A great place to start Disorder information source Rated and Reviewed Sleep Links Entrance to all monitored Sleep Forums Search all of Sleepnet.com


Sleep Disorder
Forum Posting


Archived Forum2 Posting viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Sleep Forums Homepage.

Re: A Very Distressed New CPAP User

Posted by Brian on January 18, 1998 at 21:14:43:

In Reply to: A Very Distressed New CPAP User posted by John B. Todd on January 18, 1998 at 16:58:32:

Hi John,

Yours is not an uncommon complaint. New CPAP users often find it rocky going at first, but keep the faith and give it a chance.

There has been much development in CPAP technology, and it is ongoing, so new equipment is coming forth all of the time. Humidification of air is available, along with warming, if the patient needs it; and CPAP units which deliver only the pressure required at any given time, and reduce pressures when the possibility of obstruction is reduced (i.e., when the patient's obstructive events occur primarily when he/she is in some sleep positions, but not in others), the patient being subjected to less exposure to maximum CPAP pressures. You may, in fact, require 13 cm pressure for a small portion of your sleep time; lower pressures being adequate for the greater portion.

I recommend that you ask your distributor of medical equipment about options which are available to you, or consult with your sleep lab which did your studies. Keep your physician apprised of your progress as well. He/she will seek a treatment combination for you which will make it easier for you to tolerate the apparatus.

In the meantime, you must determine for yourself whether the CPAP difficulties you are having represents a net improvement in your sleep. Even if you can only tolerate a couple of hours of CPAP at a time, it is likely that that amount of time is of better quality sleep (and/or less risky sleep) than you were accustomed to prior to your sleep studies, and as time goes on, you will likely become more comfortable with the equipment and be able to extend the duration of any given use.

Please be patient and don't give up; maintain dialogue with your health care professionals.

Hope this helps--

Brian

Follow Ups:


Archived Forum2 Posting viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Sleep Forums Homepage.

  • IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
  • The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


Copyright ©1995-2005 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved