Just diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. Questions about life with a CPAP
April 26, 2021 5:24 PM Subscribe
After having felt overtired for several years with no good explanation, I finally did an at-home sleep study and turns out I have moderate sleep apnea. The doctor explained the treatment options, with cpap being the recommendation and the most successful treatment for the problem.
Right after talking to the doctor I was scheduled for a consultation for a 30 day cpap trial.
My next questions are for anyone who has gone through this process.
Right after talking to the doctor I was scheduled for a consultation with the office's cpap person? Apparently they'll walk me through how to use it and then I'll have it for 30 days and we'll get data back from it and see how my apnea is improved with it.
My next questions are for anyone reading who has gone through this process.
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
- Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me? Right now I just feel optimistic and glad that my morning headaches may be cured and my days will be less miserable.
Right after talking to the doctor I was scheduled for a consultation with the office's cpap person? Apparently they'll walk me through how to use it and then I'll have it for 30 days and we'll get data back from it and see how my apnea is improved with it.
My next questions are for anyone reading who has gone through this process.
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
- Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me? Right now I just feel optimistic and glad that my morning headaches may be cured and my days will be less miserable.
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
Possibly. I have moderate sleep apnea and I immediately felt a huge improvement on the third day. The first two days I had to spend some energy getting used to wearing something on my face. I am not claustrophobic but just was getting used to having some constant tension around my head, sorta like wearing a headband. Other's experiences will vary.
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
I did, even after the first day. I felt like I had shortened sleep but better sleep. The following days I fell into an 7 to 8 hour routine. Much better than the 10 hour, not restful sleep I had previously.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
My snoring was really disruptive to my ex-partner. The machine itself was a soft white noise which neither of us minded. It will sound louder to you since you are wearing something that is flowing air but its darned quiet otherwise. Once I got on the cpap and didn't snore, expartner got much better sleep too.
- Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
The options are limited to your insurance and your cpap supplier. Mine only has three choices, Resmed, Philips and one other. Philips and Resmed are the two big names in the industry and make the best, imo, and quietest machines. I've had both companies over the years I have had no problems.
Comfort will be in the facial appliance they will fit you on. Those are somewhat interchangeable for machines.
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
A travel cpap machine will be much louder and doesn't have the bells and whistles of a good filter or humidifier or the option to use different facial gear. Get one once you've dialed in on a regular machine.
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me?
Oh yeah, the humidity it provides is a godsend for my allergies. Much less seasonal allergies! And the routine of putting it my nasal mask is now a trigger to fall asleep.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 6:22 PM on April 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
Possibly. I have moderate sleep apnea and I immediately felt a huge improvement on the third day. The first two days I had to spend some energy getting used to wearing something on my face. I am not claustrophobic but just was getting used to having some constant tension around my head, sorta like wearing a headband. Other's experiences will vary.
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
I did, even after the first day. I felt like I had shortened sleep but better sleep. The following days I fell into an 7 to 8 hour routine. Much better than the 10 hour, not restful sleep I had previously.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
My snoring was really disruptive to my ex-partner. The machine itself was a soft white noise which neither of us minded. It will sound louder to you since you are wearing something that is flowing air but its darned quiet otherwise. Once I got on the cpap and didn't snore, expartner got much better sleep too.
- Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
The options are limited to your insurance and your cpap supplier. Mine only has three choices, Resmed, Philips and one other. Philips and Resmed are the two big names in the industry and make the best, imo, and quietest machines. I've had both companies over the years I have had no problems.
Comfort will be in the facial appliance they will fit you on. Those are somewhat interchangeable for machines.
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
A travel cpap machine will be much louder and doesn't have the bells and whistles of a good filter or humidifier or the option to use different facial gear. Get one once you've dialed in on a regular machine.
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me?
Oh yeah, the humidity it provides is a godsend for my allergies. Much less seasonal allergies! And the routine of putting it my nasal mask is now a trigger to fall asleep.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 6:22 PM on April 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
Some people feel an immediate improvement. I didn't, but then I wasn't feeling tired, it was my partner noticing my snoring that got me diagnosed. At this point many years in I sleep much better with it, when I have skipped it for a night or two my sleep is noticeably worse.
It takes some time and trial and error with mask fitting, etc. to get comfy sleeping with it. I think it was well worth sticking with but yes, it may be uncomfortable at first. You may need to work up to wearing it all night. My partner has never been bothered by my normal CPAP. I have a smaller travel model and one of the ways they keep it small is cutting back on the soundproofing, so that one is louder. Still better than me snoring all night, I imagine. That's the main difference with the travel one - it's slightly less comfortable and noticeably louder. I might use it as my only machine if I slept alone but wouldn't want to subject my partner to it every night.
Your insurance probably has a model that they prefer. I knew I wanted a model with a removable data card so I could download and review my own data, so I went into the sleep study knowing a specific model I wanted, asked them to write the prescription for that model specifically, and had no problem getting it.
You may go through a trial and error period with different styles of mask that cover your mouth and nose or leave your mouth free. People who can use the nasal masks seem to prefer them. I can't because of how I breathe, so I have the bigger kind. You'll be able to try a few on for fit at the consultation.
I've been really happy with Resmed machines and with CPAP therapy overall. I hope you find good sleep in your future!
posted by Stacey at 6:25 PM on April 26, 2021
It takes some time and trial and error with mask fitting, etc. to get comfy sleeping with it. I think it was well worth sticking with but yes, it may be uncomfortable at first. You may need to work up to wearing it all night. My partner has never been bothered by my normal CPAP. I have a smaller travel model and one of the ways they keep it small is cutting back on the soundproofing, so that one is louder. Still better than me snoring all night, I imagine. That's the main difference with the travel one - it's slightly less comfortable and noticeably louder. I might use it as my only machine if I slept alone but wouldn't want to subject my partner to it every night.
Your insurance probably has a model that they prefer. I knew I wanted a model with a removable data card so I could download and review my own data, so I went into the sleep study knowing a specific model I wanted, asked them to write the prescription for that model specifically, and had no problem getting it.
You may go through a trial and error period with different styles of mask that cover your mouth and nose or leave your mouth free. People who can use the nasal masks seem to prefer them. I can't because of how I breathe, so I have the bigger kind. You'll be able to try a few on for fit at the consultation.
