Cpap folks, what's going on with me?
- Thread starter R18Civic
- Start date
Not trying to be overly critical here. But I see those contraptions and I'm amazed how anyone can sleep at all while wearing one. "Silence Of The Lambs" comes to mind.
I've never woken up at 2am and felt super rested no matter what time I went to bed.....
I've been dealing with insomnia for over 35 years. I've had every type of sleep aid prescribed to me over the years. All have caused more problems than they solved. My entire working career has been based on, "early to bed, and early to rise". I would come home around 6:00 PM, exhausted from 11 and 12 hour overtime workdays.
Shower, eat, and back to bed because I couldn't keep my eyes open past 7:00 PM. Rinse and repeat. When I retired that took away the exhausted part. I would still find myself tired and going to bed early, only to wake up at midnight starring at the ceiling fan. I couldn't go back to sleep to save my life.
I mentioned this to my doctor, and he said, you're retired now, that's a big part of your problem. You're not "draining your batteries" like you used to. Just stop trying to conform to a schedule you had when you were working.
When you are tired, lay down and take a nap. When your awake, get up and do what you normally would do. What difference does the clock make?
Why are you trying to keep the same schedule when you don't have to? He was 100% right. I started doing exactly that, and I was feeling much better within a week. My hours are wacky, but what the hell do I care? Sometimes I'm up at 10:00 PM until 3:00 or 4:00 AM.
Then I'll lay down if I get tired, and sleep until I wake up. As long as the total amount of sleep you get meets the requirements of your body, when it needs it, why try to control the hours if you don't have to?
I've talked to a lot of retired guys and they are doing much the same. My wife is doing much the same, but not quite as off schedule as I do. Our master bedroom is at one end of the house. So it doesn't create a problem with sound. If I watch TV, I'll go out in the garage. It may be strange, but it works, and that's the main thing.
Bottom line....... If you're able to, don't be afraid to change your lifestyle to suit your sleep requirements. You'll feel a hell of a lot better.
It got to the point that I had three doctors stating that I needed a CPAP.
Amazing how they came to that conclusion even though I had never had any kind of sleep evaluation.
Finally, I gave in because things were really going down hill. Uncontrollably high BP, hemoglobin issues, breathing issues, sleeping issues.
So, I finally had a sleep study done. Fortunately, my sleep apnea was moderate, and the number was low enough that I had options.
I wanted options, so I went to a provider outside of the local hospital consortium, where the only thing they know is spelled CPAP.
I ended up going with an oral appliance.
It is great. No cords, hoses, masks or noise. Only maintenance is putting it in a cup with some water and a denture tablet.
It has made quite a bit of difference. BO has improved considerably, as well as noticeable improvement with the blood and sleeping issues.
And an added bonus is that I don't have a machine reporting my sleeping habits to entities in a manner to be used against me.
Amazing how they came to that conclusion even though I had never had any kind of sleep evaluation.
Finally, I gave in because things were really going down hill. Uncontrollably high BP, hemoglobin issues, breathing issues, sleeping issues.
So, I finally had a sleep study done. Fortunately, my sleep apnea was moderate, and the number was low enough that I had options.
I wanted options, so I went to a provider outside of the local hospital consortium, where the only thing they know is spelled CPAP.
I ended up going with an oral appliance.
It is great. No cords, hoses, masks or noise. Only maintenance is putting it in a cup with some water and a denture tablet.
It has made quite a bit of difference. BO has improved considerably, as well as noticeable improvement with the blood and sleeping issues.
And an added bonus is that I don't have a machine reporting my sleeping habits to entities in a manner to be used against me.
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- Dec 7, 2008
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There is an adjustment period to get used to the CPAP of course. But if your mask isn't working for you now then it never will. Finding the right one for you makes all the difference.
You should have been given a few options by your doctor or supplier to start with when you got your machine. I knew out of the gate that I didn't want a full face mask since I'm not a mouth breather. I tried a nasal pillow mask initially but soon went to a nose only mask.
https://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/cpap/masks/airfit-n30i/
I have a severe case of obstructive sleep apnea, but using this mask with an AirSense 11 CPAP machine I can sleep all night and not wake up once.
I try not to think about how much harm I did to myself over the years by ignoring the issue and not using one sooner.
You should have been given a few options by your doctor or supplier to start with when you got your machine. I knew out of the gate that I didn't want a full face mask since I'm not a mouth breather. I tried a nasal pillow mask initially but soon went to a nose only mask.
https://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/cpap/masks/airfit-n30i/
I have a severe case of obstructive sleep apnea, but using this mask with an AirSense 11 CPAP machine I can sleep all night and not wake up once.
I try not to think about how much harm I did to myself over the years by ignoring the issue and not using one sooner.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
What device did you buy ?
Takes a while to get used to it, for sure.
