Sleep Apnea Blog

Archive for the ‘CPAP’ Category

I have a CPAP machine and i keep getting a burn in my nose,so much that i have to take the mask off, also i have a humidifier attached ,use distilled water and change my filter often, any suggestions?

sounds like the setting on your machine may need to be turned down. contact your sleep center

Hello, I’d like to know what is the best over-all CPAP mask that is sold on the market today?

hello i am a DME supplier and the one that goes out to most patients and the one that I prefer the most is called "profile lite " by resperonics its got a blue gel filling and feels very comfortable many patients love it as do i.

I’m flying to from Buffalo to Las Vegas via Cleveland, and will be taking my CPAP machine with me. I don’t want to check it in my luggage. Will this count as an additional carry-on item, or would it be free since it’s Medical Equipment? Would I need a letter from my Doctor?

CPAP machines are medical devices. The TSA allows these in ADDITION to your normal carryons. When you check in, let the ticket agent know that you have a medical device.

When you attempt to go through TSA security, let them know that you have a medical device. You should have no trouble.

I have a CPAP. I;ve lost weight and the pressure is too high. I no longer have insurance and I live far away from where I used to have a rep come out to adjust it, with my doctor’s orders. I can;t afford to go to the doctor to have new order’s written, or to go for another sleep study. I lost about 30 pounds.

If you know how to set the setting lower, please let me know so I can use the machine. Thanks.

I don’t know if the medical-supply company would help you because it would be going against your doctor’s orders. If you know the model and manufacturer of the CPAP machine, you might be able to do an internet search for the user’s manual, which could tell you how to adjust it (at your own risk!).

Congrats on losing weight!

I’m using a BiPAP (not CPAP) for sleep apnea. I use a full mask that covers my nose and mouth. Does the BiPAP require a different kind of mask than a CPAP? Or will any mask work on both BiPAPs and CPAPs?

Thanks!

They are generally interchangeable. As a respiratory therapist who uses bipap, I have tried almost everything on the market. There was one made by res med that was new about 4 years ago that had an air seal. I can’t remember the name and I could not find it easily in a search. But it did not stay sealed well because of the inflating and the deflating. They may not make it anymore. I really would like to try the DReam Weaver mask for the next mask that I get. I guess I need to go to a conference to ask for a sample.

Bipap is much better than CPAP. I have been on Bipap for 7 years and have logged over22,500 hours. My machine broke. I was told on my last sleep study that I could use CPAP now since my original problem other than the sleep apnea had resolved. I am borrowing a CPAP until my new machine is in. I am tired, cranky, waking up several times a night, dry mouth even with the heated humidifier which I do not use very often with the bipap, having symptoms of increased CO2 retention, and my lungs hurt. I am extremely compliant with the bipap and now the cpap, but I understand why people with CPAP can be non compliant. I guess I am just ranting.

My husband has sleep apnea and must use a CPAP machine. He struggles with the mask he has, it fits over just the nose and he has natural excess cartilage – it is becoming VERY uncomfortable. Do they make these masks that cover the mouth instead, or maybe cover both mouth and nose?

Yes they make different styles of masks. Check out respironics.com or resmed.com they are manufactors of masks and can give ya some ideas. Also contact your home care company who supplied the mask and machine. Insurance should cover 2 masks per year.

Although I wear CPAP, I still wake up every two hours. I also awaken to find that I have ripped off my mask. Is my pressure to high? Can I reset it myself?

Hard to say. Could be you just need a different mask. Have a tried an Apap machine with variable pressure? That can make it more comfortable if you’re at high pressure. Plus it has the advantage of having software to help analyze you’re sleep patterns.

You’ll need to have you’re doctor prescribe the specific machine you want. That way the DME can’t give you whatever he has laying around.

www.cpaptalk.com is a great community for cpap users.

I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea about a year ago. I was given a CPAP machine and I tried to use it a couple of times, but gave up on it. If I start using it regularly, how much of a difference will I notice in my everyday life? Also, does anyone have any tips on how to get through the first couple of weeks using the machine?

As far as tips on getting used to it, I don’t know because I’ve never used one.

The two people I know who use one have both been able to go off all medications they were taking. One even goes as far as to check into a hotel when the electricity goes off in her house at night because she doesn’t even want to go one night without it.

Good luck getting used to it!

“Mouth leaking” or “mouth breathing” is a common problem for CPAP patients. Neoprene chinstraps on the market just don’t work. The PAPCap is a 100% cotton and comfortably seals the air escape through the mouth by simultaneously closing the jaw and pushing up the fleshy part of the chin so the bottom lip moves up about 1/2 inch. Instead of using a belt system on the head it employs a cap that comfortably spreads the tension into the surface area of the head. Available at: www.cpapsupplyusa.com, www.cpap.com, and www.pursleep.com.

For reviews, go to www.CPAPtalk.com and search: papcap. Here’s a recent thread with specific comments: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42277&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

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Tags: CPAP chinstrap, cpap mouth breathing, cpap mouth leaking

I know I have sleep apnea. I snore so loud and I have excessive fatigue to the point that I have to sleep more than 12 hours a day. It also runs in my family. I just got a CPAP machine from someone. How dangerous would it be for me to use it? Educated responses only.
Monica- I asked for educated responses only. I am also in the health profession and that doesn’t mean I know everything about everything. CPAP machines are not by prescription only, otherwise you could not buy them anywhere. And If you aren’t even aware that they are for sleep apnea, I am not quite sure how you managed to become a nurse.
Davisk- pneumothorax is not a "hole in the lungs". I have studied cardiorespiratory care. I am also well aware that too much O2 can be dangerous. Also, there are no H2O levels on this machine. Are you meaning O2 levels? And finally, it is not gross. Obviously I am not stupid enough to use another person’s mask! lol.

First of all, CPAP is to be used by prescription only! Yeah, you may be able to buy them on the internet or ebay, but thats just gross and extremely dangerous. Secondly, each cpap is to be titrated to your specific needs!!! People can need a pressure on 6cm H2O while others need 14 cm H2O. If a pressure is forced on to you that is to strong then you could end up with a pneumothorax or in layman terms, a hole in your lung! Doesnt sound fun at all, huh?! You need a sleep study and titration to determin what exactly your needs are.

On most home units the home care company or dr office will preset the pressure and each machine has a specific way to be reset that only the home care company or educated person knows how to change!

DO NOT USE ANOTHER PERSONS CPAP. EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT A MEDICATION, IT IS A DR. ORDER!!!!