that wagon! Yes it helps with the snoring as well. I have actually woken myself up from the noise I make while "sleeping" without it.

The biggest difference I saw was in the very first time I used it. I have NEVER been a morning person. The night I went in for the first time with the mask - I was woken at 4am. Normally at 4am - your fix'n for a fight with me! Instead, I was up and on my feet and ready to take on the world! For the first time....in a long time....my body had finally had a chance to fully recharge. I was very against it, but my grandfather had one and he talked to me about it and the difference it made for him.

seriously.. order a P10 and you will thank me. Its the best one I have ever used. You must use it everyday.. you are stressing your heart really bad.

I can't tell you the last time I took a nap. a year or two ago??? maybe longer?

 

[Bill]

I don't dream. My body struggles to reach REM sleep which is required for dreaming because it's too busy making sure I continue to breathe!

I had forgotten that. I didn't dream for years. Started again right after getting the machine.

 

[Tree Spud]

I haven't slept for 25 years, too much to do. As Warren Zvon said ... So much to do, there's plenty on the farm I'll sleep when I'm dead
...

 

[John-W-WI]

I have been struggling with getting used to a CPAP for months. Seems like years.

I've never been good at falling asleep in the first place. Wearing a mask and trying to fall asleep isn't natural to me. I've tried several masks and probably need to try another one.

Thanks to all of you (Thanks Bill) I dug out my machine and will start trying again tonight.

Dreams? What are those?

My wife has nearly dialed 911 a time or two.

My sleep study said I stopped breathing up to 40 times per hour. Sometimes for almost 30 seconds. I'm not sleeping much.

Wish me luck tonight!

-John

 

[Buckly]

To be 100% honest.....I need to get back to using mine. When they are set-up properly they can make a world of difference in how you feel. It can take some time to get used to and yes you have to put your pride aside because they tend to look funny, but in the grand scheme of things.... it can be well worth it. One thing that I can tell you that may seem funny, but I know it is the cause. I don't dream. My body struggles to reach REM sleep which is required for dreaming because it's too busy making sure I continue to breathe! Typing this really sort of demonstrates to myself that I really need to get back on that wagon! Yes it helps with the snoring as well. I have actually woken myself up from the noise I make while "sleeping" without it.

The biggest difference I saw was in the very first time I used it. I have NEVER been a morning person. The night I went in for the first time with the mask - I was woken at 4am. Normally at 4am - your fix'n for a fight with me! Instead, I was up and on my feet and ready to take on the world! For the first time....in a long time....my body had finally had a chance to fully recharge. I was very against it, but my grandfather had one and he talked to me about it and the difference it made for him.

I was doing some research on dreaming and it is my understanding that you wouldn't know if you had dreams or not. The only way that you would remember dreaming or the dreams themselves was if you woke up , even partially during them.

 

[Red Picqua]

I have been struggling with getting used to a CPAP for months. Seems like years.

I've never been good at falling asleep in the first place. Wearing a mask and trying to fall asleep isn't natural to me. I've tried several masks and probably need to try another one.

Thanks to all of you (Thanks Bill) I dug out my machine and will start trying again tonight.

Dreams? What are those?

My wife has nearly dialed 911 a time or two.

My sleep study said I stopped breathing up to 40 times per hour. Sometimes for almost 30 seconds. I'm not sleeping much.

Wish me luck tonight!

-John

John... order the P10, its very comfortable and everyone I talk to says it's their NOW favorite.

One thing not covered... make sure that your "ramp" up pressure on the settings goes from lower to high. Meaning you are not getting the full hurricane force winds for 45 mins or so. A few of my buddies had no idea that there was a ramp up setting.

 

[j-bird]

I was doing some research on dreaming and it is my understanding that you wouldn't know if you had dreams or not. The only way that you would remember dreaming or the dreams themselves was if you woke up , even partially during them.

All I know is that without the CPAP I don't dream and I sleep like crap....with it, once you get used to it....I sleep much better, feel more rested when I do get up and I have dreams.....That I remember (some are very weird....but that is a different topic)!

 

[j-bird]

seriously.. order a P10 and you will thank me. Its the best one I have ever used. You must use it everyday.. you are stressing your heart really bad.

I can't tell you the last time I took a nap. a year or two ago??? maybe longer?

I actually need to go back in as I am sure my current machine (whatever it is) is not properly set-up for me now since I essentially quit using it. I do know that if it isn't properly set-up mine will blow me up like a balloon and man does that suck!

 

[John-W-WI]

John... order the P10, its very comfortable and everyone I talk to says it's their NOW favorite.

One thing not covered... make sure that your "ramp" up pressure on the settings goes from lower to high. Meaning you are not getting the full hurricane force winds for 45 mins or so. A few of my buddies had no idea that there was a ramp up setting.

So far I haven't been able to keep nose pillows on for very long. I roll around and knock them off. I'm starting to think I need that darth vadar mask posted above

I believe my machine is setup to ramp properly. It starts out gently and gets meaner as the night goes on.

I really should go see the doctor and see what they have to say.

-John

 

[Aaron]

My ramp is fairly quick, it was to slow and I was running out of air. To slow not good. If you blow up you need to back the pressure down a little bit. Just tell the Dr and they will drop it by 1 or 2 psi. I had to tell them where I thought I slept the best. I had 1 Dr that wanted it higher and wouldn’t listen to me, I was glad he had a helper take over, she listened and got me a swift fx nasal pillow mask and things have been so much better.

 

[Red Picqua]

contingent upon your model, a quick google search and some button presses can open up your machine to reduce your pressure. The "techs" that do the sleep study increase the pressure and watch you sleep and monitor your patterns. I say "techs" because these people are NOT Dr.'s and in my humble opinion the settings are not set in stone. I think I was a 10, and that is a decent setting. My buddy was a 13 and I dialed it down for him and it worked wonders. I told his wife that if he wakes up looks like a goodyear blimp just poke him and watch him pop. :)

 

[bueller]

contingent upon your model, a quick google search and some button presses can open up your machine to reduce your pressure. The "techs" that do the sleep study increase the pressure and watch you sleep and monitor your patterns. I say "techs" because these people are NOT Dr.'s and in my humble opinion the settings are not set in stone. I think I was a 10, and that is a decent setting. My buddy was a 13 and I dialed it down for him and it worked wonders. I told his wife that if he wakes up looks like a goodyear blimp just poke him and watch him pop. :)

Should also be able to view your AHI for the previous night, and the averages from the last 7 days and last 30 days. I know I can on my machine. I believe anything under 5 is considered "normal".

 

[Aaron]

I went from 16 down to 13 and sleep way better. The tech did mine, after I told her I thought I had the best sleep at that setting.