question for CPAP users

yes; i am STILL using mine tho it was adjuste dto alower setting a few years back--

mine is simply the water holder with the two hoses- one to the machine and one to my mask- no heater -no bells or whistles tho it does "ramp up" to start...

my question - have any of you been waking up with headaches after sleeping with yours? a few nights ago, i woke up and actually took it off to go back to sleep..

wondering if there is something i should be doing????without insuramce it's not like i get it "serviced"!

btw-where the heck is everyone??soooo quiet on the board today!!!!

 After I lost quite a bit of weight I had difficulty using my machine.  I found that I was getting too much air and couldn't relax with the machine on.  Headaches were dull but common.   I used my machine only once in a while then stopped all together. 

Try sleeping without for a few nights and see how you feel.

Millie

thanks--i'd love to be able to-will try tonite to see what happens!

i guess i'm just so afraid of all the things that go wrong if you have apnea...

I was able to stop using mine.  It actually made my sinus' and throat dry.  You could start slowly cutting back and if you find you are able to do without longer, eventually you will be able to discontinue it.  When that time comes, keep your machine in case you may need it for colds, etc.  I still have mine.

JOY

Hi, Margo.  I know how you feel about just stopping the cpap.   I've been so dependant on mine that I almost need it to lull me to sleep.   But lately it's been doing more harm than good.   I stopped using mine a few weeks ago.  Not to sound too personal, but do you have someone that can listen to you sleep?  I have made my poor hubby stay up late and get up early to listen for my snoring/apnea.  He swears it is gone, so . . . so is the cpap!   At least for now.  My throat isn't clogged in the morning, so I think my mouth isn't hanging open all night.    Anyway, good luck to you.   I know it's almost like throwing a friend away!

Tuna

it IS a dependency i think! last nite i tried going without--actually had difficulty falling asleep and i was ready when i hit the pillow- consciously knowing that i had to "breathe" on my own!! i woke after a few hours and put it on... i only used the mask-didn't put on the chin strap...and there is a niggle of the headache this morning so i will try again tonite!

you're not being too personal in your question-hubby michael would have to stay awake long enuff to listen tho!!!!!

will try again tonite--maybe weaning is required here!!! i also don't wanna drag butt all day at work if i risked the sleep!!!!

HI Margo!

I'm still using mine, Sleep Doc says mine is genetic, the breathing stoppages..my Dad had it too.

I hate the mas****il I fall asleep.  I hate the strap marks on my cheeks in the morning....no, not too tight..I need them fairly snug so that the mask doesnt lose it's seal and "burp" which wakes me up again.

Have you looked at the filters lately?  If they get too clogged, you will be breathing in stale or limited air and that can cause headaches.  If the C-Pap isnt working well, the headaches also can come from increased carbon dioxide buildup in your body..and I know how those headaches are!

I am not allowed to adjust the air pressure...I have to bring my machine in to the service centre in the city and they adjust the air pressure according to my Sleep Doctor's prescription...they are very strict about that.  This service is free for me.

I have the most current machine..about one quarter of the soze of my priginal machine, MUCH quieter, has the ramping too and also, when I exhale, the pressure drops immediately so that Im not fighing the air pressure then...When I INHALE, the air pressure adjusts automatically again. This is great because I started to feel claustophobic trying to breathe out on the old machine.  I also have the MIRAGE Mask with it but still struggle with "burbs" when I turn over or move my head on the pillow.  Im now considering "nose pads" instead...not sure if they will be better for me tho.

Here in Canada, there is a government-run ASSISTIVE DEVICES programme and the govt covers around 75% of the full cost of my machine.  I am also covered to replace that stretchy spongy headgear once a year by my insurance (so far).

I wish that my American friends could have this assistance too.

What I love about my C-PAP machine is that ot's small and easy tp travel with, ot's quieter than ever, and I don't hear a thing when Im sleeping..no phone rimging, no talking from the rest of the family...nothing wakes me up (except LilyRose jumping up onto the bed and usually right onto my poor tummy...I think she loves to trampoline!

nancy-i DID check the filter! that thought occured to me!
i am thinking that i am just going to be able to wean off it..i was worrie dthat it might be for life...
your new machine sounds great!

i tried the nose pillows and i really tried to make them work cuz i hate dthe strap marks ( i wear a chin strap as well as the mask)--it was weird getting used to the pillows but after a while my nostrils hurt from them...

anyhow-thx for responding! i, too, wish we had the ins coverage for necessities! i have kept all of my old masks in case but they are worn and tired!

Margo, if you think it may be the mask and/or filters, you can buy them on line.   I wanted to try the nose pillows and got a NEW piece of headgear and 4 sets of different sized pillows for $20 on ebay.  I have used one size pillow for about a week (hated them!) and would be happy to send you the others if you want.    I also got a new full nose mask there because it was cheaper than my 20% of office call and supplies billing.

Here's to restful sleep!

Tuna