Aa
Sleep apnea & CPAP
Along with the neurological symptoms I have recently been dx with sleep apnea. I have a CPAP machine on a months trial, this is one that varies the pressure as required it records the information on to an SD card so when I return to the clinic I will then be given a machine that has the correct fixed pressure. I have a full face mask as I could not get on with the nose only one.
Now my problem is I wake in the middle of the night with a very dry mouth (i mean completely dry) my mouth has ballooned with air and the mask is vibrating against my face. I don't know how to stop this.
I kow there is a few of you out there that use a CPAP machine and wondered if you can help?
Now my problem is I wake in the middle of the night with a very dry mouth (i mean completely dry) my mouth has ballooned with air and the mask is vibrating against my face. I don't know how to stop this.
I kow there is a few of you out there that use a CPAP machine and wondered if you can help?
Yep the wife doesn't really hear the Cpap, the first few nights the dog was a little upset, then we have three cats, only one cat dared to come close to my face & the air seemed to puzzle her.
No problems otherwise.
My dog is a Boxer and Boxers are known for snoring, he is loud...and of course they make a lot noise at the other end also ..
FYI, they set my Cpap at 25 minutes to ramp up to my pressure of 15,
I have the same unit as Lulu.
During the second night of the sleep study that is when they adjusted the pressure for me and it been set at that every since. The follow up with the Dr after six weeks of use was very good, he showed me the print out , I only missed a couple of nights and went from using the Cpap at 4 hours a night to getting a full night of sleep now, most nights its over 7 hours. I use to get up 4-5 times a night to visit the bathroom, now most nights its only once.
take care
JB
No problems otherwise.
My dog is a Boxer and Boxers are known for snoring, he is loud...and of course they make a lot noise at the other end also ..
FYI, they set my Cpap at 25 minutes to ramp up to my pressure of 15,
I have the same unit as Lulu.
During the second night of the sleep study that is when they adjusted the pressure for me and it been set at that every since. The follow up with the Dr after six weeks of use was very good, he showed me the print out , I only missed a couple of nights and went from using the Cpap at 4 hours a night to getting a full night of sleep now, most nights its over 7 hours. I use to get up 4-5 times a night to visit the bathroom, now most nights its only once.
take care
JB
my DH is more likely to comment on Darth Vader in bed with him. But surprisingly he says the machine is not loud and does not bother him sleeping. We have to laugh about it.........
Thankyou
I now what I need and shall sort it at my next appointment.
Incidently my husband keeps ask me where my plane is, or singing songs from top gun. And as for a strap to keep my mouth shut well you can just imagine!
I will let you know how I get on.
Twist
I now what I need and shall sort it at my next appointment.
Incidently my husband keeps ask me where my plane is, or singing songs from top gun. And as for a strap to keep my mouth shut well you can just imagine!
I will let you know how I get on.
Twist
You need a HUMIDIFIER!!!
I’m not too surprised the NHS supports treatment of OSA. It is a well documented contributor to other health problems - irregular heart rhythms, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and stroke among others. These things are all far more expensive to treat than prevent.
What DOES surprise me is ordering a CPAP to use without a means to humidity the air!! Grrrrrrr And it just plain enrages me to think manufacturers might make a model without humidifying capability. What then IF a person needs it? Buy another one? Or ask the insurance/government to get you one? Yeah. Right.
Air blown over a warm, moist surface transforms it into a cool, dry one.
Doesn’t that have to do with physics? Isn’t it like a law or something?
Air blown over a warm, moist surface transforms it into a cool, dry one. I know it’s true because I rely on the same principal all summer long as I look for a breeze to cool me by blowing over the sweat beads that form on my overheated MS skin. But what is good for one thing is totally wrong for another.
Anyone who doubts this should find just one person who has had oxygen prongs in their nose and inquire about its truth. O2 adds to the insult but even the low force air flow of oxygen (as compared to CPAP) dries people out in a flash.
The very purpose of air passing through the nasal passages before heading to the lungs is to WARM and HUMIDIFY it. Without humidity, CPAP helps drive needed air toward the lower respiratory passages but HINDERS the ability of the nasal passages to warm and humidify that air.
