Your Personal CPAP Success Story - Post Here

[LookingForACleverHandle]

I am a CPAP user for around 30 years now.  Every year, when my GP asks whether I'm using the CPAP, I tell him it's my very best friend.  Can't sleep without it.  A couple trips, I've forgotten a piece or two, and the night was beyond miserable.  I did find I could get some sleep stiiting up, with my chin tucked down. I sleep on airplanes in that position (as if there were another position possible!)

I've been using various "bricks" over the years - I was hoping for some data from my ancient Remstar M, but gave up on that after a week or so.  Basically a compliance-data gathering program.

So, the Remstar M Auto finally died, and I started looking for a new machine.  I settled on the F&P Sleepstyle (some may say I could have done better...).  So, the first thing I did was load the F&P software, but it was nothing more than a means to transfer data to the cloud.

The F&P Sleepstyle does give a front-panel summary of last session - time, a sparkline graph of mask leakage, and the AHI.  An eye opener.  On to adjustment.
First, I noted 6cm H2O left me gasping for air until pressure went up.  I reset the low from 6 to 10, and immediately felt better going to sleep.  I do not like the feel of hot, humid air, so I never used the heated tube, and eventually got the humidity to 1.  As I've used a fixed CPAP for years at 14+cm, and how it felt, I did not see a need for expiry relief. 

I read high pressures could induce central apneas, and leaks could cause "runaway" attempts to make up for the leaks. I dropped the max pressure to 16cm H2O, since the graphs did not show any improvement in apneas or hypopneas at the higher pressure. I felt it could help guard against triggering central apneas.  

One adjustment I made was to the pillow - a high-low type pillow.  Normally I sleep in the low position (on my back).  I tried the high position June 26, resulting in an after "treated" 47AHI!! What a mess!  

Next was time to work on the mask.  I started the procedure to adjust my new Resmed Activa LT, a mask I've used for years.  I always felt the ponytail affected the mask fit, as well as the mustache. I pulled my hair to a top-ponytail, and that was a major turning point in conquering leakage.  Still looking for strategies to work with a mustache.  

I have tried nasal pillows fairly recently, and they did seal well, and felt OK, until I moved and the headgear contacted the headboard, which ruined it all.  I'm 6'3", and there is insufficient length on a king bed to accommodate that kind of headgear.

With OSCAR, and help from articles on this board, I've got my AHI to under two (at least 2 days in a row; hardly a trend...).

I'm still chasing down leaks, particularly large leaks.  Once I get those under control, I'll be in pretty good shape.

Thanks again, for the previous writing and time people have shared on this forum.  Eventually, as I understand the data more, I will ask additional questions of the members here.  Until then, a graphic representation of my June and early July '23 journey. 
note: two days on travel with a non-OSCAR-supported machine.
   

[SuperSleeper]

Hi:  I tried uploading my Sd card from my Resmed 11 to get Oscar going and was unable to make it work.

Howdy SharLynn,

For help with the OSCAR software, please start a new thread in the Software Support Forum, here:
https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-...port-Forum

In  your first post there, make sure you give exact details on what you did, and where you ran into problems.   Give folks a bit of time to respond, and hopefully you can resolve this issue quickly.

[Mad Swede]

I have been on CPAP since the mid 90's. At that time, before CPAP, I was falling asleep at my desk and on the road quite often. CPAP didn't really work well for me until I got my deviated septum fixed. 

I despise sleep studies and have titrated myself over the years to 9.8 cm. If I try going up or down from there, even just 2 cm H2O, it doesn't work. I am an incessant mouth breather and have landed over the years on using a Chinup strip along with the chin strap to keep the darn mouth shut. I have also trained myself to sleep on my side. Humidifier here in CO is essential. 

I couldn't live without my machine, not even for one night. On vacation in Michigan 3 years ago there was a 16 hour power outage (all night) and it was hell. Fortunately we don't often get outages here. Never go camping since I went on the machine, which is ok as my wife hates it anyway.

[Weagle]

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea several years ago. During the sleep study I was told I was having multiple obstructive and central apneas. I was then referred to a DME company to get a CPAP machine. Here's where things started to go south. The DME was the one managing my CPAP machine's settings. After months and month of little assistance from them, I ended up finding a dedicated Sleep Doctor to help me through my issues. All the while I was researching sleep apnea and trying to learn as much as I could, which is when i found this forum.

This is where things started to improve. I was getting better sleep, however, the CPAP was making me bloated and I'd wake up every night all bloated and uncomfortable. After multiple changes on the CPAP, my doctor asked if I was interested in trying an oral appliance to help instead of the machine. I jumped at this opportunity.

I was referred to a specialized dental sleep office. They did their initial exam and said they believed I was a good candidate for an appliance to advance my lower jaw forward during the night. At first the device was a bit to get used to. Once adjusted to wearing it every night, the doctor them slowly started advancing my jaw further and further over several weeks/months until it became uncomfortable and I would wake up with cramps and pain. It was then backed off a bit and is where I am today.

Things still aren't perfect but they are tolerable. My wife (who's up every night for her own medical issues keeps telling me I snore frequently. I even wake myself up sometimes. Because of this and noticing that even after a full night of rest, I'm still not always refreshed.

That's what brings me to this forum again today is the reviews I saw of the Alaxostent. Ironically a Facebook ad was the first time I saw the device and it intrigued me. After further searching I found some amazing reviews of the device on this forum and now I'm back to learn even more.

I ordered the updated Alaxostent with the nasal dilator. I'm told it'll be about 60 days until the device arrives.

[Sleeprider]

Apnea Board is fortunate to have members that have tried a variety of solutions, and the Alaxo Stent is pretty unique, and has been successful for several members. It is hard to get with long wait times, but addresses issues CPAP and other alternatives like Inspire can’t. I’m glad we host alternatives like this and offer a good place for members to share their honest personal experiences.

