Nighty-night...sleep tight...don't let the bedbugs bite!

I had two sleep studies, and the first night was a nightmare. I just couldn't get comfortable with all the wires. I actually stopped using my CPap but am in the process of ordering a new mask and a power cord since I lost mine. For those who use one, what type of mask do you use? I've heard that the nasal pillow is good from some and not good from others, any suggestions?

I For those who use one, what type of mask do you use? I've heard that the nasal pillow is good from some and not good from others, any suggestions?

I used a BiPap for a long time before I got my trach put in. It can be really difficult to get a good seal on the mask. It all just depends on your facial anatomy.

So what is the CPap? Is that oxygen? I don't know if I could handle sleeping with that every night? Is it hard to get used too?

So what is the CPap? Is that oxygen? I don't know if I could handle sleeping with that every night? Is it hard to get used too?

CPap and BiPap basically involve a mask worn on the nose that is attached to a long hose. The hose is attached to a machine that constantly forces air into your lungs through your nose. It maintains a strong wind going up your nose to help you breathe. It's kind of like sleeping in a hurricane, but you get used to it.

 

It does take a while to adjust to the constant wind in your nose, and dealing with feeling like you have an elephant's trunk. However, it is manageable. You end up sleeping so much better and feel so much better during the day, that you'll gladly make the small sacrifice in comfort.

:laugh: That made me laugh out loud! I think I'm going to look into having this test done. I've broken my nose about 3 or 4 times, stiches etc. I am always tired. I got my nose checked out about 3 years ago and had 98% blockage in one side. That was with a deviated septum too. I had the surgery done to straighten it out and they fixed the septum plus shrunk my sinuses (which was great for about 3 months). Unfortunatly my nose went back to where it was. It's frustrating because now I feel like I have 100% air blockage in one side. My wife says I quit breathing at night sometimes. I'm always worn out it seems. I blame it on two little one's and hard work but I really think this has a lot to do with it. I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD to nose surgery again but I'm thinking about taking the plunge if they think it will work for good.

Anybody know any good sleep labs + or nose Dr's in Eastern KY? I had my last surgery at Central Baptist in Lex and it didn't work.

 

Dr Sanford Archer at the Kentucky Clinic at UK did both of my surgeries(nose and throat). I had a sleep study done 5 years after having them, and while I do snore some, breathing stopages are still almost completely gone. I would reccomend him.

I've had two sleep studies done and surgery to straighten my septum and and also to open up my throat because of sleep apnea.

 

The big concern with these studies is the blood oxygen level while you are sleeping. If you snore chances are you stop breathing several times throughout the course of the night. Which causes your B/O level to drop. Studies have shown that low B/O levels lead to many health risk factors down the road, particularly coronary and stroke concerns.

 

Not everybody who snores has apnea. I still snore but 5 years after having my surgeries. I stop breathing 1/10th the amount of times I did before, and my B/O level is well above normal.

 

 

This sounds like serious stuff. Be that as it may, I'm not letting the wife read this thread because I'm pretty sure that she's all for anything that would reduce my BO level.

So does insurance pay for the thing most of the time? Do you have to sleep with it forever or do you get adjusted? I don't want to have nose surgery again it was rough but know I need too. I'm just afraid I'll do it again and it not work again! I need to drop about 20 lbs to be in great shape. That would help too I think.

Larry let us know how it went.

I had a sleep study done because they thought I had narcolepsy. It turned out to be severe sleep apnea, stopped breathing over 80 times an hour. I did not want to do the CPAP I wanted the surgery. So, to get the insurance company to pay for the surgery I had to be fitted for a CPAP and tell them that it caused me to feel claustrophobic.

 

I had the surgery they basically roto-rootered my throat and fixed my sinuses and deviated septum. Recovery was extremely uncomfortable and very painfull for 2 weeks. I did loose about 12lbs. over the next three weeks following the surgery because it was to painfull to eat.

 

Looking back it has turned out great. I wake up and I am awake. I very seldom take a nap and have much more energy through out the day.

Do you have to sleep with it forever or do you get adjusted? I need to drop about 20 lbs to be in great shape. That would help too I think.

You would normally sleep with it forever. However, I feel a little funny saying that right now, because I'm on day 12 of sleeping without being attached to a ventilator at night. So I'll just say that, unless the circumstances that caused your apnea change, you would stay on it permanently.

I've learned more from you people than the experts at the study.

 

Went ok, I knew what to expect from reading a little on here. My main problem was I like to sleep on my side in the fetal position I hate sleeping on my back, well the tech told me we get better readings if you can sleep on your back.

 

Lot of wires but they were real thin, the grease on my face/head was unpleasant. Laid down in a nice room (quite) on my back and it took a while for me to get there. Once there I had three dreams and slept for about 5 hours but woke up several times with my back hurting.

 

Tech came in and said I was the best subject of the nite, there were 5 others including a 7 year old boy who caused some problems but I never heard a thing.

 

The c-pap is usually paid by the insurance and once you are required to use it you might use it for life. The tech showed me 3 different masks with one being real lite with the air flow buds right in front of your nostrils. The machine was quite and I liked the air flow and can see how it would help someone....STICK1. you need to call the man today. PM me if you want and I can help explain more for you.

 

I didn't use the c-pap for the nite, only for a demo. The tech said if I showed on the readouts that I would need it he would wake me up and hook me up. I kinda wanted to use it.

 

I saw a lung specialist three weeks ago and had a CT scan done and they have found a small spot/scarring at the bottom of my left lung in the lining.

 

It could be asbestos (sp), I go back on the 6th of April for the results of the study and the CT.

 

Feel free to ask more questions, and after I researched some things if you are having any kind of sleep issues please get in touch with someone. I want my wife to go...bed to myself. :sssh:

So does insurance pay for the thing most of the time? Do you have to sleep with it forever or do you get adjusted? I don't want to have nose surgery again it was rough but know I need too. I'm just afraid I'll do it again and it not work again! I need to drop about 20 lbs to be in great shape. That would help too I think.

 

My insurance paid for mine, or at leat 80% of it. Weight is definately a factor although I do know a few slim people with apnea. From my own experience I lost 120 lbs and I no longer have apnea peoblems.

 

It took me the better part of a month to get to where I could get to sleep with the mask on and for that month I had to take a sleeping pill at bedtime. I also had to wear ear plugs for about 4 months before I got used to the sound the machine made. I used it for two years.

Feel free to ask more questions, and after I researched some things if you are having any kind of sleep issues please get in touch with someone. I want my wife to go...bed to myself. :sssh:

Fantastic advice Larry! :thumb:

My insurance paid for mine, or at leat 80% of it. Weight is definately a factor although I do know a few slim people with apnea. From my own experience I lost 120 lbs and I no longer have apnea peoblems.

I've lost about a third less than that so far, but have had the same result.