Hope2SleepGuide

Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

Welcome to our Forum - Feel Free to Introduce Yourself Here.

Welcome to the Hope2SleepGuide Forum, which is a service run by the Hope2Sleep Charity founded by Kath Hope with a marvellous team of trustees and volunteers. 

Kath herself has severe sleep apnoea and hypoventilation/hypercapnia, and has used CPAP for several years and is now on non-invasive ventilation.  Our trustees and volunteers are all either sufferers of sleep disordered breathing or clinicians/medics working in this field, and most importantly, we are all passionate in supporting (with empathy) others and raising awareness to help people live healthier and more energised lives.

 

Whilst we do not give medical advice, more often than not, with support, tips and knowledge, people can overcome any problems experienced with our therapy, and there is a whole page dedicated to this on the website http://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/tips-for-problems-sleeping-with-cpap-or...

 

Please come and join us, and don’t feel obligated to use your ‘real’ name if you prefer to remain anonymous as this is a public forum.  Don’t be shy in posting and sharing, as we’re all in this together and to help each other.

Best Wishes for good sleep!

Kath

Views: 12999

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I also suffer from claustrophobia so I understand the issue very well, I started off with the nasal mask but I'm a mouth breather so I went to the full face mask, it's a mirage Quattro. I couldn't get to sleep at all and so my g.p gave sleeping tablets and I was able to sleep for 8 hours with the mask on. I tried without the tablets but I still can't several years later. Sleeping tablets aren't recommended if you have osa but they work for me and I have not taken my mask off in a few years now. The tablets I take are zoplicone 3.75mg. Everybody is different and what I do might not be for you but the more information you have, the more options you have. Dont give up though, one you get it right, the feeling is wonderful./>

Chris Mabbott said:

Hi Eveyone

I’m new to the site and to the CPAP machine, I have been suffering with Sleep Apnoea for years and been going to the doctors with constant tiredness. Unfortunately they only ever treated me for the symptoms and never the cause. A friend of mine told me while we were sharing a room on holiday that I stopped breathing in my sleep so I googled it. That’s when I went back to my doctor last September and demanded a referral to hospital, I had my overnight sleep study in October and got my results on the 16th of February this year when I was given my CPAP machine. It turns out I have it quite severe and wake 60 times an hour…that might explain why I have been so tired for years.

I really can’t get on with the mask and so far 4 hours is the longest I have gone but I was wide awake the whole time. Do you ever get used to the claustrophobic feeling? I have been back to the hospital to ask for a different style of mask and I am waiting for that now, I also asked about lowering the pressure as I was struggling to breath. They won’t do that without the consultants consent.

I think I feel more tired than I ever have since picking up the CPAP, I think it maybe the fact that I actually know I have a problem now.

Living in hope that this will eventually work

Hi Chris

My mask is Phillips Amara View, It doesn't go over the bridge of my nose and does feel less enclosing

http://www.respironicsonline.co.uk/PublishedService?pageID=9&it...



Chris Mabbott said:

Thanks for the words of encouragement, I will stick with it and keep trying different masks until I find one that's good for me because I'm on my knees right now with it.
I think the auto pilot I've been working on for years has just about given up.
Thanks again, I'll keep you posted unless I have a really good sleep and I might just have a lie in.

Hi, thanks for letting me join. I recently moved to a new area, where the hospital provides a cpap machine, where as before i had to purchase my own. Funnily enough i am being supplied  with an older model then i had and can't use my newer model as they are unable to read the data from the sim card.... but never mind, not much difference and mask is the same so that's all good, and i never extracted the data to analyze anyhow. 

I've been a cpap user for over 4 years now, and took to it like duck to water, suffering from mental health issues i actually found it to be a good comforter to take me away from perils of everyday life.

I've never had any problems with what i hear about rain out, etc. I do use a humidifier as my nose was getting dry... i did at first purchase a nasal water spray in a canister, but that felt like it was washing my brains out, so happier with a humidifier thank you very much.

Anyhow that's me, Hi

Hi Kim, and I did sent you a welcome email I'm amazed to hear in this day and age you were with a hospital that couldn't supply a CPAP and especially bearing in mind the NICE guidelines that CPAP should be provided!  Good to hear you're on good therapy and I'm sure you'll sell your S10 machine, although I personally would keep it as a back up for emergencies, but I like to be over-prepared lol, as one night with bad therapy is enough to finish me off!

