Hey Sleep Apnea folks!
- Thread starter thatjonguy
- Start date
Help Support Homebrew Talk:
Beernik
Well-Known Member
When I was having problems wearing mine for more than a couple hours it really wasn't the mask. I was having a lot of back pain while laying down. The back pain would wake me up and I'd be mad and rip the mask off and try to go back to sleep.
When I got my back to stop spasming every time I laid down, it wasn't a problem to keep it on 5 hours.
If something else is waking you during the night? Or maybe when you feel like taking it off, get up and have a drink of water and then go back to bed and put it back on.
With the aggressive parasomnia I had that was fueled by the apnea, my options were to get used to it or never sleep with my wife again. So I had pretty good incentive for getting used to it.
When I got my back to stop spasming every time I laid down, it wasn't a problem to keep it on 5 hours.
If something else is waking you during the night? Or maybe when you feel like taking it off, get up and have a drink of water and then go back to bed and put it back on.
With the aggressive parasomnia I had that was fueled by the apnea, my options were to get used to it or never sleep with my wife again. So I had pretty good incentive for getting used to it.
Well, "good sign" for me is a diagnosis of sleep apnea and a CPAP. I was pretty certain I had sleep apnea when I walked in the door, so it's more about fixing the problem than figuring out whether I have one.
But the technician *did* come in and put the mask on in the middle of the night, so I'm guessing it was pretty bad.
Met the doc today, he confirmed I have apnea and write the scrip for the machine. I should have it within a week or two...
CGVT
Senior Member
That is what I use. I've had it for about 4 years. It took a while to get used to the mask, but now I can't sleep without it. I still wake up a time or two (at least ) at night to adjust the hose as I turn over or to adjust the mask, but it has been worth getting used to.
Had no idea this thread was even here. I have some kind of nasal pillows, and it's really hard to put up with when I first put it on. It's like I can't get enough air. But that passes. Then what wakes me up is always the damn hose.
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
OP
OP
thatjonguy
Now with 57.93% more awesome!
I use the pillows as well, still can't deal.
Might be time to go back to my supply shop and talk to the respiratory therapist.
CGVT
Senior Member
How long have you been using the CPAP?
OP
OP
thatjonguy
Now with 57.93% more awesome!
Off and on 2 years. My seasonal allergies effect the use more than anything else. But getting allergy shots to hopefully help that issue.
CGVT
Senior Member
Man, that's a long time to not be able to adjust to sleeping with it. I think it took me about 6 months. I still wake up and take it off once in a while, but I usually put it back on because I wake up too often without it.
You should go back and try a different type mask. It is definitely worth it. Even with some broken sleep because of the hose, it is still better than sleeping without it.
You should go back and try a different type mask. It is definitely worth it. Even with some broken sleep because of the hose, it is still better than sleeping without it.
OP
OP
thatjonguy
Now with 57.93% more awesome!
I should add I have a very mild case and have 2 other masks (full and nasal).
I know I could drop weight fast if I could just wear the damn thing for most of the night. Then I probably wouldn't need it anymore.
Beernik
Well-Known Member
Flonase helps me keep my nose clear when I'm having allergy problems.
I got serious about my weight loss this year. Blood pressure and a couple of blood test pointing at potential kidney issues made it a priority. I'm down 25lbs so far this year. I use Strava and a Fit Bit to track my exercise and My Fitness Pal to track my diet. And, unfortunately, cutting back on the beer.
It's helped with the blood pressure and one of the blood tests. I need to retake the second tomorrow.
Hasn't done a thing for the apnea.
I got serious about my weight loss this year. Blood pressure and a couple of blood test pointing at potential kidney issues made it a priority. I'm down 25lbs so far this year. I use Strava and a Fit Bit to track my exercise and My Fitness Pal to track my diet. And, unfortunately, cutting back on the beer.
It's helped with the blood pressure and one of the blood tests. I need to retake the second tomorrow.
Hasn't done a thing for the apnea.
slym2none
"Lazy extract brewer."
I need to try those Breathe-Right strips... I have a deviated septum (only slightly) which constricts air flow of one of my nostrils to about 10% of the other, and it really makes my sleeping difficult.
For all of you that have to have the CPAP machine, I don't envy you... I hope to never have to go that far to breathe well, but in another 10 years... ???
For all of you that have to have the CPAP machine, I don't envy you... I hope to never have to go that far to breathe well, but in another 10 years... ???
HoppyDaze
Well-Known Member
Breath Right strips are much better than Flonase (spray). In the long term Flonase will actually cause worse inflammation. It's like a bandaid on a rash. Allergy meds and diet adjustments are also much better. Also, don't put your mask on until it's lights out and you're done. Read a non electronic book for 20 minutes beforehand ... etc. it's worth figuring it out
Jim_Holmes
Well-Known Member
you may have to try a different type of mask if you cant get comfortable with the one your using now. i had to try 3 different ones before i could get comfortable and not have leaks
Beernik
Well-Known Member
Flonase is a use-as-needed thing, not a snort-everyday thing. I only use it a couple days a week in the spring when grass is bad, in the fall when sage is bad, and in the winter when I have a head cold.
