Hey Sleep Apnea folks!

[GrogNerd]

I use apple cider vinegar to clean mine

I go to sleep with the awesome smell of my Carolina pulled pork bbq sauce filling my dreams

 

[Beernik]

On the subject of cleaning, I am incredibly lax. I wash the tube and mask only when it starts to smell funky (every 3 or 4 months) and I can't remember the last time I washed the reservoir (which I usually toss in the dishwasher). I only use distilled water in the reservoir unless I'm traveling.

My concern with StarSan is that the acid would breakdown the material faster than soap & water or vinegar.

Maybe the only reason I get away with it is because SLC has a very dry climate. I'll have to see if the same holds true when I move to Friday Harbor, WA.

 

[katherinego]

On the subject of cleaning, I am incredibly lax....

Maybe the only reason I get away with it is because SLC has a very dry climate. I'll have to see if the same holds true when I move to Friday Harbor, WA.

Me too Beernik. And I live in Seattle. No worries here over 10 years now with compliance. But I don't use a humidifier.

 

[ibbones]

On the subject of cleaning, I am incredibly lax. I wash the tube and mask only when it starts to smell funky (every 3 or 4 months) and I can't remember the last time I washed the reservoir (which I usually toss in the dishwasher). I only use distilled water in the reservoir unless I'm traveling.

My concern with StarSan is that the acid would breakdown the material faster than soap & water or vinegar.

.

Ha ha...me too. In fact reading this thread I am thinking about cleaning my mask and hose but...nahhhhh

 

[corkybstewart]

The real remedy for apnea is to get the weight under control. Apnea is common among overweight people, that is people with a BMI over 25. Over 30 BMI and it's incredibly common. Reduce the BMI to less than 25 and apnea almost always disappears.

I'm about a year late seeing this but I have a problem with your assertions. I'm 5' 8", 210 pounds with a BMI around 30-31. I've had apnea and used a CPAP for at least 10 years. My issue is that I left weights, most of my weight is nbot fat. BMI is a terrible measurement that really doesn't have any meaning. I was 185 lbs before I started going to the gym 12 years ago, and I was fat. And had apnea. Muscling up and losing fat hasn't affected my apnea at all.

 

[HoppyDaze]

This new mask rules.

 

[schmoe]

That is interesting looking. I may have to try it out. It looks like it would reduce the amount of times I loop the tubing around my neck and pulling the whole thing off my nightstand.

 

[Beernik]

That's not unlike what I do with mine. I loop it behind one of the bedposts and wedge the hose behind my pillow. That way the feed is north-south to the bed.

I mostly side-sleep, so the side tubes on that thing would bother me.

 

[Sues1953]

I was diagnosed with severe OSA and now have Cpap hate having it but I had got so low I got Alopecia and psoriasis which have now improved. I have just ordered a pulse oximetry my sats were 80 in R.E.M. sleep. I was having 61 apnoeas an hour. I am thinking about trying Nightlase through Dr Campey at Northlakes Qld.
Think there needs to be a Cpap club for singles goodness only knows how you meet a partner with this disorder.

 

[charles]

I've been using a CPAP machine for over 6 years and all I have to say is that it works well. There are things that you can do to help. Raise the head of your bed 2 inches don't eat 2 hours before bed time.

 

[Bilsch]

This is an awesome mask as well. You can pick one up on Amazon without a scrip for about $70

http://www.resmed.com/epn/en/consumer/products/masks/airfit-p10.html

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

I have severe sleep apnea (both obstructive and central). The f'ing CPAP machine was a disaster -- it sounded like a jet engine on my face. Now, it sits, gathering dust.

Well, I'm back in the game. More than 10 years ago, I tried CPAP and it was awful. My new physician insisted I try again - she said the newer systems are much better. Well, damn, she was right! My new machine and me are so quiet, my wife got up in the middle of the night to see if I was in the room. Headgear is much better fitting and non-intrusive. The machine has a modem which sends my nightly results to my sleep specialist (and to my phone app). The other interesting aspect is the insurance coverage - it's basically rent-to-buy. I guess they want users to have more skin in the game (the insurance company can also see if I am using the CPAP). Early days but I am very encouraged.