CPAP machine

[HomerS]

Anyone else on one?  I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in the pre-testing for my knee surgery.  I did the home testing and the results were ugly.  Friday night I had the in clinic study.  The first model (basically plugs both nostrils) was a huge fail as I couldn't get enough air in so I got the face mask which covers the nose and mouth.  Not the best for a side sleeper and even worse for a teeth grinder.  I messaged the Dr and told him I don't want to proceed with the machine right now so he said he would look at the results and set up an appointment to look at alternatives.

 

[Fat Brian]

Yep, I've used one a few years ago but never noticed a big difference in my sleep. I just did another sleep study last month at the request of my lung doc. In the last six months I've developed shortness of breath which as someone who never smoked is a bit of a kick in the pants. This time I couldn't get enough air through any type of mask and had a pretty severe panic attack trying to wear the stupid thing. I haven't seen my doc since the test, I don't know what I'm going to pursue. I sleep in my recliner most nights due to back pain so even if I had a cpap in the bedroom I'd rarely use it. 

[Jim B]

I'm supposed to be on one, but with the Philips recall, I haven't been using it for about 8 months; and Philips has no idea when/how they are going to replace all those machines all over the world.  Yes, using one sucks & it does take some getting used to; but I do notice that I sleep better when I'm using it.

[DrKerry]

I use one as well, helps ya sleep better for sure!!

[stinkybritches]

I've used one for about 3 years. It took me 2-3 weeks to get used to it. I can't sleep without it now. Besides the obvious benefit of keeping my airway open throughout the night, I no longer have to deal with acid reflux, getting up multiple times to go to the bathroom, and waking up every day with a stiff neck. The only thing I'm disappointed with is that I don't have any extra energy from a decent nights sleep. I use the mask that covers my nose and mouth.

[Jim B]

I know there are a lot of different CPAP machines out there, but what are you guys using?  Mine is/was a Philips Respironics DreamStation which were all recalled due to the internal filter releasing particles which could cause lung cancer (which is the last thing I need after dealing with colon cancer for the last three years).

Edited January 17, 2022 by Jim B

[stinkybritches]

I use a ResMed AirSense 10.

[espo]

I have had to use one for over twenty years. I have had sinus issues for most of my life. After my 40's the folds inside my throat would close off my airway at night when I was laying down. Tried the "full face" style and my mind wouldn't let me relax until the machine came up to the preset pressure. I just felt like I was going to suffocate. Next, I went to the "nose only" style and that worked best for me but over time I discovered another problem from the mask. The way the "pillow" went around my nose it would seal against my upper lip and put pressure on my front teeth. The problem after several years is that it has forced my upper front teeth to move further back in my gums to the point that when I close my mouth or eat my lower front teeth are pushing against the back side of my upper front teeth. What I have found that works best, at least in my case, is a newer style that puts the pillow with the slits in it under my nostrils. Laying on your side can be distracting since the feeder hoses for the nose piece run along the side of your face from the top of the head gear that holds everything in place. The noise of the air going thru the tube with it pressed to your temple and near your ear will amplify the sound of the air. Another drawback is that the lower jaw tends to drop-back and your mouth will usually dry out while sleeping. The good news is I get a much better sleeping experience when using the CPAP. Besides the breathing advantages of a CPAP is that if you stop breathing at night since your airway is blocked it is like holding your breath for too long and can and will affect your Heart beating and that is never good. 

[TarheelRick]

I've been on one for over 12 years.  I use the Resmed Airsense10 with the over-the-nose only mask.  Used to use the full nose/mouth mask but could not sleep on my back, the mask kept breaking the seal so I went off it for a couple of years.  I tried it again and discovered that when I lay on my back and began to relax into a sleep my lower jaw would drop just a minor bit causing the mask to leak.  Talked with my family doctor and he recommended me to a dentist.  The dentist fitted me with a mouthpiece, similar to the one athletes wear, except it is both top and bottom and connected with a plastic, replaceable hinge.  In the past few years I have switched to a mask that just covers my nose, so I no longer use the mouthpiece.  Because I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea the CPAP is required for my CDL bus drivers license.  The issue I am having now is that I recently changed bed headboards and the hose is catching on the vertical slats; need to find a better way to route the hose.

[Classicgas]

Been using one for 3 or 4 years, Philips respironic dream station.  Haven't used it much since the recall notice. 

[Jim B]

33 minutes ago, Classicgas said:

Been using one for 3 or 4 years, Philips respironic dream station.  Haven't used it much since the recall notice. 