It will take time to get used to it and feel better. I use the N40 mask and most of the time sleep better. Maybe a mask issue? I honestly prefer the full face mask as it feels more natural but it really hurts the bridge of my nose from the hard plastic. I wish they made the hard plastic flexible but no one asked me, so I take what I get.
It took me about a month to start to feel better so be patient. Good luck
It took me about a month to start to feel better so be patient. Good luck
I've been using a cpap for ~15 years. It does take time to adjust. Once you start seeing the device as your nocturnal gf, you'll marry her.
27 years using CPAP, and yes, it does take some time to get used to.
Over the 27 years I have tried many of the high end masks, and the best mask I have tried and currently use is the Resmed Air Fit F20 (https://eshop.resmed.com/products/airfit-f20-complete-mask-system). This mask covers both the mouth and the nose and is extremely comfortable. I've been using one since I discovered it about 8 years ago. It may be the last mask type I purchase.
Rather than using a cushion to make the seal with the face, it uses a silicone membrane which is really flexible and form fitting. The silicone membrane does wear out after 3 to 4 months of daily use, but it is easily replaced. One does not have to toss the entire headgear away. Just remove the silicone component from the headgear, install a new one and you are good to go! The straps on the headgear uses magnets (one on each side) so putting on and taking off the headgear is quick and easy, and the magnets stay in place.
Over the 27 years I have tried many of the high end masks, and the best mask I have tried and currently use is the Resmed Air Fit F20 (https://eshop.resmed.com/products/airfit-f20-complete-mask-system). This mask covers both the mouth and the nose and is extremely comfortable. I've been using one since I discovered it about 8 years ago. It may be the last mask type I purchase.
Rather than using a cushion to make the seal with the face, it uses a silicone membrane which is really flexible and form fitting. The silicone membrane does wear out after 3 to 4 months of daily use, but it is easily replaced. One does not have to toss the entire headgear away. Just remove the silicone component from the headgear, install a new one and you are good to go! The straps on the headgear uses magnets (one on each side) so putting on and taking off the headgear is quick and easy, and the magnets stay in place.
CPAP since 2007.
What machine and mask? What type of sleep study did you have? The technology has changed rapidly, particularly diagnosis. Did you receive definitive information about your hypopnea other than an AHI number?
What machine and mask? What type of sleep study did you have? The technology has changed rapidly, particularly diagnosis. Did you receive definitive information about your hypopnea other than an AHI number?
I have to use a hybrid mask due to severe sinus issues and a 60% deviated septum to top it off. Give it time, thats I can say. I was very resistant to the entire CPAP and am so glad I stuck with it.
Lots to figure out with these. I sleep on my side and frequently change sides at night so I like the masks that have the top mounted swivel. What other problems are you experiencing?
Lots to figure out with these. I sleep on my side and frequently change sides at night so I like the masks that have the top mounted swivel. What other problems are you experiencing?
When I was still working I was lucky to get 6 hrs of sleep. The first week after I retired, I slept 10-12 hrs a day. It was a wonderful luxury not to have to get on a 8am Monday morning conference call. I figured my body was catching up. Now a sleep study has found that I have mild apnea. Of course the sleep Dr wants me to have a c-pap machine and my primary said I don't need one. I'm debating.
I have used an airsense 10 and an airfit n20 for about 5 years. You get used to it and (since starting CPAP) I now sleep through the night. It does take some getting used to.
I wash my mask, short tubing and headgear about every 2 weeks with Dawn. My face pieces last a year, and probably more. They say to replace your equipment often, but if there is no leakage I don't see the point. I keep spares of all the replacement parts on hand. I have at least one complete new mask, new face pieces and new straps.
I'm still using the original heated hose. I have 2 spares. If it doesn't leak I don't see why it should be replaced. I wash it thoroughly (inside and out) every few months.
I have a pack of cheap air filters and replace them far more often that the machine suggests. They get coated with fuzz pretty fast.
I wash my mask, short tubing and headgear about every 2 weeks with Dawn. My face pieces last a year, and probably more. They say to replace your equipment often, but if there is no leakage I don't see the point. I keep spares of all the replacement parts on hand. I have at least one complete new mask, new face pieces and new straps.
I'm still using the original heated hose. I have 2 spares. If it doesn't leak I don't see why it should be replaced. I wash it thoroughly (inside and out) every few months.
I have a pack of cheap air filters and replace them far more often that the machine suggests. They get coated with fuzz pretty fast.
I was tested for sleep apnea and had 120 “incidents” in an hour. Never progressed to REM sleep and the DR estimate was I got 7 to 10 minutes of sleep a night. Any and all moments of stillness…no stimulation I would fall asleep. Simply stoping at a stop sign ..I would fall asleep.
I embrace the mask! I simply now can not sleep without it.