I bet the rest of your respiratory track is no happier with this cool, dry air than your irritated-to-the-point-of-bleeding nose is. BTW, bleeding means broken mucus membranes and broken surfaces are unsecured portals of entry for bacteria. I’m not saying you’re doomed for infection….. just that the odds have improved for the bugs.
If this unit has an attachable humidifier I’d call and ask - no, DEMAND - one NOW. Let them know TODAY that you are having problems that can’t wait until the trial is complete. Have them call the doc - or do it yourself - if a script is required (I believe the sleep-ologist neuro has to include humidity and settings on the CPAP Rx here in the US). Then go buy a liter or two of DISTILLED water. That’s what you’ll need to fill the thing.
For tonight (because I think it is getting to be after-hours in the UK) you might try using a cotton swab to coat the inside of your nostrils with a protective layer of a petroleum based ointment (A&D, OTC antibiotic, zinc, etc). You’ll still have to blow it out in the morning but it should cut down on additional irritation and bleeding.
Maybe they can spare a chin strap too? They aren’t specific to any CPAP unit.
Now I’m going to try to NOT get a picture in my head of you lying down to rest all lubed up, strapped shut, and tubed for take-off into REM stage dreamland. Good night Twist.
Mary
I’m not too surprised the NHS supports treatment of OSA. It is a well documented contributor to other health problems - irregular heart rhythms, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and stroke among others. These things are all far more expensive to treat than prevent.
What DOES surprise me is ordering a CPAP to use without a means to humidity the air!! Grrrrrrr And it just plain enrages me to think manufacturers might make a model without humidifying capability. What then IF a person needs it? Buy another one? Or ask the insurance/government to get you one? Yeah. Right.
Air blown over a warm, moist surface transforms it into a cool, dry one.
Doesn’t that have to do with physics? Isn’t it like a law or something?
Air blown over a warm, moist surface transforms it into a cool, dry one. I know it’s true because I rely on the same principal all summer long as I look for a breeze to cool me by blowing over the sweat beads that form on my overheated MS skin. But what is good for one thing is totally wrong for another.
Anyone who doubts this should find just one person who has had oxygen prongs in their nose and inquire about its truth. O2 adds to the insult but even the low force air flow of oxygen (as compared to CPAP) dries people out in a flash.
The very purpose of air passing through the nasal passages before heading to the lungs is to WARM and HUMIDIFY it. Without humidity, CPAP helps drive needed air toward the lower respiratory passages but HINDERS the ability of the nasal passages to warm and humidify that air.
I bet the rest of your respiratory track is no happier with this cool, dry air than your irritated-to-the-point-of-bleeding nose is. BTW, bleeding means broken mucus membranes and broken surfaces are unsecured portals of entry for bacteria. I’m not saying you’re doomed for infection….. just that the odds have improved for the bugs.
If this unit has an attachable humidifier I’d call and ask - no, DEMAND - one NOW. Let them know TODAY that you are having problems that can’t wait until the trial is complete. Have them call the doc - or do it yourself - if a script is required (I believe the sleep-ologist neuro has to include humidity and settings on the CPAP Rx here in the US). Then go buy a liter or two of DISTILLED water. That’s what you’ll need to fill the thing.
For tonight (because I think it is getting to be after-hours in the UK) you might try using a cotton swab to coat the inside of your nostrils with a protective layer of a petroleum based ointment (A&D, OTC antibiotic, zinc, etc). You’ll still have to blow it out in the morning but it should cut down on additional irritation and bleeding.
Maybe they can spare a chin strap too? They aren’t specific to any CPAP unit.
Now I’m going to try to NOT get a picture in my head of you lying down to rest all lubed up, strapped shut, and tubed for take-off into REM stage dreamland. Good night Twist.
Mary
I am only guessing here, but I would think the bloody nose is from the dry air of the CPAP. talk to them about trying the humidifier on the side of the unit. It makes a huge difference.
