topic Re: CPAP ?? in Wellness

CPAP ??

HORSINGMOM — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:48:06 GMT

Good Morning!

I went through a period a couple of years ago where I would go to sleep and wake up every hour or so, and I felt like a zombie. I thought it was just because I was going through some things. Those things subsided, I started taking Melatonin, sleep got better.

Then, 6-8 months ago, I started feeling sleepy all the time and never felt refreshed after sleeping the whole night (or so I thought). My husband complained about my snoring, and always was mentioning how I fell asleep right after dinner, a couple of hours before we would go to bed, and I've been drinking 6-8 cups of coffee to keep awake.

My PCM referred me to an ENT for my snoring. She referred me to a Pulmonologist who did a sleep study. Of the nine hours I was in bed, I was getting maybe four hours of quality sleep. I averaged 40 times an hour that I stopped breathing, and during that night, I moved my legs over 200 times.

The second sleep study was done with full mask (nose and mouth, because I breath mouth open), and the tech titrated the air flow up all night long until she found a level where I could breath and get into REM sleep. My awakenings and breathing issues diminished to eight per hour, and I moved very little.

I've had my CPAP since last Thursday, and it's got a built in humidifier, but, my lips and nose are really dry. Should I put chapstick on before I go to bed, or maybe a little argon oil in my nostrils?

I've done pretty well with it the first three nights, but, last night, I pulled it off sometime in my sleep, and I feel pretty tired and yucky this morning.

Any suggestions out there for someone learning to live with a CPAP?

Re: CPAP ??

jackthebear — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:52:13 GMT

good for you for getting help with this

I think you should contact the tech and ask them, I am sure they have heard this before.

Re: CPAP ??

JackieBlue — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:46:59 GMT

I agree with Jack. Contact the tech. They have always been able to help me with any issue I've had, over the phone. They seem very knowledgable. As far as learning to live with it- you just have to hang in there. It wasn't easy for me. They have come a long way with the actual machine. I know have one my tech referred to as "the ladies" cpap. It's small and not very intrusive. The only part that touches my face is the tubes that go into my nose. Keep asking questions and investigate options for the unit itself. Hang in there. When you do get used to wearing it, I think you will discover improvements in the quality of your life. Good luck - I know it's frustrating at first.

Re: CPAP ??

Nighthawks — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:59:29 GMT

Did anyone else initially look at this thread and think it said CR*P ??

Re: CPAP ??

Firefly3 — Mon, 19 May 2014 17:09:05 GMT

Call and discuss with your Dr!

Re: CPAP ??

JackieBlue — Mon, 19 May 2014 17:11:17 GMT

Mine also has a built in humidifier so I don't have allergy problems much anymore. As as far as the drying out issue, again, ask your tech. You may need to adjust the level of your humidifier. I have to have mine on the cooler setting.

Re: CPAP ??

straykatz — Mon, 19 May 2014 21:15:45 GMT

You could try a little vasoline but be careful becase you don't want to use anything that could break the seal of your mask with your face....also...only a tiny dab of vasoline goes a long way...do not put a bunch inside your nose...try a tiny dab on a qtip then swab inside your nostrils...and I agree..talk with your CPAP technician to see if the humidifier setting can be adjusted.

Re: CPAP ??

brewhaha — Mon, 19 May 2014 21:22:26 GMT

LOL. I misread the title.

Re: CPAP ??

Helen852 — Mon, 19 May 2014 21:39:34 GMT

There's a nasal gel sold at C.v.s. specifically for c.p.a.p. users. I have used it and it does help.

Re: CPAP ??

151949 — Mon, 19 May 2014 21:45:15 GMT

When i started on my CPAP I had difficulty with it really drying out my lips and chapping my face.The doctor said to try it without the humidifier and to put lotion on my face. I have found that moisturizing my lips and face with a few drops of argon oil before I go to bed has made the biggest difference.

Best of luck getting adjusted to your CPAP. Honestly, i felt 10 years younger once I started getting a decent nights sleep. It turned my life around.

Re: CPAP ??