What's driving me nuts about the recall, is that no one seems to know anything! ?

Should we continue to use the CPAP? - I don't know.

How long before there's a resolution? - I don't know.

When can I expect to see a new machine? - I don't know.

Do you even work for Philips? 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Sorry fellas...when I first saw the thread title, I thought the second letter was "R".   

EDIT: Judging from the posts about the recall and other problems, I guess it should be.   

Edited January 18, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[vamach1]

I’m glad I never used one for more than a few days.  The tests said I had sleep apnea but I tried one and it was not for me.  Like any medical device mankind has done without for thousands of years, I realized if I changed my diet and exercised more and lost some weight my sleeping would improve.  It has and I’m glad as it sounds like the machines could cause some long term problems.

Edited January 18, 2022 by vamach1

[Classicgas]

9 hours ago, Jim B said:

What's driving me nuts about the recall, is that no one seems to know anything! ?

Should we continue to use the CPAP? - I don't know.

How long before there's a resolution? - I don't know.

When can I expect to see a new machine? - I don't know.

Do you even work for Philips? 

Tell me about it. 

[stavanzer]

V.A. prescribed one for me. After doing the 5 minute version, of the half hour "how to use your new CPAP machine" I was sent home to Use/live with (experiment) with it. It still sits sealed in it's box.

I am an 'active sleeper' (i.e. I roll around in bed like a beached trout), and I sleep on my stomach, both conditions that are not CPAP friendly. I'm too old and stubborn to try to change how I sleep, so no CPAP for me.

(Jim B, I wish I could send you Mine)

[Fabrux]

I've been using a CPAP now for maybe 10 years now? It made a life and day difference in my life. I'm currently using a Fisher & Paykel Sleepstyle with the nose pillow type attachment. Works great for me.

[Jim B]

Well, I suppose there's always this: Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation - Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

[HomerS]

6 hours ago, Jim B said:

Well, I suppose there's always this: Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation - Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

The Dr mentioned this but he said my BMI is above the upper threshold......translation: I'm too fat to have it done.

If I could lost the weight, I may not even need one.  The wife did Keto and was very successful. 

[OldTrucker]

I have used mine for 5+ years and now feel like I'm suffocating if I don't wear it at night. It does stop me from rattling the walls and windows!LOL

I don't really seem to sleep better because of fighting with the mask and I end up sleeping on my face I suppose to stop it from leaking air around the mask. Because of back problems I cannot sleep on my back. If I could it most likely wouldn't leak.

Have permanent dents in my forehead now!

[misterNNL]

On 1/17/2022 at 7:27 AM, Jim B said:

I'm supposed to be on one, but with the Philips recall, I haven't been using it for about 8 months; and Philips has no idea when/how they are going to replace all those machines all over the world.  Yes, using one sucks & it does take some getting used to; but I do notice that I sleep better when I'm using it.

There is a very quick and simple answer to whether or not your sleep apnea machine is on the recall list. Call your machine provider with the serial number of your unit. There is a national toll free number to call that will tell you immediately if yours is on the recall list.

[misterNNL]

Just now, misterNNL said:

There is a very quick and simple answer to whether or not your sleep apnea machine is on the recall list. Call your machine provider with the serial number of your unit. There is a national toll free number to call that will tell you immediately if yours is on the recall list.

Both my wife and I are users of either cpap or bipap units. My apnea was much worse than hers so I got my unit first. My breathing was stopping over 100 times an hour(!). My Doctor told me I was actually only sleeping about 15 or 20 seconds at a time before waking up. I was naping several times a day. We also use the So Clean system to keep them clean.

[Jim B]

19 minutes ago, misterNNL said:

There is a very quick and simple answer to whether or not your sleep apnea machine is on the recall list. Call your machine provider with the serial number of your unit. There is a national toll free number to call that will tell you immediately if yours is on the recall list.

After not hearing from Phillips for almost a year, I now get emails from them just about every other day that my "Phillips devise replacement order is being processed."  Well, at least they're doing something.

[misterNNL]

No surprise with supply chain issues effecting almost everything we buy today that yours is delayed.

[Jim B]

Oh, they said from the beginning that it could take over a year, mostly, I think, because they didn't have a solution; and once they do have a solution, they'll want to get their Dutch customers taken care of first. 

[Oldcarfan27]

On 1/17/2022 at 4:07 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Sorry fellas...when I first saw the thread title, I thought the second letter was "R".   

Don't worry, if it was an "R", the title would have been:

"Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah"