sleep study

[castmemberb4]

THis is really follow up to my previous thread, I searched the forum but could only find about half the thread.

Got my CPAP on Friday. First night was a little disappointing. First I didn’t even think to ask if the mask had laytex on it, I have a sensitivity, but not an allergy to laytex. About 4 in the morning I woke up with horrible sinus pressure and my skin burning everywhere the mask was touching me. I got up for a few minutes and the pressure went away pretty fast, I did sleep the rest of the night without it, and felt okay the next day.
They’re getting me a non laytex mask in the next larger size to eliminate the pressure and sensitivity, I pick it up tomorrow. I have been able to sleep for 3 to 6 hours each night with the current mask anyway and feel great most days. Hoping that when I get the new mask tomorrow I’ll be able to sleep all night. It’s been easy to get comfortable, the hose long enough that I can lay on either side, and the machine if pretty quiet. I think DH is happier b/c the CPAP is making less noise than I was and he’s not listening for me to stop breathing all night, just the hours that I take the CPAP off. Again hope I can keep it on all night soon. It also didn’t freak my cats out like I was afraid it would, they both still come and cuddle with me, even had to move one of them off my hose the other night. Overall I’m very happy I did the test and got the machine, I feel great.

If you 'think' you need a sleep study I can't encourage you enough to get one.

I do have a question for the Disney fan/CPAP users, when you fly to WDW where do you get distilled water?

 

[SaraJayne]

I just scheduled my sleep study and I can't wait to get my cpap. I'm so tired of waking up gasping for air and feeling more tired in the morning than when I went to bed.

 

[RNMOM]

I have been using one for 7 years. I never used a face mask. I have always used a nasal pillow type of mask. I knew having something over my face like that would make my very sensitive skin a mess. BTW, I have never seen a mask with any latex on it. They just don't use latex in this stuff for many many years. All the resipiratory equipment at hospitals and respiratory facilities is silicone. So, I am confused about your first mask. Can you tell me the brand/model?

I use the Resmed Swift LT. It fits against my cheeks and rests against my nose. The headgear is minimal. Do some searching online and find a mask you think appeals to you.

Good luck.

Oh, one other question...are you using the ramp function? I find I "can't get enough air" with the ramp function anymore. Also, do you use a humidifyer? I really need this on mine. The dry air messes up my sinuses. Ask for one if you don't have it. I also have a cover on my hose. It is polar fleece and is soft on the bed as well as keeping the condensation build up in a cold bedroom.

 

[bookgirl]

When I travel with mine I either get just bottled drinking water or tap water. They like you to use distilled water because you can build up mineral deposits if not. But they said a day or two or three won't hurt just make sure you clean you reservoir and hose really well afterwards.

 

[castmemberb4]

I just scheduled my sleep study and I can't wait to get my cpap. I'm so tired of waking up gasping for air and feeling more tired in the morning than when I went to bed.

You are going to be amazed at how good you feel after sleeping with the cpap. When my ENT told me I needed a study I was so excited, I scheduled my follow up visit for the day after the study so I could get my cpap right away.

I have been using one for 7 years. I never used a face mask. I have always used a nasal pillow type of mask. I knew having something over my face like that would make my very sensitive skin a mess. BTW, I have never seen a mask with any latex on it. They just don't use latex in this stuff for many many years. All the resipiratory equipment at hospitals and respiratory facilities is silicone. So, I am confused about your first mask. Can you tell me the brand/model?

I use the Resmed Swift LT. It fits against my cheeks and rests against my nose. The headgear is minimal. Do some searching online and find a mask you think appeals to you.

Good luck.

Oh, one other question...are you using the ramp function? I find I "can't get enough air" with the ramp function anymore. Also, do you use a humidifyer? I really need this on mine. The dry air messes up my sinuses. Ask for one if you don't have it. I also have a cover on my hose. It is polar fleece and is soft on the bed as well as keeping the condensation build up in a cold bedroom.

I'm pretty sure mine is the same type you use, it does just fit over my nose with a piece that rests against my forehead, and straps around my head.
It's a Respironics Comfort Gel. The part that's giving me trouble is the cover over the silicone part, it looks and feels like the laytex gloves we use in the dental office where I work. When I told the NP that I had a sensitivity she said she had a different mask I could use but didn't have my size, since I think I need a different size I'm going into the office to try different ones.
Mine either presses agains my nostrils so much I can hardly breath or leaves a crease in the bridge of my nose. Does that sound too small to you? I should also say on the laytex thing that with washing it every day the reaction has become less severe, so maybe it was something on the mask, that is coming off. I have a lot of odd allergies, like anti persperiant!

I do use the ramp function, the night of my sleep study I had a problem during that time I think maybe they set the ramp a little higher for my home unit. I have a humidifer too, think I've finally found the right setting I don't have the 'built up' sinus pressure any more but the mask pressure is still a problem.

I'm happy to have someone who understands my questions, My FIL has a cpap but he's no help he burned up his humidifer by forgetting to put water in it.

 

[castmemberb4]

When I travel with mine I either get just bottled drinking water or tap water. They like you to use distilled water because you can build up mineral deposits if not. But they said a day or two or three won't hurt just make sure you clean you reservoir and hose really well afterwards.

OH! Good tip, thank you so much !

 

[minkydog]

I think DH is happier b/c the CPAP is making less noise than I was and he’s not listening for me to stop breathing all night, just the hours that I take the CPAP off.

I do have a question for the Disney fan/CPAP users, when you fly to WDW where do you get distilled water?

So glad it's going well. I'm surprised they gave you a mask with latex in it. The only kind I was offered were silicon. I sleep so much better with my CPAP. Every now and then I lose the mask in my sleep and my DH will poke me until I find it again. Yes, it's that bad.

I am very bad about the water. I use whatever bottled water I have and sometimes even *gasp* tap water. So far I'm not dead...

 

[Mermaid02]

I have a sleep study scheduled in March. I know I'm gonna have to get a cpap.

 

[SaraJayne]

I have a sleep study scheduled in March. I know I'm gonna have to get a cpap.

Me too...on the 10th.

 

[Disney Doll]

DH just uses regular water in his. It hasn't been a problem.

When travelling with CPAP, you will always get searched. DH's has actually 2 pieces...the water reservoir and the pump, where the mechanic of it are. His travel bag has 3 sections...one for the water reservoir, one for the pump and one for the mask/hose. He opens the bag, puts it into one of the xray trays and then takes the pump out of the bag...DH's bag is sort of padded and has a strap to hold the pieces in place, and the TSA people generally seem to be interested in the pump moreso than the water reservoir or the mask. Often they will take the whole thing and swab it for explosives or whatever they are swabbing for when they use that swab thing.

 

[princesspaige]

DH just uses regular water in his. It hasn't been a problem.

When travelling with CPAP, you will always get searched. DH's has actually 2 pieces...the water reservoir and the pump, where the mechanic of it are. His travel bag has 3 sections...one for the water reservoir, one for the pump and one for the mask/hose. He opens the bag, puts it into one of the xray trays and then takes the pump out of the bag...DH's bag is sort of padded and has a strap to hold the pieces in place, and the TSA people generally seem to be interested in the pump moreso than the water reservoir or the mask. Often they will take the whole thing and swab it for explosives or whatever they are swabbing for when they use that swab thing.

I have flown with mine on multiple occassions and every single time they swab the machine part....and when I say "every single time" I mean exactly that. In fact, I take that part out of my bag and put it in a tub all by itself....it speeds up the swabbing process.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I asked the Therapist about the distilled water. It is not for the machine, but for you. Basically if there are impurities or chemicals in the water they will end up in your lungs.

 

[nicolita3]

I had my sleep study on Monday (I had to go for pre op reasons). They called me from my Dr. thats doing my surgery and told me that they got my results that I do have sleep apnea and that the sleep center would get a hold of me about gettin the machine. I just have a question is it really not that loud? Because my DH has already started sleeping in the other room cause my snoring has become out of control.

 

[Mermaid02]

DH just uses regular water in his. It hasn't been a problem.

When travelling with CPAP, you will always get searched. DH's has actually 2 pieces...the water reservoir and the pump, where the mechanic of it are. His travel bag has 3 sections...one for the water reservoir, one for the pump and one for the mask/hose. He opens the bag, puts it into one of the xray trays and then takes the pump out of the bag...DH's bag is sort of padded and has a strap to hold the pieces in place, and the TSA people generally seem to be interested in the pump moreso than the water reservoir or the mask. Often they will take the whole thing and swab it for explosives or whatever they are swabbing for when they use that swab thing.

Great between that and my new hip I'll never get through!

 

[minkydog]

I had my sleep study on Monday (I had to go for pre op reasons). They called me from my Dr. thats doing my surgery and told me that they got my results that I do have sleep apnea and that the sleep center would get a hold of me about gettin the machine. I just have a question is it really not that loud? Because my DH has already started sleeping in the other room cause my snoring has become out of control.

The machine really is not that loud. Certainly not as loud as your snoring. It's kind of a white noise. I use CPAP and DH uses oxygen. Between the two of us you'd think we'd be awake all night but you get used to the little bit of noise pretty quickly.

 

[RNMOM]

The machine is nearly silent..mine is a resmed. I had a remstar before and it wasn't quite as quiet.

OP, If you are getting wrinkling of your skin or too much pressure on you nostrils you may have your straps too tight. I know it seems like it won't stay on if you let it be a little loose but you will be more comfortable and probably won't move around as much.

As for water, I buy gallons of distilled. I pay between 69-89 cents and each gallon lasts me three weeks or more. I don't empty it each night nor do I wash it all up everyday. That is my particular crime. I am so sensitive to soaps and such I can't wash the mask daily. I just pour more water on what is remaining and wash it weekly or so.

 

[castmemberb4]

The machine is nearly silent..mine is a resmed. I had a remstar before and it wasn't quite as quiet.

OP, If you are getting wrinkling of your skin or too much pressure on you nostrils you may have your straps too tight. I know it seems like it won't stay on if you let it be a little loose but you will be more comfortable and probably won't move around as much.

As for water, I buy gallons of distilled. I pay between 69-89 cents and each gallon lasts me three weeks or more. I don't empty it each night nor do I wash it all up everyday. That is my particular crime. I am so sensitive to soaps and such I can't wash the mask daily. I just pour more water on what is remaining and wash it weekly or so.

I was going to say the same thing, my DH is sleeping better b/c the mahine is quieter than me, he's also no listeneing for me to stop breathing.

What I'm getting is burning, feels like sunburn, all of the time not just when I'm wearing the mask, it was not laytex, we suspect the protectant, as the more I washed it the better it got. I did get a new mask yesterday as the one I had was too short. It felt better and I washed it really well, still got some sensitivity but not as bad, I'm sure it will get better. Still not sleeping more than 6 hours before I wake up and take it off though.

As for water I work for a dentist and we have s distiller there, so it will be free for me, was just wondering about the times I'm flying with the machine, glad to hear I can get away with spring water once in a while.

Man wish I had one of those three compartment travel bags, mine is just one open compartment the hose and mask just lay on top of the pump and humidifer.

 

[castmemberb4]

Last night I was finally able to keep the mask on all night
The new one is lighter and not as tight as the first one.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I had my sleep study on Monday (I had to go for pre op reasons). They called me from my Dr. thats doing my surgery and told me that they got my results that I do have sleep apnea and that the sleep center would get a hold of me about gettin the machine. I just have a question is it really not that loud? Because my DH has already started sleeping in the other room cause my snoring has become out of control.

The machine will be whisper quiet compared to your snoring...guaranteed!