EnthusiasticChocolateMouse8580

Theresa, I assume you are asking if I had any problems adjusting to using the machine when I originally started. The answer to that would be yes. I had a bit of claustrophobia at first and it took some time; maybe a week or so to get beyond it. I would wear the mask for awhile, then rip it off and sit on the side of the bed until I could bring myself to put it back on. Ironically, I was a career Naval Aviator and was accustomed to wearing an oxygen mask, so I expected no problems at all. So, you never know what to expect until you are involved. Then it took awhile to find a satisfactory mask. I think the sleep clinic which sent a mask home with me, and the supplier tried to go cheap initially. Don't know why; I had good insurance at the time. Medicare now.

I don't know how many people I have encountered over the years who simply will not use their equipment. I try to convince them of the importance; but, sometimes it is hopeless.

I just went through atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Meds and two stents seem to have gotten me past that. But, I blame it on Apnea because we have been pretty careful about diet and so forth for a long time. Of course, I blame everything on Apnea, including laziness and grouchiness.

Like most users, I have a love-hate relationship with my equipment. I hate to wear it, but I hated the way my life was going before I started using it even more.

Theresa, I am sure I do better with the self adjusting Cpap than with my old one. I had been on a setting of 11/8 for about 10 years. With the self adjusting, I have formed a habit of looking at the pressure just after I awaken, and before shutting down the machine. The pressure usually is in the 14-15 range (in this system, the exhale is a preset reduction, I think 4 below the inhale); but it occasionally jumps to 16, and even as high as 18. So, the machine is working to provide what I need.

I typically rouse up about 45min to an hour after falling asleep. Sometimes this happens over several hours sometimes not. Just like before I was diagnosed. My fitbit says I have 18-20 arousals a night. Have no idea how accurate or significant that is.

Anyway, just venting because no one has ever answered why the original sleep Tech recommended, and the Dr approved, a BIPAP; and why no one else seems to listen when I explain that the BIPAP worked beautifully, and the CPAP never so well.

The other point is that I have had two (or is it three?) follow-up studies over the 16 years. In every case they waste half the night re-diagnosing that I do have Apnea. After that, they wake me and slap a mask on; starting at a very low pressure. Finally, once the apnea is controlled (at least temporarily), they make judgements based on very little sleep time.

Of course there may be other factors in my restlessness that have nothing to do with Apnea. I am fast approaching my 80th birthday; I have aches and pains and have always had leg movement issues which are controlled with mirapex.

Well, enough. Glad to find this forum and I will check it for information. (On one forum I found the answer to my mouth breathing--tape your lips shut. It works.)

Sixteen years ago after my first sleep study, I was placed on a BiPap. No one explained why; or what central sleep apnea was. Nevertheless, once I adjusted and found a usable mask arrangement, the quality of life improved dramatically. After several years the Bipap failed--I think my insurance had bought a used one--and a follow on study was done to get a new machine. I was put on CPAP. Over the past ten years, my sleep has never been the same. I am repeatedly told that I do not need a BiPap.

Had another study in 214 at my request. Split study in one night, even though I had been diagnosed 16 years earlier, and had copies of the old studies. So, half the night was wasted, and I actually had about three hours of sleep available with the CPAP. Fifteen minutes of quality sleep recorded--9 centrals. Apparently that was not considered significant.

Still, I am told that I don't need a BiPap. I do now have a self adjusting CPAP and my pressures range from 14 to 16 typically, and I have seen as high as 18 when I awaken, versus 11 on the old machine. That helps some. Sorry to say that I do not h ave a lot of confidence in the whole Apnea industry. On the other hand I cannot do without them