My husband tried the mouth insert thinking it would be easier. It wasn’t - AND he ended up with braces because the insert screwed up his bite.
I had a sleep study and will never ever do it again.
They put me in the room, hooked me up, and it was immediately lights out. I normally read for a bit before sleep, so I didn’t have my normal wind-down time. I took a Lunesta which should have put me right out, but the tech bustled in to wake me up and to tell me not to sleep on my stomach. Hello, that’s how I sleep!
I couldn’t go back to sleep and became irritated enough that I wanted to leave. The tech bustled back in, saying the insurance wouldn’t pay if the study wasn’t complete, to which I retorted there would be no sleep study if I couldn’t get back to sleep, now would there?
I fell asleep after an hour of tossing and turning and got maybe 2-3 hours total. Overall it was not a fun time and I will not do it again. Turns out it was all for naught anyway, as my apnea isn’t severe enough to need a CPAP.
I did the home sleep study for my acid reflux. I’ve described it here before but for a recap, it’s really uncomfortable waking up choking on your own stomach acid being sucked into your esophagus. Can’t recommend it for anyone.
Tried the usual inexpensive remedies, wedge pillows and the like. No relief.
CPAP for the win. Almost a year now, but I don’t see ever going back.
When my son was 7 or 8 his mom wanted him to have a sleep study because reasons. I took him for the study, and because he was a minor I was required to stay on the premises the entire time.
In the morning they brought him to me. He looked as bad as I did. Neither of us had slept a wink. A sleep specialist sat down with me and explained that she could write up the report in a way that would justify a CPAP thing, which my insurance would pay for! I told her no thanks, wrote a check for the study (not covered by insurance since his pediatrician hadn’t referred him) and ran away from the scammy facility.
12 years since I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I wore out my first machine (job with insurance loss). I got refixed up 5 months ago and it’s wonderful. I have a Philips Respironics DreamStation and I’m amazed what it can to compared to my old one. Not only a SD card to record my use but a Cellular modem to report in. This is an auto CPAP; it’s set for 13 cm but will go up to 20 if it senses it’s needed, it slacks off a bit when I exhale, and I can set where it ramps from. Humidifier, heater for the humidifier, and a heated hose which I can set or leave off.
Yes, it takes a while to get used to wearing the mask but it’s worth it. I like that I don’t have to worry about the cat sleeping on my face and smothering me while I’m sleeping anymore.
Coming in with the opposing view…
I tried CPAP twice and hated it. Invariably, I’d wake up with sore ribs as my husband would poke at me when the mask leaked, and I never had that magic “Wow! So this is what sleeping is supposed to feel like!” The weird part is the machine would wake me up about once a week by somehow getting its auto pressure, expiratory pressure release, c-flex, etc. out of synch and it would start fighting me where I’d be trying to suck some air out of it, and then when exhaling, it would blow air at me.
CPAP user for 5-6 years now (not sure exactly). My old ResMed has 14500 hours on it so far and still going strong.
I think a lot of the sleep-study/clinic/doc cycle is a scam though. At the beginning it took way too much time and money to change the settings on the machine. To lower the setting, I had to go thru the doctor, then await a conference between him and the sleep clinic, where the experts had a long meeting to discover that the number below 7 was a 6. Then take machine to another office where a specially trained technician plugged it into a computer and selected “6”, then pressed “Enter”. And of course, each place nabbed it’s copay along the way. Obviously such delicate and difficult adjustments should not be made by untrained civilians like ourselves. :rolleyes:
Anyway, after getting the correct setting it took a few weeks to get used to it. And the difference for me is amazing and life-altering.
I’ve already bought a replacement machine from Ebay. I found one with few hours that was set to the correct cm setting. This way I can keep my wallet away from the sleep industry’s clutches when the old one dies.
Like Magiver, I ordered the 12V adapter cable(s) so I can use it when camping or overnighting on my boat.
FWIW: I get about 6-8 months out of a mask, and just order the new one (and hose, filters, etc.) online. I take the mask/hose into the shower with me every morning and thoroughly clean/rinse it. Then hang it over a towel rack to dry during the day.
