Sleep Apnea – A Sleeping Epidemic

I was just diagnosed this week with sleep apnea and have to go in to the sleep lab in a couple of weeks to get a setting for a CPAP machine. My question is about aquiring the machine itself. Do I aquire one myself or does the sleep lab send a catalogue or “provide” (at my insurance company’s expense) a CPAP machine?

the sleep lab will get it for you and fit it to you.

they may give you options for brand and features.

be sure to get the humidifier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you ahver to have an overnight sleep test done at the hospital-and did your dr. of neurologist have to order it. Did Insurance give you a hassel. I am newely diagnosed but am on an oxygen converter and it does not help me sleep. I understand a CPAP does and would like to hear of your experience and if possible, the brand you use for the base unit and mask.
this would be of such help to me in my old age.

thank you for taking time to share with me.

Hi,

If your new to using a CPAP mask for OSA it will be uncomfortable for a while and your body will repeatedly remove it during the night, usually without you knowing. As you get used to the mask over the first two weeks your body will become accustomed to the new addition. Being a CPAP user isn’t a bad thing, most people (self included) report that after the first two weeks or so they sleep much better, wake up alert and refreshed. It will slowly become second nature and you will start to find you don’t like to sleep without a CPAP. Some good resources are cpaptalk.com, cpap.com, http://sleepapnea.respironics.com/. I use a respironics full face mask and I am happy with it. At first I could only just fall to sleep with it on. Then I made it to 1.5 hours then a hour or two more, then I was up to 5 hours a night, now I can wake up with the mask on. Your CPAP (depending on what you have) will say how many hours you’ve used it, that way you can keep track of how long you kept it on. Most of the CPAP’s shut off if you take the mask off. I don’t know if all of them do that but mine does. Also, the mask really “seals” the deal if you know what I mean. Keep abreast of the masks that are available and ask your respiratory therapist if you can try something else. There are at least a dozen or more masks that may work for you. Also, try to live a healthy life, in some cases I have read people have been able to reduce their therapy pressures and even get off CPAP therapy. Anyways, if you have more questions feel free to ask. Keep at it!

Do you use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea? If so, how long have you used it? Did you notice an immediate improvement, or did it take a while?

Was it hard to get used to using the machine?

Although I don’t use a CPAP machine, I am a respiratory therapist that works for a national company that does alot of cpap/bipap machines for apnea patients. The average time it takes a person to get used to a machine is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. The key though is for you and your DME company to come up with a mask that works the best for you and your sleeping needs. If you are a nose breather, and sleep on your stomach please let them know this. That way they can equip you with a mask that will provide you the best mobility but also seals like it needs too. Also, if you can only wear the machine for say 4 hours the first few nights, that is ok, it does take a little bit to get used to it. Hopefully the more you wear, the longer the time you can tolerate it. Also, please remember to wear the machine when you nap.

I had a wisdom tooth pulled Friday, and it is now Sunday night. Is it safe to use my CPAP machine yet for my sleep apnea? I don’t want to cause a dry socket or anything.

You might wait until in the morning (monday) to contact your dentist and doctor about using the cpap. I use a cpap myself and have been told in the past to wait several days when i had implants put in.

I retired Oct 2008 from the Navy. I had a brain anurysm in the past while i was in the navy. I was diagnose with sleep apnea w/ cpap machine 2 yrs ago. do any one know what percent i will be looking at, or a ruff estimate. thanks for reading.

talk to your SSDI counselor.

Related Blogs

• How To Treat Your Sleep Apnea With Breathing Machines | Link …

I’m a teen and I have mild sleep apnea. Is a CPAP machine effective and is it really loud? I share I room and I don’t want it disturbing anyone. Is there anything I can do that will help me?

http://www.sleepdisorderalliance.com

This will answer a lot of questions.
don’t sleep on your back, add two or three pillows to your head height
, it will all help.

It’s not that loud, it’s like having a white noise machine. bonus! Yea and getting used to the face mask can be difficult, but there are many different types and they will ‘fit’ you properly.

good luck
grins

A brief video on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its treatment with CPAP.

Duration : 0:0:58

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I looked up how to clean a sleep apnea machine for my Nana and it said to use a mild soap. But I am not sure what this means. What should I use? I assume it should have no fragrance.

Take a soft cloth and wet it with warm water. Gently wipe down the external surface of the CPAP machine. (Again, make certain it is unplugged while cleaning.)

#Fill a small sink, tub, or basin with warm water. Add a small amount of **gentle dish soap.**

Dawn Complete Dish Soap

Dawn complete has all the same grease removal greatness of original Dawn, with added benefits to your hands. Dawn is so gentle, that it can be used for dishes and as a hand soap. It come in original, antibacterial, apple blossom, and floral scents.

# Submerge the mask, headgear, tubing, and connectors in the warm soapy water. Allow it to soak for a short period of time (about 30 minutes). Alternatively, wipe out the mask with a soft cloth and warm water, and swish soapy water through the tubing. Allow everything to air dry on a towel. These items should ideally be cleaned every day.

#The humidifier should be cleaned with hot water and mild soap. It should also be allowed to air dry. Remember to only put distilled water in the humidifier. If you do not, there is an increased risk of illness as well as the probability that hard minerals will build up on your equipment. The humidifier should ideally be cleaned weekly.

#Some CPAP machines have filters in place. It will be important to review your manufacturer’s instructions or ask your equipment provider about how these should be maintained. Some can be rinsed but others must be replaced, and the timing of this will vary depending on the environment you use the machine in.

#Finally, after everything has been allowed to air dry, reassemble the various parts. Apply the headgear to your mask, hook the mask back onto the tubing and any connectors, and connect the tubing back to the humidifier or directly to the CPAP machine. Turn the machine on briefly and listen for any air leaks that weren’t there previously.

History and economics of CPAP Sleep Apnea Treatment, as explained by Dr. David Rapoport, head of NYU Sleep Center at May 5, 2010 meeting of New York City Manhattan AWAKE Sleep Apnea Support Group.

Duration : 0:2:41

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There are some recent findings that chinstraps may be more effective than CPAP at treating sleep apnea. Has anyone succesfully tried using just a chin strap alone? If so, any particular brand?

Only the least severe cases of sleep apnea can be treated this way. Most of my patients who are newer to sleep apnea underwent a sleep study with a chinstrap alone and it was only shown effective for those who weren’t obese and didn’t have a moderate to severe soft palate occlusion.
If you have questions about this, you may want to consult your pulmonary doctor or the doctor who read your polysomnography results to assess whether or not this is right for you.