How Many Posters Here Use.......

.......a C-PAP device while sleeping?

 

It seems like everyone I know here at home uses one.........

 

I underwent a "sleep study" the other day, and naturally they determined that I needed one.  Second worst night's sleep of my life, only exceeded when "Taters" was hogging the bed.......

 

Which brings up the question.............why didn't we all die in our sleep before they invented this machine?

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How Many Posters Here Use.......

The machine doesn't actually regulate the breathing, it is a constant positive pressure that overcomes breathing obstructions.  The theory is that when you're lying down, your airway becomes obstructed.  The study (including reading the results costs between $1000 and $3000 depending on whether you need a machine during the study.  Fortunately, the veteran's administration coughed up the bucks.  You can google "CPAP" and learn details and pricing.

 

My problem is my sleeping hours,,,,,,,,,,,,,I generally bag it after midnight, and am up before 7 AM.  I wake relatively rested, but as one other poster mentioned, about 2 or 3, I'm ready for a nap.  I'm not the butt of co-workers' jokes, because I have none.......but the war department always has a snide remark or two.

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How Many Posters Here Use.......

The theory is that when you're lying down, your airway becomes obstructed.

 

so it's just a theory? lying on your back, right side, left side or any side, just lying any old how..does it??

 

 

 

 

 


Signatures suck.
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How Many Posters Here Use.......

maybe you need a supportive mattress and pillow, and practice good sleeping postural habits.


Signatures suck.
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How Many Posters Here Use.......

 

 

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@joz*garage wrote:

maybe you need a supportive mattress and pillow, and practice good sleeping postural habits.


With some of us with sleep apnea, the tongue muscles relax in REM sleep, and fall back into the throat, restricting breathing. This will not choke you, as legend would have it, because the tonggue is anchored too far forwards for that to happen, but as the tongue relaxes in sleep, it sags - whether you're on your side, or your back. Think of when you swallow - most of the throat restriction is the back of your tongue blocking your throat. Try it and see.

 

NO amount of pillows. posture or mattresses can remedy the problem - others, like me,  simply stop breathing during the night - there's still no answer for why this happens.! Again, superficial remedies, including mattresses, pillows, anti-snore devices and alternative medicine is a waste of time!

 

When diagnosed, I was recorded as completely stopping my breathing, up to 70 times per hour - with just one episode lasting over 100 seconds!

The resulting lack of air can result in numerous health problems, up to and including heart attacks and brain damage.

 

 I guess that although you meant well, the suggestion of lay remedies, if followed,  can actually do more harm than good.

 

Yes, a cpap machine is expensive, but rebates from private healthcare reduce the cost significantly, and I can tell you that after 3 years use, I'd NEVER sleep without it again!

I take it on holidays, even when going away for one night, because if I don't, I'm almost incapable of driving the next day.

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How Many Posters Here Use.......


@this-one-time-at-bandcamp wrote:

The machine doesn't actually regulate the breathing, it is a constant positive pressure that overcomes breathing obstructions.  The theory is that when you're lying down, your airway becomes obstructed.  The study (including reading the results costs between $1000 and $3000 depending on whether you need a machine during the study.  Fortunately, the veteran's administration coughed up the bucks.  You can google "CPAP" and learn details and pricing.

 

My problem is my sleeping hours,,,,,,,,,,,,,I generally bag it after midnight, and am up before 7 AM.  I wake relatively rested, but as one other poster mentioned, about 2 or 3, I'm ready for a nap.  I'm not the butt of co-workers' jokes, because I have none.......but the war department always has a snide remark or two.


Ouch...they certainly saw YOU coming!

When tested, I was supplied with a metering device for 2 nights, fully rebated by my health fund. Only after I'd rented a machine for a couple of months did I decide to purchase. You're right about the positive pressure - mine's set at 12lbs - roughly 4 times normal air pressure through breathing normally. It literally forces the air into your throat, keeping the airway open, preventing both apneas,(complete cessation), and hypopneas, (partial reduction in breathing).

It's a frustrating position to be in, isn't it? When younger, I used to be up at 5am, and not need to get my head down until 1am!

These days? Up at 6-7am, and in bed by 10pm.

And before cpap? Dragged myself out of bed at 7-8am, had a nanna nap at midday, and in bed by 7pm!

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How Many Posters Here Use.......


@paintsew007 wrote:

Sincerely interesting.

How does the machine regulate the breathing?

How does the machine actually communicate with your body to tell it to breathe/regulate breathing AND not wake you up?

 

Recommendations for best machines and models would be appreciated too.....and costs to expect to pay for a decent machine please.

Not for myself btw.


I use a Fisher & Paykel Icon auto machine - one of the quietest and reliable machines at a realistic price. Cost when new was around $1400, but around half was subsidised by my healthcare fund.

Since purchase, I've had issues with the machine, but F&P have stood by their machine, even long out of warranty. The features available were what I wanted, but there's plenty to choose from. If you need one, do as I did and hire a couple of machines over several months to see which suits you - then purchase.

Steer clear of the sleep study specialist places when you buy, they jack up the prices substantially over retailers like chemists. and

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How Many Posters Here Use.......


@this-one-time-at-bandcamp wrote:

.......a C-PAP device while sleeping?

 

It seems like everyone I know here at home uses one.........

 

I underwent a "sleep study" the other day, and naturally they determined that I needed one.  Second worst night's sleep of my life, only exceeded when "Taters" was hogging the bed.......

 

Which brings up the question.............why didn't we all die in our sleep before they invented this machine?


My guess why we didn't all die is that it's not so much that we stop breathing until we asphyxiate, and in most people, the autonomous system WILL kick in before it's too late, but the other issues that stem from apnea, such as heart attacks, daytime fatigue, diabetes and brain damage are the ones to be concerned about!

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