I started using a ResMed CPAP last April (2016). My primary care doctor sent me to a specialist who ordered the sleep study (which I did at my home), and it was determined that I was having about 25 or so apnea episodes per hour. My doctor said that in 7 hours of sleep, I was getting the equivalent of 2 hours of non-REM sleep. Not good at all. The prescribed CPAP and testing are necessary in order for insurance to pick up some or all of the costs, and so that the doctor can confirm compliance (via stored diagnostics that are also transmitted to a central website via wi-fi...pretty interesting).
What prompted all this was the same common stuff: snoring, stopping breathing, freaking out waking myself up with lungs a-fire at the end of a long apnea episode, and not feeling rested after 7 hours of sleep. I also had a friend with very serious sleep apnea, and the night he died in his sleep it was believe that his NOT wearing his CPAP contributed to his passing away due to perhaps an already weakened heart.
In my case, my number of episodes per hour dropped to below 5, and commonly less than 2 per hour. This does make a huge difference in how rested and refreshed I feel upon awakening, and is due to the fact that I'm able to enter and STAY in REM sleep patterns for longer periods of time. As was mentioned earlier, obstructive apnea happens as you fall into sleep, and the muscles surrounding your airways shut down the air flow to your lungs, sometimes for 20 or 30 seconds, forcing your body to instinctively jolt itself awake in order to start breathing again. This is also where the snoring comes from.
Here's my things to note:
- the apparatus (full face mask) is truly Darth Vader-esque, and a total drag. That is the price to be paid to end the snoring and constant apnea episodes
- the humidifier in the CPAP is nice, and helps me a lot with any nasal problems and stuffiness when sleeping. Exclusive use of distilled water in the humidifier tank.
- the sensation of the pressurized air during the FITTING stage of wearing the mask can be a little freaky if you aren't acclimated to it. It's like scuba diving with a tank, sort of. My CPAP has a test that is designed to force max pressure into my lungs in order to check a good quality mask seal. Some have described the feeling as drowning on air, and it is a bit weird.
- the CPAP automatically senses your level of sleep, so it starts out with a low level of pressurization that is easy to deal with. As you fall into sleep, the servo mechanism in the CPAP adjusts according to what it senses for air pressure (leaks in the mask) and necessary levels to maintain the open airway. As you fall into an apnea episode, it automatically ramps up the air pressure. When the apnea episodes are more severe, the pressurization gets to the point where it is so strong that it wakes me up. Although this may happen a few times per night, it is still far better than the dozens of apnea episodes I'd have without the CPAP.
- my CPAP is not very loud, and my spouse is a heavy sleeper anyway, so it's not a problem.
- regular cleaning is important and can't be neglected for long.
- my insurance sets minimum requirements for usage and diagnostic scores in order for them to pick up the costs of the CPAP.
I can understand why many who try CPAP machines don't stick with them. I found the process to be a real commitment, and though I'm happy with the benefits, I sure would damn well rather not have to wear this freaking device. But I want to be in my best health for obvious reasons as I age, so I just soldier on regardless of the expense and inconvenience of it all.
What prompted all this was the same common stuff: snoring, stopping breathing, freaking out waking myself up with lungs a-fire at the end of a long apnea episode, and not feeling rested after 7 hours of sleep. I also had a friend with very serious sleep apnea, and the night he died in his sleep it was believe that his NOT wearing his CPAP contributed to his passing away due to perhaps an already weakened heart.
In my case, my number of episodes per hour dropped to below 5, and commonly less than 2 per hour. This does make a huge difference in how rested and refreshed I feel upon awakening, and is due to the fact that I'm able to enter and STAY in REM sleep patterns for longer periods of time. As was mentioned earlier, obstructive apnea happens as you fall into sleep, and the muscles surrounding your airways shut down the air flow to your lungs, sometimes for 20 or 30 seconds, forcing your body to instinctively jolt itself awake in order to start breathing again. This is also where the snoring comes from.
Here's my things to note:
- the apparatus (full face mask) is truly Darth Vader-esque, and a total drag. That is the price to be paid to end the snoring and constant apnea episodes
- the humidifier in the CPAP is nice, and helps me a lot with any nasal problems and stuffiness when sleeping. Exclusive use of distilled water in the humidifier tank.
- the sensation of the pressurized air during the FITTING stage of wearing the mask can be a little freaky if you aren't acclimated to it. It's like scuba diving with a tank, sort of. My CPAP has a test that is designed to force max pressure into my lungs in order to check a good quality mask seal. Some have described the feeling as drowning on air, and it is a bit weird.
- the CPAP automatically senses your level of sleep, so it starts out with a low level of pressurization that is easy to deal with. As you fall into sleep, the servo mechanism in the CPAP adjusts according to what it senses for air pressure (leaks in the mask) and necessary levels to maintain the open airway. As you fall into an apnea episode, it automatically ramps up the air pressure. When the apnea episodes are more severe, the pressurization gets to the point where it is so strong that it wakes me up. Although this may happen a few times per night, it is still far better than the dozens of apnea episodes I'd have without the CPAP.
- my CPAP is not very loud, and my spouse is a heavy sleeper anyway, so it's not a problem.
- regular cleaning is important and can't be neglected for long.
- my insurance sets minimum requirements for usage and diagnostic scores in order for them to pick up the costs of the CPAP.
I can understand why many who try CPAP machines don't stick with them. I found the process to be a real commitment, and though I'm happy with the benefits, I sure would damn well rather not have to wear this freaking device. But I want to be in my best health for obvious reasons as I age, so I just soldier on regardless of the expense and inconvenience of it all.
She said that she'll try and slide over to my side of the bed, but then gets hit with the exhaust coming out of my mask and finds herself waaaaay over on the other side. Lousy.
