maize Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Dh has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, I would like to hear of people's experiences with treatment. They tried him on a CPAP machine during his sleep study but he was still having quite a few apnea incidents so they are going to do a second study with a BiPAP machine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 (edited) I'm probably not much help as DH was borderline needing a CPAP, but he decided to go ahead and get it. He still had some incidents, even after the CPAP. DH's mouth would crack open and air would escape, so he eventually had to get a chin strap to keep his mouth in place. After that, though, things improved greatly. DH snored horribly and was always tired before his CPAP. He is honestly a new person. He doesn't fall asleep as soon as he's home from work. He doesn't need to sleep all weekend to be "fresh" for the coming week. It's really been a great thing for us. Edited because my sentences looked like a 2nd grader wrote them! Edited February 16, 2016 by Southern Ivy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingmama Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Both my husband and I have cpaps. I am borderline and noticed a mild difference. My dh is much worse but does well on the cpap if he keeps it on at night (he sometimes takes it off in his sleep). He originally needed a chin strap but a change in style allows him not to need the strap anymore. We definitely notice a difference between when he uses it all night and when he doesn't. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpe Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 My dh has a cpap with a full face mask. If he gets sick he still has minor apnea episodes but nothing like before. He's stopped snoring and instead of sleeping 12 hours or longer on his days off, he's down to much more reasonable 9 (he only gets around 6 or 7 when working). It's been life-changing. He hates the mask in the summer though because the air is so hot. But he does it anyway; better annoyed than dead. Also his blood pressure improved. It dropped from the high end of normal into the optimal range. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymonster Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I have moderately severe apnea. I use an APAP machine with a mask that covers my nose. While it took me a long time (over six months) to get used to the silly machine and mask, it really has been life changing for both my spouse and me. DH is getting better sleep, as someone is no longer snoring. I'm getting better sleep, as well. :D It took a while for us to get my APAP levels correct (18 weeks? Something like that). At first I felt like I wasn't getting enough air, so I would pull off the face mask after a few hours. My sleep technician would crank up the air flow. The cycle repeated itself a good four times. I didn't really feel as though it was helping at all until we hit the correct air flow level. Overall, I have had a very positive experience. I would advise taking a long view about getting and getting used to a machine. Give it a minimum of six months before even forming an opinion about it. Also, he should realize that four hours per night is considered a "complete" night of APAP/CPAP. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 DH and I love our cpaps. I use Resmed Swift FX nasal pillows which are great and can be used as long as you don't have severe nasal congestion. I use a halo chin strap. DH uses Resmed Quattro FX full face mask and I use it too for when I am congested. It looks like Resmed has another brand that looks just a comfortable called Airfit. It is a must to read forums at cpaptalk.com. There is a lot of useful advice there except for taping your mouth shut which some folks do there! It is also important to assure that he applies mask properly since for example if straps are too tight there will be leaks. Also, correct size is important. Also, keep in mind a mask that works for someone else may not be a good fit for you since we all have different facial structures. The medical supply companies should be willing to let you try multiple masks especially they get a full refund if returned to manufacturer in 30 days. You can see the variety of masks on cpap.com and read about them on the forum I listed above. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 DH snored horribly and was always tired before his CPAP. He is honestly a new person. He doesn't fall asleep as soon as he's home from work. He doesn't need to sleep all weekend to be "fresh" for the coming week. It's really been a great thing for us. This is like our experience. We definitely see a difference when DH isn't able to use his machine (for whatever reason); he's definitely more tired and run-down feeling. One downside -- DH has had pneumonia once from failing to clean his machine properly/enough and introducing bacteria into his lungs. But that should've been avoided... Overall, HUGE game-changer for us. DH slept on the couch for a decade of our marriage. This made it so he could actually sleep in bed with me again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 There is a lot of useful advice there except for taping your mouth shut which some folks do there! LOL. I do that per my asthma doctor's instructions, but I didn't think about that related to sleep apnea. She recommends it because you breath more fully, and the air is more filtered that way. DH has one. It made a big