I've been really happy with Resmed machines and with CPAP therapy overall. I hope you find good sleep in your future!
posted by Stacey at 6:25 PM on April 26, 2021
I've just been through this process as well! The machine is silent (well, certainly compared to my snoring!) - one of the biggest changes is that I can no longer chat with my wife with the mask on, since it's hard for her to hear through the mask system.
I tried the nasal pillow thing, but switched to a full face mask almost immediately. It will, of course, feel a bit weird at first. But here's how to get used to it. Go to bed at your usual time, and put the mask on and turn on the machine while you are still awake. Get yourself situated so you can just flick off the light and go to sleep. Now start reading a book until your eyes start to droop. Book on nightstand, light off. You'll go right to sleep. Do this for a few nights and you'll be a pro.
The biggest change for me was: I now slept through the night! I used to get up 2-3 times a night to pee; now I sleep until my alarm clock!
I can't advise on the travel CPAP - those do not have a water tank like the standard models. I plan on springing for a separate one once my work travel resumes (*if* my work travel resumes...)
Important thing to note. Depending on your insurance arrangement, you need to be aware that most modern CPAPs come with cellular radios that transmit fairly intimate usage statistics back to the vendor, and from there to the insurance company. The vendor that provided mine told me, although I had already read about this. The scenario presented to me was that if you did not achieve a certain level of 'compliance' (using the system for at least 6h a night for something like 2/3s of the nights) the insurance company wouldn't pay. Joke's on them - I have a HDHP, so I'm paying anyway - yay me, I guess...?
But on the PLUS side of the spying, my model came with a neat app that helps you diagnose usage issues. It is genuinely helpful - it lets you know about mask fit issues that it discerns from total air flow, and a few other issues, and gives you a nightly score depending on how well you do.
posted by scolbath at 6:29 PM on April 26, 2021
I tried the nasal pillow thing, but switched to a full face mask almost immediately. It will, of course, feel a bit weird at first. But here's how to get used to it. Go to bed at your usual time, and put the mask on and turn on the machine while you are still awake. Get yourself situated so you can just flick off the light and go to sleep. Now start reading a book until your eyes start to droop. Book on nightstand, light off. You'll go right to sleep. Do this for a few nights and you'll be a pro.
The biggest change for me was: I now slept through the night! I used to get up 2-3 times a night to pee; now I sleep until my alarm clock!
I can't advise on the travel CPAP - those do not have a water tank like the standard models. I plan on springing for a separate one once my work travel resumes (*if* my work travel resumes...)
Important thing to note. Depending on your insurance arrangement, you need to be aware that most modern CPAPs come with cellular radios that transmit fairly intimate usage statistics back to the vendor, and from there to the insurance company. The vendor that provided mine told me, although I had already read about this. The scenario presented to me was that if you did not achieve a certain level of 'compliance' (using the system for at least 6h a night for something like 2/3s of the nights) the insurance company wouldn't pay. Joke's on them - I have a HDHP, so I'm paying anyway - yay me, I guess...?
But on the PLUS side of the spying, my model came with a neat app that helps you diagnose usage issues. It is genuinely helpful - it lets you know about mask fit issues that it discerns from total air flow, and a few other issues, and gives you a nightly score depending on how well you do.
posted by scolbath at 6:29 PM on April 26, 2021
I had a CPAP for over 10 years.
Q: Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement? - Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
A: Probably yes. If you have a smartwatch with sleep tracking you should notice immediately that the amount of "deep sleep" you got has increased. Some sleep tracking apps can run on smartphones. Sleep Like an Android would be one.
Q: Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
A: Probably. But my machine is a decade old. Modern ones are smaller and quieter. Wear earplugs if you want. However, I guarantee your snoring is much worse.
Q: Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
A: IIRC there are only like 2-3 companies that make this for the US, and they cost about the same. It's a few hundred dollars now, IIRC. I was thinking about replacing mine and I believe it's $500 or so. Comfort mainly depends on the type of "mask" you get to ensure both a good seal and good airflow, and the "headgear" you get to secure it to your head.
Q: Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
Full-sized CPAPs are engineered with humidifier reservoirs, heaters, quieter operation, and more adjustable parameters for the doctors. Some can even connect with their app and let you view and share results with your doctor. However, don't knock the home versions yet. Some home versions are pretty darn small, last I researched. Not much larger than a very large clock-radio.
Such as this DreamStation from Respironics
Q: What else should I be aware of that might surprise me? Right now I just feel optimistic and glad that my morning headaches may be cured and my days will be less miserable.
A: Don't be suckered into buying too many cleaning supplies. And make sure to get the headgear that fits you. And figure out a way to hang the hoses so it doesn't interfere with your sleep. You probably won't be able to toss and turn as much, but with the better sleep you'll get, you probably won't toss and turn anyway.
posted by kschang at 6:43 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Q: Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement? - Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
A: Probably yes. If you have a smartwatch with sleep tracking you should notice immediately that the amount of "deep sleep" you got has increased. Some sleep tracking apps can run on smartphones. Sleep Like an Android would be one.
Q: Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
A: Probably. But my machine is a decade old. Modern ones are smaller and quieter. Wear earplugs if you want. However, I guarantee your snoring is much worse.
Q: Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
A: IIRC there are only like 2-3 companies that make this for the US, and they cost about the same. It's a few hundred dollars now, IIRC. I was thinking about replacing mine and I believe it's $500 or so. Comfort mainly depends on the type of "mask" you get to ensure both a good seal and good airflow, and the "headgear" you get to secure it to your head.
Q: Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
Full-sized CPAPs are engineered with humidifier reservoirs, heaters, quieter operation, and more adjustable parameters for the doctors. Some can even connect with their app and let you view and share results with your doctor. However, don't knock the home versions yet. Some home versions are pretty darn small, last I researched. Not much larger than a very large clock-radio.
Such as this DreamStation from Respironics
Q: What else should I be aware of that might surprise me? Right now I just feel optimistic and glad that my morning headaches may be cured and my days will be less miserable.
A: Don't be suckered into buying too many cleaning supplies. And make sure to get the headgear that fits you. And figure out a way to hang the hoses so it doesn't interfere with your sleep. You probably won't be able to toss and turn as much, but with the better sleep you'll get, you probably won't toss and turn anyway.
posted by kschang at 6:43 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Don't buy supplies when they tell you -- wait until you actually need something. But do try several masks to make sure it fits well. I used to sleep open-mouthed, so I got a full-face mask. YMMV -- but ask questions on the day of the fitting because yo may not get another chance easily.