It took my husband about two weeks to get used to it - he’d use it every other night.
And I don’t poke my husband when the mask leaks. Its cool moist air on my face - I love it when the mask leaks a little. I like the white noise as well.
Heh- my Dearly Beloved™ nicknamed my CPAP Darth the first night we spent together.
I’ve been an insanely compliant client. In the 15 years I have had the CPAP, I have missed the use of it exactly two nights. Both times it was because the house I was sleeping in had a neighborhood-wide power failure. Brutal.
When assessed initially, my sleep study revealed 70-75 sleep apnea episodes per hour. That was a stunner. I averaged less than a minute of sleep at a time without ceasing breathing, at least for a few seconds.
Cannot handle a nasal pillow design. I use the mask covering entire nose, but leaving my mouth exposed. It took less than 2 weeks to become completely accustomed to it. Now I cannot fall asleep without it.
I’ve not used the reservoir in more than 12 years. Hated the mess, the water, the cleaning. I do just fine- even in extremely dry air conditions.
I wanted to order the ResMed Auto. I asked my doctor for the prescription. And requested that it be in the auto mode with parameters. Let the machine do what it is designed to do. Adjust pressure as needed. My doctor wouldn’t allow that. I spoke with ResMed. They gave me instructions on how to adjust the pressure. And I ordered the machine.
CPAP user here too. Not sure exactly, probably going on 10 years now. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea (where the brain just stops telling the body to breath). I use a Resmed S9 Elite, have had it now for the entire time. I use the humidifier with the climate line tubing so never have wash-out issues due to condensation. I also use nasal pillows which I find to be the most comfortable option of all the many I have tried. I love my CPAP, use it every night even when traveling for work which is very frequently. Adjusting to it varies by individual, it was hard for me at first and took about a month. I adjusted to the mask and falling asleep quickly but I was having issues with air being forced into the stomach and waking up. It just took time to adjust and it went away on its own. Now when I put my mask on and turn on the machine my body is so trained that I fall asleep within minutes, usually before the ramping is complete.
Sleep apnea is no joke. I think you’re fortunate that your levels are fairly low but the blood oxygen drops are just one of the many risks associated with sleep apnea. Adjusting to a machine, maintenance/cleaning, the costs for equipment, etc., beats the Hell out of stroking out in the middle of the night or destroying your heart over time. I didn’t start treatment until much later in life and worry about how much damage I may have already done with decades of starving myself of oxygen and putting so much stress on my heart every single night.
My sleep study was a nightmare. I COULD NOT fall asleep! Between the physical discomfort and the idea that they were reading my thoughts, I could not drift off. I guess eventually I did because they said they got enough data to work with.
I tried the CPAP for a while but gave up on it and donated it back to the company for someone who can’t afford one.
I took the test last November (the Cleveland Clinic has rooms rented out in some local hotels!) and the test did kinda suck but like **gigi **said you only have to be asleep for a short while for them to get their data. I have the numbers right in front of me but I still don’t know how they compare to others or what’s above/below normal. I did get a machine, tho.
I was happy to get it and was looking forward to it but had a hard time the first night. And the second night. And for a week or so. I was so sad! But I kept at it and now I’m a pro. I do feel great falling asleep with it and I no longer fall dead asleep while sitting at my desk. According to the doctor appointment i just got back from, my blood pressure is super good now!
I did have a problem with my body not liking being in a sound sleep. Meaning I would wake up in terrible pain. Turns out I had been tossing and turning so much during the night I never had a chance to get stiff. From day 1 with the CPAP I could tell my sleep position was wrong. I have had to force myself to fall asleep on my back, instead of, literally, like a splayed bird (one arm under my head) and it has made a difference. Of course I could never comfortably sleep on my back before and with the CPAP it’s completely possible.
I slept without the machine the other night and I could feel how different it was. I woke up with a sore nose and throat. I musta been snoring all night. Ugh! Never again, if I can help it.
This thread made me realize I’ve been bad about cleaning the strappy part of the mask. And it’s gross. And I need to do that ASAP.
