My father had surgery for sleep apnea about four years ago. I believe they fixed something inside of his nose (although it still looks crooked) and removed his uvula and the area of tissue around it. He had already had his tonsils out when he was four. His ENT told him beforehand that while it’s an easy surgery for the doctor, it’s misery for the patient, and that he’d be in pain for two weeks, unable to swallow or breathe easily, etc., but he did remarkably well, was only in pain for the first day or two, and was eating soft food by the second or third day. Before the surgery, his sleep test showed him waking up about 56 times an hour. I don’t know that he’s been tested afterwards, but listening to him, he doesn’t go through the periods where he stopped breathing for 10-20 seconds at a time. His snore also sounds different - it’s higher pitched, and a bit softer. That said, my mother commented to me recently that she thinks he’s starting to have apnea again.
Man, I’d forgotten about the misery of the leaks until you folks reminded me. That was definitely something else I hated about wearing the masks. And as someone else mentioned upthread, I would never put mine back on after getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (which is every night).
Based on all the most recent comments, I will simply retract my statement wishing for surgery as an out. The post-surgical pain is one thing, but if it doesn’t even really solve the problem…just, no.
When I had my sleep study I went in twice; once to determine if I had sleep apnea, and then a second time for “titration” to determine the proper pressure setting for my CPAP. When they did the titration they used a mask similar to the one I was later given, and I wasn’t given a choice to try any others. I guess they figured that since I didn’t have any problem sleeping with it then, there was no point in trying another kind.
I did get a replacement mask last year when I called the company that had given me the first one because the gel forehead pad was breaking up, and they said I was entitled to a new mask anyway. I probably should talk to my doctor about getting re-tested, since after I got the CPAP I had surgery to correct a deviated septum. I’ve moved from Chicago to NC, but I’m pretty sure UNC Hospital has a sleep study facility.
My sleep study used an ill-fitting nostril “mask”, like yours … and my nose hurt like hell the next morning. I swore off the nostril masks temporarily, but went back to them when I learned that there were different sizes of “nasal pillows” to better fit individual noses. Once I found the right size nasal pillows, the nostril mask rocked for me.
I could sleep fine with the nose-covering mask … but it made me break out something terrible. I had chick-pea-sized whiteheads at the points of contact with my face. No thanks.
I keep it on a nighstand right next to my head, more or less. The tubes don’t drape over me at all.
Oh, as I’m getting ready to hop into bed, I remembered something about the hose tugging the mask to one side. Drape the hose over your headboard right above your head. Instead of the hose’s weight trying to pull your mask off, the headboard will support most of the hose’s weight. The mask probably won’t feel as obtrusive so you may be more likely to wear it the whole night.
Nighty-nite!
I just switched from face mask to nostril pillows and love it, plus I can read while I have it on as it doesn’t interfere with sight at all. it is also easier to keep clean.
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea almost a year ago. I went to a neurologist complaining of constant headaches and waking up tired and with a headache and he recommended a sleep study to test for sleep apnea.
I have one of the nasal masks and for the most part it works wells for me. I had my mask replaced about 3 months ago because I broke one of the fasteners while I was over in England, but the insurance company just sent me the exact same type of mask. I think I can get a new mask every six months as someone said up-thread, but I’m sure that all depends on your insurance company.
I did not know much about the different kind of masks which are available until I spoke to a couple of people I know who have sleep apnea. One of them loves his nasal pillows but he told me that sometimes the inside of his nose gets sore where the pillows rub against the skin.
I was fortunate enough to be able to try a couple of different masks recently when my mother-in-law went for a sleep study. My wife and I went with her and the tech there offered to let me try a couple of masks when she found out that I had sleep apnea. The office seemed much more flexible than my MD and sleep center.
Does anyone know anywhere else where you can try masks? Or any place which has a ‘try before you buy’ or in-home trial type thing?
As for the question of where I put my machine, I have it on my nightstand and don’t usually have a problem with the hose. Occasionally I will have a problem when I am trying to roll over, but I only notice it when I am awake.
I think I am pretty lucky in that my mask does not bother me or my wife too much (she sometimes uses ear-plugs if the noise bothers her before she gets to sleep) and I have noticed a benefit from wearing it.
Two things that really helped me get used to it are the ramp up feature that my machine has and wearing the mask while watching TV for about a week before I tried to sleep with it. That got me used to wearing it and breathing with it on and I think that made a big difference when it came time to sleep with it on.
I used to suspend the air tube from an overhead support to keep its weight off me. (I made it from PVC piping and attached it to the headboard so it could swivel.)
I have the nasal cannula. The CPAP has been a lifesaver for me.
Some suppliers will let you come in and try on the masks before you buy them, but once you buy them, they stay bought.
My boyfriend has been trying different masks from cpap.com, where you can buy return insurance. It ain’t cheap, but for about $30 (return label included) you have 30 days to try out the mask and see if it works for you. If not, you can return it and get refunded the price of the mask but not the insurance. He actually found a mask that way that he likes and never would have risked the money on otherwise. We’ve been very happy with them and their service.