The machine stopped my snoring, and my wife can sleep. I, on the other hand, wake several times a night with the hose wrapped around my neck, or with air blowing into my eyes. I detest it as a device, but I am grateful for what it does.
The devices rarely change -- as in, nothing new in the last ten years or so.
Find where to put an SD card in yours, so it records detailed data. Copy this card to your computer and use the free software OSCAR (https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/) to analyze it. The various online communities can make suggestions, since your doctor is likely to ask maybe once a year about it.
Join the online groups and lurk for a while.
If the air leaks around yoru mask, buy small fabric circles (shaped like toilet seats) that just sit between your face and the silicone edge of the mask. they really do work to stop airleaks, but the price is ridiculous (so many folks wash them and reuse them). A sample set of like six is free -- try that.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:05 PM on April 26, 2021
The machine stopped my snoring, and my wife can sleep. I, on the other hand, wake several times a night with the hose wrapped around my neck, or with air blowing into my eyes. I detest it as a device, but I am grateful for what it does.
The devices rarely change -- as in, nothing new in the last ten years or so.
Find where to put an SD card in yours, so it records detailed data. Copy this card to your computer and use the free software OSCAR (https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/) to analyze it. The various online communities can make suggestions, since your doctor is likely to ask maybe once a year about it.
Join the online groups and lurk for a while.
If the air leaks around yoru mask, buy small fabric circles (shaped like toilet seats) that just sit between your face and the silicone edge of the mask. they really do work to stop airleaks, but the price is ridiculous (so many folks wash them and reuse them). A sample set of like six is free -- try that.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:05 PM on April 26, 2021
Oftentimes the first few nights with a CPAP feature remarkable, complex, colorful dreams. This is not directly caused by the CPAP; sleep apnea interferes with dreaming, and sleeping straight through gives your brain a chance to catch up on the REM sleep it's been missing. It can be a little unnerving, but it's a good thing.
Know that you have different options in face masks. If you find the first one too annoying, ask to try a different one! For my first sleep study, in a hospital, I was provided with a cushiony gel face mask. A few days later, when the man came to set up my first CPAP at home, he brought only a dreadful hard mask that did not fit me. I insisted on getting a gel mask, instead. He had to go back to his company (not at all far away) to fetch a more bearable mask. Eventually I discovered nasal pillows, which I find far more comfortable than a face mask.
posted by chromium at 7:10 PM on April 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
Know that you have different options in face masks. If you find the first one too annoying, ask to try a different one! For my first sleep study, in a hospital, I was provided with a cushiony gel face mask. A few days later, when the man came to set up my first CPAP at home, he brought only a dreadful hard mask that did not fit me. I insisted on getting a gel mask, instead. He had to go back to his company (not at all far away) to fetch a more bearable mask. Eventually I discovered nasal pillows, which I find far more comfortable than a face mask.
posted by chromium at 7:10 PM on April 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
Nthing most everyone else so far. I've been on a CPAP for . . . 3 years now? Something like that. Took me about a week to get used to sleeping with the full mask on, and probably about 3 or 4 days to really feel noticeably better after waking up. But I have really bad sleep apnea, so YMMV.
I actually have that Philips Respironics linked above and it's . . . pretty large, IMO. I just got curious and measured it and it's 12" x 8" - large enough that I bought a square wood stool from target or somewhere to put it on (because my nightstand is already covered in books & kleenex & a lamp & an alarm clock & etc.) But it works great, lots of adjustable parameters - the one I like is "ramp up", where it will start on a lower pressure that's barely noticeable and slowly increase the airflow; so I can have the mask on & read until I start to drift off without having a big push of air in my face.
If you're a restless sleeper (I am), the hose that comes with your machine might be a little short. But it didn't take much poking around on Amazon to find a longer hose compatible with my CPAP. (Also, probably depends on your insurance, but replacement air filters are cheaper there, too.)
What else should I be aware of that might surprise me?
There is a level of long-term benefit - I use mine every night & if I take a nap on days off, but if I crash hard before I put it on or for whatever reason pull it off in the middle of the night (both very rare occurrences), I'll wake up feeling a little "grainy" and with a dry mouth & throat, but I don't really feel tired and I can get through my day just fine with no ill effects. So using it regularly for a while has clearly made it so that if I don't use it occasionally I still feel better than I did before I had one.
posted by soundguy99 at 7:31 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
I actually have that Philips Respironics linked above and it's . . . pretty large, IMO. I just got curious and measured it and it's 12" x 8" - large enough that I bought a square wood stool from target or somewhere to put it on (because my nightstand is already covered in books & kleenex & a lamp & an alarm clock & etc.) But it works great, lots of adjustable parameters - the one I like is "ramp up", where it will start on a lower pressure that's barely noticeable and slowly increase the airflow; so I can have the mask on & read until I start to drift off without having a big push of air in my face.
If you're a restless sleeper (I am), the hose that comes with your machine might be a little short. But it didn't take much poking around on Amazon to find a longer hose compatible with my CPAP. (Also, probably depends on your insurance, but replacement air filters are cheaper there, too.)
What else should I be aware of that might surprise me?
There is a level of long-term benefit - I use mine every night & if I take a nap on days off, but if I crash hard before I put it on or for whatever reason pull it off in the middle of the night (both very rare occurrences), I'll wake up feeling a little "grainy" and with a dry mouth & throat, but I don't really feel tired and I can get through my day just fine with no ill effects. So using it regularly for a while has clearly made it so that if I don't use it occasionally I still feel better than I did before I had one.
posted by soundguy99 at 7:31 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
I am, as mandolin conspiracy says, the "other side of the bed" from a cpap user. He noticed a pretty dramatic improvement after just a day or two, and feels out of it if he doesn't use it one night for some reason. So his experience is very much like that of everyone else. The machine makes some noise, and any air leakage around the mask is noisy as well, but I wear earplugs just as I did before the cpap came into our lives so it doesn't disturb my sleep at all.