Kim Hunt said:

Hi, thanks for letting me join. I recently moved to a new area, where the hospital provides a cpap machine, where as before i had to purchase my own..................

Hi, I'm a middle-aged woman, diagnosed with sleep apnoea about a year ago, mixed obstructive and central. They started me on CPAP and switched me to BiPAP after a couple of months. Once I acclimatised to the feeling of air being shot down my nose, I found it a huge difference. I never sleep or nap without it! My husband has OSA as well, and has been using CPAP for years, so we look a right pair getting ready for bed.

I came looking for a place like this because I have two concerns at present. One is that I'm having a lot of difficulty finding a mask that works for me. The other is that I have a long haul flight in September, my first since diagnosis, and I'm trying to work out everything I need to do to prepare to sleep on board. 

It's so nice to find a site that's UK based!

Cheers!

Happy

Hi, You don't say what type of mask you are using at present and what specific problems it is causing you? As for your long haul flight you will need a letter from your doctor, sleep clinic etc. to say the pump is medical equipment and that it needs to be carry on luggage. It is also a good idea to download a copy of the manufacturer's disclaimer that the pump will not interfere with the aircraft's instruments. I am not sure if they will let you use the pump on board the plane. On both my trips to the USA I was allowed to have it as an extra piece of carry on luggage but not allowed to use it in flight.

Rgds,

Iain Noble

British Airways says I can use it, but they highly recommend a battery because they can't guarantee the seat power points will actually have power. So I'm not worried so much about allowed to use it as how to use it - trying to manoeuvre the machine and battery and hose and mask and me in a premium economy seat with the least disturbance to seatmates and flight crew. It just seems like it's all going to be a bit awkward.

My mask saga: I started with nasal pillows, which I loved, but when I switched to BiPAP, the nurse said they wouldn't work and took them away to replace with the Wisp. That one worked, ish, but I kept having jaw pain, right where the plastic hinge hit me. I complained about it and the nurse gave me the Amara View, which I tried only one night, and realized the Wisp wasn't so bad after all. But now the Wisp has fallen apart and I'm using the Amara until my appointment next month. I'm not sure if I want to go back to the Wisp and try padding that hinge, or maybe using the SleepCap, or take my chances with a fourth type of mask in a year's time.   But knowing I have that trip in September, (where I'll be away from the NHS for four weeks as well) makes me think I should play it safe and get the Wisp rather than trying something untested.

What I haaaaaate about the Amara View is that I can feel hard plastic digging into me. It feels like the curve of the mask doesn't match the curve of my face. I get the burping type of leaks out of the sides, and the only way to fix them is to tighten it, until eventually it is making my head hurt it is so tight. I don't hate it enough to not wear it - I've only had a couple of nights without therapy in the past year, and every time I do, I regret it. 

Welcome to the forum Happy, although shame you're not 'happy' with your masks.  It can take a while to find the 'right' one for us.  I'm not sure why the nurse said the nasal pillows wouldn't work with the BiPAP as there are lots of people who use them with one.  If the Wisp has broken and you got it from the NHS they should change it for you so worth giving them a ring.  Might also be worth trying a smaller cushion with the Amara View as I've known a lot of people be given a size too big.  If people measure on the border of 2 sizes it's best to go with the smaller one. 

Good to hear British Airways have confirmed you can use your machine on the flight as not all the airlines allow this.  I have no personal experience of this and might be worth starting a new discussion for people to see.  Meanwhile, check out the old travel blog I wrote a while ago as there may be some other tips on there for your holiday http://www.sleepapnoeablog.com/travelling-on-holidaysvacations-trip...

Hi Kath and all other members, my name is Pete Turpin, I've just been diagnosed with Sleep Apnoea, I picked my Cpap up yesterday for a weeks trial, thought I will get straight on with it without a problem, yeah right I live and learn, the pressure was set at 11, I ended up reducing the pressure with the 20 minute reduction button down to 4, still had difficulty trying to sleep. I have never suffered from Claustrophobia, but had a couple of bouts of it during the night, then my nose blocked up and had to breathe through my mouth, I felt like throwing the mask across the bedroom, but didn't and persevered, the one saving grace was that my wife said I never snored all night, which is a good thing for her, I am hoping it's easier tonight with the mask.

