Sideffects of CPAP for sleep apnea? And moneysaving treatments for side-effects?

SarahShattered

mrcow wrote: »

Well I had no idea this thread was here!! How nice to hear such positive things about CPAP.

My OH has been referred for CPAP. He's had apnea for years now. We've all suffered because of it. He also had quite serious anxiety last year (which was hard for the whole family and really made us rethink our priorities especially as we had another baby on the way) which I think looking back has all been down to lack of sleep. It affects his moods, his work, his home life, his driving, his social life, my moods, his weight...I could go on and on.

Anyway he'll hopefully be picking up his machine at the end of the month. I have to say, I had no idea that the sleep apnea could be the cause of so many problems. I think sometimes when you live with something like this, you just take everything at face value without really thinking about the root cause. Now I'm feeling guilty that I didn't push for him to get this seen to years ago. Sadly we didn't know that such things even existed to treat the condition.

I'm hopeful about the machine. At the moment he's not even allowed to drive anywhere so it's impacting us quite significantly (especially as he has to drive for his job).

Are the results seen usually instantaneous? Will he be able to drive again straight away do you think?

Also, the hospital have said that he will be on a CPAP "trial". Does this mean that he won't get to keep the machine even if it's working well?

Don't feel bad, it's not like you knew there were options and just didn't push him to take them!!!!

I pushed my OH purely out of self preservation! I was SO exhausted because of his appalling sleep patterns.

His results were instantaneous. Literally, the next day he was more chipper. My friend was laughing at him one day when he came home from work laughing and dancing round the living room. She'd never seen that side of him before.

On the odd occaison he forgets to use it, he's miserable, mardy and a bit of a old git really!!! :eek:

I agree, it is shocking how much of an impact it has on everyone's life.

The OH got his machine straight away following his trial. I really hope you don't fall victim to postcode lottery.

Good luck, and I hope it changes your life as much as it has ours!

frankie1star

I trialled a cpap machine, however I did get a reaction after I cleaned the mask out. Looked really charming
Anyway I didnt get on with the machine felt as though I was choking at night I think a lot of my problem is with my throat and with the air being so dry and forceful thats what gave me the choking feel.
I have recently started using a mandibular device, with initial success, however again my throat feels yucky so not so successful now. Went to Lloyds and spotted a bio-medical device that almost gives an electric pulse when the snoring begins. I use both but have to say they are not always successful.

Got in a state about CPAP after 2-3 month trial and gave up, it wasnt for me.

Now if I could address my weight problem then things would calm down

SarahShattered

Violetta wrote: »

Are you less shattered now that OH is on CPAP.

I wish!!! Three kids now... littlest with downs and adhd.... I'm knackered!!! :rolleyes: :rotfl:

SarahShattered

frankie1star wrote: »

Now if I could address my weight problem then things would calm down

My OH has always had the condition, even when he was a little boy. So it may not be weight.

Sorry cpap didn't work for you. My OH took a while to get used to the sensation of air blowing down his throat. Did they adjust the pressure on your air flow?

frankie1star

I think it was self adjusting, as I filled in a questionnaire and they would send a disc with a modification. I maybe wrong but that was my understanding

SarahShattered

frankie1star wrote: »

I think it was self adjusting, as I filled in a questionnaire and they would send a disc with a modification. I maybe wrong but that was my understanding

We've not heard of that kind of machine. I guess you liased closely with your team, and they must have done all they could... but it just feels such a shame that it didn't work for you.

anguk

My hubby has a CPAP and it used to irritate the bridge of his nose, at one point he had a nasty sore that ended up infected. A nurse suggested folding a little piece of surgical gauze or dressing and putting that over the bridge of his nose, the problem has cleared up and has never happened since. We now just buy a cheap strip of plaster and cut it into little strips and stick that across the bridge of his nose.

mrcow

frankie1star wrote: »

Now if I could address my weight problem then things would calm down

Well that's another thing. I know that losing some weight would help him (although it wouldn't cure it as he's lost weight before and it's not completely resolved the problem).

We've tried weightwatchers. I went on it with him for moral support, and I lost over a stone (!) and he lost barely a couple of pound or so. I've heard that it can make losing weight that much harder.

Good luck to you. I'm sorry that the machine didn't work so well. I sincerely hope that you are going back to your consultant and asking for further explorations into possible treatments for yourself.

As I speak, OH is falling asleep and has been for the past two hours as we've been chatting (says a lot about my level of conversation lol). I am so praying that he's going to find a let up soon.

Happy weekend everyone :beer:

BigMummaF

I had a short break with my mum earlier this year--just the two of us in a hatchback. The two little bags for our clothes nestled on the back seat, cos the boot was full of medications & Brenda lol! Mum's a diabetic with hearing & sight loss, & I've got all me allergies hehehe
We did think about a coaching holiday, but thought as we would need at least four hours to do everything we needed to do every morning, it's not such a good idea rotfl!

natanddan1

Hi Guys

I have been using CPAP for about 5 years now. I would say it took me a good year to fully get used to it. I always used to breathe through my mouth and once i had trained myself to breath through my nose it made using the machine easier.There is always the initial panic when you have a slight blocked nose but you have to try and relax and often the air pressure will clear the blockage.
I have to say that it transformed my life competely including the wife who now does not have sore elbows from diging me in the ribs to stop me snoring. My kids are used to me wearing the machine now but it did look a little scarey (looked and sounded like Darth Vader!!!).

I trialed a new machine for the NHS a couple of years ago, this was an American built machine and had the ability to monitor your breathing and it adjusts the pressue accordingly on each breath. Also, it relaxed the air pressure on every breath therefore making it quiet and easier to sleep with. When i returned the device i asked if these were available. Was told that they are not because they are charged to the NHS at around £1000. Anyway, i researched them and found a company online who i was able to purchase one from for £299 delivered. All i needed was a prescription from the sleep clinic and thats it. They even set the machine to my average pressure.

Please guys, persevere with the machine, as i said, it took me 1 year to fully get used to it.

If you guys want any advice or support from a long term CPAP user, please PM me anytime.

This is the site i purchased it from. Superb service and delivery was 3 days .
http://www.cpap-europe.com/remstar-plus-with-cflex-cpap-machine-o-1.html