Being a stubborn cuss, Mr. DrGail initially didn't use the humidifier and didn't clean the machine as often as recommended and, surprise!, he experienced what he thought was a gosh-darn cold that just wouldn't go away. Then he gave in and started using the humidifier, and bought a SoClean, and all is now well in the kingdom.
posted by DrGail at 7:46 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Being a stubborn cuss, Mr. DrGail initially didn't use the humidifier and didn't clean the machine as often as recommended and, surprise!, he experienced what he thought was a gosh-darn cold that just wouldn't go away. Then he gave in and started using the humidifier, and bought a SoClean, and all is now well in the kingdom.
posted by DrGail at 7:46 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Been using a CPAP for 5 years now. Here's my experience:
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
Yes...ish? It will take a day or two to get used to having stuff on your face, but in almost no time, you'll be surprised that you can wake up after a night's sleep and actually feel rested. It's a lovely change.
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
Maybe? It will depend on how well you adapt to having a thing on your face. If nasal pillows are an option for you, use those instead of a full face mask- it's a much smaller footprint (faceprint?) and easier to use, particularly if you're a side/mobile sleeper.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
My wife thinks of it as a white noise machine and it doesn't really bother her. I just got a new one that's a lot quieter, but it still makes a little bit of noise.
- Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
I am not given a choice of machine by my insurance (Kaiser), but I really like the one I just got after five years of using the older, much bigger version of that same machine.
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
I have never used a travel cpap, but the machines I have had have never been so onerous or bulky that I didn't feel I could easily travel with them. In pre-covid times, I took 4-5 trips a year, and it was never a problem to take my everyday cpap with me. And since it's a guaranteed carry-on (tell the gate agent it's DME, and they'll wave it through no problem), you can stuff some toiletries or other small things in the bag with the cpap and boom - extra packing room!
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me? Right now I just feel optimistic and glad that my morning headaches may be cured and my days will be less miserable.
If you end up with nasal pillows, you will want to keep a tube of Aquaphor around - your nose skin will probably get irritated from the interface. It's easy to stay on top of, and since you're not in a super dry climate it may not be a huge issue for you, but it's something to keep in mind. Also, you'll need to make sure you're keeping the machine clean - wash the facial interface 2-3 times a week, and change the filters religiously (monthly is recommended, and do not skip a change).
Also, I have found it super helpful to route the tube from the machine to my nose over the headboard of my bed - your mileage may vary, but I move around a fair bit when I sleep, and having the tube come at me from above, as it were, is much more manageable as I roll around at night than if it were just coming from head level next to me on the nightstand. Having it suspended above me takes a lot of the physical pressure off the tube as it meets my face.
posted by pdb at 8:09 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
Yes...ish? It will take a day or two to get used to having stuff on your face, but in almost no time, you'll be surprised that you can wake up after a night's sleep and actually feel rested. It's a lovely change.
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
Maybe? It will depend on how well you adapt to having a thing on your face. If nasal pillows are an option for you, use those instead of a full face mask- it's a much smaller footprint (faceprint?) and easier to use, particularly if you're a side/mobile sleeper.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
My wife thinks of it as a white noise machine and it doesn't really bother her. I just got a new one that's a lot quieter, but it still makes a little bit of noise.
- Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow? Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
I am not given a choice of machine by my insurance (Kaiser), but I really like the one I just got after five years of using the older, much bigger version of that same machine.
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
I have never used a travel cpap, but the machines I have had have never been so onerous or bulky that I didn't feel I could easily travel with them. In pre-covid times, I took 4-5 trips a year, and it was never a problem to take my everyday cpap with me. And since it's a guaranteed carry-on (tell the gate agent it's DME, and they'll wave it through no problem), you can stuff some toiletries or other small things in the bag with the cpap and boom - extra packing room!
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me? Right now I just feel optimistic and glad that my morning headaches may be cured and my days will be less miserable.
If you end up with nasal pillows, you will want to keep a tube of Aquaphor around - your nose skin will probably get irritated from the interface. It's easy to stay on top of, and since you're not in a super dry climate it may not be a huge issue for you, but it's something to keep in mind. Also, you'll need to make sure you're keeping the machine clean - wash the facial interface 2-3 times a week, and change the filters religiously (monthly is recommended, and do not skip a change).
Also, I have found it super helpful to route the tube from the machine to my nose over the headboard of my bed - your mileage may vary, but I move around a fair bit when I sleep, and having the tube come at me from above, as it were, is much more manageable as I roll around at night than if it were just coming from head level next to me on the nightstand. Having it suspended above me takes a lot of the physical pressure off the tube as it meets my face.
posted by pdb at 8:09 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
I had off-the-chart central and obstructive apnea (I think my AHI was over 50). I've been on CPAP since 2018.
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
I got lucky - the very first night with the very first mask and the very first machine gave me the best night's sleep I'd ever had, and I awoke noticeably and profoundly refreshed. I just will not sleep without my CPAP. It isn't happening.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
This is going vary markedly from person to person, and maybe machine to machine. My machine (a ResMed) didn't keep my partner awake (it's kinda moot now that she has her own). It was just a gentle background...hiss isn't the right word, more a rushing sound.
If somebody's mask slips that can creating a sound a bit like air escaping from a balloon, and I guess that would be disruptive. If your hose gets disconnected at the mask end it can sound like a vacuum cleaner. These are very rare occurrences for a well-fitted mask.
You may prefer one style of mask over another - full face, over the nose, those little top of the lip nostril jobs. - and these can sound different. But any machine and any mask is going to be quieter than snoring or sudden choking / gasping.
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
You don't need two machines. My fullsize ResMed machine comes with a travel bag. I guess it's a bit like carrying around a small laptop.
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me?
My first hit home run isn't typical. CPAP can be a journey as you try different masks and pressures.
Just breathe out normally. Don't feel like you need to push back against the air coming in.
Change your filters more often than you think you need to.
Pay attention to the heat / humidity settings. If you find liquid condensing in the tube, tweaking these can make it go away. I run it warm with no humidity, ymmv.
You can use free apps like SleepyHead (I have no idea what's going on at the top of that page, the app still works fine) to read your own CPAP data. Just make sure you set the card to read only before you put it in your computer. Great for seeing if CPAP is making a difference for you, how much, and whether you have any issues like the mask slipping.
You can change your own settings without going to a specialist by unlocking the clinician mode (on my ResMed AirSense 10 Auto you just push the two big buttons on the front at the same time for a few seconds). If you look at your data and see that your AHI is high, you can just bump up the pressure for a few nights and see how it goes.
