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Bonamy
on 10/13/09 1:58 pm - Wyoming County, NY
Topic: RE: Pulmonary Clearance & Sleep Apnea
Do you need clearance from the specialist or is the primary sufficient?

I see an endocrinologist and a hematologist, only my PCP had to give clearance.

                     
 HW 365/SW321                                                        Walk or Run 200 miles in 2010 
 

    
(deactivated member)
on 10/13/09 5:17 am, edited 1/25/10 4:31 am
(deactivated member)
on 10/11/09 11:39 pm
highpow
on 10/11/09 11:08 am
Topic: RE: Getting used to CPAP Mask
Yes, Shammy, keep on trying.  I've had my CPAP since February 2009, and it's taken me a long time to iron out all the problems.  They gave me the wrong kind of nasal mask to begin with, and it was so heavy on my nose, that I had to wear four round bandaids every night to protect it.  Now I have a much lighter mask, which is much easier on my nose.  I also had problems with having the humidity too high, and at one point, was waking up to a rattling noise, and had to empty out the tubing four times a night!

I tried the nasal pillows a while back, but they wouldn't stay properly in my nostrils, and I kept waking up with leaking problems.  I finally am getting a good sleep now, but I have to remember to turn my clock around (it's lit up at night), so it doesn't wake me up at night.  Sometimes I have to take a sleeping pill (Ambien) to get to sleep, but that is only if something is bothering me emotionally, and I can't get to sleep within an hour of going to bed.

I'm losing weight, so eventually, I'll probably not need it, too, in time.  My husband has been using one for 728 hours now, and has little problems with it, and has the full face mask.  Since he doesn't have claustrophobia, it doesn't bother him, since he opens his mouth at night to breathe.  I don't, and I do have claustrophobia, but I'm over those feelings with my mask now.

Denise Phares/highpow
annaleigh1979
on 10/10/09 2:33 pm
Topic: Sleep Apnea Resolved Without Weight Loss?
I had a sleep study done last month. Two days ago, the sleep specialist's office called to inform me that I do not have sleep apnea. Awesome, right?

Well, the only problem is that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea ten years ago after my first sleep study. I had a second study while using a cpap machine, in order for my levels to be set correctly. I had trouble sleeping with the mask on, and was immature, so I discontinued using it. My surgeon's office encouraged me to have a new study done so that I could begin using the cpap before surgery.

The specialist's office stated that sleep studies are performed with more sensitive equipment now and that the first diagnosis may have been incorrect. I haven't lost weight since that first study, I've gained a large amount of weight in the interim.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Cross-posting to DS Board.
(deactivated member)
on 10/10/09 6:54 am
(deactivated member)
on 10/9/09 11:37 pm - NY
Topic: RE: CPAP or mouthpiece???
Couple years back when I first had to use a machine i couldn't tolerate the full face mask. They didn't have options back then, So I used the mouth piece. I loved it but when I gained more weight and started falling asleep during the day I knew it wasn't working for me. I was sent to an orthodontist and he made an impression of my teeth. The mouth piece slips over your upper and lower teeth and hinged on the sides. The hinge pushes your lower jaw forward a little so you are keeping your airway open. At first my gums were a little soar because the piece was tight and needed to be "broken in" so to speak. Then it was fine. I did tend to drool a little while wearing it so I would wake up with a tiny bit of  white crust by my mouth. Not bad though. There is also a solution you buy to clean your mouth piece.Not too much maintenance. Overall it was so easy to use and real easy to travel with. That was my favorite part. Now I'm back to a machine but I use a bi-pap. I have the nasal pillows not the full face mask. It did take me about a week to get use to it but now I have no problems. I turn  a lot and there is no problem with the tubing. I do think the cpap is better over all for you but if you have mild symptoms and the doctor thinks it could work  the mouth piece is easier to use. Oh and the noise of the machine isn't too bad. When everyone is sleeping they wont notice the noise and it becomes soothing after awhile like falling asleep to the sound of the fan. The only problem I had is when my husband had his pressures to high on his c-pap after losing weight and would open his mouth during the night. Then the noise would sometimes bother me if I wasn't asleep. But that is corrected now.  Hope this helps

(deactivated member)
on 10/9/09 11:15 pm - NY
Topic: RE: Getting used to CPAP Mask
Kelli,
   I to use a a machine but I could not stand the constant pressure so I use a bi-pap machine. There is one pressure for inhaling and another for exhaling. This helped alot. There is also different types of the nasal pillows. One kind I could not use at all and needed to switch. Check into your options, hopefully the respiratory therapist wont be too bad. I will try to send you a picture of what I use to see if is different from yours. My husband loves the humidifier and I cant stand it. I keep mine between 0-1. It did take me a week or so to get use to everything. Try your best because it will really help you. I f you do not get enough sleep or oxygen levels are low your body can not function properly. I have even read your weight loss will slow down. I know its a Pain but try the different options if you cant get use to what you have. Hang in there. Probably after you lose weight you wont need the thing anymore.

Tressa
(deactivated member)
on 10/9/09 10:51 pm, edited 1/25/10 4:31 am
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