I have to go on a sleep apnea machine, does anyone know which is best or at least not so scary to have on.?
Oct.16, 2010 Categories: Sleep Apnea Machine
Question by cindy d: I have to go on a sleep apnea machine, does anyone know which is best or at least not so scary to have on.?
Best answer:
Answer by LV
The home cpap machines are really very quiet and nice, there are all sorts of new masks etc, the whole experience is not as scarey as you may fear.
October 16th, 2010 on 1:45 am
I use a Remstar Plus, its a older machine, i notice that the newer ones are smaller, you do get use to breathing against the wind all cpaps are that way, but if you cant stand to breath against the air, there is a machine called a Bipap, it breaths with you, so you don’t have to fight against the air, when you breath out the force of the air stops, i also want a bipap, but most insurance wont pay for it as its expensive. good luck.
October 16th, 2010 on 1:45 am
Most CPAP machines are close in quality and performance. They do take a little getting used to, but they will improve the quality of your life. The type of mask you use is probably the most important decision you will have to make.
There is a mask that covers only the nose. If you have allergies or a deviated septum, then you may not like this mask. I tried one and when my allergies acted up, or I had a cold, the mask was impossible to use because of my nasal congestion. I switched to a full face mask (it covers the mouth and the nose) and like it much better. It works no matter how congested I get. Most of the time, I breathe through my nose, but on the occasions where that is not possible, I simply breathe through my mouth. I would recommend that you get a humidifier and a heater because the air can dry out your mucous membranes and the air is cold without the heater. Talk with your doctor about all of the options available, and if possible, try different masks before you make your final decision. Hope this helps.
October 16th, 2010 on 1:49 am
I have been 100% lucky. From the first time I put on my CPAP, I have been confortable with it.
The biggest problem was that in the beginning I was extremely congested during the day. My nose would not stop flowing. The best fix for this problem was a humidifier. For the first couple of years, I simply put a wet washcloth over the air intake. With that, I immediately improved on the congestion. I also invented a counter-current flow device to put in the mask, which helped even more.
When I have a cold, I can’t breath through my nose at night. When this happens, I use Afrin once a day, at bedtime, to assure that I can breath. I don’t use it in the morning, since more than a couple days of Afrin can cause nosebleeds.
As for the mask, I use a standard Respironics silicone mask. Each mask usually lasts for a couple of years. It is soft against my face, and I have no adverse reactions. The mask is held in place with a Respironics headgear made of elastic velcro straps.
It isn’t pretty, but it can surely help you sleep and return your life to you.