Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by gm on February 19, 2011 at 8:29pm

Mike C,

I grew up in San Diego 

I would ask for a over night sleep study.

Are you service connected (VA) for anything?

 

Mike C (at the Beach!) said:

Yep. I am all over this cpap stuff. Day by day. Like plotting an ambush in combat. I stake out my terrain and try to plan my attack. Now I am wondering if I should try one of the many special pillows for my FFM? My old "husk" type pillow is my best friend after all the surgeries I have had with lots of metal rods, plates & screws in my neck & back....And pretty easy to contour being filled with husks. But I wonder as I keep looking at ALL angles, would these funny looking pillows help with the leaks & mask farts that jolt me awake all the time.  l wonder. Then I wonder, foam or the other style with synthetic down or some such. Then I wonder, beer or more of these EXPENSIVE contraptions! I already have bought stuff I will never use since after trying it found it useless. But again, I am a rookie. Learning fast though, and undeterred! I'm a veteran, and I am married. How could ANYTHING be scarier that that!  :-))

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Permalink Reply by gm on February 19, 2011 at 9:40pm

Mike C,

The VA isn't bad.....A lot of people just do not know about being able to get compensated for their medical problems...(of course when criteria is met).  Personally, I just retired from military 7 years ago but I ran into a fellow that exposed to Agent Orange and he had no clue of the money he could get and medical from the VA.

 

I never heard of padacheek but just looked and I like the anti leak strap.......I might have the wife make me one.well ask her at least.

 

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Permalink Reply by Richard on February 20, 2011 at 12:12am

Hi again, Mike:

 

I had real problems with the masks, as the straps are all nylon, and my skin doesn't tolerate any synthetic materials. That was why my doctor suggested the Breeze headgear - here's one place that sells it at less than outrageous prices:

 

a href="http://www.sleeprestfully.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Y-101400-00%3E" target="_blank">http://www.sleeprestfully.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Y-101400-00>;

 

My insurance pays about the same $80 for a set.

 

The mask version is called the 'Dreamseal':

 

a href="http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/Puritan-Bennett-Breeze-Dreamseal-System-Y-1030X.aspx%3E" target="_blank">http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/Puritan-Bennett-Breeze-Dreamseal-Syste...;

 

both have the advantage of no face straps at all. They stay on remarkably well - I don't use the secondary head straps, but it depends on the shape of your head. The headgear is adjustable it the middle, the back, and has a tightener at the nose piece. I tend to elongate the back part, shrink the middle, and tilt the nose piece to fit and then tighten the little plastic bolt.

 

Also, for any nose pillows, it helps to clean them every night - they form a much better seal.

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Permalink Reply by Chris H on February 20, 2011 at 3:24pm

I use a contour pillow they come in 3 heights . I like it ,may get the next size up the place I got my first one only had the 4 inch it does help not pushing the mask .Between that and the hose managment I have minimised the mask getting tugged or pushed .Good Sleep,Chris

Mike C (at the Beach!) said:

Yep. I am all over this cpap stuff. Day by day. Like plotting an ambush in combat. I stake out my terrain and try to plan my attack. Now I am wondering if I should try one of the many special pillows for my FFM? My old "husk" type pillow is my best friend after all the surgeries I have had with lots of metal rods, plates & screws in my neck & back....And pretty easy to contour being filled with husks. But I wonder as I keep looking at ALL angles, would these funny looking pillows help with the leaks & mask farts that jolt me awake all the time.  l wonder. Then I wonder, foam or the other style with synthetic down or some such. Then I wonder, beer or more of these EXPENSIVE contraptions! I already have bought stuff I will never use since after trying it found it useless. But again, I am a rookie. Learning fast though, and undeterred! I'm a veteran, and I am married. How could ANYTHING be scarier that that!  :-))

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Permalink Reply by onespeedonly on February 26, 2011 at 2:06pm

