CPAP users & sleep apnea

sandyfeet10
sandyfeet10 Posts: 280 Member
edited September 27 in Health and Weight Loss
I recently found out that I have sleep apnea and it could very well be one of the reasons I have had a difficult time losing weight. I did the sleep studies, got fitted with the mask, but I'M SO UNCOMFORTABLE!

My nose gets itchy, I don't like the pressure feeling, I'm a stomach sleeper and it's just not comfortable.

What advice can anyone else with this condition offer?

Replies

  • lijparsons
    lijparsons Posts: 258
    I did a month long trial for a CPAP machine, and gave up after a few weeks. It was really uncomfortable for me, since I move a lot in my sleep and kept digging in or shifting.....and of course the itching and sweating I would do underneath the mask. I ended up returning it. My advice is to try out a few different masks, and give it a REAL try. From what I hear, the people who CAN use it, really benefit from it. Good luck!
  • jeff261159
    jeff261159 Posts: 385
    I was diagnosed some years ago with OSA and after an intensive sleep study I too was fitted with a CPAP mask. I have to say, that the first, yes first morning after wearing it I felt like i had been running on flat batteries and someone had at last changed them for super duracells.

    My advice would be to alter the way you sleep. It will be a small price to pay for the good night sleep you havent known you are missing.

    Sadly due to some further surgery I am now unable to use CPAP, but I miss it and would go back to it tomorrow if i thought it would work on me now
  • ♥jewel♥
    ♥jewel♥ Posts: 839
    Is it the full mask or just the nasal pillows? I have the pillows and I find that if they are not adusted just right they can be uncomfortable.

    I don't know anything about the mask. Sorry.
  • lick25
    lick25 Posts: 27
    I don't know if you sleep with pillows but I find sleeping without a pillow gives me less disturbed sleep. I don't have a mask thingy but someone I knew did and he didn't bother using it as he found it strange to use as well. He just really concentrated on losing weight so he didn't have to suffer anymore.
  • rjanson
    rjanson Posts: 6 Member
    Did they give you different kinds of masks to try? Which one were you fitted with?

    If the pressure feeling is too great, perhaps the airflow is set too high?

    I didn't find it too uncomfortable at first, but it certainly took a while to get used to. As a general tip, I found just lying still and really concentrating on slow, steady breathing really helped.
  • tnorkus
    tnorkus Posts: 45
    I was diagnosed with OSA just over a year ago. I love my CPAP. I've travelled with my machine to Orlando, Punta Cana and on a Caribbean cruise. I was VERY worried that I wouldn't be able to use it but it has changed my life. I was also apprehensive about using it since I was also a stomach sleeper and moved around alot. Well-1)I was on my stomach due to other people telling me I snore too loudly and this would alleviate the issue and 2) i was moving around alot because my sleep apnea kept waking me up.

    Yes the pressure is uncomfortable at first, but if the mask is properly fitted your body will get used to it. I will now sleep on my back and will also roll over on my side(depends on which side the machine is on). I will admit that I do sometimes take it off and go on my stomach.

    I am more productive at work, I am no longer falling asleep at the wheel on the way to or the way home from work and have lost almost 80 lbs. I cannot give all the credit to the CPAP for the weight loss but it was probably a factor.
  • Stuartm1
    Stuartm1 Posts: 101 Member
    i have been on CPAP for 14 years and it has really changed my life.- If you are struggling see your sleep clinic or doctor. You could also try the nasal pillar style mask this is less cumbersome and you may find usihg lanolin cream on your nose helps If you persevere you really will feel the benefit and as you feel more awake you can do more

    As I say speak to your sleep clinic or your doctor explain the problems and ask if you can try the nasel post style mask it may be better for you

    Good Luck
  • sandyfeet10
    sandyfeet10 Posts: 280 Member
    Is it the full mask or just the nasal pillows? I have the pillows and I find that if they are not adusted just right they can be uncomfortable.

    I don't know anything about the mask. Sorry.


    I have been using the "nasal pillows" because it's more comfortable than the mask as far as sleeping on my stomach. They gave me a mask too, so maybe I'll try that tonight and see if it irritates my nose less.
  • tnorkus
    tnorkus Posts: 45
    does your CPAP have a humidifier? mine does and it really helps especially over the winter when its really dry.
  • gtm124
    gtm124 Posts: 179
    I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in December 2008. I use a ResMed Auto Set II with a nasal mask. It is set with a variable range of 6 to 16, but my average range is in the 10-11 range. I have gotten deep REM sleep from day one and travel with it. The good news about severe sleep apnea as opposed to obstructive is that a lose of weight could mean you could eventually stop having to use it.
    The reason you want to use your CPAP machine is the O2sat levels. Without it your brain and vital organs suffer with low oxygen levels. I was diagnosed with O2sat levels in the low 70% range. The CPAP brings that back up in the 90% range. Not only do I get a solid well rested sleep, but I am much more productive during the day and I wake up with no brain fog.
    The verdict is out on how it affects weight. I actually gained 5 pounds when I first started using the CPAP machine because I was not burning as many calories. Before I was up and down from waking myself up gasping to breath and wearing myself out. I was having 54 episodes of not breathing per hour.
    Is it a pain. Yes. Does my wife like it? No. But I am willing to use the machine until such time I get my weight under control and no longer need it. I sleep like a baby.
  • sandyfeet10
    sandyfeet10 Posts: 280 Member
    I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in December 2008. I use a ResMed Auto Set II with a nasal mask. It is set with a variable range of 6 to 16, but my average range is in the 10-11 range. I have gotten deep REM sleep from day one and travel with it. The good news about severe sleep apnea as opposed to obstructive is that a lose of weight could mean you could eventually stop having to use it.
    The reason you want to use your CPAP machine is the O2sat levels. Without it your brain and vital organs suffer with low oxygen levels. I was diagnosed with O2sat levels in the low 70% range. The CPAP brings that back up in the 90% range. Not only do I get a solid well rested sleep, but I am much more productive during the day and I wake up with no brain fog.
    The verdict is out on how it affects weight. I actually gained 5 pounds when I first started using the CPAP machine because I was not burning as many calories. Before I was up and down from waking myself up gasping to breath and wearing myself out. I was having 54 episodes of not breathing per hour.
    Is it a pain. Yes. Does my wife like it? No. But I am willing to use the machine until such time I get my weight under control and no longer need it. I sleep like a baby.

    thank you for sharing! i switched masks after posting this from nasal pillows to the full mask. i can breathe easier with it, but my nose gets so itchy! i'm really trying! i'm going to keep at it!
  • 2stepz
    2stepz Posts: 814 Member
    Keep trying different types of masks... you can also get a different style of pillow to keep your head at the appropriate angle and still nto cause problems with all of the hoses/cords. I don't use one myself, but my father went through 4 masks before he found a style that worked for him. He's so energetic now it's almost scary.
  • Fatlorenzo
    Fatlorenzo Posts: 101 Member
    I have had appointments with different sleep clinics, the first told me I had a precurser for the apnea, but couldn't do anything about it.
    I am currently waiting for a proper overnight sleep study to be conducted. I would wear the mask if I got the chance. I also suffer from anaemia, and feel very out of breath when I exercise, but I am trying to push myself, as I want to lose this weight through calorie deficit, not crazy atkins diet or starvation!
  • leosejo
    leosejo Posts: 3 Member
    definately go back to your sleep provider (respiratory therapist, dme specialist). there are so many mask options and changes that can be made to make it more comfortable.
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