adjusting cpap machines yourself

If so, are you certain your treatment is effective? Some machines record treatment data that reports how well the treatment is working for your apnea. Also, if you are on CPAP, some masks have straps that are too tight around the lower back of the head and hurt the muscles of the neck that connect the head and shoulders.

First of all, you are placing yourself at risk taking sedating meds and not using your CPAP. Secondly, you will not be able to fix your sleep while you have untreated sleep apnea, unless you take enough meds to knock out a horse, and then you'd really be in danger. My nonprofessional opinion is that you should focus your efforts on making CPAP work. Maybe your pressure needed adjusting or you needed a different mask.

Became an invalid and lost my career much too young. Found a website where members help other adjusting to using CPAP and tried again. It was truly my last hope. I have never regained full capacities, but I am sooooo much better. I only wish I had fought through the early issues with using CPAP. Now it is no big deal. And they'll have to prove to me any other means will do better, then I will discuss not using my CPAP. Sorry to be so passionate about this, but CPAP literally saved my life.

I'm assuming you had a second sleep study done with CPAP to determine the correct pressure and type of mask--did your doctor's report state that your sleep quality significantly improved with CPAP? Typically, companies that provide you with the CPAP machine have a card with a microchip in it that monitors how often the machine is being used, for what period of time, and whether or not it is being properly used (via pressure measurements and recordings).

*on a CPAP machine. Not *in one. Sorry for the typo. You don't go *in a CPAP machine.

Cpap machines are a scam. Horrible contraptions that ruin health and break relationships. Big money is made selling these monstrous, ugly, humiliating machines. All of the companies want you to think that they are wonderful and your spouse will love it and it's great look. You will have a personal, intimate relationship with this machine that will become more important than your spouse. Your spouse will feel left out, betrayed and alone. Do not fall for the scam. Demand another option.

Sounds like you are getting air in the stomach from the machine. It happens when the sphincter that should keep the stomach closed is weak, particularly in those who have reflux problems. It is also common in those with higher pressures. There are machines and settings for those with higher pressures to help out, particularly with exhalation relief. About the tiredness... Are you using a full face mask?

Certain CPAP machines have setting the lower the pressure automatically during exhalation. Talk to your sleep doctor or DME vendor and they should be able to help you with these issues.

I know that they are going to put me on a cpap machine. I know I would do okay with the mask that is just the two little prongs that go in your nose. However in the past when I have had surgery I have gone crazy when they have put the mask over my mouth and nose. I have always had very bad allergies and can not stand to have anything touching my nose and mouth. So I was wondering how do they determine what is the best mask for you to have?

From what I've read on a site devoted to cpap (cpaptalk) some of the older machines are workhorses and some report length of service similar to yours. It would not hurt to plan for the day it does "give up the ghost". Have you had it checked to make sure it is still outputting the proper pressure? Also, many of the newer machines capture treatment data so that you can know if your treatment is effective, and some even have available software so you can monitor it yourself.

I echo all these sentiments. A sleep aid is a great way to train yourself to CPAP. I found a big difference between the sleeping aids, finally settling in on Lunesta. After several weeks of regular CPAP use you will feel an improvement. Just give it time. As for masks, I use the nose pillow. Personal preference but I'm pretty fussy so if I like it maybe you will too.

Hi Julie, In reality there aren't a lot of options if your sleep study showed abnormalities. Like MS, you treat sleep apnea with the limited resources available or just let it take it's course and continue to rob you of self determination and control of your own life. I think I shared my experience using CPAP with you when you were questioning if Zanaflex would make sleep apnea worse.

Do this as well, and you will get better sleep and improved breathing. Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.

I have used CPAP for 2-3 months, there appears to be little benefit, I switched from APAP?, the automated pressure version, to a constant 12 with the machine releasing pressure when breathing out (C-flex), this was with a Respitronics machine.

Sleep apnea itself can have negative implications for brain health. The bacteria that they talk about with cpap machines is more lung related. But talk to your doctor.

I've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. I also have major sinus problems. I've tried the bipap and cpap machines with many different mask and can't find anything I can tolerate. The mask is one thing, but the air being forced causes my sinus problems to increase by stopping up my nose which makes me breathe through my mouth which as everyone knows won't work. Does anyone have issues close to what I have or any other suggestions.

m almost to the point of just buying a CPAP machine on craigslist. But, your reply concerns me a little. Do CPAP machines *really* only help *some* patients suffering from UARS?? Is it only because most can't tolerate it? What if I get a BiPAP? I guess I'd like to get a an idea of a percentage of the UARS population that *can* benefit from the machine and whether a BiPAP significantly increses the chances that it will work (because it's much easier to exhale).

In most cases this resolves nasal congestion and irritation if it is caused by CPAP. CPAP machines can cause air in the stomach-gas and bloating. Sleeping with head aligned with the body helps. If you want a raised head then the head end of the bed should be raised. Pillows should be kept to the minimum. Lowering the CPAP pressure can help but do not do this without consulting your sleep specialist. Switching over to bilevel pressure or C-Flex may help you too. So ask your specialist about it.

from what I've read CPAP machines are unpleasant and help little

A related discussion, <a href="/posts/Undiagnosed-Symptoms/CPAP-Lung-Nodule/show/1916673">CPAP Lung Nodule</a> was started.

Sometimes the seemingly shallow breathing is due to a cpap machine's manner of exhalation relief (sometimes called EPR or c-flex). The different brands are designed to handle it differently. If the pressure drops to allow one to exhale easier, some brands kick the high pressure back in faster than others, resulting in feeling like the breaths are short and shallow. There are machines with a-flex, meaning it auto adjusts to your exhalations needs.

Ask for some adjustment in the machine to overcome this. CPAP machines can also cause air in the stomach-gas and bloating. Lowering the CPAP pressure can help but do not do this without consulting your sleep specialist. Switching over to bilevel pressure or C-Flex may help you too. However, nothing should be tried without consulting the specialist. If nausea is not related to CPAP machine, then other causes will have to be looked into. Commonest cause of nausea is acidity.

Adjusting cpap machines yourself

Common Questions and Answers about Adjusting cpap machines yourself

cpap