I have been reading up about Sleep Apnoea, but it's good to look at the Forum and see what others with more experience of it have to say and I have learn't more about it, obviously I am am new to Sleep Apnoea and don't know a lot about the masks and machines so am reading everything I can with great gusto, which maybe good or bad, I don't know, anyway I will see how I get on tonight.

Pete,

I know what you mean about the claustrophobia. I suffered the same when I first starting using a mask. All I can say is keep at it, the feeling will wear off and now I can't actually get to sleep unless I am wearing the mask.

If you are having problems with blocked nose/dry mouth you may like to ask them for a humidifier unit to go with the pump.

Rgds,

Iain Noble



Iain Noble said:

Pete,

I know what you mean about the claustrophobia. I suffered the same when I first starting using a mask. All I can say is keep at it, the feeling will wear off and now I can't actually get to sleep unless I am wearing the mask.

If you are having problems with blocked nose/dry mouth you may like to ask them for a humidifier unit to go with the pump.

Rgds,

Iain Noble



Iain Noble said:

Pete,

I know what you mean about the claustrophobia. I suffered the same when I first starting using a mask. All I can say is keep at it, the feeling will wear off and now I can't actually get to sleep unless I am wearing the mask.

If you are having problems with blocked nose/dry mouth you may like to ask them for a humidifier unit to go with the pump.

Rgds,

Iain Noble

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Sleep Apnoea Forum

New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum? 

1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!

Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.

 

Latest Activity

Jonathan replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Just to tidy this up, I finally had an in-person review by my sleep clinic yesterday, who agreed the ResMed AirSense 10 was "wheezy" and replaced the machine."
Nov 9
Collette rose replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"thank you jonathan,i did get the it pack so tried the small and still struggled but i was sat up in bed so will try lying down great suggestion "
Nov 3
Jonathan replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"Hi My first thought is "don't panic"!  We're all a bit different, and there are many things that can be tweaked.  I took to CPAP therapy like a duck to water, but I've had friends who say they can't cope, but…"
Nov 2
Collette rose posted a discussion

1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test

Hi everyone, today I received my rental kit - prisma smart max, plus a Philips dreamwear mask which I’ve been wearing unconnected to try and get used to it. I just did a mask fit test using a medium mask and got a constant red/orange leak warning…See More
Nov 2
Collette rose is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 31
John posted a discussion
Oct 30
Profile IconBill Wright, Nicole Watson, TJ Bennett and 2 more joined Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 29
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Ha well it lasted a couple of days but started howling again. But it's a step in the right direction, just needs a bit more work."
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Nope, I just accept that some people's throats tend to close when they sleep, due to a loss of muscle tone during deeper sleep.  Back when I was diagnosed, the sleep lab just filmed you whilst you slept, stuck an O2 meter on your finger,…"
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Good to know you found a solution!"
Oct 24
John replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Did anyone tell you exactly what the anatomical issue is, Jonathan?"
Oct 21
John replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Can't say I know about this."
Oct 20
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"So I tore some fabric from one of the filters and glued it over the holes - and it worked!It was dead quiet, and the air was still flowing freely.It was quiet all night then after a few hours a bit of whistling until I gave it a wipe.Vast…"
Oct 19
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Hi Jonathan, well see my nose is blocked a lot, so I mouth breath which really sucks a lot more moisture and makes my mouth dry. So I put humidity on maximum, which makes for condensation at the mask end, which becomes a demonic reed instrument.Now…"
Oct 17
Jonathan posted a discussion

ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy

HelloI have an NHS issued ResMed AirSense 10 with heated humidifier.  In the last couple of weeks, it's developed an annoying noise, when I inhale. It bothers me a little and my partner a lot! I sometimes get problems if the water container in the…See More
Oct 16
Jonathan replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Hi My first question is why is condensation forming?  I very occasionally get some condensation, may be once a month, but I can quickly run a finger around the inside of the mask, and wipe it away.  I use a nasal mask, with the humidifier…"
Oct 16
John replied to John's discussion What's a good Apnea forum?
"11K+? Ok that's probably where I should look then :-)"
Oct 16
Kath Hope replied to John's discussion What's a good Apnea forum?
"Hi John. Thanks for the compliment as I do my best popping on here, but it's difficult due to us now supporting 25k+ patients at the charity. To be honest, the forum is quiet because most people seem to prefer Facebook and forums aren't as…"
Oct 16
John posted discussions
Oct 16
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"There's some information here, but generally it's very common and likely due to our anatomy."
Oct 12

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service