If you go camping in a tent, you'll need a powered site.
Prices can vary widely for the same machine - shop around.
If you ever go to Japan, you need to fill out a special form to bring your CPAP machine into the country.
I don't know your gender, but if you have facial hair, lose it if you want the best fit from your mask.
If the hose is annoying you, hang a hook from the wall and drape it over that.
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 8:09 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
I got lucky - the very first night with the very first mask and the very first machine gave me the best night's sleep I'd ever had, and I awoke noticeably and profoundly refreshed. I just will not sleep without my CPAP. It isn't happening.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
This is going vary markedly from person to person, and maybe machine to machine. My machine (a ResMed) didn't keep my partner awake (it's kinda moot now that she has her own). It was just a gentle background...hiss isn't the right word, more a rushing sound.
If somebody's mask slips that can creating a sound a bit like air escaping from a balloon, and I guess that would be disruptive. If your hose gets disconnected at the mask end it can sound like a vacuum cleaner. These are very rare occurrences for a well-fitted mask.
You may prefer one style of mask over another - full face, over the nose, those little top of the lip nostril jobs. - and these can sound different. But any machine and any mask is going to be quieter than snoring or sudden choking / gasping.
-Is there some reason I couldn't use a travel cpap full-time? They look tiny and I love that I could just use that wherever I went rather than having to have a home and away machine.
You don't need two machines. My fullsize ResMed machine comes with a travel bag. I guess it's a bit like carrying around a small laptop.
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me?
My first hit home run isn't typical. CPAP can be a journey as you try different masks and pressures.
Just breathe out normally. Don't feel like you need to push back against the air coming in.
Change your filters more often than you think you need to.
Pay attention to the heat / humidity settings. If you find liquid condensing in the tube, tweaking these can make it go away. I run it warm with no humidity, ymmv.
You can use free apps like SleepyHead (I have no idea what's going on at the top of that page, the app still works fine) to read your own CPAP data. Just make sure you set the card to read only before you put it in your computer. Great for seeing if CPAP is making a difference for you, how much, and whether you have any issues like the mask slipping.
You can change your own settings without going to a specialist by unlocking the clinician mode (on my ResMed AirSense 10 Auto you just push the two big buttons on the front at the same time for a few seconds). If you look at your data and see that your AHI is high, you can just bump up the pressure for a few nights and see how it goes.
If you go camping in a tent, you'll need a powered site.
Prices can vary widely for the same machine - shop around.
If you ever go to Japan, you need to fill out a special form to bring your CPAP machine into the country.
I don't know your gender, but if you have facial hair, lose it if you want the best fit from your mask.
If the hose is annoying you, hang a hook from the wall and drape it over that.
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 8:09 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
As a partner of a CPAP user I didn't wake up from the routine sounds but did wake up on rare occasions when he dislodged the mask and air started rushing out around it. Everything else was quieter and more consistent sounding than snoring.
posted by deludingmyself at 8:54 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by deludingmyself at 8:54 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
@soundguy99 -- the Dreamstation is large because the full unit INCLUDES the heater and humidifier, which is actually optional. If your local air is humid and warm enough, go without it, and your machine is suddenly half the size.
posted by kschang at 9:03 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by kschang at 9:03 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Sleep medicine and DME (durable medical equipment) seems to be this century's version of the old dental "Drill, fill & bill!" You pay for the sleep study, it shows you have apnea; maybe you pay for the overnight at the sleep clinic which shows the same thing, then you get the machine that's currently the highest margin for your prescriber or DME, then you get WAY more supplies than you need (up to the maximum amount your insurance will pay for.)
If you're moderately handy, moderately frugal, and interested in taking charge of your treatment, there's a lot you can do to get dialed in quickly and for less out-of-pocket than the way that makes your doctor the most money.
Supplies from Amazon may be cheaper than your DME (or at least, cheaper while you're still under your deductible). Online CPAP vendors have a good selection and good prices. And the Sleepyhead software mentioned above (now called OSCAR, available for free download from here) can import data collected by most of the current machines and display it in a useful way. Many people at the Apnea Board Forum are long-time CPAP users and happy to help newbies.
I've been using CPAP for 18 months or so, and have pretty well gotten used to it, though the startup was tough. (There's a reason you can easily buy nearly-new, state of the art CPAP machines for cheap on Craigslist -- people get them from insurance but can't get used to them fast enough to meet the minimum usage requirements [which insurance can check via a cell-phone connection in many of the machines], so they get stuck with the expensive DME bill and a machine they can't stand to use. If you're not squeamish, the machines are quite simple and easily cleaned. I got my current machine with 50 hours on it from a Craigslist seller, and I'm at 2500 hours or so now.)
Keep at it, try different masks if you have the opportunity to do so at reasonable cost, learn how to adjust your own pressure and see how it affects your results using the OSCAR data display.
I started on a Philips Dreamstation (a refurb pushed by my DME), but the pressure control algorithm would wake me up pretty regularly. Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset was reputed to have a better algorithm, so I bought one (the used machine from Craigslist). I've found it to work much better for me.
Good luck!
posted by spacewrench at 9:15 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
If you're moderately handy, moderately frugal, and interested in taking charge of your treatment, there's a lot you can do to get dialed in quickly and for less out-of-pocket than the way that makes your doctor the most money.
Supplies from Amazon may be cheaper than your DME (or at least, cheaper while you're still under your deductible). Online CPAP vendors have a good selection and good prices. And the Sleepyhead software mentioned above (now called OSCAR, available for free download from here) can import data collected by most of the current machines and display it in a useful way. Many people at the Apnea Board Forum are long-time CPAP users and happy to help newbies.
I've been using CPAP for 18 months or so, and have pretty well gotten used to it, though the startup was tough. (There's a reason you can easily buy nearly-new, state of the art CPAP machines for cheap on Craigslist -- people get them from insurance but can't get used to them fast enough to meet the minimum usage requirements [which insurance can check via a cell-phone connection in many of the machines], so they get stuck with the expensive DME bill and a machine they can't stand to use. If you're not squeamish, the machines are quite simple and easily cleaned. I got my current machine with 50 hours on it from a Craigslist seller, and I'm at 2500 hours or so now.)
Keep at it, try different masks if you have the opportunity to do so at reasonable cost, learn how to adjust your own pressure and see how it affects your results using the OSCAR data display.
