Sleep Apnea All-night test on Monday

[dragonslayer808]

Add me to the long list of people here who's life has been saved by the CPAP machine. Been with it for 8 years now and look forward to putting on the nasal pillows at night and going off to sleep within minutes and sleeping all night. No more getting up to pee every 30 to 45 minutes throughout the night. Also dreams so intense that when I wake in the morning I have to think for a second did that really happen or was it a dream.

 

[Capt Steve]

OK guys help me out here. My bride tells me that I have sleep apnea - as in I frequently stop breathing while asleep. I also have been a chronic snorer for as long as we can remember. but...I sleep like a baby. I fall asleep in one minute or less. I actively dream all night long, not limited to the REM sleep period. I wake up refreshed, bounce out of bed at the first chirp of the alarm and am never drowsy during the day. in some ways I fit the pattern and in others I don't. What do you think?

 

[dragonslayer808]

Only a sleep study will tell for sure, snorring and breathing stoppage are two of the obvious signs. Most people (like myself) dismiss early signs and wait until really sever signs show up before something is done about it. I was fortunate that I dozed off in the waiting room of the doctors office (unrelated visit) and the doctor overheard my imediate snooring from the exam room. The rest is history.

 

[Ambien]

Capt. Steve what is your age and occupation? Obstructive sleep apnea can be masked in 20-30 year olds due to higher metabolism, higher activity levels or just needing less sleep than the average joe. If your bed partner says you stop breathing, guess what, you do!
As you get older the problem will get worse and you won't be jumping out of bed at the first chirp. Chronic snorers basically have a anatomical narrowing of the upper airway, usually not a problem except for the wife. But with age will come decreased muscle tone, added weight and all the ugliness of obstructive sleep apnea will rear it's head.
Most of my patients think they sleep great and don't have a problem- until them try CPAP.

 

[Capt Steve]

Ambien,thanks for your reply. I am 57 and aside from the snoring, am healthy, fit and very active (5' 9", 180 lbs). I do have, and always have had a very active metabolism. I work 3 shifts a week on the golf course as a Marshall and play golf 4 to 6 times a week. I have no doubt that I stop breathing as my bride of 38+ years will attest. While I don't snore every night when I do it is a bummer for the wife. I used to smoke a cigar occasionally and the snoring has been reduced since I quit. From all that I have read here it would seem prudent to be tested.

This forum never fails to amaze me in the depth of valuable information and just plain entertainment to be found.

 

[Titan]

Originally posted by CelticSire:

Originally posted by Titan:
Can anyone here explain the differences between CPAP and BIPAP?

I was unsuccessful with two different CPAP machines over several months of effort. With the pressure I needed, I could never find a mask that worked. The masks woke me more than the apnea due to movement or facial pressure because I had to tighten it enough to handle the pressure.

I wonder how different BIPAP is and if it might work.

Basically, the CPAP (constant positive airway pressure) supplies constant pressure where the BIPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) has two different pressure levels for inhale and exhale. Do you remember what your pressure setting was?

As I recall, it was 30 lbs.
.

 

[Titan]

Originally posted by glypnir:
Wow, it's the CPAP forum.

I've got one too. It's nice to be dreaming again. At night.

I suspect that those who have trouble with masks have the wrong size mask, or have it adjusted wrong.

With mine, you don't actually want to get it too tight. There's kind of a skirt around it that will inflate and do the final seal.

Also, my neck goes to a different postion when I lie down from when I sit up, and it makes the mask tighter.

They have lots of kinds of masks in lots of different sizes.

There are nose only masks, and nose and mouth masks, and nose only masks that go in your nostrils.

I wear a nose only mask. If my nose is a bit clogged, I put a little bit of the Vicks stuff for humidifiers into the humidifier chamber for the CPAP. Opens those airways.

Thanks for all the info.

In my case I struggled for two years and tried 23 masks of all types. I had a sleep technician working with me (several actually, over the two years) and one would visit my house almost weekly for adjustments of the machine, the masks, or to bring a new type of mask.

Neither masks or 'nose pillows' worked.


I have another study set up next month, because the lack of sleep is just about killing me and I'm willing to make another run at it.

I sure hope that BIPAP or some new breakthrough makes it more viable this time.
.

 

[Ambien]

Titan, BIPAP can be very beneficial to patient on high pressure(cmH2O) levels or who cannot tolerate CPAP. Think of it as a higher pressure when you inhale and a reduced level when you exhale, making it easier to breathe. For some patients on HIGH pressure settings who are not tolerating CPAP/BIPAP the doctor may suggest a surgery to open up your upper airway. Good luck with your next sleep study.

