Sleep Apnea

[GDUL]

I do have the ramp on it and I can actually adjust that myself. But it is not the air pressure that keeps me awake. It is readjusting the mask and trying to get comfortable again.

One thing that I've always suggested to people using CPAP; once you get the mask to where it's comfortable for you and it doesn't leak, take a waterproof marker and mark where the ends of the tabs are on the headgear. When you take it apart to wash it, you'll know right where to put your headgear back together when you are done.

 

[cassie]

One thing that I've always suggested to people using CPAP; once you get the mask to where it's comfortable for you and it doesn't leak, take a waterproof marker and mark where the ends of the tabs are on the headgear. When you take it apart to wash it, you'll know right where to put your headgear back together when you are done.

Now that's a good idea. Thanks I currently use a full mask that I ordered by mistake, and I love it. I find it more comfortable than the nasal one I had been using.

 

[meandtheguys2]

OK, kids, I'm miserable. I am 4 weeks into using this wretched machine, and am getting crabby. I tried taking ambiem to help me adjust to it, but the ambiem gives me a migraine about 1/2 of the time. When I don't take it, I am awake every two hours. Usually dump the mask on the second wake-up.

Anyone have any ideas? My husband keeps telling me to call the doctor, but frankly, calling the doc is what got me into this mess!

 

[hiwaygal]

OK, kids, I'm miserable. I am 4 weeks into using this wretched machine, and am getting crabby. I tried taking ambiem to help me adjust to it, but the ambiem gives me a migraine about 1/2 of the time. When I don't take it, I am awake every two hours. Usually dump the mask on the second wake-up.

Anyone have any ideas? My husband keeps telling me to call the doctor, but frankly, calling the doc is what got me into this mess!

Aww...Michelle! I'm so sorry you are having problems!!

What specific problems are you having? Is it with the mask or is it the pressure? If its the mask, tell your doc and he can try to help you find one that is more comfortable. If its the pressure, again, ask your doc about other options like the BiPAP or the Auto-PAP like GDUL has. Maybe one of these options will be more comfortable for you.

I would definitely talk to the doc about the ambien and the migraines it's causing...he can probably prescribe something else.

Just don't give up yet!! It's weird...the other day I was reading a newspaper article here in town about a local DJ who died. He was young, 30-something...and he died essentially from untreated sleep apnea! (or at least, from a condition that was caused by sleep apnea). Reading that article made me realize that continuing this treatment IS a life saver.

 

[GDUL]

OK, kids, I'm miserable. I am 4 weeks into using this wretched machine, and am getting crabby. I tried taking ambiem to help me adjust to it, but the ambiem gives me a migraine about 1/2 of the time. When I don't take it, I am awake every two hours. Usually dump the mask on the second wake-up.

Anyone have any ideas? My husband keeps telling me to call the doctor, but frankly, calling the doc is what got me into this mess!

Definitely talk to your doctor about the issues that you are having! I'm assuming that you are having problems with the CPAP itself and not the mask (leaking, etc). It could be that the pressure needs to be adjusted somewhat. Another possibility is that there are some people that need CPAP but just can't handle a constant pressure - they have problems exhaling against it. That could cause you to wake up. If that's the problem, there are CPAP machines that have CFlex - basically a slight decrease in pressure right when you start to exhale and then it goes back up to the prescribed pressure. Another option would be to switch to a BiPAP device. With BiPAP, you have two pressures instead of a constant pressure. On inspiration, you have a higher pressure (IPAP - Inspiratory Positive Airway Pressure) and a lower pressure on exhalation (EPAP - Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure). Many people who have failed CPAP have success using a BiPAP machine because they find it much easier to exhale against the lower pressure and get the health benefits that it affords.

By any chance, does your CPAP machine have software in it that records compliance data, etc? They could download the info and try to see why you are waking up after a couple hours of sleep.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Thanks Denise! I needed someone to be nice to me...

I think the problem is that I forget how to breathe everytime I put it on. So when I wake up enough to realize it exists, instant panic attack! On top of all of that, my insurance, which told the medical place this was a buy andnot a rent, may only pay a small portion. So, I may owe a lot of money for a machine I hate!

eta: Will call about the other machines, though. That might help the panic issue! Thanks GDUL!

ANyway, thank you for the chance to just plain whine. I don't do it in real life, because my dear sweet husban feels it necessary to try to solve the problem!

