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Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
Hi all,Smile

First I would like to thank you for this forum, people and their stories that allow greater knowledge at all.

I am 43, I am allergic, obese with insulin resistance (metabolic syndrome) and was diagnosed with apnea average 12 AHI in June 2014.

Before treatment, I tried to solve the problem with nasal surgery, but the improvement was negligible. The same doctor who operated on me indicated treatment by CPAP. I bought the self Respironics device with nasal masks (masks chose this because I have psoriasis and need less contact with the face). My life immediately changed for the better, I started to wake up with more disposition and snoring are gone. But over time everything fell apart, I was very upset, turned their snoring and my morning fatigue. I realized that the problem was the choice of the nasal mask, for my allergy clogs the nostrils and the treatment does not happen.
How must the nasal mask, depending more from the roads flights unobstructed for improved treatment, Step to care much more of my allergy, corticosteroid use and wash much nostrils to prevent dermal irritation. When I get nasal obstruction my treatment changes completely, going 5-10 AHI go to 15-27 AHI, one horror.Oh-jeez

In addition, one of the problems that I realized that the leak increases if you leave the lightweight and comfortable masks on their faces. It is very important to properly tighten and position the mask to prevent leaks.

There are days I have been a significant improvement, disposition to agree an AHI 3-4, in the diagnosis of softweare, relatively good the treaty.Rolleyes

I'm using softweare Sleep Head and I can follow my evolution in the treatment, very good.

I also realized that my nights of sleep 5 to 6 hours per day spent to 7-8, 1-2 more hours of good sleep, that's great !! I am very happy with the improvement.

I know I can improve even more, so I'm avoiding eating too much at night, especially before bedtime. Try working out. I believe there is always room for more and better.

A big hug to everyone. I love my CPAP. Live the life!!Thanks
Amir - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
CPAP has changed my life.
I was dreading going to bed, my hubby would wake me every time I snored, and I was sleeping really badly. Dreading going to bed is a misery. The apnea that was discovered was a worry, but the not sleeping is worse. (IMO)
Several months down the track, although I still feel odd setting up the machine and putting on the mask I can go to sleep and sleep for hours and hours without being disturbed. (My hubby loves this too).
I really love looking at the readout when I stop the air in the morning and it tells me I've slept for 8 hours !!! Digital comfirmation that I have slept :grin:
Recently I travelled overseas and hired a portable machine.... all great!
I have had a few issues along the way, and this board has helped fantastically.
Thanks


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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
Hi All,

I am a newConfusedleep-well member that has been using a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset with Airfit P10 Nasal Mask. I have been using this therapy for 3 month. Results have been amazing. I wake rested and ready for a new day. I previously had Severe Apnea, OSA and Central.

I found this board while looking for software to read the SD Data from my CPAP Machine. The ResScan software was exactly what I was looking for.

A little about me, I am a software geek, both professionally and as a hobby. I was a Microsoft Nerd, but I did drink the koolaid, and am now completely absorbed into the Apple Collective (and with good reason).

I drive an electric car and have solar panels on my roof. I am also a member of the Planetary Society and support of efforts to advance our space exploration programs.

Looking forward to getting caught up on your previous postings and staying current on our new postings.

Sleep-well
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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
Welcome
هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه  هههههه
Tongue Suck Technique for prevention of mouth breathing:
  • Place your tongue behind your front teeth on the roof of your mouth
  • let your tongue fill the space between the upper molars
  • gently suck to form a light vacuum