Helen852 — Mon, 19 May 2014 21:48:05 GMT

On 5/19/2014 happy housewife said:
When i started on my CPAP I had difficulty with it really drying out my lips and chapping my face.The doctor said to try it without the humidifier and to put lotion on my face. I have found that moisturizing my lips and face with a few drops of argon oil before I go to bed has made the biggest difference.

Best of luck getting adjusted to your CPAP. Honestly, i felt 10 years younger once I started getting a decent nights sleep. It turned my life around.

Good info. It does take some time to adjust, but I have Lso had some health issues improve with the cpap. One in particular, lower blood pressure.

Re: CPAP ??

nursemegLPN — Mon, 19 May 2014 21:49:54 GMT

You could try the argan oil or just some chapstick and see how that works. There could also be an issue with how the mask is fitting on your face, around your nose and mouth, so if the chapstick doesn't work or you notice air leakage you might want to contact the tech. Don't worry about pulling it off in the middle of the night. I did that several times when I was getting used to mine. I would wake up and pull it off and then realize what I was doing and put it back on. Even had a few times that I woke up holding it in my hand. Crazy! Good luck!

Re: CPAP ??

MsLomo — Mon, 19 May 2014 21:50:21 GMT

I've been sleeping with a CPAP every night for about four years. I love the sleep I get, and I feel so much better. My ENT recommended "Ayr" Saline Nasal Gel -- a pea-size dab in each nostril before bed (before putting on your CPAP). It's over-the-counter and not expensive. And you're putting distilled water in your chamber? You don't have to fill it to the line or even halfway. I keep my "humidifier" on 1.5 or 2 or else it gets too "wet." As the weather gets warmer and more humid, you'll probably feel less dried out in the morning, but I agree with the others' advice to call the tech.

Re: CPAP ??

conlt — Mon, 19 May 2014 23:12:15 GMT

I have been wearing a Cpap for 3 years now and it really has improved my quality of life. I use Nasal Pillows. When I first started I did have some discomfort around my nose. I got some Solarcaine Aloe Sunburn relief formula and it helped a lot. I would also say you may want to increase your humidity.

Re: CPAP ??

conlt — Mon, 19 May 2014 23:13:39 GMT

I also use Aquaphore Healing Ointment on my lips every night and I wear a dental guard because I grind my teeth. What a sight but I sleep good.

Re: CPAP ??

JackieBlue — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:17:13 GMT

On 5/19/2014 conlt said: I have been wearing a Cpap for 3 years now and it really has improved my quality of life. I use Nasal Pillows. When I first started I did have some discomfort around my nose. I got some Solarcaine Aloe Sunburn relief formula and it helped a lot. I would also say you may want to increase your humidity.

Yes, Nasal Pillows are what I use now. I could not think of that term earlier- glad you posted it. I've had a much easier time of it than with my original "mask" (My husband laughed when I called it my Darth Vader mask.)

Re: CPAP ??

KRC — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:37:50 GMT

I use saline spray before bed when I start to get dried out from my BiPap machine. I started with a full face mask but now use a Wisp. It doesn't make me feel as much like Darth Vader. I can have my glasses on and watch tv. You will get more used to it as time goes on. It took me quite a while to get used to it. Good luck!

Re: CPAP ??

redtabby — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:42:52 GMT

Every night I use a Burt's Bees lip balm before I put on my cpap mask. I also put Josie's argan balm around my eyes to combat any dryness from air leaks. Daily I use the neilmed nasal cleanser so nasal dryness is not an issue for me.

Re: CPAP ??

Calgal2too — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:45:40 GMT

Do ask the tech about what you should put on your face or on the mask itself. Some product, like any kind of petroleum jelly, is bad news on the mask because it dries it out. I had one tech recommend KY jelly.

Re: CPAP ??

conlt — Tue, 20 May 2014 01:34:34 GMT

For mask users especially, my Dentist told me that the CPAP causes dry mouth and dry mouth promotes tooth decay. He said to use a fluoride rinse such as "Act" or Crest Pro Health before bed.