# Have you used a CPAP device? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 10, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433 "2025-06-10T19:21:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/41 "2025-08-26T23:54:01Z")
My wife is a light sleeper, but she much prefers the relatively low hum of my CPAP to the chainsawing that is my snore. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/42 "2025-08-27T00:02:21Z")
I routinely share a hotel room at conventions with a friend who uses a CPAP. It’s a quiet background hum. I don’t love white noise, but it’s fine. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/43 "2025-08-27T00:19:38Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Does the mask stop you from snoring, or just force air through? If you ever watched the show Loudermilk, one of the characters gets a cpap and still snores, just sounds like snoring into a series of tubes. Keeps me from snoring (and keeps me from randomly stopping breathing in the middle of the night, which my wife found distressing). ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/44 "2025-08-27T00:23:37Z")
I’ve had my CPAP for about nine months now. My sleep study showed 27.3 events per hour. I felt miserable before my CPAP. I was sleeping constantly, but not getting good quality sleep at all. I was missing out on family time and not meeting my obligations. I got the CPAP and use it every day. I get scores routinely in the low-90%. Two of the last three nights, I got a 100 and a 99. My average events per hour is about 1. I’m able to stay awake all day now without needing to take naps. I’m more cognizant of my surroundings. I sleep great, and have wonderful dreams. You couldn’t pry this thing away from me with a crowbar. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/45 "2025-08-27T01:54:01Z")
I still wake up a fair amount through the night, but the camera says I’m moving around less. I’m not tired during the day, so the waking up doesn’t really affect me much. It’s something I’ve dealt with since I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/46 "2025-08-27T02:04:39Z")
What do you guys use for cleaning your CPAPs? I heard there were suitable wipes for sale on Amazon but I can’t tell what’s the real deal and what’s not. I heard simply spraying and wiping with surface-cleaner hypochlorous acid isn’t a good idea, nor is isopropyl alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/47 "2025-08-27T02:07:34Z")
The directions for mine say that antimicrobial soap is fine. I will confess to not cleaning mine as often as I should. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/48 "2025-08-27T02:12:11Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > For those of you who have spouses: > > Does the mask stop you from snoring, or just force air through? > > …What is the sound like? My wife already suffers from insomnia, so adding more noises to the room is unlikely to make it better. I realize this doesn’t mean I shouldn’t get tested for treatment (I definitely snore) but I want some facts going in. For me, it completely stops my snoring. And unlike the older model CPAPs, the new machines are almost completely silent. My machine is so quiet I sometimes can’t even tell if it’s running or not, so I have to lift my mask slightly to hear if the supplied air is under pressure or not. There is an exception to this quietness. If my mask comes loose or gets misaligned while I’m asleep, it will make noise due to air leakage. If it’s loud enough, it’ll wake me up, but unfortunately my girlfriend is a light sleeper and sometimes it will make just enough noise from air leakage to wake her up but not me. Or sometimes, my chinstrap comes loose or gets misaligned, so I get air leakage from my mouth, which also makes some noise. The alternative is snoring all night long, though. And fortunately, everything usually stays in place so there’s no air leakage noises. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/49 "2025-08-27T02:25:27Z")
I live alone, but when I was visiting my kids or vice-versa, they reported that I snored, sometimes loudly. I did a sleep study and it showed very mild sleep apnea: 7 events per hour. Anything below 5 is not apnea. The sleep specialist prescribed an APAP. I HATED the idea of being attached to anything all night and was very cranky about it, but I used it. Because my apnea is so mild, I don’t have the dramatic effects others here have experienced. And I still loathe being attached to the machine, even though the hose connection is on the top of my head and swivels, and I have the nasal pillows and not the full face mask. However, I’m using it. My brother has a CPAP, and his quietly hums. Mine makes ZERO noise whatsoever. My sister (no CPAP) couldn’t hear it at all when we shared a room recently. I can’t hear it, either. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/50 "2025-08-27T04:25:05Z")
Thanks **P-man**. Are CPAP cleaning machines of this sort legit, or BS? I couldn’t find anyone on Reddit who uses such cleaning devices, but there’s clearly a market for them. > **[CPAP Cleaner Ozone & UV Light Smart CPAP Sanitizer - Sinoriko](https://www.sinoriko.com/product/cpap-cleaning-and-sanitizing-machine/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22088325506)** > > Sinoriko automated smart CPAP cleaner with ozone and UV dual mode sanitizes your mask and hose without harsh or messy chemicals. Keep your CPAP clean. > **[Liviliti Paptizer UVC LED Smart CPAP Sanitizer](https://www.cpap.com/products/liviliti-paptizer-uvc-led-smart-cpap-sanitizer?signup=&signup=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22726386209&utm_content=182513616878&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22726386209)** > > The Liviliti Paptizer is your go-to solution for keeping your CPAP supplies and household items germ-free. Using advanced UV-C light technology, it eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, mold, and viruses in just 3 minutes. With multiple sanitizing modes,... ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/51 "2025-08-27T04:30:38Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Are CPAP cleaning machines of this sort legit, or BS? I couldn’t find anyone on Reddit who uses such cleaning devices, but there’s clearly a market for them. From what I know of them, I think they void the warranty as the ozone, when it fills the hose, can damage the equipment of the CPAP itself. However my understanding is that that is only when the CPAP hose is actually attached to the CPAP machine. I have no idea if you unplug the CPAP hose from the CPAP itself, then cork it up, then use this device if that makes it safer or if there is a risk of ozone leak from that. I have no idea if you can unhook the CPAP hose from the machine, then just stick the entire hose and mask into the machine to be cleaned by ozone and UV light. But I’ve never used an ozone cleaner because they supposedly void the warranty. I have no idea about the ones that only use UV light to clean them. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/52 "2025-08-27T05:58:52Z")
