Cant use the CPAP MAchine .......Help !!!!

[Dresden]

I have gone throough two sleep studies and have obstructive sleep apnea. I have had the CPAP machine since April and after almost two months of trying to use it.... I am throwing in the towel. Actually...after I use it I feel worse than if I did not use it !! My oxygen drops to 84 when I sleep which is low......I am wondering since I cant use the CPAP......what about if I just get on oxygen at night while I sleep ???? It seems that would be better than nothing at all ????
If anyone can help....please answer and let me know.....
I WILL NOT have the surgery !!!!!
Thanks

[National Jewish]

Do not throw in the towel!!  Instead, work closely with sleep experts in a high quality sleep lab.  Your problems with the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device can be overcome.  It may require a change in mask, a change in pressure, a switch from a mask to an oral appliance, the use of BiPAP instead of CPAP or a number of other approaches.  Both the CPAP and the bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) are machines that are used during sleep to deliver air pressure into the lungs to keep the airways open.  This is the best and the safest treatment available and you should not give-up on it.  There is too much at stake here.

Believe me.  Once you find the best set-up, you will welcome the use of CPAP or a variant of it.

It is even possible that a jaw-advancement device will suffice.  Oxygen, alone, might or might not be feasible, depending on the nature of your sleep apnea.  You need to discuss this with a doctor who is a sleep expert.

You are right to not have surgery.  It is too problematic and the results too unpredictable.

[Chemist]

I'm not so sure the oxygen will help much. Sleep apnea means that you actually stop breathing many times while sleeping. The object of a CPAP is to force air into your airway so that you won't stop breathing. You can wear all the oxygen hoses you want but if you stop breathing it won't do you any good.

Talk to your doctor or CPAP supplier about the problems you're having with the equipment. Maybe they can help.

[kimbacat]

have you tried a bipap machine?  some people tolerate those better than cpaps

take care

[jusvisitin]

Don't give up!  I had my CPAP for a year before I was able to use it regularly.  The first problem I had was that it dried out my nose so bad that I felt like I was fighting back a sneaze all the time.  I finally found out that all I needed was a humidifier attached to it.  If you think you need one just demand that they let you have one.  You may need your doctor to request it and don't take no for an answer.  They won't volunteer to get you one.  The next problem was that my oxygen was also dropping as low as 77.  When I changed doctors the new one ordered a night time oxymeter study.  She then ordered oxygen to be ADDED to the CPAP.  After that the only problem I had was to become accustomed to wearing the thing at night.  It is not natural to have that mask on your face so I found myself going to sleep with it on but waking up with it on the floor.  After talking to several other people with the same trouble I found that you have to get creative to find ways to stop yourself from taking it off in your sleep.  I used all kinds of barrettes and such to clip the strap to my hair so I couldn't take it off.  One guy told me he rigged it to a hat.  But do what ever you have to so that you can use it.  You will feel so much better.  I was falling asleep at the wheel and couldn't drive anywhere for fear of killing myself or others because I couldn't stay awake.  Now I don't have to worry any more.  I also dropped 34lbs without even trying within 2 months because when I sleep like a normal person I don't eat in the middle of the night. I hope that this will help you, good luck.

[statuefinder]

A related discussion, How to use cpap with sinus problems, dry cough even with humidifier was started.

[gardening]

A related discussion, need to sleep was started.