I started on a Philips Dreamstation (a refurb pushed by my DME), but the pressure control algorithm would wake me up pretty regularly. Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset was reputed to have a better algorithm, so I bought one (the used machine from Craigslist). I've found it to work much better for me.
Good luck!
posted by spacewrench at 9:15 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
GET IT GET IT GET IT. I hope it has the positive impact on your life that it has on mine (and I was loathe to get one, thinking back to when they were the size of a Volkswagen and as noisy as a Mack truck).
posted by kate4914 at 9:53 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by kate4914 at 9:53 PM on April 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Resmed makes machines that automatically adjust the pressure based on a sensor that measures your breathing patterns, so they run as little overpressure as is necessary to keep you breathing without interruptions. They come with a humidifier and a heated breathing tube as well. This is as comfortable an experience as it's possible to get with a face-hugger attached to you all night.
posted by flabdablet at 10:55 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by flabdablet at 10:55 PM on April 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
My CPAP literally changed my life. The first night I wore it was the first time I slept through the night in years.
As far as surprises/things I've learned:
1) You don't have to buy supplies from any official source (unless your insurance company requires it).
2) You don't need to replace filters and any other parts on a specific schedule. Replace on a schedule that works for you. For example, I was told I needed to replace the mask part that touches my face every month. Instead, I replace it every 3-4 months, and it's fine. I wash it with soap and water regularly (well, when I remember to).
3) Hoses can be made of different materials. The original hose that came with my machine was soft and did not make any noise when I moved around. A replacement hose I bought (because I thought I needed to replace it) was stiff and made horrible scraping noises every time I moved. I gave up on a replacement and just wash the original hose out with soap and water regularly.
4) If you live where it gets cold and your machine has a humidifier option, sometimes it will just go crazy and blow water on your face. The solution is hose pajamas, and I'm not even kidding. A hose cover will also reduce noise and it can feel very comforting and warm and cozy.
5) You don't need as much water in the tank as you think, especially in humid weather. Empty the water tank daily and let it air dry. Distilled water is recommended (and feels better IMO) but I've used our crappy regular tap water in a pinch and lived to tell the tale.
6) I did not know there were special travel units. I just take my home one with me when I [used to] travel. It came with a carrying case that works well.
Good luck!
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:15 AM on April 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
As far as surprises/things I've learned:
1) You don't have to buy supplies from any official source (unless your insurance company requires it).
2) You don't need to replace filters and any other parts on a specific schedule. Replace on a schedule that works for you. For example, I was told I needed to replace the mask part that touches my face every month. Instead, I replace it every 3-4 months, and it's fine. I wash it with soap and water regularly (well, when I remember to).
3) Hoses can be made of different materials. The original hose that came with my machine was soft and did not make any noise when I moved around. A replacement hose I bought (because I thought I needed to replace it) was stiff and made horrible scraping noises every time I moved. I gave up on a replacement and just wash the original hose out with soap and water regularly.
4) If you live where it gets cold and your machine has a humidifier option, sometimes it will just go crazy and blow water on your face. The solution is hose pajamas, and I'm not even kidding. A hose cover will also reduce noise and it can feel very comforting and warm and cozy.
5) You don't need as much water in the tank as you think, especially in humid weather. Empty the water tank daily and let it air dry. Distilled water is recommended (and feels better IMO) but I've used our crappy regular tap water in a pinch and lived to tell the tale.
6) I did not know there were special travel units. I just take my home one with me when I [used to] travel. It came with a carrying case that works well.
Good luck!
posted by SuperSquirrel at 5:15 AM on April 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
By the way, you can bring your CPAP machine on a plane and it doesn't count against your carry-on allotment: it's a medical device and don't let them tell you different.
Once you get the gray ResMed carrying case, you'll recognize them in the hands of people all over the airport!
posted by wenestvedt at 6:31 AM on April 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
Once you get the gray ResMed carrying case, you'll recognize them in the hands of people all over the airport!
posted by wenestvedt at 6:31 AM on April 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
I've been using a CPAP machine for about 2.5 years, and my life is so much better. (My sleep apnea is quite mild, just over 5 AHI an hour, which is where they'll diagnose it in the US, but it's made such a difference.)
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
I saw an improvement in a couple of days - not just in terms of feeling more rested, but I track my overall activity, and I nearly doubled the amount of random walking around at work I was doing in the first week (because, well, not so tired.) I was no longer conserving my energy the way I had been the second or third day.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
As others have said, the current models are really quiet. You might need to figure out how to manage the cord in a way that works for you both, but there are a bunch of options for that.
-Models
To some extent, this may be a combo of your doctor's rec, your DME provider, etc. A lot of people agree that the
Resmed AirSense 10 is the current best machine (for a combo of ease of use + how the algorithm decides to respond to your breathing).
Travel CPAP
They don't have a humidifier (they do have discs that help, but it's not the same thing.) I'm also given to understand that the motors are not designed to take day-in-day-out use the same way.
(I don't have a travel model, I am considering one when travel is a thing again, partly because I hate having to unplug my machine when I'm leaving to go on a trip and set it up again when I get home and am tired. My setup involves a certain amount of "make sure the cat can't turn off the power strip" fiddling.)
The humidifier has made so much difference to me - it drastically reduces cold and allergy issues for me overall, above and beyond the CPAP benefits.
The regular machine itself would be beside your bed somehow, and the masks are not that different in size/bulk, so you're not actually saving much space in a bedroom, more in the packing.
Other useful things to know
There are all sorts of comfort related things that can help. I really hate having the plastic of the tube against my skin (it will wake me up) so I have a flannel tube cover. I have polyfleece strap covers (reduces marks in the morning, and just more comfortable.) I found the straps tore at my fine hair, so I wear a cotton sleeping cap. That kind of thing.
Expect that you may have to do a bit of trial and error to figure that out (and also things like your preferred level of humidification.)
I have a Command hook by my bed, and a velcro strap (a cord management strap) around the CPAP tube, and hang it off the hook. This means the weight of the tube doesn't drag off my face in some sleeping positions (or if the cat rearranges things in the middle of the night.)
Mask style is really personal: my sleep tech suggested starting with the smallest nasal mask (the ResMed P10) and if that didn't work, we could try other things (I had some concerns about the straps triggering psoriasis on my face - I have issues on my scalp, but no worse than before the CPAP - so 'less skin friction probably better' was what we were going for.).