difference, but he has severe apnea. I probably will get a sleep test too at some point as I know I have trouble in the summer when my pollen allergies are bad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 (edited) LOL. I do that per my asthma doctor's instructions, but I didn't think about that related to sleep apnea. She recommends it because you breath more fully, and the air is more filtered that way. DH has one. It made a big difference, but he has severe apnea. I probably will get a sleep test too at some point as I know I have trouble in the summer when my pollen allergies are bad. The reason I don't think it is a good idea is that if you end up needed to vomit urgently, then I think it could be dangerous:( I would give the halo chin strap a try instead since you could still ope you mouth in an emergency. I used to be a mouth breather at night but the halo chin strap trained me to breathe through my nose at night. I also agree with person up thread about it takes a few months to adjust to cpap and may take several adjustments. I need my airflow increased since I felt I was not getting enough air so doctor increased pressure from 9 to 10 cm of H2O. DH needed his pressure decreased since he was swallowing a lot of air. Edited February 16, 2016 by NoPlaceLikeHome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 (edited) I'm guessing your husband is on the more severe side given what they are suggesting. Even with milder apnea, I noticed a big difference with treatment. I wake up completely rested after 8 hours of sleep. All my life I needed lots of sleep to wake naturally and feel rested (10-11 hours even as an adult). I often spent week-ends catching up, or trying to since that's really not possible. I can sit and read without wanting to fall asleep. Health issues I was having resolved. Treating apnea is going to make such a difference for him. Encourage him to hang in there through adjustments. Starting can be hard, though my mom didn't have many issues compared to me. The company fitting him shouldn't stop until he's entirely satisfied. I let mine talk me into keeping a mask that really wasn't good for me. CPAP talk that someone else mentioned is a fantastic resource. I'm so glad he's getting treated! Edited February 16, 2016 by sbgrace 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 He's been fighting daytime sleepiness for decades. Also depression, which I now wonder if apnea is at the root of. If getting treatment helps just with the tiredness that will be fantastic, if it helps with the mood stuff it would be beyond amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Dh has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, I would like to hear of people's experiences with treatment. They tried him on a CPAP machine during his sleep study but he was still having quite a few apnea incidents so they are going to do a second study with a BiPAP machine. He should wear a mask every night, when he sleeps. There is an "Extra" I've seen several times, when viewers in the USA are watching commercials. This can lead to other things, like heart disease (?). It can lead to someone becoming senile at a much younger age (typically 77 instead of 90). Your DH should continue to work with qualified M.D.s who are specialists in this issue and seek the treatment that works best for him. He won't be so tired during the day, if he sleeps better at night. GL to him P.S. Years ago, I believe one of my friends/colleagues had this and they made his throat or trachea wider? Another (late) friend had Sleep Apnea and I suspect that led to the medical condition that resulted in his death. Sleep Apnea, IMO can be a SEVERE risk, depending on the level of the problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 The reason I don't think it is a good idea is that if you end up needed to vomit urgently, then I think it could be dangerous:( I would give the halo chin strap a try instead since you could still ope you mouth in an emergency. I used to be a mouth breather at night but the halo chin strap trained me to breathe through my nose at night. I use just a tiny strip of paper tape, so no problem there. When I've had to cough, it comes right off on it's own. FWIW... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 He's been fighting daytime sleepiness for decades. Also depression, which I now wonder if apnea is at the root of. If getting treatment helps just with the tiredness that will be fantastic, if it helps with the mood stuff it would be beyond amazing. I hope it does help the depression. I think there are some studies that would indicate it might be linked for him. I know someone who cpap helped with that and another who did end up taking medication/it may have not been as connected for her. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I've been on Bpap and now Cpap. Make sure they check his pressure. If he gains or loses weight they will need to readjust his pressure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I just saw that "Extra" on TV again, a few minutes ago. I believe the name of the doctor they interviewed is W. Christopher Winter, M.D. and that he is in Charlottesville VA. You might Google him and find some information on his web site. Sleep Apnea is a very serious and a very common problem. Your DH needs to wear a mask. Controlling the Apnea will prevent many medical problems and premature aging. GL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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