I use it to eliminate the congestion at night when I don't want to amp myself up on allergy or cold medicine right before bed.
Breath Right strips did nothing for me. If anything, I snored louder.
normonster
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2014
- Messages
- 1,484
- Reaction score
- 409
Dude, try Nozovent from Amazon. WAY better than external strips. I don't sleep without them.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001APV44/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Also, the netti pot works wonders for septum issues and allergies.
Last edited by a moderator:
I've been on mine for about 8 months. When I started, they tried to start me on a couple of nasal-only masks. Woke up constantly because I don't sleep with my mouth closed. There's no getting around that feeling when air is coming into your nose and racing out of your mouth. Plus you know it's not doing any good at that point, so you are constantly worried about it. As soon as I switched to a full face mask (covers nose and mouth), I was in FANTASTIC shape.
My wife loves it because I don't snore any more. She's even gotten used to the air blowing out of the mask. My sleep is better-ish (I DO have a little one in the room with us still). I also have both the humidifier and the ramp-up features on mine. Wouldn't do it without both. I use a Fisher & Paykel Simplus mask. Comfortable and I rarely get any significant leaks.
My wife loves it because I don't snore any more. She's even gotten used to the air blowing out of the mask. My sleep is better-ish (I DO have a little one in the room with us still). I also have both the humidifier and the ramp-up features on mine. Wouldn't do it without both. I use a Fisher & Paykel Simplus mask. Comfortable and I rarely get any significant leaks.
HoppyDaze
Well-Known Member
I had the same thing going on and didn't want the full face mask so I went with the chin strap that keeps my mouth closed. This way I don't get a dry mouth and no snoring
slym2none
"Lazy extract brewer."
Those look... interesting... you put them in your nostrils???
As for the netti pot... I just can't... I watched my sister do it before and it sicks me out.
Last edited by a moderator:
So I've been on the CPAP about a month now. So far I'm sleeping better and am very happy with it. (For those who are curious, I've got the "nasal pillow" type mask).
What I'm wondering is this: is it okay to use Starsan on the tube and the humidifier reservoir? I'd probably was with soapy water, then Starsan, then air dry. But I figure that if I need to keep this thing clean and sanitized, what better way to do that than with a chemical that I already know is safe to consume and I have copious amounts of?
What I'm wondering is this: is it okay to use Starsan on the tube and the humidifier reservoir? I'd probably was with soapy water, then Starsan, then air dry. But I figure that if I need to keep this thing clean and sanitized, what better way to do that than with a chemical that I already know is safe to consume and I have copious amounts of?
I actually do this all the time. I typically only truly wash on weekends and then star san the hose, humidifier chamber and mask during the week.
I'm sure that the mask material being so fragile is affected negatively by using Star San, but I think it would take longer than the three months you usually have to put up with it to really start to show.
Congrats on keeping compliant by the way. I'm over 3 years in and still have trouble keeping mine on through the night.
Just be sure you let it thoughly dry... That which is safe to ingest, isn't always safe for your delicate lung tissue.
Lunaras
Member
My humidifier tank has a little snap on cover that you use to measure vinegar (about 3-4 Tbsp?) into the tank and then top it off with hot water. I was told to use a similar concentration of vinegar water on the mask and hose as well. I usually leave it soaking all day and rinse and dry everything off just before bed. The smell is usually a little strong for the first minute or two, but it clears quickly and I don't really mind it anyway. You could always just run it for a few minutes before putting it on if it bothers you, or soak it for a shorter time and let it air out all day.
HoppyDaze
Well-Known Member
starsan seems overkill...I just soak in soap and warm water, rinse good and let dry a couple hours before bed.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2008
- Messages
- 64,955
- Reaction score
- 16,524
At deer camp now. Hope the battery system works. My unit has a unique DC adapter, it think I can keep it powered for a few nights.
kleinstadt
Active Member
I'll chime in here.
I agree with the other posters that StarSan is overkill.
Patients are often worried about their CPAP "getting them sick". They seem to worry that they can get colds, etc. when germs "infect the tubing".
This never happens. If the tubing/humidifier chamber were black with mildew, I wouldn't use it, but other than that, you can't get sick from it. Vinegar is perfectly adequate to clean.
I think the most important thing is to let everything dry thoroughly during the day.
Is Star-San unsafe to use? I don't know. I did a literature search and found nothing since 1968.
Given as the benefit to using Star-San approaches zero, and the risk is unknown, I would avoid it.
Fun fact: your lungs can be allergic to anything. There is a disease called "malt-worker's lung". If I was going to get it, it would be today, after I triple milled my grain in a closed garage.
OP
OP
thatjonguy
Now with 57.93% more awesome!
Why is white vinegar recommended?
It is a simple acid that most people have in their household already. It is easier to recommend, as it is a food grade acid. Some acids used in industrial settings can have amounts of heavy metals in them.
I doubt any respiratory therapist or Doctor is going to recommend that laypersons get a bottle of food grade phosphoric acid and dilute to the recommended strength for cleaning a CPAP.
Vinegar is just easier and safer to recommend to the general public.
I don't think StarSan is overkill, my wife keeps a spray bottle of it around the kitchen. We use it to wipe the table, counters and other stuff down like others would with white vinegar and water.
