CPAP Yay!

[mafdet]

I got my CPAP machine yesterday and so last night was my first full night on CPAP. I had to toss and turn a bit to find a comfortable sleeping position w/the mask - normally I sleep on my side, but I'm finding I can sleep on my back now as well

Comments

[ayelienne]

Hurrah! What a difference a good night's sleep makes, eh? :)

[akashasheiress]

Can I ask why you have a CPAP? My uncle has narcolepsy and is supposed to use his every night, but he doesn't. :/

[mafdet]

I have severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, meaning my airways collapse in my sleep and cut off my breathing. :( It went undiagnosed for a long time because I'm not the "typical" apnea patient (middle aged fat guy).

Your uncle should probably try things like a different mask, and a heated humidifier. I couldn't use my CPAP without my heated humidifier, otherwise I wouldn't be able to breathe. I also use a small nasal mask - much less cumbersome than the full face mask. There are a vast variety of masks available.

[akashasheiress]

Wrong disorder, sorry! I think he actually has what you have. He'll sometimes wake up with a sort of shout/gasping for air kind of noise. Actually, three of my four maternal uncles have this.

[rdhaht]

There's much to be said for a good night's sleep! Yay!!

[ticklethepear]

I've been meaning to respond since you've been posting about CPAP. I'm really glad it's working for you since it didn't work for me. Apparently my numbers were really good but I didn't feel any different. I tried different masks and still no go. What made it worse was that the sleep docs didn't have any real advice for me during pregnancy and nursing. So I've retired the CPAP for now.

[mafdet]

I'm sorry it didn't work for you! :( There *are* many people for whom it doesn't work, actually. I'm one of the lucky ones.

Some people find that mouthpieces (which a dentist makes for you) work, others find that merely sleeping on their sides helps.

I hope you find something that works for you! My apnea was "surprisingly severe" (according to the doctor) and that is probably why the CPAP made such a difference.

[kit_the_brave]

Hooray! You might want to hide the hose during the day - our cats wrecked more than one by chewing holes in it. Apparently the sproinginess makes it a great cat toy.

[mafdet]

Cats! It's a good thing they're so adorable, considering what they put us through!

Neville and Anastasia are the ones to watch in my house. Especially Anastasia, who has this weird thing about wanting to bite anything she finds interesting. (She's already wrecked a thumb drive by chewing on it.) If the machine is on, I can just disconnect the hose from the mask and squirt air at whichever cat is trying to use the tube or mask as a toy. :D