What If You Can Not Get Use To Cpap Machine

[adkins7b]

I was wondering if anyone knew, what happens if you have sleep apnea but can not sleep using the cpap. I don't think the VA can lower you're rate or take it away, I actually think they should increase it because you can not get what you need to be fully rested. Always any feed back is appreciated.

[Vync]

I have a lot of trouble with my CPAP/BIPAP machine, but still try to wear it nightly. I would rather take the chance of getting lucky enough to feel better the next day. Not wearing it at all is a 0% chance of feeling better.

I wear my mask to deal with sleep apnea and fibromyalgia. I also have chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, asthma, and severe TMJ. In order to treat fibro, they had to crank the pressure through the roof. Because of the high pressure, the mask is mounted on my face like a vice. When the straps get loose, it makes crazy fart-like noises. The tightness of the mask drives my TMJ pain through the roof. Even with pain and sleep meds, I often remove the mask during while sleeping.

[john999]

Vync

I have the same problem. I have to strap on the cpap pretty tight to stop the noise of leakage. I use a very light mask so it does not hurt my nose as much.

John

[shipswriter]

sleep apnea fascinating subject...my AHI kept going up dangerously with faithful CPAP use, but I still was encouraged to use it by the sleep specialist at VA...as high as 14 setting at one point which blew me away...later I found out because of the fragile state of my sinuses, that level was way too high in any case...besides it was determined by sleep endoscopy that I reallly didn't have 'mild sleep apnea' per se but something more complicated having to do with my epiglottis which tends to totally collapse when asleep...been SC 50% for chronic sinusitis since 2009 determined in 2010.

Edited September 24, 2013 by shipswriter

[Philip Rogers]

Vync

I have the same problem. I have to strap on the cpap pretty tight to stop the noise of leakage. I use a very light mask so it does not hurt my nose as much.

John

John - I use a FX Nasal Pillow system, by ResMed I think, w/fairly good results. I get my nasal pillows replaced twice a month thru Medicare, as the silicone breaks down quickly. VA only replaces masks and stuff every 6 months, if you're lucky. I'm on a B-PAP now, w/pressures of 26 & 14.

I need oxygen, at night only, and just replaced my Medicare providers w/VA providers, so it's not using up my Medicare maximum allowance. I was pleased w/the VA's quick response to my need. Saw VA pulmonology this past Monday and had my setup delivered Wednesday.

pr

Edited September 22, 2013 by Philip Rogers

[jbasser]

Not using a CPAP and leaving OSA untreated will give you a first class ticket to the most dreaded disease out there. Right side heart failure with Pulmonary HTN.

You need to do what is needed to use it. Believe me you do not want the afore mentioned issues.

J

[RichL]

Stick with it. The more you use your mask, the more comfortable it will become.