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R.A.S. Veteran Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Posts: 321 Location: Woodbury, MN
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject: CPAP Machine |
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Has anyone used one of these sleep apnea machines to breath at night?
I've had mine for 3 nights, and it either leaks
or it smashes my chops just under my nose.
I'm asking them to give me the mouth aparatus (keeps your teeth open while you sleep).
Has anyone had positive or negative results with these? _________________ Ray |
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Uberopa Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 932 Location: Canada
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Ray,
I suffer from profound sleep apnea. I use a CPAP machine regularly, including short naps. It took me about 3 weeks to acclimatize to the mask. Non-users think of trying to sleep with a fan blowing up your nose.
My original mask was pretty lame - leaked - had to crush my head with the mask straps to make it fit right. I switched to a Mirage II low profile mask that is very comfortable. Consult your Respiratory Tech. for a more comfortable mask. Ask him if nasal prongs would be a better choice for you. The internal medicine specialists were unanimous regarding treatment options.
Surgery was the worst choice. Oral appliance a distant second with CPAP the front runner.
There is a new surgical technique where "stiffeners" are inserted into the oropharynx under local anesthetic. This apparently stops the pharynx from closing when sleeping. No snoring, happy wife, no airway obstruction. Be prepared to part with $2500.00.
It is pretty frustrating at first but try to persevere with a better mask.
You will start to feel better once your REM sleep improves.
Of course if you are an old fat b*st*rd like I was 55 pounds ago you could stand a little lifestyle change. The angina was the big motivator for me! YMMV
Brian R.N., BSN |
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_dcstep Heavyweight Member
Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Posts: 6324 Location: Denver
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Uberopa wrote: | Surgery was the worst choice. Oral appliance a distant second with CPAP the front runner. |
A trumpeter that posts here (maybe he'll see this and chime in with first hand experience) had the surgery and couldn't play for a couple of years. The removal of gluttonal material caused deadening and other limitations on the ability to hold the compression required to play trumpet.
Dave _________________ Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest |
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R.A.S. Veteran Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Posts: 321 Location: Woodbury, MN
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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This doctor doesn't do the surgery, except in rare cases.
I'm going in on Tuesday to ask for the mouth aparatus that keeps your teeth open when you sleep.
It has to be less hassle than this $1800 machine.
(The bridge of my nose and my upper lip still hurt constantly.)
If they decide I'm crying wolf, I'll try it some more, but if they'll let me try both approaches for a month or so - maybe I can arrive at the best and simplest solution.
Thoughts at this point? _________________ Ray |
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Uberopa Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 932 Location: Canada
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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Hi again,
If your face is hurting it is likely related to the poor fit of your mask and having to wear the head harness too tightly.
Certainly both CPAP and oral appliance approaches do have success. The mask will do you no good if you can not tolerate it and you don't use it as a result.
I would still suggest the use of a better mask or nasal prongs over the oral appliance however. That is only my personal opinion.
Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition. It can lead to loss of concentration, lower job performance, lack of life enjoyment and significantly contributes to early death due to heart arhythmia or motor vehicle accident. Worse yet, in Canada, doctors are obliged to report the condition to the motor vehicle licencing branch so count on an annual physical and a re-test of one's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
I wish you all the best in combatting this condition. Improved lifestyle will help and stay with it.
Cheers,
Brian |
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