DanM

Hi @UnderstandingTealJellyfish9343. Adjust to CPAP or APAP and the changes in treatment can definitely take some time. Hopefully, your latest sleep study will help provide some answers regarding both how you are sleeping and how well you are breathing during sleep. It is common for patients to wake up and find the mask in bed next to them, often with no recollection of taking off the mask. I was one of those patients, and this went on for months and months. I slowly built my tolerance to the mask, and now I wear it all night (most of the time). There is still the occasional morning when I will wake up and find the mask next to me, and I suppose I removed it at some point because it was bothering me. But that is really rare these days. As for the continued sleepiness, there are many other things that can contribute to that feeling--medications and other health conditions are things to consider. I encourage you to speak with your sleep physician about how you are feeling and explore other options. Have you tried adjusting your humidifier to a higher setting for more warmth and moisture? Are you using heated tubing? These things may help, and some patients report that using a hose wrap also helps. Keep up the good work, talk to you doctor about your continued sleepiness, and please keep us posted on your progress! Best wishes!

There is a some data out there, but more research is needed. Here are a couple of interesting links: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927445 and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20118208. This small study showed that lean body mass increased in both males and females who were using CPAP treatment.

Hi wiredgeorge. There has actually been some data published that shows patients who are compliant with CPAP treatment experience weight gain. You might find this interesting: http://www.aasmnet.org/jcsm/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=29161.

Hi CarefulOrangeChincilla2684. It sounds like CPAP has been very beneficial to you! Congratulations on all of the successes, and I hope you experience continued improvement!

Hi scottyb1968. Have you monitored things other than you AHI to see if there are issues with your equipment? Is the restlessness during sleep new for you? A bit more information may be helpful in answering your question, as there are other things that can contribute to your tossing and turning (pain, uncomfortable mattress, pets, bed partners, etc.). Feel free to post any additional info you feel might be helpful, and I am glad to see your AHI is low!

Hi wiredgeorge. There are some specialty machines out there that I am aware of that are capable of pressures up to 30 cm. ResMed has some in their lineup, but pressures that high are usually available in modes other than BiPAP and CPAP.

I agree that bleach is not recommended for cleaning CPAP equipment, as it will cause the seals and other materials to degrade more rapidly. Sleep and wiredgeorge's recommendations of soap and water and a vinegar and water solution are usually the recommended cleaning solutions. If you have concerns about bacteria, it may be good to speak with your equipment provider about their recommendations for your specific equipment.

Hi IndependentOrangeRedLapwing8927. Thank you for sharing your story! I have an S9 machine, and it is a good unit. Finding a good mask for a stomach sleeper can be a challenge, and some patients use pillows or positioning devices to try to keep themselves off of their stomachs. Since it sounds like you have decided to have surgery, best wishes! It sounds like you have found a good physician who is very familiar with sleep apnea and surgical treatments. Please come back and let us know how you progress! It would be great to know more about your surgical experiences and how well the procedures treat your sleep apnea!

Hi Roy, and welcome to MyApnea.Org! Wiredgeorge makes some good points about mask leak and patience. It sounds like you are moving in the right direction. Kudos to your cardiologist for recommending a sleep study and to you for following through! Adjusting to therapy takes some time, and it is normal to have some mask leak. All masks have a certain amount of leak that is considered "acceptable leak" and should not cause problems. However, if you experience large leaks that you think are cause for concern, I encourage you to talk to your equipment provider about checking mask fit. Patients sometimes use a couple of masks before they find the right mask, and a mask that fits comfortably and seals well is key. As for something not working right, your sleep physician and/or home care company is likely monitoring your machine remotely. If you have concerns, you might consider asking them to check the data that your machine is reporting to them. Otherwise, all the best as you continue to adjust to treatment and work toward a better night's sleep! Please keep us posted on your progress, and feel free to post any questions or experiences here on the Forum.

Hello CalmJadeDove1716. I encourage you to talk to your sleep physician about this issue and consider potentially seeing a dentist who has experience treating patients with sleep apnea. I have encountered a couple of patients with experiences similar to yours, and their dentists have had them use things like soft mouth guards (similar to a sports guard) or other oral devices to help prevent the cheeks from sinking in while wearing CPAP. Each patient's needs will be specific to their own dental issues, so it is difficult to say what will work in your specific situation. Hope this helps, and please keep us posted!