What would you like to learn about?

Hi Nancy. Since treatment devices require a prescription that specifies machine settings, I encourage you to speak with your equipment provider or physician for advice on adjusting pressure settings. Some of the newer machines allow slight pressure adjustments by the patient, while others--like APAP--can automatically adjust within a range of pressures based on your breathing. Depending on the mode of treatment, there might be other settings to consider along with pressure adjustment. Your equipment provider should be able to provide some guidance based on your specific treatment and machine.

Thanks, Dan

Good afternoon. I have a meeting tomorrow for a consultation to discuss my using "Inspire". I would like to have some feedback from others who have used this method and how it has helped/hurt them and how long it has been since they started. Thanks, Talbert

6314 THAT'S what I need, INSPIRATION!!!!! Hope it works for you better then my CPAP works for me. What is it???? HI DAN, hope you had a great weekend

Hi Talbert. Inspire therapy is a relatively new treatment for OSA, but it seems quite promising for people who meet the criteria for treatment with the implant. The company's website has some really interesting information, but I understand you are looking for patients with actual experience. It would be great if we have members using the treatment who can post here! There is also a forum topic on "Inspire Therapy" and another called "Implantable Device" that you can browse. Good luck, and let us know how things go.

Pickle--thanks! Had a great weekend, and I hope you did as well.

Dan

Hi. I'm a new member. I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea years ago. I use my CPAP sometimes. My partner loves it, because I don't snore! But I don't notice I'm less tired, and a sleep test with the CPAP some years ago showed I still had sleep apnea while using the machine! Very frustrating. So now an ENT doctor is recommending SURGERIES: radio frequency tongue reduction; removing uvula and reducing size of soft palate; and increasing size of nasal passages. ANYONE OUT THERE HAD THESE SURGERIES? I'm wondering if they'll work, and keep working long term.

I have been using a CPAP for several years and it has changed my life for the better. Since I started using it, I have developed a pain in the back of my neck at the base of the skull. I went through physical therapy for it but it didn't help. I have tried wrapping the bottom strap of my headgear with a soft cloth, but it hasn't helped either. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem and how they solved it.

I can not handle wearing a cpap device or a mandibular advancement device. I have had some success with sleeping on my side and doing apnea exercises. I am looking for additional information on apnea exercises. Thanks.

Hi @FearlessPeriwinkleMoose2666. Here is a link to a 2009 study you might find interesting: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200806-981OC#.VgVa7U2FNaQ. A video of the exercises is also posted as a supplement and can be found here: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/suppl/10.1164/rccm.200806-981OC.

Where is the best place to post a question. Just started with CPAP.

Hi @WittyElectricBlueDuck2633, and welcome to MyApnea.Org. You can post a question within any topic here on the forum, or you can create a new forum topic. If you want to post within a topic, just pick a heading that your question seems to fit within. Thanks!

SolveSleep Event -

Hi All, to introduce myself I am a researcher with a small startup company where we look to use digital technology to tackle healthcare problems.

For our next event we are hosting an event in Cleveland (24/25th Oct) where we are inviting patients and clinicians to join us and over 1.5 days look to understand the patient's journey from diagnosis to treatment and how innovation can help both patients and clinicians (it is a free event).

If anyone would like more information please visit - www.healthxl.org/solve-sleep

Dolphin,

How long have you tried to use your CPAP? You might consider listing your issues on this or the apnea boards as there are very helpful posters who can help you troubleshoot the issues.

Regarding the surgeries, did the ENT explain how that would address your obstruction issues? Did he/she do a sleep endoscopy to confirm that these procedures are appropriate for your obstructions? I would also ask him/her to give you the success rates of his/her patients who have undergone these procedures. What percentage after a year got their AHI below 5, 10, 15 and how long did these results last? Same statistics for two and five years.

Best of luck.

I had no luck with CPAP and am looking into oral devices. I'd appreciate any information on the success of these devices, or any recommendations from patients or others who have used them successfully. Thanks.

It seems to me that there are two groups of CPAP users - those who use it and say "Wow, I never slept so well in my life, and I feel so refreshed in the morning!" I seem, sadly for me, to be in the second category -- I can sleep with it just fine, but I never felt one iota better, and began to think it actually caused some lung problems. So I'm now searching for a good oral device. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Hi @ImpartialVioletRhinoceros2234. While some patients have an excellent response to treatment, there are those with experiences similar to yours. Continued fatigue and/or sleepiness may be caused by other things--health conditions, medications, diet, etc. Even though you did not feel that "wow factor" with CPAP, I am very happy to hear that you are still seeking treatment options. The first step would be to speak to your sleep physician about a referral to a dentist who specializes in oral devices. Best wishes in your search, and I hope some of our members will share their experiences. Please keep us posted!

I see that much on this site is on apnea, the ailment. However, my issue today is replacing an old ResMed device. I have researched and found a replacement on the ResMed site, but seem to be unable to kick through the bureaucratic obstacles on the part of local suppliers. I would like to hear from others about obtaining the products needed. I have Medicare, and know their requirements are many, but is their aim to make me go bare, gasping for breath? Please help, or refer me to a person or website with good information. ABBY

Hi @FriendlyPinkPony7949 (Abby). Medicare requirements for obtaining a new device can be complex, and many things will factor into the decision. One of the main things Medicare will consider is the age and whether reasonable useful lifetime of the machine has been reached or exceeded. If the machine is more than 5 years old, you will likely need to see your physician and get a new prescription. Medicare requires a face-to-face evaluation with your physician and documentation that the treatment is still being used and you receive benefit from the PAP machine. If the device is less than 5 years old, the device will usually only be replaced if broken and not repairable or if the device no longer meets your medical needs. There are other situations (loss, theft, etc.) where Medicare may also replace the device. This also requires a physician's order. Obtaining a new device becomes a little more complicated if you have not been using the device. In some cases, Medicare may require a new sleep study. Device replacement will really depend on your personal situation. I hope this helps, and please ask more questions if you have them. I hope some of our other members will chime in if they any advice. Best wishes!

I have had cpap for 10 years, lately i find a black film on my mask, I cleand requrly , I have never had this I think it is from the charcoal or black filter, When i blow nose in the in morning all this black color is there , what is this never had it before is this harful?

I would like to learn about ways to prevent snoring.