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Comment by susan mccord on October 15, 2009 at 4:52pm

Hey, Steven, kudos to you for shaking the bushes about trying to stay healthy. And alive! Sometimes, actually often, MDs don't take the exhaustion issue seriously. Several of us on SG have had that experience. For me, it was process of many years of going in with c/o exhaustion and being blood-tested and anti-depressant'd ad nauseum. I had no clue and neither did the MD. My cardiologist was the one who finally got me sent for a sleep study. So if you're concerned, keep on after 'em! It's YOUR life that may be at stake!!!

Susan McCord :-)

Comment by susan mccord on October 15, 2009 at 4:43pm

Jennifer--glad to hear you've been able to start right up with your CPAP. That's great!
Re: cleaning, there are a # of ideas about it on SG. I've had really good luck with using Dawn Original dishwashing soap and warm water. Bathroom sink, sink hose and soak it for a little bit--meanwhile I hold my mask by the headgear and swish it around in the warm suds for maybe 2-3 minutes, then rinse it well, dry it with Kleenex
and set it on a towel to dry (clean stuff in the a.m. so it'll have time to dry). Then I go back to the hose and swish it a little and then hold it under the bathtub running warm water until it's well rinsed. Hang it over the shower rod to dry.

Re: humidifier water--I started out using purified water--it began leaving residue after a couple of months, which I removed by filling it up with warm water and white vinegar and letting it soak for quite a while. Then rinsed it, a LOT, and it came out good as new. It needs to be dry to put it back in the machine, so do that in the a.m. as well. Now I'm using distilled water like I was told in the first place!!! No residue to date.

Check your filters once a month. The foam one can be squeezed through the same soapy water when you're doing mask/hose. It takes very little to was that foam. Let it dry. The white filter should be changed if it's discolored at all.

I thought all the cleaning was gonna be a pain in the ass, but it really isn't a big deal. Don't use bleach. Don't use antibacterial soap of any kind. I did that and learned the hard way. Also created a stir on SG!!!!

Susan McCord :-)

Comment by susan mccord on October 15, 2009 at 4:31pm

Paula--sounds like your husband has classic apnea symptoms to me....glad you're pushing him in the direction of sleep study. He'll thank you later!

Susan McCord :-)

Comment by susan mccord on October 15, 2009 at 4:29pm

Hi Ivy--boy, I can really relate to the relationship-shy business. I'm single--the guy I was seeing when I was diagnosed broke it off when he I told him I wouldn't be able to camp or hike this year, but thought I would be able to next year. Cretin!! Anyway, since then I'm pretty gun-shy about even telling anyone about it. I haven't figured out how to go about it yet....

Susan McCord

Comment by Mike on October 15, 2009 at 2:36pm

here are some CPAP cleaning tips for ya.

Comment by ivy on October 15, 2009 at 2:11pm

hi, i just happened upon this site today. i was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in july. while i am not pleased with my new lifetime bed "partner", i realize how life saving/enhancing the CPAP is. i am divorced and have just ended a long term relationship with a man who had a CPAP machine as well. it was an easy entry into being "seen" with my mask, as he had been a longtime user. now being newly single, i dread having to introduce this to another man. it is making be relationship shy. also is it necessary to use the demineralized water as prescribed and any time saving cleaning tips thanks, ivy.

Comment by Judy on May 3, 2009 at 2:29pm

What Every Apnean Should Know

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

After your sleep evaluation study did anyone set down with you with the printed results and explain them to you? Did you want them to?

After your xPAP titration study did anyone sit down with you with the printed results and explain them to you? Did you want them to?

Were you given a printed copy of your results with graphs (5+ pages) or just the doctor's dictated report (1-2 pages) or neither?

Do you know what an xPAP is? An APAP? A VPAP? A Bi-PAP?

Do you know the brand and model of xPAP machine you have?

Do you know the type and name of the xPAP mask you are using?

Do you know what your xPAP pressure is?

How many masks did you take home and try before you found THE one mask that was comfortable and relatively leak free?

How long have you been using this mask?

Have you gone back to your DME supplier for advice or assistance with your xPAP therapy?

Have you contacted your sleep lab or sleep doctor for advice or assistance with your xPAP therapy?

Do you feel you've gotten good service, advice and assistance from your DME supplier?

In what way could your local DME supplier be or have been of more assistance?

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In what way could your sleep doctor or sleep lab be or have been of more assistance?

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Did you have any problems navigating the Doctor/Insurance/DME minefield?

Have you visited any online sleep apnea support forums?

Which online sleep apnea forums have you visited?

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Which online sleep apnea forums do you prefer and would recommend to others?

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Do you look for the HON code at the health websites and forums you visit online?

Comment by Jennifer Isaacson on May 2, 2009 at 10:03am

Thanks to Mike for finding me on Twitter and introducing me to this forum. I've had my machine for 4 nights now. I can fall asleep with it on but I inevitably wake up to leaks. Part of the problem is that I'm used to sleeping on my side, and I have to readjust the mask when I roll over. I'm very stubborn so I'm sure I'll get this figured out. Even though I haven't been using it long or all night, I can tell it's making a difference already.

Comment by paula riley on April 14, 2009 at 12:18pm

Hi ,i am new to the group,my husband of 30 years im sure has sleep apnea,he has been in denial for over 2 years now and it is starting to affect us greatly,he only has to sit down and he is asleep,he cannot drive very far,he has agreed to go to g.p next tues,but i will insist he is referred to a sleep clinic,his manager at work has noticed hes inability to stay awake,and family also,our lives are limited as he cannot stay awake,he snores dreadfully and always has adry mouth and headaches,we have private healthcare so hopefully diagnosis will be quick,i have found this site very helpful ,i will keep you posted,

Comment by Steven D. Lawrence on April 9, 2009 at 8:22pm

Hi,

I'm new to the group and have an obstructive sleep apnea. In my opinion I have severe daytime fatigue primarily in the morning but am frustrated with my ENTwho does not want to pursue a sleep study.

I had sinus surgery 5 weeks ago and she wants me to follow up with her in June after the allergy growing season. Meanwhile I am struggling driving to work in the morning. I'll gladly take a C-Pap machine if it will help.

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