CPAP suggestions

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Seems like I talk to more and more people that have sleep apnea lately. Since I have obstructive sleep apnea and have had to get use to using a CPAP machine, I know that there are certain tricks that come with use that can help someone who is struggling to keep the mask on and get use to sleeping with it. I thought this would be a good topic for folks to add their wisdom from personal experience.
Someone I spoke to recently has central sleep apnea, which is very dangerous. Basically the brain stops telling your body to breath while you are sleeping and this can kill you in your sleep. He has trouble with the mask because he feels like he is suffocating with it on.
What suggestions would you folks have for getting over that feeling of suffocation?
Also, I have to say the best recommendation that I can give folks is to get the right pillow. The one you have now might not work well with your mask on. Once I got my Bed Boss Crown pillow, it made keeping the mask on easier. I love this pillow with or without the mask.
Feel free to make suggestions or post questions or concerns and hopefully someone will have a suggestion to help.

[Colonel26]

I use a buckwheat pillow. When I got my cpap I got to try on different masks the one I liked the best was actually the cheapest one!

I use the mask that that covers my nose AND mouth snd I’ve had no issues are all. I know other folks who use the mask that just covers thiner nose and like that too, but I don’t think that would work for me though.

I’ve never had any trouble feeling like I was smothering so I’m not much help there. When I got mine the sleep was sooooo good I never paid it any mind.

[jerryd6818]

I've been using a C-Pap machine for 25+ years. This is the mask I use. I panic at the thought of hitting the rack without it.

I don't have any suggestions for getting used to it. I suspect you need to find a mask that's comfortable for you. One style does NOT fit all.

[orvet]

I have sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP machine for over 20 years now. The Mask I use is very similar to Jerry's. I just had a sleep study done about 10 days ago and have been diagnosed with REM sleep disorder. I thought I had gotten a better than average night sleep during the sleep study, about four hours, but when I had the phone interview with the doctor today going over the results of the test she said I only got about an hour and 15 minutes sleep the entire night. No wonder I can't stay awake! Further complicating the situation is RLS, restless leg syndrome. It keeps me awake, or wakes me up once I am asleep. The neurologist says one of the most effective medications for treating restless leg syndrome is oxycodone. Unfortunately oxycodone is no longer politically correct, especially if you're being treated at the VA.

I mentioned this just to let you guys know, as I am finding out, sleep issues are very complicated, according to what the doctor told me today. They adjusted my machine and set it so that instead of getting a constant air pressure, the machine will increase pressure if it thinks I need more air. Instead of having a fixed pressure of 14 lb, it will now very between 13 lb and 20 lb of pressure in hopes that I sleep better.

They are also sending me a new mask that I think they call a nose pillow mask. Two little inflated plastic bags, for the lack of a better word, fit up against my nose and they are supposed to help if you have air leakage problems from your mask.
I'll let you know if I find it acceptable or better than the one I'm using now. When using a CPAP machine most of the mass that I encountered were full face masks that cover the nose and the mouth. I used them for a couple years but I really hated them and was much happier with the style I'm using now.

[Mumbleypeg]

I’ve had a CPAP for 10 years. I use a ResMed Swift FX nasal pillow mask which is probably one of the simplest ones. It fits onto the nose only and does not cover the mouth. When I was diagnosed as having sleep apnea I spent a night in a “sleep lab”. The technician came in two or three times that night and had me try different masks. When I went to the doctor for the follow-up he had the data from the lab and prescribed the mask he thought best, which is what I’m still using.

The CPAP machine itself (at least the two I’ve had) have a programmable “ramp up” feature - the force at which it pushes air through the mask is adjustable. My experience was that changing that setting until you’re comfortable and not feeling suffocated or claustrophobic is key. Mine is low at the start and then ramps up the pressure gradually. After it senses that I am asleep it blows with more force, but I don’t know it. In the beginning I occasionally had a suffocating sensation but just told myself “don’t be silly. Relax. It’s pushing air into my nose so no way I can suffocate.” And then I thought of something else. Sort of like “counting sheep”. Next thing, I’m asleep! Now I wouldn’t go to sleep without it, and I feel so much better I can’t describe it. No more falling asleep while watching a game on TV, or a movie, or reading, etc.

When I first got my CPAP it seems I was going back to the doctor or the respiratory therapist every couple of weeks, answering questions and getting adjustments on the mask fit and machine settings. If it’s not working for you, call them - you’re paying for it!

Ken

[Colonel26]

Ken may be on to something there. Getting your mind off the machine may be just the ticket. I go to sleep listening to a podcast I like on my phone. I set the timer on the podcast app for 30 mins. So that it doesn't play all night. Rarely do I make it past 5 minutes before I'm out!

