CPAP/sleep apnea (3 Viewers)

[aurumity]

Did not realize this thread was here & that there were so many CPAP users here lol. I think I'm gonna set mine up again. I got diagnosed back in October and was fairly consistent with it up until January when I moved across the country. I have a ResMed CPAP with one of the masks that attaches to the top of your head instead of the front of your face.

It's a lot more comfortable than the traditional one. However, the tubes get smooshed whenever you lay on your side. I'm pretty sure I'm losing oxygen/moisture whenever I'm using the new mask, because my mouth is practically in pain from being so dry when I wake up lmfao. So I've mostly stopped using it. Probably gonna start thugging it out again or maybe ordering a new mask from the company.

 

[cpac54]

Did not realize this thread was here & that there were so many CPAP users here lol. I think I'm gonna set mine up again. I got diagnosed back in October and was fairly consistent with it up until January when I moved across the country. I have a ResMed CPAP with one of the masks that attaches to the top of your head instead of the front of your face.

It's a lot more comfortable than the traditional one. However, the tubes get smooshed whenever you lay on your side. I'm pretty sure I'm losing oxygen/moisture whenever I'm using the new mask, because my mouth is practically in pain from being so dry when I wake up lmfao. So I've mostly stopped using it. Probably gonna start thugging it out again or maybe ordering a new mask from the company.

Dry mouth is a very common side-effect from CPAP therapy, but your F, P or N30i mask isn’t likely to be the culprit - it’s designed to be slept on i.e. that one side of the tube gets compressed when on your side. Have a look at the following as possible causes:

- Mask leak (do you have a tight seal? Leak is one of the most common contributors to dry mouth)
- If you have a nasal or pillow mask, do you sleep with an open mouth?
- Humidification settings (do you have a humidifier? If so, what setting level do you have it set at? As a rule, I’d recommend “Climate Control Auto” as it will Self-adjust you temp and humidity based on ambient room temp and humidification)

Other non-CPAP related things like certain medications, tobacco use, etc can also contribute to dry mouth.

 

[aurumity]

Dry mouth is a very common side-effect from CPAP therapy, but your F, P or N30i mask isn’t likely to be the culprit - it’s designed to be slept on i.e. that one side of the tube gets compressed when on your side. Have a look at the following as possible causes:

- Mask leak (do you have a tight seal? Leak is one of the most common contributors to dry mouth)
- If you have a nasal or pillow mask, do you sleep with an open mouth?
- Humidification settings (do you have a humidifier? If so, what setting level do you have it set at? As a rule, I’d recommend “Climate Control Auto” as it will Self-adjust you temp and humidity based on ambient room temp and humidification)

Other non-CPAP related things like certain medications, tobacco use, etc can also contribute to dry mouth.

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification.

It is a nasal pillow mask, and yes for the most part have been sleeping with my mouth open. My humidifier is set to Climate Control Auto & I don't smoke/take medications. I'll try to sleep with my mouth closed more often and see if I am leaking more than I believe I am. Thanks man

 

[cpac54]

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification.

It is a nasal pillow mask, and yes for the most part have been sleeping with my mouth open. My humidifier is set to Climate Control Auto & I don't smoke/take medications. I'll try to sleep with my mouth closed more often and see if I am leaking more than I believe I am. Thanks man

If the P30i works well for you but you sleep with an open mouth, consider giving a chin strap a try (something like this: https://www.thecpapshop.com/resmed-chin-strap). Easy to keep your mouth closed whilst awake, but once you're asleep, a chin strap will help.

You can control for mask leak pretty easily using the MyAir app (if you have either an AirSense 10 or 11). Directly on the device you can get some limited info on that too in the patient menu.

Good luck!

 

[JustinInMN]

It's a lot more comfortable than the traditional one. However, the tubes get smooshed whenever you lay on your side. I'm pretty sure I'm losing oxygen/moisture whenever I'm using the new mask, because my mouth is practically in pain from being so dry when I wake up lmfao. So I've mostly stopped using it. Probably gonna start thugging it out again or maybe ordering a new mask from the company.

You probably have noticed it, but just in case, I find I have to fill the humidifier about every 2 nights.

 

[aurumity]

You probably have noticed it, but just in case, I find I have to fill the humidifier about every 2 nights.

Roughly the same for me.

 

[krafticus]

Got my machine setup this weekend, and had my 1st sleep. Slept through the night, didn't wake up once. Got just shy of 7 hours of sleep, and I am still beyond tired today. Granted, I only got 4-5 hours sleep Friday might , and 3-4 hours Saturday night. Hopefully, once I get back on a normal schedule, things will be better. My mask is small, and just goes over my nostrils. No issues falling asleep either, so that's a good thing.

 

[jazzV3]

Got my machine setup this weekend, and had my 1st sleep. Slept through the night, didn't wake up once. Got just shy of 7 hours of sleep, and I am still beyond tired today. Granted, I only got 4-5 hours sleep Friday might , and 3-4 hours Saturday night. Hopefully, once I get back on a normal schedule, things will be better. My mask is small, and just goes over my nostrils. No issues falling asleep either, so that's a good thing.

That was a similar experience as mine when I started using a CPAP. Looks like you have the same machine.
I recall that when I started, the Sleep Tech asked how it was going. I told her that I didn't have that - "OMG, I have SO much energy now. I feel AMAZING when I wake up in the morning...". She laughed and said the patients that say that are also typically the loudest ones at a party.

