Minor Success Story. Kinda.
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the forum, be gentle!
I just wanted to share a minor success that I've had with Sleep Apnea. But I'll start with my failure. I was diagnosed with severe obstructive Sleep Apnea. I tried, and tried using my CPAP machine, but I couldn't get used to it. I kept waking up at 1AM having it feel like it was overpowering my breathing, but in a bad way. Having talked with others since I believe it might have been the ramp up feature that was causing my issue. But I eventually gave up on it.
What I did do was lose 10 pounds, and I bought an adjustable bed. It was really expensive, but it's helped me a lot. It's way more comfy than sleeping in a chair (which I did for a while) And by angling the bed upwards at just the right angle, my symptoms reduced dramatically. And I can even sleep on my back, which I hadn't been able to do for years because of my symptoms. I feel a lot better now. The downside is we couldn't afford a bed that adjusted on both side independently, and my wife finds sleeping at that angle uncomfortable sometimes. She's really good about it, but I hate inconveniencing her. So with that in mind, I'm thinking on trying the CPAP machine again without the ramp up feature.
Anyhow, I'm not sure if this info will help anyone else, but I just wanted to put it out there just in case.
Cheers,
Moe
RE: Minor Success Story. Kinda.
I have had my cpap for about a month now and initially found myself feeling suffocated ( even though air was coming in fine) so I decided to turn off the ramp feature and have and have had much better luck, I would give that a shot for sure before giving up, I have found myself feeling so much better than I have in years that the effort has been worth it, I am working out 3 times a week again and lost 19 lbs so far.
RE: Minor Success Story. Kinda.
Hi Cyan02,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
CONGRATULATIONS! on your weight loss, keep up the good work.
Hopefully, your second go 'round with your CPAP machine will go better for you.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you.
trish6hundred
RE: Minor Success Story. Kinda.
The problem with the ramp feature is generally not the ramp itself but the starting pressure for the ramp which is often left at the factory setting which is 4 cm/H2O. If one raises the ramp start pressure one can usually do away with the feeling of suffocating. It can be a useful tool but many people prefer it to be turned off. Plus if you are using an Auto PAP and your minimum pressure setting is anywhere in the area of 4 to 7 cm then the ramp is kind of redundant.
Best Regards,
PaytonA
RE: Minor Success Story. Kinda.
Great progress on the weight loss, I'm hoping to get inspired by your story and others and get rid of some pounds!
RE: Minor Success Story. Kinda.
(09-01-2015, 02:31 PM)Cyan02 Wrote: So with that in mind, I'm thinking on trying the CPAP machine again without the ramp up feature.
Which machine and model is it?
Fill your profile, so we can get an idea of the machine, mask, CPAP pressure, humidifier, ....
Ramp is one the features, you can decide starting pressure and duration to ramp to therapy pressure and whether to use it or not
RE: Minor Success Story. Kinda.
Hi everyone, thanks for all of the great feedback!
Nytro_Mike - Congrats on the weightloss, 19 lbs must be really helping! (and probably nice for the waistline too)
trish6hundred - Thanks for the warm welcome.
PaytonA - I appreciate the info, I wish I'd posted here back when I was initially on the CPAP ... I'm sure it would have helped. I'll keep that in mind when I go for round 2 with the CPAP machine.
stanleydean - Even losing a bit of weight can make a surprising difference. Promise you won't regret it!
Zonk - Ok, I've updated what I remember, it's been a few months since I was on the CPAP machine. It was a ResMed S9 AutoSet with a humidifier and full face mask. I don't know the settings, it was being managed by the sleep clinic that I was going to. I just remember initially I was fine, but I'd inevitably wake up at around 1AM with too much air flow and feeling like I was suffocating. Thanks!