Sleep Apnea/CPAP Question

[LIDisneyFan]

DW has been snoring badly for the last couple of years, and has been sleepy during the day. She finally went for a sleep study, and they found she has sleep apnea, her breathing stopping about 16-20 times an hour (5 being mild, 50 being severe). They want her to go for a second study, including the use of a CPAP to see how it imroves.

Anyone out there have experienc with a CPAP? We've been looking on the 'net, and the thing looks uncomfortable, noisy, and plain scary - anyone have personal experiences to share??

Thanks

 

[chell]

Everyone that I know that uses one says that they do get used to it rather quickly. Sorry that I don't have first hand experience. But my sister does set them up (she is a Respritory Therapist) and knows lots about them. So if you don't get all the answers you want on here just let me know and I will ask her for you.

 

[glo]

My DH had severe apnia...he lasted one hour into the sleep study before they got a machine and had him use it right there at the hospital. He would fall asleep in a blink of an eye, and even fell asleep driving a few times. He did not like the idea of the machine at first, but after sleeping for the first time in years, he would not ever take it off. After the first week he was a completely different person. More awake and had so much more energy.

 

[Jen S]

My DH has one and it is an absolute godsend. He is a horrible snorer and used to fall asleep all of the time, including behind the wheel. Once he got the machine it's a completely different story. He gets a full night of sleep every night, and is very rested in the mornings. He doesn't seem to think it's too uncomfortable. It does have a mask that goes across your nose, with straps around your head. He manages to sleep on all sides (including stomach) with it on. There is an adjustment button on the machine, so that when you first start using it you can program it to gradually build up the air it blows. For example, when you first turn it on at night, it will blow at its lowest setting, and after twenty minutes or so, it'll be blowing at the full effect. He's never had any problems at all with it, and we have several friends who also use one. Really I can't more highly recommend it. My hubby says he'll never stop using it.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Thanks everyone.

The 'Silence of the Lambs' headgear kinda threw us. I guess we'll have to get used to that....

 

[DonnaS]

I use one. I'm used to it. They aren't that noisy and most people find them quieter than the snoring. Unfortunately, I wasn't an audible snorer, so DH does say he has a hard time falling asleep sometimes with the noise.

There are different types of masks and if she needs one, they'll work at finding one that is just right for her in terms of fit and comfort.

 

[lizdotcom99]

I found out about a year ago that i had sleep apnea and my DH and I could not share a room becasue of my earthshattering snoring!! I never slept well and you know how one who always needs a nap is. Well I got my CPAP machine and my life is totally differant. Now I am not going to tell you that I became acclimated with my machine very quickly, that did take time...a couple of months with trying several differant things (the one thing that I found worked well for me was to put the long hose between two pillows with jsut enough slack for sleeping). Now after a year of the machine, I find that I can not live without it. Over the past week we have had several storms that have left us without power. With no power, the machine does not work!!!! So needless to say I have had some very sleepless nights, have slept by myself and have woken up with a very sore throat from the old snoring!!!! DH says he missed the white noise fromt he CPAP machine though...LOL! Give the CPAP a try. You will be so happy that you did. I would also reccomend a mask that turns 360 degrees as they are the most comfortable to sleep with (although they all may be 360 degrees now) and the tubing does not get all tangled! Good luck to you. If you have any questiions please feel free to ask now or later after you get your machine!!!
Liz

 

[minniecarousel]

My oldest sister & oldest brother both use a CPAP. I also have several friends who use them. My sis especially is one who you would never expect to get used to a machine like that - but now she uses it every night! She travels for work and carries it with her. She sleeps in several different positions and is very comfortable. (& to tell you the truth - her disposition has improved greatly since she now gets a good night's sleep!)
Your DW will get used to it - & so will you. Face it - she NEEDS to use it!

