Sleep clinic

I did the sleep lab twice, one to determine if I had sleep apnea (I did) the other with a loaner machine. Just bought my own machine this week and it's a lot more sophisticated than the loner. I'm a believer and yes, it does have a huge and positive impact. Nice part was that 75% of the cost of the machine was covered by Canadian Healthcare and my healthcare insurance at work covers the rest.

 

I went through the same process. The first test was to gather data on my sleep without the CPAP machine. The second was with the machine. The difference was dramatic. I had some hassles with the insurance company for a while, but I've had my machine nearly two months now and it has made a huge difference. I don't snore any more. I feel a lot better rested. I wish had done this years ago.

That is not to say it is perfect. The mask is annoying and sometimes it wakes me up. I hadn't read this thread back in 2007, but I was surprised to see some talk about having to sleep on your back. I was told it was better not to do that. I sleep on my side, anyway. What you can't do, obviously, is sleep on your belly.

Guy, in answer to your post, I'd advise not giving up on the machine. There are other things you can do, such as lose weight. (I don't know if that is an issue for you.) If you have a deviated septum, surgery is an option. But really, the machine is probably your best bet, at least in the short term.

 

I'm using it, and it's one of the best things ever.
I'm very claustrophobic. Figured it would take me a long time (if ever) to get used to it.
Night 1. Slept like shit.
Night 2-now. Sleep like a baby.
I have the full mask.
Don't give up on it.

 

You will. Believe me, when I got the mask, I thought I was never going to get used to it. In fact, when I went for my sleep study and they strapped it on, I told them to take it the hell off after about two minutes. I had the same feeling as Chef -- claustrophobic. I told myself there was no way I could live with that on while sleeping.

Now, it's refreshing to have cool air blowing in my face as I go to sleep.

Suggestion: Try wearing it for a few minutes while watching TV during the day or early evening, just to get used to the sensation. It's crucial to acknowledge you don't have to force yourself to keep it on past the point where you're comfortable. It will get comfortable when your body is ready for it to be comfortable.

Remember, there's no set timetable to make it an all-night thing. You're still standing, probably after years of sleep apnea. You'll get there when you get there. And Guy, you will feel the difference of a night of deep sleep after not having had one for so long.

P.S. For god's sake, when you do start using it through the night, keep it clean, even if it's just soaking the mask and tube in a water/vinegar solution during the day. Breathing dirty air is worse than anything.

 

I haven't used one for a few years now, even though I should. But when I had one, the quality of the mask itself was shit. Barely kept a seal around my nose after a few weeks and the plastic housing to hold the mask in place inevitable cracked and had bits break off.

 

This thread reminded me to get a new one, which I just did since my insurance covers it 100%. I'm sure the seal will be better. I'm using rubber band and scotch tape on my old one to keep a seal.

 

I need to follow up on getting new padding for my mask. I should be due to get one. That was also a good reminder regarding keeping the thing clean. I have to remember to do that more consistently.

I was also concerned the first time I wore the full mask. I felt like I wasn't getting enough air. Now I'm fine except for the times the mask gets knocked out of place.

dixiehack, your insurance wouldn't cover a new mask? It is pretty much pointless without the seal.

 

I really wish my insurance covered the CPAP cleaner they advertise on radio. It sounds like it would make that job a million times more simple.

 

Thanks, and I appreciate all the responses. I have major sleeping problems, but never thought I have apnea because I (apparently) don't snore, or at least that's what my wife tells me. I went for the sleep study when I was overseas in a public healthcare country for the year, but was back in the US before doing anything with the results. Turns out I had 17 incidents per hour, which is high. Right now I only have the nose mask on the cpap. Maybe I need the full mask, but I can't sleep with it at all. And the company is spamming me with automated calls asking if I'm having trouble. Yes. I am.

 

First night I slept with it on, our dogs came into our bedroom.......they both took one look at me, looked at mrschef as if to say "WHO THE FUCK IS THIS?!"......turned around and went back out of the room.
Sleeping with this thing on trumps snoring to the effect of a semi downshifting on the interstate any day of the week.

 

I was horrible about cleaning my mask, and mentioned that to my doctor in a follow-up visit and he said to just take a Clorox wipe and wipe it off every day. Said they aren't supposed to advise doing anything but the full soapy water cleaning thing, but the Clorox wipe takes care of what's needed, getting the oils from your skin off the mask.

After 11 years with my old machine, I got a new one a couple of months ago, and man is it a big step up. I just put the mask on and take a breath, and it automatically starts up. When I take the mask off, it automatically shuts off 2-3 seconds later. It has built-in wifi that sends all my sleep stats to an online site, so I can see how many "incidents" I had, my total sleep time and ranks the quality of my mask seal. All that is displayed on a touch-screen on the front of the machine, too.

My doctor also gets that report, and if I have a couple-three nights where I have bad stats, his office will call me to check and see what's going on and if I need a different mask or a refitting. It also has a range of pressure, and starts with the lowest, then ramps up higher if the machine decides I need it.

I've gotten to the point where I can't sleep without it, even for a quick nap or a one-night trip out of town. Which is, I suppose, the point.

 

See, I can take a nap without it on, but when it's time for sleep for the night, it's always on, and same thing on roadtrips.