Practising during the day can help you to keep it at night

هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه  هههههه
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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
I've been using CPAP since about 2009. I know this may sound strange, but I love it. At first, I went through some of the same things I've seen people post about--I had it in my mind that I would hate it, the mask was uncomfortable, I would rip the mask off in my sleep, etc. I decided to just hang in there, and tell myself that it was going to work out! I started to realize that I really did feel much better when I used it for a full night's sleep. I changed my mindset, and started looking forward to going to sleep (it sounds funny, but I started to look at the CPAP as "my friend" Smile ). Before the CPAP, there were times I would stop breathing during the night and wake up choking, or wake up with my heart racing. I was afraid that my health would be seriously affected sooner or later, or worse--that I might even die in my sleep. Bottom line, since using CPAP I do not wake up tired, I don't wake up choking or with my heart racing, and I have more energy. Learning to live with this thing on my face and the tubing is a lot better than the alternative of health problems. I'm new to this board, and hope I can bring encouragement to others.
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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
SeaGypsy,
Glad your here. Don't be shy about posting and giving advice, you've been at this for awhile.
A lot of folk need encouragement!
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
Thank you--I'll try to contribute when I can!
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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
I have been using a Resmed AirSense 10 for about 6 - 8 months now. I started with an amara gel ff mask and my machine set at 8 inches, constant. I started with reasonable result numbers (because I don't have apnea when I am awake). I also learned the best way to apply band aids to my nose to prevent the ulceration caused by my mask. But I felt really bad and my nose hurt. Eventually I started to actually fall asleep at night, and my numbers just sucked (I use Sleepy Head Software and ResMeds My Air).
I Upped my machine to 10 inches and that improved my numbers (still not good, but improved) but I was constantly getting air blown in my eyes.
Well time moved on (1 - 2 months - a long time with no sleep) and I found <Supplier #1> who has mask insurance (a great thing), I tried a couple of masks and ended up with a resmed AirFit F10. I like this mask but ended up with a different set of ulceration on my nose area. Again Band Aids to the rescue.
Since then, I have learned many things. Too tight a mask leaks and removes skin from your face. Too loose a mask also leaks. There is a "Goldilocks" zone that is just right. No face ulceration and very little leakage. My numbers were some times good and some times not so much. I could see a pattern in Sleepyhead that I thought maybe was positional. It turned out to be partially due to chin tucked or head back vs neck straight. Numbers got more consistent but still some days good some days not. The final thing I found was mouth open or closed. As one who has always had sinus congestion, mouth open = bad numbers, but mouth closed = can't breabe. So before bed use of saline nose spray or wash for cleaning of my sinus / nose so I can freely breath through both nostrils has gotten my numbers to the consistently < 5 and frequently <1 or at 0.
I feel so much better now. I presented this long story because I would have liked to read it around week 2 or 3 when my nose was bleeding and I couldn't sleep, which was preventable. My Tips, Wash your face well, Clean your mask every day. Learn to properly adjust your mask (air cushion masks must not be too tight), Head position, Breath through nose. I hope you sleep well soon.

I will answer a question I hear coming. "How do I adjust my head position or keep my mouth closed when I am asleep! ?" This will sound hokey but: For a weak or two just at bed time say to yourself "keep your neck straight" or "Keep your mouth closed, breath through your nose" and desire the result you have requested (you don't have to say it out loud). I think you will find positive results most nights.

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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here
(11-21-2015, 09:06 AM)lcambruzzi Wrote: I have been using a Resmed AirSense 10 for about 6 - 8 months now. I started with an amara gel ff mask and my machine set at 8 inches, constant.
I Upped my machine to 10 inches and that improved my numbers (still not good, but improved) but I was constantly getting air blown in my eyes.

The measurement unit is centimetres, not inches. 8" of water would be 20cm and that's as high as these machines can go. 10" would be 25 cm and your machine can't go that high.
Ed Seedhouse
VA7SDH

Part cow since February 2018.

Trust your mind less and your brain more.


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RE: Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here

Hi All

First let me say that the information on this website is a godsend and more people should be made aware of it.

My story started when I turned 45 (I am now 63) I had trouble sleeping and my wife suggested I had sleep apnea, we tried many of the off the shelf gadgets including nasal strips, nostril "spreaders" for want of a better word, finally I went for a sleep study when I turned 50. Until that time, around 2pm everyday I used to nod off, ended up drinking copious amounts of coffee and taking walks away from the desk. The usual frequent trips to the bathroom during the night and a real restless leg syndrome. The trips to the bathroom used to range from 3 to 7 times a night. I ended up thinking I had a bladder issue. After sleeping with the machine, I go to sleep on my side and wake up in the same position not having moved all night! My frequent urination stopped and my restless legs went away.

One thing I did find was when I woke up in the morning of the sleep study the machine was "roaring" air down my throat, I could not get the harness off quick enough. The specialists prescription stated 14mmH2O pressure. I thought this might be excessive seeing it was related to the nurses attention on regulating pressure. I done a lot of research on the internet and decided to purchase a AutoCPAP. Best thing I ever done. My pressure for years ran around 10-12mmH20. WIth age creeping up and some "middle age spread" I have now gone up to 14mmH20 not bad after 13 years on therapy and my initial prescribed pressure.

One thing I have found is that I tend to take deep breaths prior to sleep and the machine set to auto with the range 4-20mmH20 and I found I was struggling to get the air I required to satisfy my deep breaths, after research on this website and downloading the clinicians manual, I have increased the base pressure to 8mmH20. This has solved my problems there.

I have since had 4 machines all Resmed and have been very happy with them. Easy to use and reliable. I travel a lot with work and my Cpap is the first thing in my bag when I pack and the first thing I unpack. I carry an extension lead as many hotels do not provide bedside outlets, each piece of equipment goes in it's own bag Machine, mask, hose and power supply. I do not use the supplied manufacturers bag, I think they need some serious design changes, I use a blackwolf backpack and it all fits perfectly along with the usual travel requirements. I stopped carrying a laptop years ago, I can do all I require with an 8" tablet and a smart phone.

I used to be embarrassed about having to use the machine and kept very quiet about it. I later realised that many people are unaware of sleep apnea and the issues associated with it. I now bring it up at any opportunity and have convinced a few people to get tested and they are very happy with their machines. So spread the word every chance you get, you never know you may save a life!

So to all you people out there struggling with therapy please persevere and ask questions to ensure you get the right info

Regards

GrazzaWazir
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