Sleep Apnea???

[Augustheather97]

My Husband just got diagnosed with Sleep APnea......he has to go for a second sleep study soon to see what kind exactly....and what kind of Cpap mask he will need.....Does anyone have any recommendations for a mask that is somewhat comfortable....he is really nervous about not being able to sleep well with it.....
thanks so much
Karen

 

[disneynutt1225]

My father has the mask that only goes over his nose. He's been using it since May and it's really helped a lot. He didn't like the ones that cover the mouth and nose because they made him feel too enclosed.

 

[Disney Doll]

My DH has it too. There are numerous different types of masks. What they will do when they get him his machine is bring several different styles for him to try on. If he picks one and it isn't comfortable, it can be switched.

My DH has the one that goes over nose & mouth. He had the worst case of sleep apnea his MD had ever seen...stopped breathing 150 times in an hour and one of the times he stopped breathing was for 45 seconds!!!! It scared the bejesus out of him, so he has worn that mask faithfully...I think he willed himself to get used to it because he was truly afraid he'd die in his sleep.

The machine isn't noisy...it's a lot quieter than DH's snoring was and I slept through that!

If your DH is heavy, it will help if he loses weight. My DH has lost 81 lbs. since February when he joined Weight Watchers, and when he sleeps without his mask, which he is doing right now as he is waiting for a readjustment of the pressures on his machine which have changed because of his weight loss, his snoring is nowhere near what it used to be.

Feel free to PM me if you have more ????s. I feel like we have a pretty good handle on the whole sleep apnea/CPAP thing now.

 

[KilimanjaroSafaris]

ok, I am going for my sleep study in Nov. I cannot figure out how that will happen seeing is I do have trouble sleeping! but thanks for the tips on the masks, I know what the diagnose will be....I have know for some time know..just have not done anything about it.

 

[poohlover]

My DH has been using a CPAP machine for just about 2 yrs now. He has said that the sleep he is getting now vs before is worth using the mask. He opted to use the full mouth & nose mask, though he does have some leakage at times due to his beard & mustache. At times the fit just isn't quite tight enough.

He is like a different person! He actually stays awake after dinner! He feels such a difference he will tell anyone who snores that it is worth it to be tested. He has also brought down his blood pressure some!

Good luck!

 

[Disney Doll]

My DH has been using a CPAP machine for just about 2 yrs now. He has said that the sleep he is getting now vs before is worth using the mask. He opted to use the full mouth & nose mask, though he does have some leakage at times due to his beard & mustache. At times the fit just isn't quite tight enough.

He is like a different person! He actually stays awake after dinner! He feels such a difference he will tell anyone who snores that it is worth it to be tested. He has also brought down his blood pressure some!

Good luck!

Are you marreid to my husband??? Other than the beard/mustache, we could be describing the same man. An I see you live in CT too...hmmm.....

 

[Laurabearz]

CPAP the best invention of the 20th century!!!

There should be someone who comes out and fit's him with a mask. See if he can get extra nose pillows from them, since those are the first to wear out.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

My DH has had his now for about 18 months. He uses a Liberty mask that covers his nose and mouth and has nose pillows. He tried about 4 masks before he found one that was comfortable. He couldn't do just the nose one since his mouth kept dropping open and he hated the chin strap to keep his mouth shut.

Tell him to not worry. My DH thought he'd never get used to it...but it only took about a week before he noticed how much better he was sleeping! (And, it only took me 2 nights to notice how much better I was sleeping without the train/chainsaw sleeping next to me in bed! ). Honestly, the CPAP is so much quieter than his snoring. Even our DS noticed that he can't hear daddy sleeping anymore!

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I was diagnosed back in May. Mine was classified "severe" with an average of 40 episodes per hour.

I use the one that only covers my nose and unfortunately have to use the chin strap as well...because MAN, when you wake after a few minutes of having your mouth open, you get some SERIOUS dry mouth!

I've quit napping during the daytime and feel SO much better...and I haven't dozed off at a stoplight in months.

 

[GeorgeG]

I've been using a CPAP for sleep apnea for 13 years and it has made a huge difference from the first night I had it. I use the Mirage Elite mask that covers just the nose and has a velcro adjustable headgear. It's what I started with and haven't felt a need to change. My setting is 12 and that is strong enough to keep my mouth closed.

Somethiing to consider when traveling is a good extension cord in case there isn't an accessible outlet near the bed.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

My DH was also diagnosed with apnea. Before we got the machine, he tried this..

puresleep.com

and it really made a difference! Now that's what he uses. Sometimes he snores lightly, but he is able to stop if I "nudge" him. I am sure it wouldn't work if he had severe apnea. I just wanted to share in case it could help someone reading this thread.