[Mumbleypeg]

My ResMed machine is connected to the internet. The machine monitors my sleep and uploads the data to the internet. I have an app on my phone for it and can log into the app and get a report telling me all sorts of information including whether my mask is leaking (usually means I need to adjust the fit), how many hours of sleep I got, what kind of sleep, how many apnea “events” I had, etc. When I go in for my annual checkup, the technician downloads all of that data for the doctor to review.

Ken

[Railsplitter]

Mark, tell your friend that it’s better to feel like he’s suffocating than to die in his sleep.

I had that same problem. Told my doctor about it and he told me to suck it up and use the machine every night whether I liked it or not.

I had a very difficult time getting used to my machine. I struggled with it for about 8 months. It was a nightmare but I took his advice because I knew he was right and now I can’t go to bed without the mask on.

As hard as it is for him to believe, your friend will get used to it eventually.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Thank you all for the responses. This makes me think I need to get an upgrade on my machine and mask. Mine varies the pressure during the night and sometimes it blows so hard the mask will leak around an edge and vibrate loudly enough to wake me up, or I might have been having an episode and that woke me, never sure which came first. But the only way for me to get the pressure back to normal is to turn the machine off and back on again. Which is a process that makes me even more awake and harder to get back to sleep.
I will have to look into the mask with a nose pillow, I think that might be the ticket.
Please keep posting any suggestions for fellow users, especially those just starting out with one of these machines. This is very helpful.

[rexstubbins]

I tried a CPAP mask and I ABSOLUTELY cannot wear one. I just freak out. My wife insisted that I do something or find an alternative because she swore that I was dead a few times a night. She said I would wake up gasping for air. I told her if she would stop smothering me with a pillow I would be fine.

I was always so tired as well. I read about the oral mouth guard type devices and how they worked for snoring and had some success with sleep apnea. I tried a couple of different brands before I found one that I could stand. It took a couple of weeks to get used to it but let me tell you. I feel as if it works and my wife says I'm not snoring and waking up gasping for air anymore. I feel like I actually get some sleep. It may not work for everyone but thankfully it seems to be working for me. One bit of caution. It does make your jaw and teeth sore at first but after a few weeks that seems to go away.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Doug I have wondered about the mouth guards and how well they work. I will discuss all these ideas with my NP next time I go in.
I didn’t have too much trouble with feeling smothered when I started out. I snorkel a lot. Getting use to a snorkel mask took time as well but now it’s so old hat that it feels natural when I go into the water.
Anyone have any suggestions for those who still feel smothered by their masks or resist using one due to that?

[thankgod4rkids]

I use a buckwheat pillow. When I got my cpap I got to try on different masks the one I liked the best was actually the cheapest one!

I use the mask that that covers my nose AND mouth snd I’ve had no issues are all. I know other folks who use the mask that just covers thiner nose and like that too, but I don’t think that would work for me though.

I’ve never had any trouble feeling like I was smothering so I’m not much help there. When I got mine the sleep was sooooo good I never paid it any mind.

I don't have a cpap but I really miss my buckwheat pillow. Wore my first one out and haven't found another
Bill

[Colonel26]

I use a buckwheat pillow. When I got my cpap I got to try on different masks the one I liked the best was actually the cheapest one!

I use the mask that that covers my nose AND mouth snd I’ve had no issues are all. I know other folks who use the mask that just covers thiner nose and like that too, but I don’t think that would work for me though.

I’ve never had any trouble feeling like I was smothering so I’m not much help there. When I got mine the sleep was sooooo good I never paid it any mind.

I don't have a cpap but I really miss my buckwheat pillow. Wore my first one out and haven't found another
Bill

Bill I don’t remember where my wife found mine, but it was on line somewhere. It has a zipper so that you can add or remove the buckwheat fill to your liking. We actually bought two and put the fill from both into one pillow. I can’t imagine sleeping on any other kind of pillow now.

[wlf]

I doubt anything will be satisfactory after years of “naked “sleeping. The alternative for me was going to be pacemaker and defibrillator.

My doctor finally put me on the bipap auto. I wear the soft “air touch” nose and mouth mask. It still leaks and needs adjustments occasionally.

If someone has apnea, cpaps and bipaps are much, much better than the alternative.

[Mumbleypeg]

Saw where Philips has a major recall on their CPAP machines. Some problem related to the foam used in their machines. I thought of this thread. Hope none of y’all are impacted by it. Mine is a ResMed brand which is not affected because they don’t use the problematic foam.

Ken

[marinaio61]

I use the ResMed Nose Pillow. I find I can sleep on my side, it doesn't cause that suffocating feeling and it is less expensive than most other masks.