I wash the nose piece each morning with normal hand soap. I never wash the frame of the mask, or the tube. I replace them once a year or so for about $25 - $30 total. Not because there’s necessarily anything wrong with them, I just feel like I should. It’s worth mentioning that I don’t use the humidifier, so there’s never any moisture in the parts. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/53 "2025-08-27T15:43:59Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Are CPAP cleaning machines of this sort legit, or BS? I couldn’t find anyone on Reddit who uses such cleaning devices, but there’s clearly a market for them. I would never use these devices. Both ozone and UV are bad for the plastic and rubber seals in the CPAP machines, plus they void the warranty. I use a humidifier with my CPAP, and carefully take apart and dry off the tank every morning, then disassemble the mask and sit it out to dry and air out every day as well. About once a week, I wash the tank, hose, and mask in hot soapy water, then set it out to dry. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/54 "2025-08-29T16:32:09Z")
I’m like you. I was diagnosed with mild apnea too (though I rarely snore myself - I got tested because I was having trouble staying asleep). I just started trying to use a CPAP a few days ago even though I really hate the idea of being hooked up to a machine too. I thought I should try though since it is supposed to be better for your health in general, and I do have a heart arrhythmia. So far I’ve not been very successful. I feel like I am trying to breathe though a straw (the mask they gave me has a nasal cushion). The first night I got so stressed out with it I had to take it off, I slept really poorly and felt awful the next day. I’ve tried just wearing the mask with nothing attached to it and can’t breathe well enough through it to tolerate having it on. If I adjust it so I can breathe better, it leaks. I put in a call to the respiratory therapist but they haven’t called me back yet. Not thrilled about any of this - I know for insurance to pay for the machine, I have to use it, but I can’t do it like this. I don’t appreciate that extra added financial pressure. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/55 "2025-08-29T17:28:03Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > So far I’ve not been very successful. I feel like I am trying to breathe though a straw (the mask they gave me has a nasal cushion). The first night I got so stressed out with it I had to take it off, I slept really poorly and felt awful the next day. I’ve tried just wearing the mask with nothing attached to it and can’t breathe well enough through it to tolerate having it on. If I adjust it so I can breathe better, it leaks. For some reason you are not getting enough air through your nose. Personally I find the nasal cushion masks much easier to use and tolerate with the supplied air under pressure from the machine. Trying to get used to a mask with nothing attached to it is much harder, I think. Maybe you could try getting used to the mask while you are awake with the machine running? You might also try a full-face mask that covers your nose and mouth instead. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/56 "2025-08-29T17:29:18Z")
I had that same issue of feeling like I couldn’t breathe. It turned out I was using the wrong size nasal pillow: I was using a large (That’s what they sent.) when I needed a small. The large size didn’t fit in my nostril. My doc also increased the pressure (It’s set remotely.) and ordered a different unit. Once I got the proper fit, the feeling of suffocating went away. If I relax, it goes away completely. There’s also the possibility you’d do better with a full mask (over nose and mouth), as my sister has. I know little about those, though. I still hate being attached to the device. The nasal pillow package has a photo of a woman wearing the CPAP gear. She looks somber. Her husband is looking at her and smiling, probably because she looks ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/57 "2025-08-29T17:35:41Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > I had that same issue of feeling like I couldn’t breathe. It turned out I was using the wrong size nasal pillow: I was using a large (That’s what they sent.) when I needed a small. The large size didn’t fit in my nostril. This is a good idea too. The first nasal pillow kit I got included multiple sizes for the cushions. I had to switch from a medium to a large. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/58 "2025-08-29T17:38:32Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Maybe you could try getting used to the mask while you are awake with the machine running? I am going to try this, and also turn off the ramp setting on the machine to see if that makes a difference (that was suggested by a Reddit thread I read about this, in absence of a call back from the therapist). I can breathe just fine through my nose, so I am not thinking a full face mask would be helpful - in fact, likely the opposite as I hated the mask I was given in the sleep study, which fully covered my nose and was quite uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the insurance only allows one change of masks, so I need to be careful what I ask for. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/59 "2025-08-29T17:43:45Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > I am going to try this, and also turn off the ramp setting on the machine to see if that makes a difference (that was suggested by a Reddit thread I read about this, in absence of a call back from the therapist). That’s a good idea to try too. When I got my replacement CPAP after using the first one for five years, the new machine had the ramp setting turned on for some reason. I felt like I was suffocating for the first few minutes. I then confirmed my old machine had the ramp setting turned off, and figured out how to turn it off for the new machine. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433/60 "2025-08-29T18:01:52Z")
I was a full-on stomach sleeper when I got my first CPAP 20 years ago. At that time, I think I had the kind of mask that’s a little triangle around your nose, and the hose came out of that. You can’t sleep on your face with the hose sticking out! Later on, I realized (we realized - my husband’s input was critical!) it was leaking badly when I was asleep. I adjusted the straps, but I couldn’t eve get them tight enough; besides, I’m a mouth-breather! I got a chinstrap. No way. I hated it so much! I had to have it so tight I would wake up with a headache. These days, I have a full face mask with nasal pillow (they don’t stick into my nostrils, though) and the hose at the top. I have this extra little pillow I shove up under my chin to keep my mouth closed when I’m falling asleep, and I pretty much sleep on my stomach, slightly to the left. I change from side to side all night, but the mask stays on. Success! The only drawback is I am still a mouth-breather and wake up with a dry mouth. I don’t like the humidifier. All that said, it’s better than no CPAP! I’d probably be dead by now, from having a car wreck from falling asleep while driving. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-used-a-cpap-device/1019433.md?page=4)