If you're inclined to change sides often, there are masks where the tube runs from the top of your head, where this can be easier. (Likewise, if you need to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, some masks are easier to disconnect - though that's something that may change with CPAP treatment.)
There are a couple of CPAP and sleep apnea forums out there: they are very old-school forum, but I've found them really helpful for troubleshooting specific things. I had slept with my mouth open for so long that I had to retrain myself. One tip I got from there (apply carefully!) is a piece of surgical tape across your lips vertically (it can be quite narrow, so you can breathe around it if you have to). That reminds you not to open your mouth. I used it for about a month, and then I was fine without it.
You may want to have some pure lanolin on hand, especially if you're using nasal pillows. I don't use it every night but about once every two or three weeks, I end up with the mask rubbing on my nostrils more than usual. The lanolin helps everything move and heal, and it won't degrade the silicon of the mask like other options can.
I also second the comments about "You don't need to order new supplies just because they're an option" - keep a backup of everything, but beyond that, reorder on your schedule. I've been replacing my tubes yearly, my humidifier container lasts about that long. The same thing with cleaning: I use distilled water in my tank, and basically check everything more or less every day with a quick visual check, clean it when it seems needed, and call it good.
posted by jenettsilver at 6:33 AM on April 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
- Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
I saw an improvement in a couple of days - not just in terms of feeling more rested, but I track my overall activity, and I nearly doubled the amount of random walking around at work I was doing in the first week (because, well, not so tired.) I was no longer conserving my energy the way I had been the second or third day.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
As others have said, the current models are really quiet. You might need to figure out how to manage the cord in a way that works for you both, but there are a bunch of options for that.
-Models
To some extent, this may be a combo of your doctor's rec, your DME provider, etc. A lot of people agree that the
Resmed AirSense 10 is the current best machine (for a combo of ease of use + how the algorithm decides to respond to your breathing).
Travel CPAP
They don't have a humidifier (they do have discs that help, but it's not the same thing.) I'm also given to understand that the motors are not designed to take day-in-day-out use the same way.
(I don't have a travel model, I am considering one when travel is a thing again, partly because I hate having to unplug my machine when I'm leaving to go on a trip and set it up again when I get home and am tired. My setup involves a certain amount of "make sure the cat can't turn off the power strip" fiddling.)
The humidifier has made so much difference to me - it drastically reduces cold and allergy issues for me overall, above and beyond the CPAP benefits.
The regular machine itself would be beside your bed somehow, and the masks are not that different in size/bulk, so you're not actually saving much space in a bedroom, more in the packing.
Other useful things to know
There are all sorts of comfort related things that can help. I really hate having the plastic of the tube against my skin (it will wake me up) so I have a flannel tube cover. I have polyfleece strap covers (reduces marks in the morning, and just more comfortable.) I found the straps tore at my fine hair, so I wear a cotton sleeping cap. That kind of thing.
Expect that you may have to do a bit of trial and error to figure that out (and also things like your preferred level of humidification.)
I have a Command hook by my bed, and a velcro strap (a cord management strap) around the CPAP tube, and hang it off the hook. This means the weight of the tube doesn't drag off my face in some sleeping positions (or if the cat rearranges things in the middle of the night.)
Mask style is really personal: my sleep tech suggested starting with the smallest nasal mask (the ResMed P10) and if that didn't work, we could try other things (I had some concerns about the straps triggering psoriasis on my face - I have issues on my scalp, but no worse than before the CPAP - so 'less skin friction probably better' was what we were going for.).
If you're inclined to change sides often, there are masks where the tube runs from the top of your head, where this can be easier. (Likewise, if you need to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, some masks are easier to disconnect - though that's something that may change with CPAP treatment.)
There are a couple of CPAP and sleep apnea forums out there: they are very old-school forum, but I've found them really helpful for troubleshooting specific things. I had slept with my mouth open for so long that I had to retrain myself. One tip I got from there (apply carefully!) is a piece of surgical tape across your lips vertically (it can be quite narrow, so you can breathe around it if you have to). That reminds you not to open your mouth. I used it for about a month, and then I was fine without it.
You may want to have some pure lanolin on hand, especially if you're using nasal pillows. I don't use it every night but about once every two or three weeks, I end up with the mask rubbing on my nostrils more than usual. The lanolin helps everything move and heal, and it won't degrade the silicon of the mask like other options can.
I also second the comments about "You don't need to order new supplies just because they're an option" - keep a backup of everything, but beyond that, reorder on your schedule. I've been replacing my tubes yearly, my humidifier container lasts about that long. The same thing with cleaning: I use distilled water in my tank, and basically check everything more or less every day with a quick visual check, clean it when it seems needed, and call it good.
posted by jenettsilver at 6:33 AM on April 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
Going to go against the trend here and say not likely. The reason being that a large chunk of people have difficulty adjusting to the mask, have trouble initially with things like the hose coming undone, straps too loose (or too tight), or seals not quite tight enough. It took me months to overcome all of these issues, and become comfortable enough with something on my face (I'm mildly claustrophobic and it initially set me off quite a bit.)
That's not to say you'll have any or all of these issues, just that the odds are there will be some bumps on the road. Pushing through them will require persistence and lots of patience, with yourself and with the limits of the technology. Most people get through it, but for some it isn't easy, as evidenced by the long-term non-compliance rate of around 35%. The bright side is that 2 out of 3 keep it up. Because it's so worth it.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 7:20 AM on April 27, 2021 [5 favorites]
Going to go against the trend here and say not likely. The reason being that a large chunk of people have difficulty adjusting to the mask, have trouble initially with things like the hose coming undone, straps too loose (or too tight), or seals not quite tight enough. It took me months to overcome all of these issues, and become comfortable enough with something on my face (I'm mildly claustrophobic and it initially set me off quite a bit.)
That's not to say you'll have any or all of these issues, just that the odds are there will be some bumps on the road. Pushing through them will require persistence and lots of patience, with yourself and with the limits of the technology. Most people get through it, but for some it isn't easy, as evidenced by the long-term non-compliance rate of around 35%. The bright side is that 2 out of 3 keep it up. Because it's so worth it.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 7:20 AM on April 27, 2021 [5 favorites]
I have been using a CPAP (actually a BiPAP) for around 4 years now, and although I'm happy that many people in this ask have had good experiences, mine has been only ok. I would really recommend moderating your expectations.
> Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
I didn't. Maybe after a few weeks? Sometimes I still don't know I feel better. I guess I do, but for me it wasn't instant.
In addition, there was a lot of experimenting with masks. I had lots of issues, including the inability to sleep with a full face mask, and don't forget that now you have ongoing medical billing to deal with. Not fun if they screw something up.
Another thing nobody told me about was that you can swallow air while using a CPAP and wake up with horrible, painful gas. This happened to me for about a week (one year into using it!) and I stopped using the CPAP, it was so bad. Once I got back in touch with the doctor, I switched to a BiPAP and this has mostly resolved the issue, but it still happens sometimes! Seems to be worse if I sleep on my right side. No idea why.
Overall, I _think_ I'm better off, but the CPAP brings new challenges.
I had hopes that my entire life would change: before - gray and gloomy, after - bright sunshine and birds chirping. The reality is more like: before - gray and gloomy, after - that time of year when it's just starting to get warm but all the grass and trees are still dead, the birds are still off somewhere else.
So, yeah, I would encourage you to do it, but moderate your expectations.
posted by kpmcguire at 9:13 AM on April 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
> Should I expect to immediately feel an improvement?
I didn't. Maybe after a few weeks? Sometimes I still don't know I feel better. I guess I do, but for me it wasn't instant.
In addition, there was a lot of experimenting with masks. I had lots of issues, including the inability to sleep with a full face mask, and don't forget that now you have ongoing medical billing to deal with. Not fun if they screw something up.
Another thing nobody told me about was that you can swallow air while using a CPAP and wake up with horrible, painful gas. This happened to me for about a week (one year into using it!) and I stopped using the CPAP, it was so bad. Once I got back in touch with the doctor, I switched to a BiPAP and this has mostly resolved the issue, but it still happens sometimes! Seems to be worse if I sleep on my right side. No idea why.
Overall, I _think_ I'm better off, but the CPAP brings new challenges.
I had hopes that my entire life would change: before - gray and gloomy, after - bright sunshine and birds chirping. The reality is more like: before - gray and gloomy, after - that time of year when it's just starting to get warm but all the grass and trees are still dead, the birds are still off somewhere else.
So, yeah, I would encourage you to do it, but moderate your expectations.
posted by kpmcguire at 9:13 AM on April 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
CPAP sorta worked for my OSA (resolved with weight loss). My apnea decreased, but it didn't make me feel better.
I couldn't keep my mouth shut so the nasal thing was out from the night I did my sleep study. I used a full face mask the couple years I used it.
I'm on Medicaid, so I had no choice on my machine or mask. After I lost all the weight (260 lbs) I couldn't get the mask to seal at all. My sleep was overall very poor. I actually slept better without the CPAP. I went for a second sleep study and at no point could I get my mask to fit or any of the ones the hospitals had. It leaked all night. And I didn't sleep all night. It was at that point I gave up.
I know my machine had the monitoring for time used, etc. Because it was the cheapest thing around, it didn't transmit at all. They had to download the data at the doctor's office.
posted by kathrynm at 10:51 AM on April 27, 2021
I couldn't keep my mouth shut so the nasal thing was out from the night I did my sleep study. I used a full face mask the couple years I used it.
I'm on Medicaid, so I had no choice on my machine or mask. After I lost all the weight (260 lbs) I couldn't get the mask to seal at all. My sleep was overall very poor. I actually slept better without the CPAP. I went for a second sleep study and at no point could I get my mask to fit or any of the ones the hospitals had. It leaked all night. And I didn't sleep all night. It was at that point I gave up.
I know my machine had the monitoring for time used, etc. Because it was the cheapest thing around, it didn't transmit at all. They had to download the data at the doctor's office.
posted by kathrynm at 10:51 AM on April 27, 2021
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I have just the nose pillow mask setup, and as I found out through a couple of sleep studies (although I kind of knew this) I mainly sleep on my back. For that reason, I find the mask totally tolerable, and I rarely knock it askew. If I do, I get a poke from the other side of the bed and I put it back on.
- Will I potentially wake up the first day after using the machine and notice I feel better rested?
Quite possibly! It took me a couple of nights to get used to the mask, but once I did, the difference was night and day.
- Is the machine going to potentially disturb my or my partners sleep?
In my experience, quite the opposite. The machine I have is very quiet -- and orders of magnitude quieter than my chainsaw-snoring untreated apnea shenanigans. It's gotten nothing but rave reviews from the other side of the bed.
Do I have a lot of options when it comes to the machine I actually choose to use nightly? Does this typically come down to what my insurance will allow?
Yeah, insurance and/or what you're willing (or able) to pay above and beyond what the insurance will pay for. I was lucky enough to be covered under a plan that caught the full cost of my super-compact home machine that also travels well. It's roughly the size of a large-ish 1980s clock radio. The person at the CPAP vendor looked at the coverage I had and said "Oh, honey...go for the Cadillac model." So I did.
Is there a certain model that is considered the best in terms of comfort?
A lot of the comfort stuff comes down to mask fit. In terms of machine, I was given a larger, clunkier loaner machine for the 30-day trial (mine was with a loaner model), and when that was up, went back in and got walked through all the model options available. There were a bunch. Once you've had the chance to try one out for a month, you'll be in a better position to decide what you need in a keeper model, and what settings need to be dialled in for your personal comfort/apnea prevention level.
- What else should I be aware of that might surprise me?
An unexpected side benefit for me was having humidified air (this is adjustable to your preference) pushed up my nose all night. Living in a climate with dry air in the winter, it's a bonus. I used to get one or two minor nose bleeds every winter from my sinuses drying out. Since being on the CPAP, I haven't had a single one.
The other thing I didn't anticipate was that, because of the pressure from the mask, it forces me to breathe in a controlled, relaxed fashion. Once I've strapped it on it's like I'm doing breathing exercises that cause me to drift off rather quickly. I quite like this.
Like all things medical, this stuff is going to vary from person to person. Some people have difficulty tolerating the mask, and others find that it doesn't help that much.
Personally, I've found it's been great for my sleep, the other side of the bed is thrilled with it, and I don't know how I managed before.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:13 PM on April 26, 2021 [6 favorites]