Cpap Just Arrived

[USMC_HVEQ]

I was just wondering how servere my OSA is compared to others. 10.0Cm H20 is my setting.....I am not SC'd, but did put in a claim for OSA. All i have is the sleep study results for evidence.

[broncovet]

Hang in there with the CPAP. Untreated OSA can cause very serious problems, even leading to death. Just a couple examples:

1. If you dont sleep well at night, often you are tired or even fall asleep during the day, doing things like driving.

2. Untreated OSA can lead to an enlargement of the right side of the heart. The right side gets bigger to compensate for the lack of oxygen because you stop breathing many times/night. An unbalanced heart, with the right side too large can lead to heart arrythmia's and ultimately cardiac arrest.

You may have to experiment with which mask is best for you. I like the "nasal pillows" that goes in the nose and not the mouth, but that is not for everyone. The nasal pillows is a very small mask, and does not obstruct your view as much as some of the larger masks. To humidify or not to humidify is personal choice..I started out humidifying and later dropped it. If you are very dry, then try humidifying it.

Pete is right, keep the thing clean and wash out the inside of the mask and hose with warm soapy water, AND CLEAN THE FILTER, once a week minimum. I take my CPAP everywhere..even camping.

If you are SC for OSA on a CPAP or BIPAP, the rating is 50%, and it doesnt matter whether your CPAP is set at 4 or 18. The CPAP setting is the setting it takes to make your airway unobstructed when you relax. Your sleep doc figured that out. The severity of OSA is much more about the number of times per hour you stop breating rather than the CPAP setting.

[broncovet]

It is very difficult, IMHO, to get CPAP service connected. Back when I was in the military, in the 70's, docs did not know what OSA was, much less diagnose or treat it, so if you did have it back then, you almost certainly never got treatment for it. If you didnt get treatment for it, then you didnt have it according to the VA. I guess it is the Veterans fault that very few, if any military docs even knew what OSA was back then. The VA's "favor the Veteran" rule means that unless you have documentry proof signed by at least 4.8 MD's, notarized by 2.4 people who are friends of notable politicians, your condition did not happen in the service.

[navydoc2]

I have a C-PAP with a humidifier it was set at 15. I am a stomach sleeper so it was hard getting used to, but it stays on through the night. Good luck with yours.

Edited May 27, 2010 by navydoc2

[USMC_HVEQ]

thank you very much for your responses fellow vets. I will definitly try the water tonight. I woke up a few times and thought i was being choked and whipped the mask off, panicked. After the way I felt from teh sleep study I have been looking forward to restful sleep. once again, thanks for the advice.

I am thankful the VA issued me one, let alone one with a humidifier. I am not Sc'd but that is honestly the least of my concerns, I jsut want to feel rested again. It has been so long since I've felt that way on a regular basis. I know you need an IMO and all that. I haven't bothered. I'm more concerned at getting things treated than rather service connect everything. once again, thanks for allt he advice and help. I truly appreciate it.

[bufloguy]

What kind of mask did they issue you? If it's a full face mask ensure that you use the humidifier, this helps to prevent the dry mouth. If you are using a mask that covers just your nose, then you are breathing thru your mouth and should be using a full mask.

If you use the humidifier with the A/C on you may need a cpap hose cover wich will help with condensation. You can find one online, just google cpap hose cover. If you have any questions or problems, feel free to ask. . . I've been using a CPAP for 12 years now.

[USMC_HVEQ]

bufloguy,

thanks for your response. It is a full face mask, size medium. I know I'm an open mouth snorer, so tonight when i finally go to bed, I will use the humidifier. It's set to start at 6cm H2O and go to 10 when I'm a sleep. I just hope I dont spaz out again tonight.