I am surprised the NHS covers CPAPs and especially the latest model. Good for them and you!
I am surprised the NHS covers CPAPs and especially the latest model. Good for them and you!
Hi all
Thanks again for your help with this I am still persevering, and my DIY chin strap worked a dream last night.
Lulu the machine I have at the moment is also a resmed S9 but it does not have the humidifer. I believe you can attach it to the side. But I think when I go back to the Hospital this will be changed for a different machine which gives you a fixed airflow (but I may be wrong) I will meantion all the issues I have and hope they can provided something to keep my mouth shut other than an elastic band!
As I'm the UK i am very fortunate that the Cpap machine is all provided by the NHS, and maintained by them to!
I also seem to be getting a bloody nose in the morning, not bleeding but dry blood when I blow my nose to try and clear it. Does anyone else get this?
thanks again
Twistxxx
Thanks again for your help with this I am still persevering, and my DIY chin strap worked a dream last night.
Lulu the machine I have at the moment is also a resmed S9 but it does not have the humidifer. I believe you can attach it to the side. But I think when I go back to the Hospital this will be changed for a different machine which gives you a fixed airflow (but I may be wrong) I will meantion all the issues I have and hope they can provided something to keep my mouth shut other than an elastic band!
As I'm the UK i am very fortunate that the Cpap machine is all provided by the NHS, and maintained by them to!
I also seem to be getting a bloody nose in the morning, not bleeding but dry blood when I blow my nose to try and clear it. Does anyone else get this?
thanks again
Twistxxx
I just looked - the unit I have is a ResMed S9 if you want to see if that is available in the UK....
http://www.resmed.com/us/index.html
http://www.resmed.com/us/index.html
Twist, be sure to ask if there is a CPAP that they can provide that would include a humidifier. There are many models here with that feature. Good luck at the doctors and be sure to tell them everything that is difficult about the machine. It does not good to have this machine if you can't wear it.
I use a Cpap and in no way was ever going to use one, then the Dr told me about all the health problems as it relates to apnea. I have short term memory problems that may get better or might be related to the lesions.
I fought with the cpap the first two weeks, and threw the mask off only one night. GIve it time you will become accustom to cpap, I have Nasal pillows no mask, I had dry throat also, they gave me chin strap and I have a heated hose & the humid setting in at 5, the temp is 77 and I never change the settings.
After two months now on the Cpap, this some of the best sleep in years.
For me the sleep study was the worse, I two separate nights.
Hope this helps some.
JB..
I fought with the cpap the first two weeks, and threw the mask off only one night. GIve it time you will become accustom to cpap, I have Nasal pillows no mask, I had dry throat also, they gave me chin strap and I have a heated hose & the humid setting in at 5, the temp is 77 and I never change the settings.
After two months now on the Cpap, this some of the best sleep in years.
For me the sleep study was the worse, I two separate nights.
Hope this helps some.
JB..
Thanks guys for your advice. No my CPAP does not have a humidifier. The mask I have is a small, and I have a dry mouth spray that I use before I put the mask on. I have used the CPAP every night, but 2 weeks in I am still having problems. I will look into the mouth wash and see if it is available in the UK
I tried a bit of DIY on Saturday night by wearing a inch wide elastic band around my head to keep my mouth shut. It worked like a dream. So went to do the same sunday night and I was fine until 4am when I woke up I was extremely hot and sweating within the mask, I had to take it of.
I have an appointmeat next week when I have to take all the equipment in with me to see how I'm getting on. the other issue is I have asthma and often have to use my inhaler at night which is a pain as I have to take the whole contraption off.
Thanks again
Twist
I tried a bit of DIY on Saturday night by wearing a inch wide elastic band around my head to keep my mouth shut. It worked like a dream. So went to do the same sunday night and I was fine until 4am when I woke up I was extremely hot and sweating within the mask, I had to take it of.
I have an appointmeat next week when I have to take all the equipment in with me to see how I'm getting on. the other issue is I have asthma and often have to use my inhaler at night which is a pain as I have to take the whole contraption off.
Thanks again
Twist
Not sure I’ll be much help as I use the nasal pillow apparatus. I’m pretty intolerant of my face being covered but I never found a mask that fit my facial dimensions anyway. It seems incompatibility is a two way street with masks and me.
I think nasal breathing is necessary for CPAP to work no matter what head gear you have. Otherwise the air being forced into the nose will go straight back out the mouth - that’s the path of least resistance. Air blown over any surface will cool and dry it. There are chin straps available that are designed to keep the mouth closed if mouth breathing is chronic. (Maybe I should have used a different word? Standard?)
I keep water at my bedside because I do sometimes awake with a very dry mouth. I want to be prepared to rehydrate (remember to always do that with the mask fully OFF!), re-mask, and get back to sleep. I think it happens if I lapse into mouth breathing for some reason. It probably doesn’t take more than a few minutes for mucus membranes to get so dry and painful they wake me up. Thankfully, the problem seldom repeats itself in any given night.
Take Lulu’s advice and ask for a refit sooner rather than later. There is no benefit to getting frustrated with the process so early in. I do hope you get this worked out because getting better sleep can make HUGE improvements in how you feel and how well you function.
Mary
I think nasal breathing is necessary for CPAP to work no matter what head gear you have. Otherwise the air being forced into the nose will go straight back out the mouth - that’s the path of least resistance. Air blown over any surface will cool and dry it. There are chin straps available that are designed to keep the mouth closed if mouth breathing is chronic. (Maybe I should have used a different word? Standard?)
I keep water at my bedside because I do sometimes awake with a very dry mouth. I want to be prepared to rehydrate (remember to always do that with the mask fully OFF!), re-mask, and get back to sleep. I think it happens if I lapse into mouth breathing for some reason. It probably doesn’t take more than a few minutes for mucus membranes to get so dry and painful they wake me up. Thankfully, the problem seldom repeats itself in any given night.
Take Lulu’s advice and ask for a refit sooner rather than later. There is no benefit to getting frustrated with the process so early in. I do hope you get this worked out because getting better sleep can make HUGE improvements in how you feel and how well you function.
Mary
I thought of you this morning as I was taking my mask off at 7 am, because my mouth was so dry. I know hydrating before bedtime doesn't work for me because of the bladder problems - have you tried Biotene? It is a mouth wash or gel that stimulates the production of saliva through an enzyme process that is too complicated for me to understand let alone explain. It is pricey, but perhaps that would help you a bit.
Does your CPAP have a humidifier on it?
Be sure to contact your doctor on the followup and take your machine/mask with you and have them check the fit. That made the difference for me ....and especially for my husband. He would get the giggles at night listening to my mask fluttering because it definitely sounded like another bodily function. LOL
Does your CPAP have a humidifier on it?
Be sure to contact your doctor on the followup and take your machine/mask with you and have them check the fit. That made the difference for me ....and especially for my husband. He would get the giggles at night listening to my mask fluttering because it definitely sounded like another bodily function. LOL
Welcome to the CPAP world - what you describes sounds a lot like what I had going on initially. It turned out that I didn't have the right size mask and they switched me to a smaller mask. When the mask is too big, the seal is easily broken and then you start getting all sorts of weird vibrations and actions in the mask.
The chipmunk cheeks stopped for me once the mask was properly fitted. Also, the dry mouth comes from exhaling through your mouth. If you can practice breathing in and out of your nose, it will help. BUT I understand the dry mouth is a very common problem.
If you can get into the habit of using it every night, I think you will notice a difference. I know I did.
sleep better,
L
I know whaty ou mean about the nose mask - I couldn't force enough air out of it and ended up breathing through my mouth.
The chipmunk cheeks stopped for me once the mask was properly fitted. Also, the dry mouth comes from exhaling through your mouth. If you can practice breathing in and out of your nose, it will help. BUT I understand the dry mouth is a very common problem.
If you can get into the habit of using it every night, I think you will notice a difference. I know I did.
sleep better,
L
I know whaty ou mean about the nose mask - I couldn't force enough air out of it and ended up breathing through my mouth.
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