My experience was that over time, I did feel better rested, less tired during the day, clearer mind, etc.
I started with the nasal cushion type "mask". Those didn't work as well as the nasal pillows where it seats inside the nostril vs sitting on top.
If you side sleep, the pillow stays put where the cushion moves around.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Got my machine setup this weekend, and had my 1st sleep. Slept through the night, didn't wake up once. Got just shy of 7 hours of sleep, and I am still beyond tired today. Granted, I only got 4-5 hours sleep Friday might , and 3-4 hours Saturday night. Hopefully, once I get back on a normal schedule, things will be better. My mask is small, and just goes over my nostrils. No issues falling asleep either, so that's a good thing.

View attachment 1331397

For me it took about 4-5 days to get that burst when I started. Now it's a lifesaver.

 

[David O]

I was on a nasal mask and decided to change over to a hybrid mask since I would open my mouth occasionally. I get anywhere from 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night now and feel great.

 

[philhut]

I was on a nasal mask and decided to change over to a hybrid mask since I would open my mouth occasionally. I get anywhere from 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night now and feel great.

A hybrid mask? I had the nasal mask also and had issues where I stopped using it because my mouth would open making breathing impossible.

What does a hybrid mask look like? I should probably start using my machine.

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

A hybrid mask? I had the nasal mask also and had issues where I stopped using it because my mouth would open making breathing impossible.

What does a hybrid mask look like? I should probably start using my machine.

 

[David O]

A hybrid mask? I had the nasal mask also and had issues where I stopped using it because my mouth would open making breathing impossible.

What does a hybrid mask look like? I should probably start using my machine.

I use the ResMed airfit f30. It covers the mouth but sits under the nose. Very comfortable since it does not go over the nose.

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-...nea-full-products-list/cpap-masks/airfit-f30/

 

[JustinInMN]

Got my machine setup this weekend, and had my 1st sleep. Slept through the night, didn't wake up once. Got just shy of 7 hours of sleep, and I am still beyond tired today. Granted, I only got 4-5 hours sleep Friday might , and 3-4 hours Saturday night. Hopefully, once I get back on a normal schedule, things will be better. My mask is small, and just goes over my nostrils. No issues falling asleep either, so that's a good thing.

View attachment 1331397

Yeah, when I started I hardly got a "burst" of energy, but I did stop crashing daily at 2-3pm. Does sound like you shorted yourself a bit on the weekend too.

Sounds like we have the same sort of "mask." (The nasal pillow.) It took me about a week to get the fit dialed in to make a score in the 90s without too much leak so you are off to a great start there.

 

[krafticus]

Yeah, when I started I hardly got a "burst" of energy, but I did stop crashing daily at 2-3pm. Does sound like you shorted yourself a bit on the weekend too.

Sounds like we have the same sort of "mask." (The nasal pillow.) It took me about a week to get the fit dialed in to make a score in the 90s without too much leak so you are off to a great start there.

Good to hear. It was weird, the 1st night I had no issues, but most likely due to being SOOO tired I could have slept through anything. Last night, I put it on and felt like I was suffocating a little, and my heart was racing. I calmed down and eventually fell asleep not long after. (only to have the dog wake me up at 4:15 this morning).

I've been at work since 5:15, and feel much better today though, and not feeling like I desperately need a nap like I did yesterday.

 

[joeyshin]

I got my machine back in March. I still haven’t opened the box and set it up

 

[krafticus]

I got my machine back in March. I still haven’t opened the box and set it up

I have to use mine a certain amount of time per month/period for insurance to cover it. I think it equates to 2-3 weeks per month, or 70% planned sleep time (or 4 hours per night). My wife's insurance covers 100% of everything with no co-pay/deductible. We actually have some old-school insurance and have no deductibles -- just small co-pays ($20).

 

[joeyshin]

I have to use mine a certain amount of time per month/period for insurance to cover it. I think it equates to 2-3 weeks per month, or 70% planned sleep time (or 4 hours per night). My wife's insurance covers 100% of everything with no co-pay/deductible. We actually have some old-school insurance and have no deductibles -- just small co-pays ($20).

How do they know if you’re using it? Insurance covered mine completely

 

[Tonystark137]

How do they know if you’re using it? Insurance covered mine completely

It has a cellular connection inside of it that sends data to the app. I imagine insurance company has someone checking to ensure you use the thing they paid for.

I know I can check the usage on my machine and sleep score for my machine from my phone.

 

[bergs]

Is there a recurring cost to the device or do you just buy it and own it outright?

Seems weird that insurance can claw money back if you own it outright. What if you stop using it a year in because you lose weight and the apnea subsides or you have surgery?

 

[krafticus]

Is there a recurring cost to the device or do you just buy it and own it outright?

Seems weird that insurance can claw money back if you own it outright. What if you stop using it a year in because you lose weight and the apnea subsides or you have surgery?

They follow up when they are paying for it. If you own everything outright, I assume you are on your own for everything anyway.

I've lost about 50lb, and have very mild apnea. TECHNICALLY, according to the charts, I need to lose another 40 lb, but that isn't happening. I downloaded the app though, entered my machine info, and it syncs up once the unit powers down in the morning. I'm cool with it though, since they can see if there needs to have any adjustments made and such.

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

Is there a recurring cost to the device or do you just buy it and own it outright?

Seems weird that insurance can claw money back if you own it outright. What if you stop using it a year in because you lose weight and the apnea subsides or you have surgery?

You own it, but when it come time to reorder supplies (filters, new masks, etc) they may deny you if you’re non-compliant

 

[Chippy McChiperson]

I got my machine back in March. I still haven’t opened the box and set it up

Do it, you’ll feel better once you get used to it. And your wife will appreciate it because you won’t be snoring.