Posted by permagrin01 on April 23, 2003 at 19:42:47:

In Reply to: Help me with CPAP Problems! posted by NEEDZS on April 23, 2003 at 18:02:41:

I'll throw in my two cents worth...

Point by point, in fact, I'll do the best I can, based on information I have learned here.

Six hours of sleep, as a general rule, is not even close to enough sleep for most adults. If your sleep is less-than-optimal because you aren't getting good CPAP therapy, you almost might as well not be sleeping. Mouth-breathing and fewer hours than you need of sleep are almost certainly the main reasons (or at least a starting point in investigating why) you are sleepy and tired all the time.

Nasal sprays: I'm pretty sure Neo-Synephrine makes a 12-hour spray, and if I'm not mistaken, it is the one that has made a huge difference for Mike. Doctors advise you not to use it, and the label says not to use it for more than three consecutive days, but it seems if you are using it sporadically, it's not that big a deal. If you use it 'round the clock, then you *are* asking for trouble by using it consistently. That's just been Mike's experience. Your mileage may vary. (JK) Nasal congestion *definitely* impacts how well your CPAP can help you. If you're not breathing through your nose, the machine can not deliver the air the way you need it, unless you're wearing a full-face mask, which I don't think you are, if I read this corectly. If you can't get your congestion under control, a full-face mask may be your best bet.

As for the mask marks, I don't know what you're using, but you may need a different mask. Mike's mask problem was solved with a Profile Lite moldable gel mask. He had used a Spectrum full-face mask and it was very uncomfortable and leaked like a sieve. The Profile Lite has some soft kind of gel in it and has never ever left marks - he also is able to leave the upper straps so loose they hardly touch his head at all. You may also be allergic to whatever material your mask is made of - blisters just don't sound like something you should ever have to endure, so maybe your regular doctor could prescribe a different mask for you so your insurance would cover it and you wouldn't have to pay out of pocket. This is definitely a medical issue and not a matter of personal preference or anything. Short of that, you could try lining the surfaces of your mask with Moleskin Tape where it contacts your skin and see if that helps you avoid the blisters. You can apply the adhesive right to the surface of the mask where it contacts your skin, and it shouldn't harm it at all. We tried that route with the Spectrum to try and plug some leaks, and it was no problem removing it.

You sound as if you have pretty severe apnea with 139 events/hour, so please don't give up on trying to get good therapy. It can take months to get the right combination of equipment together to get a good night's sleep, but judging by what I have seen, it is worth almost anything you might have to pay or put up with to get that sleep. And it WILL happen for you - you just need to reach inside yourself for the patience and perseverence to get through the tough parts. It will be worth it, so hang in and keep posting here, so we can continue to try to help you brainstorm ideas to help you. You're not going to believe how good you can feel!

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