DanM

Hi McMike. It is not uncommon for people who have mild sleep apnea that is positional (usually occurring when laying on the back) to use positional therapy. You can do a quick internet search for "sleep apnea positional therapy" and see that there are devices actually produced to help keep patients from sleeping on their backs. It was more common before these devices became available to use tennis balls that were sewn into a pocket on the back of a t-shirt. For patients with mild sleep apnea or primary snoring that occurs when laying on the back, the therapy can be very effective. If you adjust over time to not sleeping on your back, it might be possible to stop using the tennis balls or positional therapy devices. Best wishes, and hope this helps!

Hi Wengerda. I do think, as wiredgeorge stated, that it is important to keep you mask clean. Washing it helps remove body oils and helps prevent bacteria growth. I don't know many people who actually wash their tubing daily, but I do think washing it at least weekly works. I use the same thing I use for my mask--just mild soap and water with no antibacterial agent in the soap. I hang my tubing over the shower door and let it air dry. A few droplets in the tube will not be a problem. Good luck!

Hi Sparkles. There are many things that can contribute to feeling drained and tired after a move. Are you sleeping in a different bed vs. moving your bed with you? How different is the environment in your fiancé's home? Is the air more dry? Is there more noise or other things that might be disturbing your sleep in the space? Could there be underlying environmental factors or allergens you are now being exposed to more regularly? These are all things to consider. If you don't start to feel better soon, I encourage you to talk to your doctor about the changes and consider talking to your home care company to make sure your equipment is functioning properly. Best wishes, and please keep us posted!

Welcome, elusivesleeper! Glad to hear you have started treatment and are persisting. I agree with Sparkles that it can take a few weeks for you to notice much of a change. If you have not started to feel better, you might consider talking to your doctor about other things that are causing your low energy levels. Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and welcome to MyApnea.Org!

Hi JDL. Many of the newer CPAP machines transmit your compliance data automatically, and the oldest data is overwritten by newer data if the card fills up. If your machine is not transmitting data, some home care companies will send you a mailing envelope and ask you to return the SD card. I am not sure how long you have been using CPAP, but it sometimes takes a few weeks to adjust to treatment. If you do not start feeling better, I encourage you to talk to your physician about your symptoms and what else might be contributing. Best of luck, and please keep us posted on your progress!

Hi PolitePeach. Some patients do complain of stomach pain while getting used to CPAP. It might be that you are swallowing air. However, I encourage you to talk to your physician to make sure there is nothing else happening. If your symptoms are related to swallowing air, they usually subside once you adjust to therapy. Best wishes!

Hi adrizze. I agree with wiredgeorge. If you have lost 50 pounds since you started CPAP therapy, you might need a new sleep study. Weight loss or gain can impact the amount of air pressure needed to treat your condition. I also encourage you to talk to your doctor about any strange feelings in your chest. Please keep us posted!

Hi GenerousSilverPrarieDog. Is it possible that the mask discomfort and nasal irritation are causing so much frustration that you do not want to commit to treatment? I am sure you know that untreated sleep apnea is related to many other health conditions. I encourage you to contact your equipment provider and discuss the mask discomfort. One of the most important things that can help lead to successful treatment is getting the right mask. Cleaning your machine is also very important, and it does not take much time to do. There are mask wipes and sprays that can help make the process less intensive. However, a dirty machine can harbor bacterial and cause other health problems. Please consider talking with your equipment provider and/or sleep physician about the best way to address the comfort issues. That might help your motivation! Best wishes!

Hi blacklabel. I agree with wiredgeorge. It would be good to discuss how you are feeling with your physician. Once your sleep apnea is treated, it might be worth looking at other things to see if they might be contributing to the way you feel. Exploring ways to control anxiety and addressing your daytime breathing might be good places to start. Best wishes, and please let us know how you are doing!

Hi PatientOrangeRedMoose. The Resmed Aircurve is capable of compensating for altitude. However, your body might need time to adjust. When I travel to higher altitudes with my Resmed, I do not experience problems with my treatment, but my breathing does change. At higher altitudes, I find I sometimes feel lightheaded, and I definitely seem to drink more water! I encourage you to speak to your sleep physician or you equipment provider if you do not think your machine is functioning properly. Wiredgeorge makes a good point as well about using Sleepyhead software to monitor your treatment. If you are interested, the software provides quite a bit of helpful data. Best wishes!