I want to get as much information as possible on CPAP machines because I think I may have the symptoms of sleep apnea. I wake up more tired than i went to bed, I snore, I toss and turn severely, I wake up sore and feeling like Ive just been in a wrestling match, and I never get deep sleep. Ive seen the CPAP machines on ebay and wondered if it is just what ive needed. I know that you are supposed to see the doctor and he recommends a night that you can sleep over for observation and then prescribes one of these machines but I dont have the time nor do I wish to spend the amount on all of this. Can anyone tell me more about this? I would really appreciate it; thank you.
My dad uses one, and his first words after his first night was, "I feel more rested than I have in 20 years!" I see a marked improvement in him. He used to snore loudly, drift off to sleep during the day -sometimes even while driving! He had these huge bags under his eyes. His memory was getting bad... lack of oxygen effects your body in several ways. That is the main danger of apnea. Anyway, the machine he uses has the lowest amount of forced air possible, and no outside oxygen source (like medical oxygen). It has a filter, mask, etc. It took him a very, very short time to get used to it. One night. The sleep he got, and the more oxygen to the brain he got, literally lowered his blood pressure and made him more alert and more active. He lost at least 60 pounds over 3 months... just from not having to eat for energy. He had been on the "outskirts" of congestive heart failure... but the apnea diagnoses and subsequent treatment has quite possibly, literally, saved his life. One of my brother-in-law's has a machine also. His apnea had only recently set in, but he too saw clearly marked improvement in over all energy and stamina throughout the day, as well as lowered BP. I'll probably go have the tests done since my dad had it.. apnea, that is. I have noticed a lot of tiredness and insomnia (check the post time here on this thread... I"ve been up since... well about 22 hours). I have to exhaust myself to get sleep, or take a sleep aid. I'd rather not do either. So I'd suggest the machine, and I'll probably look into it for myself. Hope that helps. btw- The doctor diagnosis is the best way to approach this. There are several different machines! Too much "help" can be just as bad as none at all. You wouldn't want to do lung damage, or not wake up at all! Just be careful whatever you do.
I opted for surgery instead, and I'm glad I did. I just can't see myself sleeping with that thing on my head.
I think there was a thread about this before... I know some people who were prescribed the CPAP but could never get used to the mask and/or the droning sound of the machine. Any fear of compressed gas tanks near your person doesn't help either. Even if you buy one second-hand, it is necessary for a sleep tech to determine the O2 pressure and concentration for best efficiency. If you just open up the O2 full bore, not only would you be wasting an expensive commodity but you could also be putting yourself in danger. Also, if you don't know a sleep tech personally, you would need a doctor's prescription to have access to one. I personally have the dental appliance (mouthpiece) that pushes my lower jaw forward, effectively opening up my airway enough to stop the snoring. Still, you need a doctor's prescription and convince your medical insurance to pony up the $1K in order to get it from a dentist. Proper steps to obtaining a CPAP: get insurance, get your normal doctor to refer you to a sleep specialist, see a sleep specialist, do the sleep study, do the CPAP evaluation. Other options: Get a $1000 and convince a dentist to make you a mouthpiece; Go someplace that will perform surgery on your soft pallette and uvula; Lose weight
This may sound silly, but PLEASE try Breath Right strips first. Those things are AMAZING, they open up your nasal pasage to allow a ton more oxygen in and limit snoring significantly. Give it a go....very cheap to try at least. DD
First, Do not use/buy a CPAP without a sleep study, period. There are many intricacies to the machine, and you will not be able to set it properly. Second, you can have sleep apnea in your 20's. Startling statistic, its estimated that over 10% of men in thier 50's have the condition. Here is a dated but interesting review on OSA for the family physician: http://www.aafp.org/afp/991115ap/2279.html