 

[GDUL]

Thanks Denise! I needed someone to be nice to me...

I think the problem is that I forget how to breathe everytime I put it on. So when I wake up enough to realize it exists, instant panic attack! On top of all of that, my insurance, which told the medical place this was a buy andnot a rent, may only pay a small portion. So, I may owe a lot of money for a machine I hate!

eta: Will call about the other machines, though. That might help the panic issue! Thanks GDUL!

ANyway, thank you for the chance to just plain whine. I don't do it in real life, because my dear sweet husban feels it necessary to try to solve the problem!

Can you expand on what you said highlighted in red? Is it a claustrophobic feeling (mask on face, etc) or do you feel like you're not breathing at all?

 

[hiwaygal]

Michelle!

Glad we were able to maybe suggest some options for you! If your doc won't work with you...see if you can find someone else! Talk to your Primary care physician and ask for another referral...or ask for your prescription and go to a home medical/medical supply place on your own and see if they will work with you and your insurance company!

Definitely keep us posted on how things go!



GDUL!!! Glad you are here!!! I had such problems with the respiratory therapist yesterday... I am very close to looking for another doctor and getting a second opinion. I like my machine and have nearly gotten "addicted" to it (can't sleep without it 'cause I feel like I can't breathe) but the things they all said to me yesterday, and how they all acted...make me think they prescribed this thing under "less than ethical" means!

First off...they didn't seem to want to give me MY prescription. I asked for one that listed "mask of personal preference" so that I could investigate and try different masks until I find one that works for me. The RT argued with me about it until I finally asked if there was a reason they didn't want me to have it? She stormed out of the office and the DOCTOR (who apparently had no intention of seeing me on this visit) returned to give me the script and asked me if I had a problem "with that girl". I told him, yes...she was condescending and that I didn't appreciate it!

THEN! They told me that I really didn't "need" the machine, it was precautionary. They did not check my compliance (which would have been fine) they just "took my word for it".

After leaving there, and thinking about this all night...it just seems like a really strange situation.

Anyway, I'm not sure how to handle this. I am thinking that I will talk to my PCP and see if I can get a second opinion. I am thinking about sending the sleep doc a letter to let him know how I feel. And (this is the scary part) I'm thinking of contacting my insurance company about this...but I'm afraid they'll take my machine away!!!

What are your thoughts?

 

[meandtheguys2]

I wouldn't say claustrophobic, I think that I just pay too much attention! Then I start thinking I need to exhale better, or inhale more. My best guess is that I am having trouble exhaling, and getting that feeling one has when holding breathe under water. That comes from too much CO2, doesn't it? Rather than too much Oxygen?

 

[hiwaygal]

I wouldn't say claustrophobic, I think that I just pay too much attention! Then I start thinking I need to exhale better, or inhale more. My best guess is that I am having trouble exhaling, and getting that feeling one has when holding breathe under water. That comes from too much CO2, doesn't it? Rather than too much Oxygen?

that sounds to me like if you had the BiPAP, it would work better for you.

I understand that feeling, I got it too especially at first...the ramping helped some (but I don't even use that anymore) but mostly it was kinda like making myself relax and "teaching" myself how to breathe properly.

 

[GDUL]

I wouldn't say claustrophobic, I think that I just pay too much attention! Then I start thinking I need to exhale better, or inhale more. My best guess is that I am having trouble exhaling, and getting that feeling one has when holding breathe under water. That comes from too much CO2, doesn't it? Rather than too much Oxygen?

I would say that a BiPAP would be a good machine to try based on what you have said. CFlex might not give you the pressure relief on exhalation that you might need. An auto-CPAP varies the constant pressure throughout the night based on your needs but at any given time, it's still a constant pressure. If you need pressure relief on exhalation, this really wouldn't give you what you need. BiPAP was developed because of people failing CPAP because they couldn't exhale against a constant pressure.

Please, do talk to your doctor about what is going on. He / she knows your case, have your sleep study results, and can make a professional judgement based on these. It's nice to "talk" to people on the boards to get an idea as to what may be going on but it's still just an opinion based on a couple of sentences of information. Please don't consider that a harsh statement as it is truly not meant that way. Being an RT, I'm interested in people being able to use their CPAP machines as it can really be a life-saver. As such, the the person qualified to make these decisions is your physician. It certainly doesn't hurt to know as much as you can about what is going on before you walk into their office though !