 

[tigercat]

Both my dh & my ds have one. They were registering very high. They sleep better and so do I. THey both snored so badly and off key to each other that I got no sleep at all. My ds did not want to go to the study and resisted getting it and using it. Then he finally started to use it. He will not sleep without it anymore and takes it wherever he goes.
tigercat

 

[MerryPoppins]

DH has one and it's great. He sleeps better and so do I. LOL! It took some getting used to, but he doesn't mind it much anymore. I'm sure he'd be glad to answer your questions. PM me if you want to email him.

 

[rae519]

After years of being told I had CFS - a neurologist finally discovered it was narcolepsy and put me on "provigil" this has done wonders for my daytime sleepiness! But he is also recommending the CPAP for my apnea and headaches - I have a second sleep study scheduled and hope that the CPAP will be the answer!

I am quite concerned about how it will "feel" to sleep with a mask on but I've heard nothing but good stories about how wonderful they work. So I'll be giving it a try!

Thanks for posting this thread!!!!

Rae

 

[Meriweather]

Dh has one also.....and we both sleep so much better
I'm a very light sleeper, and the white noise is actually soothing.
He adapted VERY quickly.........guess it was nice getting a good night sleep
Can't sleep without it now.

liz..........we are prone to power outages here. DH got a battery backup and keeps the bettery charged and ready to go.
I believe he got a marine battery that is smaller than a car one (still heavy though) and keeps it in his closet. He brings it out if needed.

 

[lizdotcom99]

I the year that I have had my machine....the past week is the only time that has happend!!!! I guess I am just very lucky!! Oh by the way, I take mine everywhere when i travel. I also got a letter from my doctor explaining my condition and that I need to caryy on my machine with me (especially since 9/11). Never check them as baggage.....they are very expensive and you DON'T want to be without this at night....especially if they lose your luggage.
Liz

 

[Meriweather]

Yes, DH travels a lot. Always carries his machine onboard and if they want to look inside and move things around....insist they wear rubber gloves (and a new pair).
They seem to be used to them at the airports now, they hardly ever ask him what it is anymore

 

[jfulcer]

Been there, got one, loving it.

My father, two cousins and a good friend also now have the CPAP machines and none of us could sleep without them. The headgear seems more imposing than it actually is - you get used to it really quickly.

Whenever we travel (even overnight) the machine goes with us. No problem in Disney and the airlines and security didn't say anything about it. Medical equipment actually is excluded from your 'carry on limit' so you can still take the same number of carry ons you used to.

I tell everyone it is one of the best things I've ever done for the family. It even tops buying DVC.

 

[DonnaS]

I guess through the x-ray machine they kind of look like breast pumps as one security person told another, "you can tell the breathing machines because of the long tubing, the breast pumps don't have that." LOL

 

[Mickey Nut 50]

My DH finally got one and it saved our marriage. It got so I was sleeping in the living room, and still couldn't sleep for his snoring! He finally decided to go for a sleep study the morning after I kicked him out to the living room!

He also is a Scoutmaster, and was getting tired of being separated from his Troop at campouts - so he got a hold of the manufacturer who in turn lead him to the proper accessories so he could use a marine battery. he's in Canada now, camping in the wilderness with his CPAP and marine battery. After 3 nights here using the battery - it still had over 70% charge!

I, too, am now used to the "white noise" and miss it. He will sometimes get up to go to the bathroom or come to bed later than me, "forget" to put on his "helmet" as I call it, and start snoring. He gets an elbow in the ribs to remind him. His gear has two little flexible nose thingys, which we feel is better than a mask. Our neighbor/friend had a mask and could only sleep on his back. We talked him into checking into other headgear, now has one like DH's and is very happy.

 

[rae519]

How big is the CPAP machine anyway? I am thinking "toaster" size?

Rae

 

[LuvN~Travel]

kinda toaster size, more like shoebox size, more flat.
My daughter has one that she has used in the past (just had surgery though to bring her jaw out for better breathing), and she adjusted quickly as well. It can really make a new person out of someone who has severe sleep apnea.
Kim

 

[rae519]

Thanks for the size info. Just trying to picture it - my son has a nebulizer for his asthma, so it's probably close to the same size!

We use a "white noise machine" now - so the sound will be a welcome addition!!

Rae