Apnea Diagnosis... Now What?

[eddiememphis]

I did a two night, in home test as prescribed by the Doc after I told him I feel like crap all the time.

It came back as severe, AHI 38. They are recommending an auto-pap.

I was surprised by the diagnosis. I thought apnea was an old fat guy problem.

I don't snore. I'm neither fat nor old. However, after talking to a few people about it, it seem like almost everyone has it, regardless of body type, age or level of health.

Now that I am going "on the mask", what can I expect? I know a few guys on here use them, having looked at various posts.

Is a cpap a magical cure-all or is it snake oil? Something in between?

I know every body is different and all that, but I want to hear from actual users about their experiences.

[BushMasterBoy]

Did you ever have a COVID19 infection? My bout with the virus has damaged my sinus. I believe in "patient driven research".

[funkymonkey1111]

you can expect a jet of air blown up your nose with a giant, elephant-like apparatus on your face. if you sleep in any position other than flat on your back, be forewarned that it is difficult to get used to

[Fromk]

For a long while I also felt like crap all the time and eventually had a lot of days were I just couldn't keep my eyes open. Turns out I had severe sinus problems that were secretly depriving me of sleep for years. When I got diagnosed I was extremely worried that I wouldn't adapt to a mask since I was a light sleeper.

I got put on an APAP that just has the nose things and took to it surprisingly fast. It turns out I am actually capable of sleeping through the night! It worked so well that my wife was checking to make sure I was still alive. After a few nights and you figure out when in your routine to put it on you'll be shocked how much better you start feeling. It seriously turned my life around and reminded me what feeling normal was supposed to be like.

So from someone who didn't know there was a problem and was extremely skeptical about being put on a mask I was totally turned around after a couple nights.

[UncleDave]

Just go with the nasal pillows, not the masks. I have used them all, and that is the most comfortable.

[Great-Kazoo]

If you get the machine, make sure it's the one that can provide humidity.


I have / had it, for a long time. The biggest thing we did to minimize it was (in CO) add a whole house humidifier. Major difference to my sleep pattern.

[rondog]

Hell, I've been on a CPAP for 25 years, on my 3rd machine. It's my bestest friend in the whole world! After my Beagle of course. But seriously, it doesn't take much to get used to, especially after you realize SO much better sleeping. It's like your own personal supercharger pumping air into your beak. I'm so used to it I can't sleep without one now.

BUT - if it's a heated water type, make damn sure it NEVER runs dry! ALWAYS make sure the water tank is full, and ALWAYS use distilled water! Never tap water, that has shit in it you don't want going into your sinuses, not to mention the mineral deposits in your machine. And if it runs dry, it'll pump warm, dry air into your sinuses and you'll be MISERABLE for a couple of days. Happens to me, anyway.

[theGinsue]

Just go with the nasal pillows, not the masks. I have used them all, and that is the most comfortable.

Whoa there big fella, every user is different. I get bad nasal congestion while I sleep (all year allergies). If your nasal passages get filled with mucous (snot), the pillows won't work so I use a full face mask. About 5 years ago I decided to try the newest/best nasal pillows anyway. I found that during my sleep I'd open my mouth. If your mouth opens, the nasal pillows won't work and I would wake feeling as though I was being waterboarded (typical apnea feeling). It's a full overnose and mouth mask for me but every user is different.

Hell, I've been on a CPAP for 25 years, on my 3rd machine. It's my bestest friend in the whole world! After my Beagle of course. But seriously, it doesn't take much to get used to, especially after you realize SO much better sleeping. It's like your own personal supercharger pumping air into your beak. I'm so used to it I can't sleep without one now.

BUT - if it's a heated water type, make damn sure it NEVER runs dry! ALWAYS make sure the water tank is full, and ALWAYS use distilled water! Never tap water, that has shit in it you don't want going into your sinuses, not to mention the mineral deposits in your machine. And if it runs dry, it'll pump warm, dry air into your sinuses and you'll be MISERABLE for a couple of days. Happens to me, anyway.

Everything Rondog said is gospel but especially how, once you get used to it (which can take up to 2 weeks), you'll realize how marvelous they are and you won't be able to sleep without one.

During my first sleep study, which was supposed to be a "split study" they woke me 1/2 way through the night to put a CPAP/BiPAP on me. It was a full face mask and I couldn't seem to catch my breath with it - it felt like they were smothering me with pillows. I was deemed "unable to tolerate" the device. I didn't get a CPAP for 5 more years during which my apnea had progressively gotten worse (likely had it my whole life but didn't get diagnosed until I was 3 years old). When I got my first device I addressed my previous experience with the therapist who showed me the "ramp up" feature. This slowly increases the air pressure over time (as I recall it was 9 minutes). This allows your body to adjust to the pressure. I used this for a couple of weeks and by them I was well adjusted to using the CPAP and went straight to full pressure immediately.

CPAP's aren't particularly cheap and for the first 2 years I had to pay a co-pay for it until it was considered "paid off" and no longer a "leased medical device". My first device was a Phillips Resperonics with a humidifier. (Kazoo is right - get one with a humidifier!!!) It was good. My second device (which I'm still using) is a Resmed Auto with humidifier and I love it. Problem is, I travel for work a lot and taking the CPAP was too bulky in my luggage/carry on. I found a deal at a CPAP supply place out of New Jersey for a Resmed Air Mini with lots of extras (battery pack, portable cleaning bag, etc. all cheaper than most places charged for just the Air Mini) and had my prescription sent to this supplier and bought it myself. While I didn't care for spending the money, the convenience has been well worth it.

Cleanliness is critical. Aside from regularly replacing things like the mask and hose (which I only do about once for every 3-4 times my insurance entitles me to do), you must use distilled water in the humidifier. While this is a cleaner/safer choice the biggest reason is anything else will cause lime buildup in the machine and humidifier reservoir. You'll also want to clean the reservoir weekly (okay, I only do it about once/month, but I'm a bad example). You'll want to wipe out the mask or pillows daily and consider getting something like a SoClean to sanitize (through ionization) the entire system. If you get one of these and fail to clean your body oils off of the silicone seal, the seal will turn brown. Ask me how I know.

Anyway, welcome to apnea and being a CPAP user. After the initial adjustment period you'll definitely realize better sleep.

[Great-Kazoo]

Hell, I've been on a CPAP for 25 years, on my 3rd machine. It's my bestest friend in the whole world! After my Beagle of course. But seriously, it doesn't take much to get used to, especially after you realize SO much better sleeping. It's like your own personal supercharger pumping air into your beak. I'm so used to it I can't sleep without one now.

BUT - if it's a heated water type, make damn sure it NEVER runs dry! ALWAYS make sure the water tank is full, and ALWAYS use distilled water! Never tap water, that has shit in it you don't want going into your sinuses, not to mention the mineral deposits in your machine. And if it runs dry, it'll pump warm, dry air into your sinuses and you'll be MISERABLE for a couple of days. Happens to me, anyway.

If it needs distilled water. BUY IT anytime you see it. Down here it's sparse, or limited to 6- 1 gal containers .

[ChadAmberg]

If it needs distilled water. BUY IT anytime you see it. Down here it's sparse, or limited to 6- 1 gal containers .

Or consider getting your own distiller: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079L5D5VJ/ is the one I have for my wife. Works great, it's easy, and to clean it you just run it with a little bit of ascorbic acid about every 3-4 gallons, based on how bad your water is.