 

[GDUL]

Michelle!
What are your thoughts?

Wow, I'm sorry that that happened to you! Sounds like a certain RT was having a bad day. Feel free to PM me.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Thanks, GDUL. I will talk with the doc next week. They are closed on Fridays, anyway. I agree, a msg. board is only a way to gather information that may or may not be appropriate for a given situation. It is a nice place to whine, and gather some good cheer, though!

 

[GDUL]

Thanks, GDUL. I will talk with the doc next week. They are closed on Fridays, anyway. I agree, a msg. board is only a way to gather information that may or may not be appropriate for a given situation. It is a nice place to whine, and gather some good cheer, though!

Good luck working out the issues with your doctor and RT! Sometimes it's a hassle to get to the point where everything is working for you like it should but it's well worth it healthwise! Let us know how it's going!

 

[meandtheguys2]

hiwaygal, did you get things figured out? I am still relatively miserable, but am dealing with it. I wouldn't mind so much, if they hadn't charged me for the wretched machine. Insurance never mentioned that $400 of it would be a part of our deductible when they gave the "ok" to the med supply company!

 

[hiwaygal]

hiwaygal, did you get things figured out? I am still relatively miserable, but am dealing with it. I wouldn't mind so much, if they hadn't charged me for the wretched machine. Insurance never mentioned that $400 of it would be a part of our deductible when they gave the "ok" to the med supply company!

Hi Michelle

$400?!?!

You know, my doc's office said that my insurance company wouldn't buy the machine until I'd had it for 90 days and they could be sure I was compliant. Unfortunately, that wasn't true. The doctors office was paid in full for the machine when I originally picked it up. Thereby LOCKING me into having to buy equipment and getting it serviced through this doctor. I'm not happy about that, but there is nothing I can do at this point. But I am grateful I did not have to pay that much.

I'm doing okay. Still having some mask issues, but I really haven't done anything about it yet. I do have the information on one I'd like to try.

I'm sorry you are still having problems. Did your doc have any suggestions? Are you still having the same problem as before?

 

[meandtheguys2]

Those stinkers!

I have to just get use to the one I have. I can't afford to even look at a bpap! I've given myself permission to take a night off when I get really tiered! So, mentally it isn't so hard!

 

[hiwaygal]

Those stinkers!

I have to just get use to the one I have. I can't afford to even look at a bpap! I've given myself permission to take a night off when I get really tiered! So, mentally it isn't so hard!

I gave myself a night off not too long ago. Some nights the masks just drive me loopy!!

I'm sorry you have to get used to that one and that somehow you too have been "forced" to just deal with it. Something just doesn't seem right about that, you know?

 

[JunieJay]

Wow, I didn't even know this thread existed. I too have sleep apnea, although mine is a little different than your typical snoring. What I do is involuntarily hold my breath, sometimes all night long. I just went in for the study with the mask (the night I got out of the hospital for chest pains...supposedly not heart related but I'm still awaiting one more test to confirm that). Anyhoo, got the results of that today and even though it sure didn't seem like it, sleeping with the mask almost totally erradicated that breath holding. Instead of doing that over 100 times per night, I did it 4 times. So I guess I'll be Mrs. Hanibel Lechter coming here soon. I'm trying to get the issues I had last week with the chest pain resolved, and then I'll get to finding out what I need to do to get this mask. I'm sure I'll be a regular to this board.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Wow, I didn't even know this thread existed. I too have sleep apnea, although mine is a little different than your typical snoring. What I do is involuntarily hold my breath, sometimes all night long. I just went in for the study with the mask (the night I got out of the hospital for chest pains...supposedly not heart related but I'm still awaiting one more test to confirm that). Anyhoo, got the results of that today and even though it sure didn't seem like it, sleeping with the mask almost totally erradicated that breath holding. Instead of doing that over 100 times per night, I did it 4 times. So I guess I'll be Mrs. Hanibel Lechter coming here soon. I'm trying to get the issues I had last week with the chest pain resolved, and then I'll get to finding out what I need to do to get this mask. I'm sure I'll be a regular to this board.

Hey Judi! Welcome aboard! Advice...read all of the small print, and don't commit to anything without being satisfied with it!!!!!!!!!!! People swear by these wretched machines! Hope yours works for you! The masks are about 100x's better than they were 2 years ago...More like Darth Vader!

They sure did put you thru the wringer, didn't they?