Stop My Snores

I was searching on YouTube today, and came across a good video showing the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine. The man in the video had actually had major surgery prior in order to cure his obstructive sleep apnea, but the surgery only succeeded in reducing his apnea from extreme to severe. He tells you in this video how it really feels to actually be able to breathe normally again.

This video has the man wearing a full mask, which covers both the nose and the mouth. The mask I use only covers the nose, and I feel is a little less confining. However, if the mouth does come open when using the nose mask, the air from the mask comes immediately out the mouth, and you feel like you cannot breathe at all. Another option, though, is to use the nose mask with a chin strap to hold your mouth closed.

Anyway, here is the video. I hope it gives you some insite into the use of CPAP in treating sleep apnea.

Until next time
Sleep well

Posted November 29, 2008 Comments(0)

Yesterday, I got my CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine from a local medical supply store. While I had underwent a sleep study to determine proper fit and pressure that would be best for me, this store still made sure that the mask fit properly, and that I could deal with the pressure buildup rate that was set.

My prescription was for 15 cmwg (centimeters water gauge), relatively high in the normal band of 2 to 20 cmwg. My CPAP is adjustable, in five minute increments, for how long it takes to build up to the final pressure. I did well with the five minute buildup time, so will probably keep that setting.

Last night, I used the CPAP for the first time at home. My Dalmatian intiially freaked at the sight of me with that strange mask on, but she quickly got used to it, and settled into her normal spot on the bed.

Since I had used the CPAP at my sleep study last month, I felt fairly confident that I would not have problems last night. However, I was mistaken. In the first three hours, I woke up almost on the hour, feeling the pressure against my lips, and being aware that I dare not open my mouth with all that pressure inside. So, after 3 hours, I turned the machine off, and continued my nights sleep without it.

This reaction is not to be unexpected. The man who fit me for the machine told me that it may take a few nights to get comfortable with it, but to keep trying. So, I will start out again tonight using the CPAP, and go from there. I will update this in about a week to let you know if I ever got used to it or not.

Until next time,

Sleep well

Posted November 19, 2008 Comments(0)

About a week and a half ago, I had a sleep study done. Today, I returned to my neurologist and got the results.

Basically, during the study, I slept for a total of 4.7 hours. During that time, I averaged about 57 times an hour that I stopped breathing, and my lowest blood oxygen level was 82%. This puts me somewhere between moderate and severe apnea. (Moderate apnea is defined as 15 to 30 times an hour that you stop breathing, and an oxygen saturation level of between 80 and 85%; Severe apnea is greater than 30 episodes, but a saturation level of 79% or lower)

 So, what next?

My doctor has scheduled me for another sleep study, this time wearing the CPAP device. This study will determine both whether the CPAP will be an affective solution to my apnea, and if so, what is the optimum pressure setting. This study is almost a month from now, so in the meantime, I will be elevating my head more during sleep (which is sometimes affective in reducing the obstructions) and continuing my own research into sleep apnea.

I will update you when anything changes.

Until next time,

Sleep well

Posted September 24, 2008 Comments(1)