[arkona12]

Recently diagnosed with AFIB, got a sleep study and found severe sleep apnea (AHI 33)

I have been using a bipap (Resmed Curve 10 with a nasal mask, airfit N20) for about a week now.

My AHI scores have all been under 5, usually in the 0.20-0.80 range, and my myair scores have been 96 and above.


I am hoping it is helping, I haven't had the "night and day" difference feeling each morning like more energy or anything, but I have been feeling better in general. My bathroom trips have been cut down quite a bit too.

It has been helpful reading through this post. Thank you.

[DaveL]

@arkona12 welcome to the forum. Your progress is inspiring! Thank you for sharing.

[REMhunter]

CPAP was my second chance.  Really.

What drove me to think I had sleep apnea?  Well, I ended up at a retina specialist because I was getting distortions in my vision (circa 2019).  Terrifying diagnosis: Central Serious Retinopathy (fluid behind the retina).  Want motivation: How about losing your vision slowly and irreversibly?  Yeah, that will do it.  My ophthalmologist asked if I was particularly stressed out a work or similar, not really.  She brought up sleep apnea, but since mine was REM dominant, I had no awareness it was an issue.  I kept looking for other issues and tried to "manage my stress" as best as possible.  Had a recurrence of the CSR (early 2023), and decided that I absolutely needed to figure out what was going on.  Talked to a college friend who I knew has sleep apnea, he said to absolutely get checked.

Sleep study confirmed sleep apnea.  You could see in the data that I was fine in all modes except for REM.  When I'd hit REM, I'd immediately have events.  Not sure, but likely have had this (undiagnosed) since my teen years.  I did have my adenoids removed as a child, so I'm not sure how much of an option surgery is.

Sleeping with an alien facehugger hooked to a leaf blower was probably the most challenging lifestyle change that I've ever tackled.  There were sleepless nights trying to will myself to go to sleep.  Many times I whipped "the thing" off my face in frustration, only to walk around a bit and try again.  Finally got SO exhausted that I fell asleep with the mask on.  Slept for 11 hours straight with an AHI below 1.  I woke up a new person.  That was March of 2023, so 5 months ago as of this writing.  I'm to the point now where it's "routine" and I just pop it on as I get situated in bed without thinking about it.  As time has gone on, I get more nights with 0 events.  Sometimes for days in a row.

Changes:
I struggled with weight nearly all of my adult life, I can't stop losing weight now.  I can take my "last year's" pants off without unbuttoning them.  I had to buy new belts.  Sugar/sweets cravings are a nearly gone.  I eat less, feel more full, and have more energy.  This was happening organically, I didn't "go on a diet", I just wasn't as hungry.
Blood pressure is MUCH lower, to the point that I'm discussing with my primary care physician whether I can go off meds entirely, before I had "stubborn" high blood pressure.  I suspect other blood work numbers will be improved, I had an annual checkup right before starting CPAP, so it will be a great reference point.
Mood and patience is vastly improved.  Friends and family all mention how much more pleasant, patient, and cheery  of a person I am since starting treatment.
Energy has been reset to 15 years ago or more.
Anxiety has gone away, much easier to see doctors and be in medical facilities without having to try to manage my panic attacks.  It's all gone now.
I typically have one bio-break all night long, not the case before when I'd have 3 or 4 per night.
Mornings aren't the "did anyone ID the truck that ran me over?" routine where you feel like garbage despite getting a "full night's sleep".
I feel much more rested, even with shorter sleep duration.  I'd say I can do in 8 hours what used to be 10.


I was being poisoned by cortisol.

I suspect that my grandfather, who had as many heart problems are there are words in the dictionary, likely had it too.  My dad likely does too.  I have an adult sibling that has been diagnosed as well.

I'm glad that we live in a time when this can be detected and treated.  I only wish I had been diagnosed sooner.  Who knows how different my life would have been.

My CPAP is the best thing to happen to me.  Not kidding either.  Yeah, I spent a lot more than I wanted to, have to wear "the thing" when I sleep, but look what it got me!

To those of you out these suspecting you might have sleep apnea: You might feel embarrassed about it, but remember professional athletes like Shaq have sleep apnea.  Comedian Jo Koy has a series of great bits about it, both are helping raise awareness and knocking down stigmas.  When family members ask (my appearance is that obvious) how I lost so much weight, I tell them: Life is so much better when you aren't choking to death in your sleep.  YOU SHOULD GET CHECKED.  Spend the few hundred on a home test if that's what you want.  The REAL cost is NOT having the test and not knowing.
Own it, there's nothing to be ashamed of.  If your S.O./romantic interest is turned off by you using the single most impactful medical treatment I've ever experienced, they aren't the one for you.

[zynsa]

I have been a user for 2 months now and I am very happy that this morning my AHI is 2.16 for 5 hours of restful sleep for the first time (down from ~16 AHI).

I don't have a lot of wisdom to share (still trying to get adjusted and still get frustrated) but I will just say that be disciplined and establish a sleep routine.

I have added some more details here: https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...#pid483439

[jijididit]

My AHI was 66 during my first sleep study. I informed the staff that I'd need to get up two to three times during the night to use the restroom. About 11:00pm, they woke me up and put the nasal pillows on me. The next thing I knew, I was waking up at 6:00am. Except when they woke me to mask me, I slept through the night. That was the first time in years that I slept through the night.

I had no problem adjusting to the mask and CPAP. I put it on at bedtime and take it off when I wake up. I wear a full-face mask now. I like it better than the pillows since I don't need to strap my mouth shut. 

I'm a CPAP veteran for 12 years next month. Three machine later and an annual visit to my sleep doctor, I still reap the benefits of CPAP.