DanM

I have been asked about CPAP use prior to a medical procedure requiring sedation. I would have mentioned it, but I was impressed that I was asked first. As SusanR said, it is definitely important for healthcare providers considering sedation to know about a diagnosis of sleep apnea.

CHW--great suggestion about having a quick start guide or brief setup instructions. In my case, I was asked to set my machine up prior to the start of the procedure.

Hi Michael. It would be great if you could actually schedule a time to meet with your equipment provider. They could properly fit you and have you lay down with the mask on to make sure you are comfortable and do not have mask leak. You might also be able to try on different masks while you are there and decide what works best!

Hi All. I spent some time today reviewing recommendations for humidification from three major CPAP equipment manufacturers, and distilled water is recommended by each for many of the reasons that have already been posted here on the forum. Water quality can vary greatly between locations, especially when traveling internationally. The process of distilling water removes many of the impurities and chemicals found in tap water or other kinds of bottled water.

Good point chillywilly. I've found myself in the situation of not having distilled water when traveling, and the smell of chlorine was overwhelming enough that I could not wear my CPAP!

Hi Suz. There are many masks available in a variety of sizes that are made from different materials. I would encourage you to talk to your doctor or your equipment provider about finding a mask that works for you. If you absolutely cannot tolerate CPAP, you might consider asking about alternative treatments. Good luck!

Congratulations, Janet! Thanks for sharing your experiences with your new mask and chin strap, and I'm glad you are sleeping better and feeling more alert during the day. Shared experiences like yours will help MyApnea.Org continue to grow as a resource for so many who are seeking support and interested in research about sleep apnea!

Hi Joe. Adjusting to treatment takes time and patience for many CPAP users. Have you tried wearing your treatment while awake to help you adjust to the feeling of wearing the treatment? Sometimes wearing it while watching television or reading before going to bed can be helpful as you adjust. I used to have the same problem with waking up to find my mask next to me in bed or laying across the nightstand. The key for me was practicing wearing treatment while awake and then putting the mask back on during the night if I awakened to find the mask off of my face. I also found that being positive about whatever amount of time I was able to wear my mask was a much better feeling than being discouraged about the amount of time I did not wear the mask. It took some time, but I was slowly able to increase the amount of time I wore the mask each night. I am now able to wear treatment for the full night without removing the mask, and I feel much better during the day. Some machines have a mask alert (alarm) feature that sounds a tone when the machine detects the mask has been removed. Your equipment provider can tell you if that is an option on your machine. Good luck!

Hi need2sleep! Welcome to MyApnea.Org. If you feel your mask sticks to your face, there are mask liners available that some users find improve the comfort of wearing the mask. A quick search for "CPAP mask liners" and "CPAP cheek pads" will provide some information. Your home care company might also be helpful. I'm glad to hear you and your husband are both sleeping better!

Hi Mike. Welcome to MyApnea.Org! As a sleep technologist and CPAP user, I have heard patients describe this experience and had a similar problem during my early days of CPAP treatment. I recall experiencing a lack of air when I first started using my treatment many years ago. I do recommend you request an urgent appointment with your physician to talk about this. In my case, the initial pressure of the ramp setting was too low, and I felt I was not getting enough air to begin with. I think I would fall asleep with my mask in place, have an apneic event, and would awaken with the sensation of not being able to catch my breath. For me, adjusting my initial ramp pressure to a higher setting helped. I felt like I was getting more air, and the increased air pressure helped keep my airway open. Some machines allow the user to make small adjustments to the ramp settings, while others require a prescription from your physician for the change to be made by the equipment provider. You mention in your post that your machine "stops synching" with your breathing. If you are on CPAP, the airflow should be a continuous and constant pressure with no synching involved. If you are, in fact, using CPAP (vs. BiPAP or some other form of treatment) and feel the machine might be the problem, a call to your equipment provider might be necessary. Whatever the issue, it is definitely important for your physician to be aware of the problem. Good luck with your treatment!

Hi All. I thought this article about the need for sleep apnea screening prior to surgery, posted on the Cleveland Clinic's website, might be interesting.

http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/05/scheduled-for-surgery-heres-why-you-need-sleep-apnea-screening/

Hi Kathie. I'm happy to see that you are seeing a sleep physician and that you have a list of questions prepared. Have you considered taking your machine and mask to the appointment? You might consider contacting your DME and asking them for the medium size pillows to try if you are feeling air leaking around your nostrils. I would encourage you to take your machine with you on your trip, as persistence is key! Even some use is better than no use, and going without treatment for 2 weeks means that you might have to start adjusting to treatment all over again. Enjoy your travels, and sleep well!