 

[ltcdoty]

Got my cpap machine a week ago I had five hundred incidents a night. I'm still getting use to the mask...doc says I should loose fifty pounds...easier said than done...I sleep much better and the wife is happier. All I need now is a Darth Vader outfit...Luke I am your father!

 

[Wayne02]

Originally posted by Titan:
I sure hope that BIPAP or some new breakthrough makes it more viable this time.

The bipap was the deal maker for me. I struggled for 6 months trying to get get compliant with the cpap and finally the doc said to try the bipap. It made all the difference in the world not having to exhale against the same pressure that was used for inhalation.

 

[Titan]

Originally posted by Ambien:
Titan, BIPAP can be very beneficial to patient on high pressure(cmH2O) levels or who cannot tolerate CPAP. Think of it as a higher pressure when you inhale and a reduced level when you exhale, making it easier to breathe. For some patients on HIGH pressure settings who are not tolerating CPAP/BIPAP the doctor may suggest a surgery to open up your upper airway. Good luck with your next sleep study.

Thanks. I definitely plan to bring up BIPAP at the sleep study. Surgery is definitely a last resort.

 

[Titan]

Originally posted by Wayne02:

Originally posted by Titan:
I sure hope that BIPAP or some new breakthrough makes it more viable this time.

The bipap was the deal maker for me. I struggled for 6 months trying to get get compliant with the cpap and finally the doc said to try the bipap. It made all the difference in the world not having to exhale against the same pressure that was used for inhalation.

Thanks.

One of my problems with the various masks, was that to handle the pressure, I had to cinch up the mask to prevent it from moving or having the seal break from the pressure.

The resulting pressure from the tight mask ended up costing more sleep than the apnea.

It sounds like I might still have that problem if the inbound pressure is still high. BIPAP definitely seems worth exploring though.

My understanding is that the machines are a bit more expensive, which is why insurance drives the choice to CPAP first.
.

 

[CelticSire]

Originally posted by Titan:

Originally posted by CelticSire:
Do you remember what your pressure setting was?

As I recall, it was 30 lbs.
.

Good Lord, man! On my machine I'm set at 12. No wonder you had issues w/ the mask! I'd definitely ask about the BIPAP, the higher pressure is on the inhale so it shouldn't be as much of a problem.

 

[caseydog]

Sneezer .... Gettin'any sleep?

I hope you find your answer.

Ray

 

[Karnivore]

Hay Sneezer, How ya snoozin.

Any update?

MH

 

[tom turner]

What a difference a CPAP has made for me since early last December. It's gettin' late so I'm getting ready to turn in now.

I'm looking forward to putting on the ol' "nose pillows" and hitting the "on" button. No more snoring, no more dry mouth, no more jerking awake.

I'm rested when I'm at work and much more alert and creative, and my wife is amazed at my increased energy too. Frankly . . . so am I!

I've got the ResMed Escape II with the optional humidifier. Very quiet and comfortable. Again, I'm looking forward to turning it on . . . and I'll be "out" in five minutes.

Good night everyone, and sleep tight! And for those who can't . . . get tested and start feeling better again!

Tom

 

[Spotteddog]

Well,
I've got the Contadina D'Tomato with the star studded mud guards and chrome fender dents!

 

[ADash]

Originally posted by tom turner:
What a difference a CPAP has made for me since early last December. It's gettin' late so I'm getting ready to turn in now.

I'm looking forward to putting on the ol' "nose pillows" and hitting the "on" button. No more snoring, no more dry mouth, no more jerking awake.



I'm rested when I'm at work and much more alert and creative, and my wife is amazed at my increased energy too. Frankly . . . so am I!

I've got the ResMed Escape II with the optional humidifier. Very quiet and comfortable. Again, I'm looking forward to turning it on . . . and I'll be "out" in five minutes.

Good night everyone, and sleep tight! And for those who can't . . . get tested and start feeling better again!

Tom

I prefer sleeping face and body down, also because my uvula starts interfering with exhaling when I am face up. I took a sleep test, but couldn't sleep because the wires they used tickled me and I couldn't really fall asleep! I sometimes fell asleep for 3 minutes or so during that test.

If I do use a Bi-pap or C-pap, will it work when I am facing down, perhaps with my head turned left or right on a pillow? Do they have a small nose cap style that allows me to sleep face-down (or side)?

Al Dash

 

[mafuta54]

My last test showed 57 per hour.