[Snip] and my bolding there at the end. My gosh- couldn’t agree more. I got my CPAP just before I turned 41. I spent exactly zero time worrying about past damage. I only focused on the amazing flip-of-the-switch benefits of using it.
I can remember- with great clarity- driving home into the morning sunrise, literally, experiencing wakefulness as I had not in a decade or more. It was just beautiful. I was focused, awake, my head was filled and not because of caffeine. I was rested and awake all day. My body and brain and MIND were not used to normal sleep rhythms, with all of the healing chemistry that goes with them.
I originally went to my doctor for severe reflux (yes, I’m the guy who went to the ER because of gas), and she asked me some questions about my sleep habits.
I did a home sleep study, and because of the results, the doctor ordered the full study. The morning after the study was the worst I had felt in a long time. However, when the tech showed me some of the data and recordings, I decided to go with the CPAP.
I have one of the over-the-nose masks. I tried the nasal pillows, but they caused some sinus pain. It took only about three days to get used to it. Now, I wear it even if I’m just going to take a short nap.
I suppose I should list some down sides:
[ul]
[li]I’m right at the edge for size. I currently use a medium, and occasionally I will get into a position that causes the mask to push on the bottom of my nose. I generally use that to judge whether I should tighten the bottom straps a little. [/li]
[li]My old harness would stretch out rather quickly, which cause leaks and rubbing. I now use a different harness that holds it’s shape longer, and is much easier to put on and take off (it has magnetic snaps!).[/li][/ul]
Unexpected upsides:
[ul]
[li]I have tinnitus, and used to sleep with a fan. The sound of the CPAP is just enough that I don’t really NEED a fan anymore. [/li]
[li]I used to have problems with nosebleeds and stuffy nose, especially in the Winter. Now I adjust the humidity on the CPAP, and those issues are pretty much gone.[/li][/ul]
Your experience is typical of many of my sleep studies. Their procedures are not conducive to sleep at all. If you do have good reason to believe you have sleep issues there are options such as a home study, or simply persist and go to a different clinic; that was the answer for me.Read my linked hints and you’ll see I’ve run into pretty much everything you have.
The tech was full of crap, by the way.
So is the only point of a sleep study to determine whether or not you’d benefit from a CPAP mask?
It depends. If you do a home sleep study, you use a relatively basic device that will only have sleep apnea related data. But if you go to a clinic, they’ll usually do a polysomnogram which is when you get all wired up with electrodes all over your head and face and legs and belts around your middle and a pulse oximeter on your finger. PSGs record all sorts of cool data in addition to your AHI and oxygen saturation like when you enter various sleep stages, when you’re dreaming, if you have restless leg syndrome, do you grind your teeth and I’m sure lots of other things. If it’s a split PSG and they determine you have sleep apnea, they’ll wake you up and put a cpap on to start titrating to find the right level to resolve the apneas. Otherwise, you have to come back again another night for that part.
If you have kids with sleep issues, I highly recommend NOT doing the sleep study. Sheesh, my youngest (on the autism spectrum) wrote the book on horrendous sleep. We have better living thru chemicals these days (and the very mild dosage is actually decreasing as she’s become a teenager). Her sleep study was simply miserable. I shared her room and I had a really bad night as well. IMHO opinion, kids just don’t understand what’s happening nor know how to cope with a study.
My middle girl got a high tech wrist device that she wore for a month. She doesn’t have apnea, but certainly has issues falling asleep, and waking up and not being able to go back to sleep. This is likely anxiety driven. That said, it was great to do the month long tracker to establish a baseline. When my daughter says it took hours to fall asleep, it was true and not the case where it “felt like hours to fall asleep.”
I’ve been a CPAP user for nearly a year. I had a home sleep study done and it was terrible. I felt like I didn’t get any sleep at all, but according to the device, I did manage to sleep for a few hours. I was diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea. They had me set at a very low setting on my machine and after my 6 month checkup, they lowered it even further. I use the nasal pillows because when I tried the over-the-nose mask, it kept leaking around my face which was quite annoying. Not only is my sleep much better now that I’m on the CPAP, but my wife sleeps better too since I’m not waking her all night.