How can MyApnea help you?

What are the symptoms or affects that impact you the most? What would you like to see tracked through tools on your personal dashboard in the Research Section? What types of research would you like to see conducted related to lack of treatment or treatment options and daily performance?

I would like to see research on why CPAP non compliance is so high that doesn't come across as blaming the patient. That seems to be sadly lacking in the sleep medicine community and I see no indications this is changing.

49er

Hi @UnassumingOrangeRedCormorant9252. As a technologist who has worked in sleep labs and clinics, I have seen lack of compliance for many reasons--uncomfortable masks, intolerance of air pressure, and not being able to afford therapy are only 3 examples of many. We have learned that lack of proper education and lack of early intervention can contribute to a lack of compliance, and these are areas where clinicians and home care companies can improve. Have you considering proposing a research question here on MyApnea.Org?

I have been looking for info on extreme dryness of the mouth whether I wear the nose or face mask. What is causing this and how can I prevent it? I want so much to be successful wearing either mask.

Dan,

Thanks for your response. I am talking about people who have done everything possible to make it work with the right mask, settings, etc. and it still worsens sleep vs. improving it. For example, once again, I woke up prematurely on the machine and was too tired to get out of bed so I took my mask off and fell right back asleep.

I am not the only one this happens to and the reason is why? I ask my sleep doctors this and no one has an answer.

So I propose a research question, then what? Who reads this? What happens to it?

Hi @UnassumingOrangeRedCormorant9252. When you propose a research question, the question can be made available for other members to view and vote on. The research questions are ranked, and the top ranking questions are then reviewed and written about in our Research Highlights area. For the reviews written and posted in the Research Highlights area, we reach out to professionals in the field and invite them to submit information that might be useful to our members. Additionally, researchers can attempt to identify sources who might fund research in a given area and submit a research proposal to that organization proposing a study to help obtain more data on the proposed research topic. Thanks for posting a research question and for being interested in the process! -Dan

Hello, I am new to the forum and newly diagnosed. I have been seeing a hematologist to determine a cause for a high RBC count. After a chest x-ray, blood gas, and other blood tests that had negative results, the hematologist recommended a sleep apnea test under the theory that I was not getting enough oxygen at night and thus my body would produce additional red blood cells to compensate for the lack of oxygen needed by my brain. The sleep study showed about an 88% oxygen level and 5 to 6 events per hour. Thus, I have been using a CPAP machine for about 8 days. I was just tested for RBC and it was still high. I am wondering how long do I have to use the CPAP before my RBC count comes down, in fact that is the cause?

Hello, @ExuberantMauveSnail6309. It takes about 115 days for red blood cell turnover, so it might take several months before there is a change in your RBC count. I encourage you to continue to follow up with your doctor, and best wishes with your treatment! Please keep us posted on how you are doing, and feel free to continue to post questions to the Forum and complete the MyApnea.Org surveys!