I did a sleep study in 2008 and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. It explained the splitting headaches and my terrible snoring as reported by my wife. The headaches were really bad. I wasn't getting enough oxygen to the brain. My first instinct was to lose 25-30 lbs and see if it made a difference. I never quite got to that number, but my doctor said losing weight wouldn't solve the problem. Apparently I was genetically built this way. While I know my cpap does work, I absolutely hate the thing. Half the nights I find it on the floor when I wake up. I've never been fitted with one that I find doesn't bother me at all. I've switched masks 3-4 times. I've asked about an implant but been told it won't work nearly as well as the mask. I know some people swear how much it's helped them and can't imagine a night without it. Has anyone here had the surgery and did it help? After having a previous surgery that went horribly wrong I'm skittish on having elective surgeries. I'm frustrated and despite even when I do use it I suffer from insomnia.
Any of you guys have sleep apnea and use a CPAP?
- Thread starter Eppy99
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Yeah, I use one. The Diagnosis was first made when I was hospitalized for an arrhythmia and then confirmed with a sleep study. They first gave me a full mask. That didn’t last the first hour. Then I got a nasal gizmo and works fine. No problem. I sleep well. I’m on my second one, a ResMed Airsense 11. If you need one, you’d be well advised to get used to it. Apnea is nothing to screw around with. It can be fatal.
Yep. My wife loves my CPAP!
She nagged me for two or three years before I was diagnosed. I definitely sleep better with it and I'm not a mouth breather, so I use the nasal pillows and it's no problem at all - very comfortable. I sleep tolerably well without one, so I don't normally take it on solo trips of less than a week alone because I like to fly without checking baggage except my golf clubs if the trip allows for golf. I always take it if the wife is coming with me. The most noticeable difference for me when I sleep without it is that my throat hurts in the morning after sleeping because of the snoring, but it goes away pretty quickly. I'm also a little more tired early in the day without out using it. It's no doubt better for me to sleep with it so I take it even on solo flights if I have to check something anyway.
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I bought a small one for travel. Took it to Europe. Works well except a slight noise and the so-called hydration system doesn’t work.Yep. My wife loves my CPAP!
Airlines don't consider it an extra carry on since it's a medical device. You could literally have three bags.Yep. My wife loves my CPAP!
I will probably get one of those. If the contractor's overseas business takes off as expected, I'll need one.
Did not know that. When I take it, I shove it in one of my checked in bags. If I fly American my first checked in bag is free anyway, I just don't like to go to baggage claim unless I have to.
Curious are you guys technically overweight or was this considered just how your're built. I know being overweight is a cause, but not the only one. I'm not even overweight (anymore) but been told no amount of weighloss with fix my apnea.
Neither do I like to check in luggage. When I go through security I just tell them it's a medical device and the airlines don't care either. The biggest issue I have traveling, especially abroad is bringing or finding distilled water. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find distilled water even in countries like France and Italy. Domestically if its shorter trips I just fill up small travel containers, none of them being larger than allowed and that usually does the job.
Yeah, two trips ago I faced extra scrutiny because I had the distilled water in my carryon bag. That's the first time of many times I had it that they wanted to check that out.
Yea, just fill up a few 4oz containers if it’s a short trip or enough to buy a larger amount if you’re staying awhile.
Take squirt bottles of nasal saline. I use it when I go to bead and at my usual 4 hour pee time.
I’m technically overweight now, but not when I knew I had sleep apnea. I was in good shape and ran faster than half the young whipper snappers in my last ship’s crew.
For nearly 20 years I have done great with CPAP until my newest machine 3 months ago. It complains about me having leaks. The nasal pillows have me mouth breathing, the full mask complains of leaks with me just sitting, let alone trying to sleep.
It is amazing how hard distilled water is to find. I do not get why CVS does not carry it, it is a medical product.
There is that Inspire CPAP replacement I would consider except it costs 2 arms and 3 legs.
It is amazing how hard distilled water is to find. I do not get why CVS does not carry it, it is a medical product.
There is that Inspire CPAP replacement I would consider except it costs 2 arms and 3 legs.
I had a sleep study done around the same time(2008ish) and was diagnosed with a mild sleep apnea.
I tried all the masks but I just couldn’t do it. I’d wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that something was smothering me and I’d rip the mask right off my face.
Luckily, I learned a lot about something called sleep hygiene, which I’d never heard of before. Basically, it’s learning how to fall asleep properly and how to maximize your sleep time. Don’t sleep on your back, remove all distractions from your bedroom, lie awake in bed for 5-10 minute before even attempting to go to sleep. Just lay there and look at the ceiling in a dark, quiet room. Allow your body to wind down for a bit before you try to FORCE it to sleep.
