Anyone here have sleep apnea?

[Petebass]

I'm currently unable to shave due to the aftermath of shingles on the right side of my face (chemo knocked out my immune system for a while. It's been a rough few months). So if facial hair is a problem with masks, I'm going to try for nasal pillows then.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Mine seals a little better after washing the membrane, but I'm guessing if I let my facial hair get out of control, like every Winter, I'll have to put it on tighter & tighter.

 

[Drgonzonm]

I'm currently unable to shave due to the aftermath of shingles on the right side of my face (chemo knocked out my immune system for a while. It's been a rough few months). So if facial hair is a problem with masks, I'm going to try for nasal pillows then.

Mine seals a little better after washing the membrane, but I'm guessing if I let my facial hair get out of control, like every Winter, I'll have to put it on tighter & tighter.

I couldn't get through a sleep study, failed two, then I shaved. Yeah facial hair can be a problem.
If you want to find out about seals, there is an aerosol, used to test masks. they put you under a hood, while you have your mask on, then release the aerosol, if you have a leak, you puke.
by the way, my facial hair at testing was a van dyke. I took my shingles shot the month I turned 60. expensive little shot.

 

[tlc1976]

No apnea but I have pretty serious acid reflux. I'd often wake up at night when my lungs were full and I couldn't breathe. That started over 10 years ago, but between medicine, eating differently, laying differently, the acid trips almost never happen anymore. It has taken a toll on my lungs but for now I'm still ok.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Over the past couple of nights the mask has put a semi-permanent red mark on the bridge of my nose. After the second day of it just staying red there, I decided to try again with the mask seal.
Turns out I had the nose part dialled in too far. Mine has a piece on top where you can dial the mask in or out from your nose & I had it in too far.

It fits much better now that I've fixed that problem. Looking forward to a nice long kip tonight!
a late wake-up, then straight to eating all day

 

[Petebass]

Well I got to try 3 types of masks at the sleep lab:
1. Nasal pillows.
2. Nasal mask.
3. Full mask.

No 2 was the clear winner for me. Took a long time to get to sleep initially, but after that ...WOW! I only slept for 5 hours that night, but felt better than 12 hours of non CPAP sleep.

I can't wait for the final analysis to come through so I can sleep like that every night!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I might ask to switch to a nasal mask next year. I hinted at it yesterday, but the gal who was checking my sleep stats didn't respond.

 

[MJ5150]

Well I got to try 3 types of masks at the sleep lab:
1. Nasal pillows.
2. Nasal mask.
3. Full mask.

No 2 was the clear winner for me. Took a long time to get to sleep initially, but after that ...WOW! I only slept for 5 hours that night, but felt better than 12 hours of non CPAP sleep.

I can't wait for the final analysis to come through so I can sleep like that every night!

I started with #1, and have always used those.
Good to read it went well for you, and great news on how you felt. I remember that initial feeling as well.

-Mike

 

[Stumbo]

Well I got to try 3 types of masks at the sleep lab:
1. Nasal pillows.
2. Nasal mask.
3. Full mask.

No 2 was the clear winner for me. Took a long time to get to sleep initially, but after that ...WOW! I only slept for 5 hours that night, but felt better than 12 hours of non CPAP sleep.

I can't wait for the final analysis to come through so I can sleep like that every night!

I use Resmed Fitlife full face mask. My sinus problems really are an obstacle to using the other types.

Replacing masks, headgear, filters, tubing regularly is the best way to go. They get dirty, lose their elasticity and get soaked with skin oils, reducing effectiveness, creating leaks and other issues.

According to the data on my machine, I've used it 355 out of the last 365 days. I was sick the 10 days I didn't use it. You really have to be dedicated to get the most benefits.

I had nasal surgery a few weeks ago. Doc removed a non-cancerous growth in my right nostril that was blocking my air flow. He also shrunk both sinuses with cauterization(heat). Results are astoundingly good. I can even sleep okay without the mask, still better with the mask. I've clocked in 6-8.25 hours sleep as opposed to 4-5 hours sleep.

Air is good.

 

[Petebass]

Hmmm, some interest food for thought in the comments above. I have good nostrils and sinuses, but I'm thinking I might get a full face mask as a backup to the nasal mask. That way I've got something I can use when I get Man-flu!

 

[Deleted member 92857]

There's nothing quite like those first few nights of real sleep with the CPAP machine after living with apnea.

True dat. I felt like I had taken some kind of really good speed or something. I got right up, I was alert, energized, and felt like a million bucks. CPAP saved my life, no doubt.

