Sleep Apnea – A Sleeping Epidemic

My cat is pawing my lips at night to wake me i have nasal air mask on CPAP Machine, Im exhausted lately My air pressure on CPAP hasn’t been adjusted since 2006 Sept. Should I see Sleep Specialist. This has been occuring for approximately 10 months. Problem is i missed two appointments with Sleep specialist during day as i overslept from fatigue. My cat is well fed. Please respond. She only paws me at nighttime or during sleep.

If you have not had a sleep study done since 2006 and are waking in the morning fatigued then I would suggest another study is warranted.

Most people will have a sleep study done on an annual basis. If you have missed two appointments with your specialist because of sleeping in explain that to the receptionist and see if they can accommodate you later in the day.

Does insurance usually pay for it, if you cannot get used to a nosepiece and want to try a mask?

Whichever one works best for you is the one that works better.

I started with a cushioned nose mask because they didn’t have the nasal "pillows" at the time and it worked fine but as my situation changed it became uncomfortable and I had to switch. I moved and started to work nights and had trouble sleeping during the day with the mask: it was hotter and I was unable to wear a light blocking eyemask. The nose piece with the nasal pillows solved all that. The nosepiece can create more nasal dryness but I use a humidifier so that takes care of that problem anyway.

My father started with a similar cushioned nose mask but he had a lot of trouble with mouth breathing so he ended up with a full mouth and nose mask.

Insurance should cover whichever one you need to treat your apnea even if you have to switch. Call the respiratory therapist at the place where you got your equipment.

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Learn about CPAP Therapy and OSA.

This 8-part series of videos (plus an introduction) was produced by ResMed to help patients begin their new therapy, and is bought to you by TheCPAPPeople.com, a leading Internet reatailer of CPAP supplies. Visit http://www.TheCPAPPeople.com for more information.

Introduction – Are you at risk for OSA?
Part 1 – Introduction to OSA
Part 2 – What to Expect Before and After a Sleep Study
Part 3 – Welcome to CPAP
Part 4 – CPAP Device Operation
Part 5 – Understanding Humidification
Part 6 – Mask Types and Maintenance
Part 7 – Routinely Replacing Supplies
Part 8 – Going Forward, What’s next?

This video is part of series. To view the complete series and learn more about CPAP Therapy, visit: http://www.thecpappeople.com/resmed-complete-overview-of-cpap-therapy.aspx

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DW has tried a medium mask, small mask and now nasal pillows for sleep apnea. The cpap includes a humidifier. I don’t think she has slept with the mask on thru the night more than 3 times in the last 3 years.

Has she tried the full mask or just the nasal type masks?

I have a full mask with head gear and it has to be adjusted around the forehead and the chin. Some people even have to sleep with a chin strap.

She also may need to change the seeting on her humidifier to be more or less than what she has it set for now.

Sometimes the brand that of mask that you use can cause irritation during the evening. Try using a different brand.

There is also a special pillow that has cutouts so that the mask is more comfortable to use. I personally did not like it but others can not live without it. It is made from memory foam.

How to prevent and fix mask leaks with CPAP masks. Free advice from www.freecpapadvice.com.

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The mask is part of the machine. Ya can’t have one without the other, as the old song goes.

CPAP = Continuous Positive Air Pressure. Only a doctor can authorize its use through a prescription. I spent one night in a sleep disorders clinic, and they diagnosed me with severe sleep apnea. Apparently, what my wife has been telling for years is true; my snoring shakes buildings to their foundations. I went to the same clinic a second time one week later, and they put a CPAP mask (and machine) on me. It was kinda uncomfortable, but I did get some sleep. They (actually their computer) gradually adjusted the CPAP machine until I was breathing well while asleep. A doctor looked at the results as reported by the computer, and wrote a script for me to have a machine. One week later, a lady showed up with CPAP machine at my apartment, and showed me how to use it. I’ve been using it every night since that time in February 2008. It took about six weeks to become really comfortable with it, but, now, I can’t imagine not using it. I no longer wake up with a sore throat every morning. I have far fewer sinus and ear infections. (There’s more to that story. Long story short: use lots of Vitamin C.) I sleep better, and feel less crumby in the morning.

My insurance paid for 80% of the sleep studies in the clinic, and 80% of the cost of the machine. (I now own it.)

Feel free to email me, if you have any more questions.

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My name is Alysia Castillo and I am a student at Capt. John L. Chapin High School currently enrolled in senior year Design and Development class for the pre-engineering magnet program. I am currently working on modifying a CPAP mask for those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. If you could please take a moment of your time to answer the following questions, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Consumer Survey

1.Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
YesNo

2.How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
A.Once a week
B.2-3 times a week
C.4-6 times a week
D.Over 6 times

3.Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
YesNo

4.How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A.Always
B.Almost Always
C.Occasionally
D.Never

5.How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
1- Very comfortable
2 -slightly comfortable
3- No preference
4- Slightly uncomfortable
5- Extremely uncomfortable

6.Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes No
Without CPAP- Yes No

7.Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
YesNo

8.Which mask do you prefer?
A.Nasal mask
B.Nasal prongs
C.Nose cushion
D.Oral mask

9.Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?

. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?

D. Over 6 times (32 times an hour- You would only have cpap if you had greater than 15 times an hour)

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
Yes
4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A. Always

5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?

2 -slightly comfortable

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes
Without CPAP- If I fall alseep on the plane even for 15 minutes with out my machine, I get a headache for days

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes It is not cheap but well worth it. I buy online which is cheaper

8. Which mask do you prefer?
A. Nasal mask

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask? To lighten the machine for ease of travel, to decrease the sound as much as possible and to increase the size of the humidifier for better humidification. I use the remstar plus currently.

Try visiting sleepnet.com.

http://www.cpap.com — Opus 360 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask – Cleaning

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My grandfather is finding it hard to breathe while wearing the mask that is on his CPAP machine. He has a mask and just the tube for the nose but both make him feel like he’s having a hard time breathing, and he’s worried about wearing it at night.

That usually happens for the first few weeks after getting the machine. After awhile he will get used to it. If not, then he should see a doctor because maybe the mask is not sized properly.

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