These things worked wonders for me, and I’ve followed them ever since. For instance, I won’t allow a tv in my bedroom, much to the great annoyance of my wife.
I tried all the masks but I just couldn’t do it. I’d wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that something was smothering me and I’d rip the mask right off my face.
Luckily, I learned a lot about something called sleep hygiene, which I’d never heard of before. Basically, it’s learning how to fall asleep properly and how to maximize your sleep time. Don’t sleep on your back, remove all distractions from your bedroom, lie awake in bed for 5-10 minute before even attempting to go to sleep. Just lay there and look at the ceiling in a dark, quiet room. Allow your body to wind down for a bit before you try to FORCE it to sleep.
These things worked wonders for me, and I’ve followed them ever since. For instance, I won’t allow a tv in my bedroom, much to the great annoyance of my wife.
I also have tinnitus so I need a noise machine if the room is too quiet. Tinnitus is from my years in Engineering and Weapons jobs in the Navy. Super loud exposure in both.
I have mild sleep apnea as well. Been looking for a solution for a couple of years, don't want to go the CPAP route since I've heard of so many who it doesn't work for (and it's expensive!). Maybe I'll just lose a few lbs. and try the gummie route, but I haven't had a good night of sleep for at least 3 years. It suuuuuuuuuuuucks.
Damn!
Cost and Insurance:
- The total cost of Inspire therapy can range from $30,000 to $40,000.
- Insurance coverage for Inspire therapy varies, but it is often covered by Medicare and other insurance providers.
- A Medical News Today article says patients may have out-of-pocket expenses for the procedure and device.
- The total cost of Inspire therapy can range from $30,000 to $40,000.
It may work, but that is off the charts ridiculous if any of the other solutions work.
Reggie White convinced me to take apnea very seriously. If I flat out could not do CPAP, or other remedies, Inspire would certainly be done. But as long as my Darth Vader impersonation works, I will stay with it
For anyone upgrading CPAPs and your old one is still in good shape:
www.reggiewhitefoundation.org
Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research and Education Foundation - Donate
www.reggiewhitefoundation.org
I think before I would ever get inspire I’d get multiple opinions to make sure the first doctor isn’t trying to make a nice buck off of me with minimal help. As I mentioned my doc said the alternative methods wouldn’t help nearly as much as a CPAP.
Have you tried different types of masks? I finally found one that works pretty well - covers my mouth, but not my nostrils, although it has openings to my nostrils.
Took me a while, but I barely notice it anymore. It's like brushing your teeth - something you just do. I won't say I love it, but I get hours of straight sleep, with no interruptions. I go anywhere from 3 1/2 to 5 hours before having to get up to pee, and I can go back to sleep with it right away, usually.
I've used mine for about 6 years now, and I feel it's saved my life. I was nodding off while driving and nodding off at lights. Awful.
My only real complaint is I get dry mouth with it - I used the water reservoir. But it's just another thing you get used to.
Good luck. I don't know anyone who has had the operation.
If your doctor prescribes it, insurance will pay for a CPAP machines and supplies.
I've never been diagnosed with sleep apnea (probably should get retested) but my oxygen routinely drops below 90% at night when I'm sleeping (which I don't do very well).
Get tested ASAP. If it is Apnea, even if it doesn't kill you directly, that damages your body and can indirectly shorten your life considerably.
I’ve always been told the same and only use distilled water. Maybe someone here understands the reason why regular water could damage the machine. I’ve never bothered to google this as I’ve never tested the theory of why.
It isn't just the machine, there are bacteria and fungi in tap water that might be best kept out of lungs.
Yep. Also….clean the machine regularly. We see more and more re-occurring “sinus infections” in cpap users
I had a couple of sinus infections so I went to replacing filters weekly, and cleaning everything weekly.
I don't doubt that, but I've had mine for 6 years and haven't had many sinus problems (I used to get them all the time, pre-CPAP, but now maybe once a year), nor have any problems with the machine.
I do notice some residue in the reservoir and clean or replace those.
I became a believer when they couldn't get my oxygen over 90% at the hospital. I actually kept passing out, due to low oxygen.
They put one on me when I was out and when I woke up with it on, I felt like a new person.
I’m the same way re: baggage claim. When I fly in and out of Columbus I park in the walking lot. Without a checked bag I can be off the plane and on the highway in under 15-20 minutes.