For those of you having trouble getting used to the back pressure upon exhale, I too had this difficulty.  Thankfully my CPAP machine (Respironics REMstarPlus M Series) has an AutoRamp feature that allows the unit to start at a very low pressure and over about a 45 minute period gradually increases the pressure up to your prescribed setting.  The AutoRamp starting pressure is adjustable and the ramp time is long enough for me to fall asleep before the pressure gets too high.  After a few months using the ramp feature I was able to get used to the system and no longer need it.  My machine also has what the manufacturer calls a C-Flex feature that reduces the back pressure when it senses you exhale. I have not needed to use it but others find it works.  Other makes and models of CPAP machines have these features so if yours doesn't and you do get a new one make sure you get one with a similar set of features.  I hope this helps you Glenn.  Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Glenn Watson on February 26, 2011 at 7:51pm

Thanks for the info!  Everyone on here has been very helpful.  I got a new CPAP - Respironics REMstar Pro C-Flex+.  It is much better.  I am trying very hard.  If I wake up and it is off, I put it back on.  Also, have worn it in evenings when I watching tv or sitting around.  The relief on exhale is much better.  I have made it through the entire night with it on 3 of the last 5 nights.  Progress!  I also have insomnia which I am seeing a sleep psych for, and I believe that will help also.  It is pretty ridiculous to expect someone with insomnia to sleep with all that gear on - nasal mask, straps, and chin strap, but I am going to stick with it!  Thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by GUY T on February 26, 2011 at 7:59pm

Good to hear Glenn.  I persisted myself because of how much better I feel after getting a good nights sleep. Good luck! Guy

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Permalink Reply by yogariffic on February 26, 2011 at 10:25pm

Hi I"m a lurker on here, but I got an email about this post and wanted to reply. Does your machine have a "ramp" function? It changes the pressure as you sleep. I'm not explaining that right, maybe someone can help. LOL

 

I've been using my CPAP since September of last year and I love the ramp function. 

 

It also doesn't seem like your doctor is really listening. I mean you told him/her that you aren't getting any relief and they didn't seem to have any good answers.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Karl Grissom on April 2, 2011 at 7:10pm

You need to get a CPAP or APAP with exhale relief like C-Flex, where the presure drops upon exhale.

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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on April 2, 2011 at 8:38pm

I understand how you feel.  But my machine has CFlex and it really helps when you exhale.  I think you need a more up to date machine.  Just MHO~

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Permalink Reply by Katie Kovairk on April 4, 2011 at 12:48pm

I just discovered that about 50% of people with sleep apnea can't tolerate the CPAP mask and it sounds like that may be your case. The good thing though is that there's a relatively new procedure that can treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. It's called the Pillar Procedure and it's a simple treatment stops the soft palate from vibrating when you sleep, so it gives you a good night's sleep without the crazy mask or terrifying lack of breath. I'd look into it if you're frustrated with the CPAP -- at least ask your doctor about it!

jim flynn said:

If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?

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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on April 4, 2011 at 12:53pm

Just depends if your soft palate is the problem. I have mild apnea and went to Dr. Stephen  Park, but he said my problem was not my soft palate. He wanted to do turbinate and deviated septum as well as take part of my tongue off. I had to beg off since it is so invasive. I heard that sometimes when they take part of the tongue off, you cannot swallow or speak correctly. I did not want to possibly deal with those side effects. However, I am still considering the turbinate and deviated septum surgery.

Katie Kovairk said:

I just discovered that about 50% of people with sleep apnea can't tolerate the CPAP mask and it sounds like that may be your case. The good thing though is that there's a relatively new procedure that can treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. It's called the Pillar Procedure and it's a simple treatment stops the soft palate from vibrating when you sleep, so it gives you a good night's sleep without the crazy mask or terrifying lack of breath. I'd look into it if you're frustrated with the CPAP -- at least ask your doctor about it!

jim flynn said:

If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?

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