 

[Petebass]

Well If I was a bit of a scrooge before, I'm definitely more of one now. My 10 day wait has just become much longer due to important people making themselves scarce in the lead up to Xmas. No CPAP for me until Mid Jan at the earliest. Not Happy

 

[Stumbo]

Well If I was a bit of a scrooge before, I'm definitely more of one now. My 10 day wait has just become much longer due to important people making themselves scarce in the lead up to Xmas. No CPAP for me until Mid Jan at the earliest. Not Happy

I had that happen before too. It sucks because you know you would feel better if the machine were here now.

Try sleeping more up-right if you can
Sometimes that helps.

 

[Drgonzonm]

Well If I was a bit of a scrooge before, I'm definitely more of one now. My 10 day wait has just become much longer due to important people making themselves scarce in the lead up to Xmas. No CPAP for me until Mid Jan at the earliest. Not Happy

My aca insuramnce may have pulled a fast one. The insurance company quit working with the medical group l worked with as of dec 1. No sleep studies or renewals this year. While I understand the business model, it hurts.

 

[Mark Ellis]

Nasal mask works well for me.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I'm being foolish & mis-using this extra time I've been given with the CPAP. I can sleep 2 hours less per night now, but instead of waking up early & getting things done, I just stay up later at night doing nothing

 

[MJ5150]

Well If I was a bit of a scrooge before, I'm definitely more of one now. My 10 day wait has just become much longer due to important people making themselves scarce in the lead up to Xmas. No CPAP for me until Mid Jan at the earliest. Not Happy

Back when I had my initial referral for the sleep study, it took five months to get me scheduled.

-Mike

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Wow!
My doctor asked me if I'd like to get screened for it & the next day I had an appointment for the following week...
IIRC my appointment was on Halloween.

 

[Drgonzonm]

It's called a sleep study,, but the last couple have been sleepless studies. With the chances in insurance carriers, and the new year, not looking forward to the next sleep-less study.

 

[TOOL460002]

No issues with facial hair and a full face mask myself. Deviated septum makes a nose mask a no go. Unfortunately, even adjusting the heat pad under the water tank and maxing out the humidity I tend to wake up after 2-5hrs max with terrible dry mouth and dehydration. I do take a bunch of medications, which can't help, but without the machine I can sleep much longer (6-10hrs, more if I haven't slept for days).

Right now I'm off the machine. Type 1 bipolar and an obliterated sciatic nerve seem to be my bigger issues. My first sleep study said, of the two main metrics, one number was under and one was just over the point of concern. I opted not to get a CPAP machine at that point.

Then I was having more sleep issues, which was most likely due to the bipolar issue, and medication changes, but I figured that since I have excellent insurance, why not go back and see if anything changed? Worth one crappy day or two.

Now the second test was interesting, because the doctor said she had never seen anything like some of my numbers. The two main metrics had increased enough to give the machine a try, so I did. However, apparently my oxygen saturation fell down to the 79-83% range and stayed there all night (it was low the first test, but not freakishly low).

The doctor was sure that the equipment was broken, but it wasn't. Due to my medical issues I see my GP monthly, so I have a solid record of my weight, blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen saturation since 2008. From that I know my normal, everyday saturation is lower than most.

Every time I see a new nurse I have to tell them it's not the digital finger monitor, it's just me. I've tried putting the oxygen monitor on my right pinky, which is the only finger I don't use playing bass, so it's not an issue of calluses or torn up, more delicate arteries from blisters, burns, or cuts (I cook a lot and like knives, plus I've played until my fingers have bled more times than I remember [I keep pieces of electricians tape on my rack for this]).

I've never been all that vascular, even when I ran 12mi+ a week (up at 5am) and worked out 3hrs 5 days a week (3-6pm) and got down to 7 or 9% body fat. I forget which, I just know the athletic trainer guy (was a gym at a D1 college, so there were academic/professional sports medicine folks that would give you those numbers). All I recall is him saying I would go temporarily sterile at 4%, which was fine by me at the time.

I get a full blood workup twice a year and it always takes a while to find a vein in the lab, and when nurses try it in the exam room they almost always call in someone from the lab. But I see my doctor today, so I'll have him pull up the oldest info he's got just to see if there's anything interesting or any pattern.

Anyone else have abnormally low oxygen concentration? I'd love to hear from both pick and finger style players to truly rule out calluses or other possible finger wear and tear. Never woken up gasping for air, but with so many medical professionals reacting the same way, clearly something is off.

I have an ultra crazy theory, but need a couple more tests to really see if I'm onto something.