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Sleep Apnea: CPAP mask vs Surgery

#41
mine is set at 15 atmospheres. I wonder if those who resist CPAP are more concerned with the headgear. When I first started on CPAP the mask covered my mouth and nose. Now the headgear is pretty much nasal pillows and it can come over the top of your head or up from your chin. I mean you can find 3 pages or more of headgear styles nowadays and you can multiply that by several manufacturers.
 
#42
So I went for the sleep study.. Weird doesn't even come close to describing the feeling of knowing someone is watching you sleep while you're literally wired for sound and electrical impulses, etc.. Seeing the nurse wire me up puts the most complex sound systems to shame :) anyway, I shook the walls pretty good but no one came rushing in to plug me into a mask so it might not be too bad. Thanks everyone for your input, especially those with personal experience. I'm not as averse to the mask now if that is the result of all this.. Cheers!
 
#43
CPAP saved my life, and my job and family. I stopped breathing 70 times in an hour. After the first week, you will sleep like a baby. Unlike some posters, you need to try a few masks to see what works, I can sleep on side or back, and don't even know I wear it anymore. Sleep Apnea is not just for overwight people, although it dosen't help, and yes losing weight may help, but it might not. I dropped 60 lbs and it didn't change my apnea one iota.
 
#44
I saw that some balked at the cost of the sleep study. I was paid to do the sleep study and it's possible if you search around your area there might be a paid sleep study available. For three days and two nights the Univ. of Pennsylvania paid me close to $400 and I had 3 meals a day and my first CPAP machine was on them...I averaged 81 apneas per hour.
 
#45
I HATE that CPAP machine. No, I don't wear one, but my wife does. I can't turn towards her at night because the mask is blowing in my face and then if it gets loose overnight, I hear all this hissing until I can get her awake to correct it. Then the dang hose is always getting caught and dragging on saomething and making saw noises. :scowl:
 
#46
Clark Dark said:
I saw that some balked at the cost of the sleep study. I was paid to do the sleep study and it's possible if you search around your area there might be a paid sleep study available. For three days and two nights the Univ. of Pennsylvania paid me close to $400 and I had 3 meals a day and my first CPAP machine was on them...I averaged 81 apneas per hour.
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No kidding, should I start by calling various universities in my state then? Should I plan a vacation to Pennsylvania?;)
 
#49
mkandolf said:
I HATE that CPAP machine. No, I don't wear one, but my wife does. I can't turn towards her at night because the mask is blowing in my face and then if it gets loose overnight, I hear all this hissing until I can get her awake to correct it. Then the dang hose is always getting caught and dragging on saomething and making saw noises. :scowl:
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You do realize she could die without it....
 
#53
I've been using CPAP for a couple years. Actually BIPAP - let me clue you in on something the insurance companies won't.

The C in CPAP is continuous, but the B signifies BI (dual) pressure, meaning, it's not continuous, but decreases the pressure when you exhale. Let me tell you - it's FAR better.

But I was told that though it's clearly superior, you can't get it initially with your insurance until CPAP "doesn't work" for you. They won't pay for BIPAP at first.

I urge you all to try BIPAP!

I also use the nasal pillows, which I prefer better than the masks.
 
#54
Had my sleep study last night, just got home. Interesting experience. Took an hour to get all the electrodes/sensors attached to my face, head, legs etc. The only real difficult part was laying there in the dark for over an hour trying to fall asleep - not because of all the wires but more due to the fact that I usually don't go to sleep until 1 or 2 AM (I'm a musician fer cryin out loud!). But they finally gave me some Ambien and before I knew it the nurse was turning on the lights, telling me it was morning and time to get unplugged.

Follow up w the doc in a couple of weeks...

BIPAP? First I've heard of it - will do some googling. Thanks for that, Bob.
 
#55
In my sleep study I was wired all day except when going for MRI and CAT scan. There were times when the docs would come in and give me reaction/reflex tests during my 3 day study. I wasn't given CPAP until my second night which allowed me to sleep all night without apneas. Those who are needing to get tested I urge you to look and see if any sleep studies are looking for people to participate. Most of the studies are done in the cardiac pulmonary departments.
 
#56
EscapeNote said:
Had my sleep study last night, just got home. Interesting experience. Took an hour to get all the electrodes/sensors attached to my face, head, legs etc. The only real difficult part was laying there in the dark for over an hour trying to fall asleep - not because of all the wires but more due to the fact that I usually don't go to sleep until 1 or 2 AM (I'm a musician fer cryin out loud!). But they finally gave me some Ambien and before I knew it the nurse was turning on the lights, telling me it was morning and time to get unplugged.

Follow up w the doc in a couple of weeks...

BIPAP? First I've heard of it - will do some googling. Thanks for that, Bob.
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That's my concern of doing this sleep study. I don't go to bed until 1 or 1:30 and I also have a really hard time falling asleep in a "foreign" place like a hotel. Combine that with all the sensors/probes they stick on you, I don't think it's going to work for me. I've already tried Ambien, I don't think the stuff gives you a true sleep but rather knocks you out like anesthesia!
 
#58
I started the process - first test was without the mask and it showed that I do have some sleep apnea - less when I am on my side. The Dr. wanted me to take another sleep test, this time with a mask. But even with a good insurance policy, I was already out over $700 for the first night. So I refused to go back - just can't afford it.
 

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