CPAP - What, Why and How

Trendkill

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Anybody else use one? I've had mine for over a year now and it has been life changing. My wife has complained about my snoring for years. I always brushed it off as her being a light sleeper. Over the years, however, I found myself getting more and more tired during the day. It got to the point where I was getting scared to drive to client meetings in the morning for fear of trying to stay awake through the crazy bay area traffic. I could sleep 10 hours a night and still wake up feeling tired and groggy. Last spring I finally got over my stubbornness and scheduled an appointment with a local ears, nose and throat doc.
The doc was cool. I told him about my current training and past powerlifting experience. He ordered an in-home sleep study. I didn't know how common these had become but apparently this is how most sleep studies are done now. No need to go spend 2 nights in a sleep lab which is what I had been dreading. I picked up the equipment from the lab which consisted of a heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter and a breathing monitor and nasal canula. Hooked it all up for 2 nights then dropped it off at the lab when I was done. The doc called a week later and said I had severe sleep apnea. I was waking up 35-40 times per hour each night. Ugh, I knew this meant CPAP machine.

When I first started in powerlifting I trained with a guy who used one. I remember at a meet in Vegas we shared a room and as he's getting ready to go to bed he pulls out the CPAP and says "I hope my Darth Vader breathing doesn't scare you". The machine itself sounded like a small jet engine and the facemask he wore resembled a WWI gas mask. Not exactly comfortable. This was the image I had in my mind of a CPAP machine.

When mine showed up I was pleasantly surprised. It was compact and silent. I sleep with it less than 2 ft. from my head and I can't hear it. The air is now humidified and warmed and the machine slowly ramps up to full speed as you fall asleep. It took me a good month to get used to it but now I look forward to sleeping with it. It has made that much of a difference in my life. I'm dreaming again because I can finally get in REM sleep and I wake up refreshed nearly every morning.

There are two major players in the space: Resmed and Philips Respironics. I personally have a Resmed Air10 and its the only one I've used. There are literally dozens of different styles and sizes of face masks to choose from depending on how you breathe when you sleep (nose or mouth) and what feels comfortable. Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) - The machine works by literally forcing air down your nose or throat to keep your airway open all night. I am a nose breather and when wearing my mask and keeping my mouth closed I do not feel any pressure or forced air. It becomes second nature to sleep with the mask after a month or two.

The machine must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the build up of bacteria or mold in the humidifier reservoir and the machine itself. You can use warm soapy water or diluted vinegar. Both are a pain in the ass which is why I would recommend one of the many self cleaning options available. I personally use the SoClean 2 which is a separate machine that is permanently hooked up to my CPAP. Each morning I take my facemask assembly and tubing and place it in the SoClean machine. This machine generates ozone and flushes it throughout the entire CPAP equipment chain sterilizing everything. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.

Why the long, drawn out and boring story? To hopefully shed some light on the process of getting a CPAP and to encourage more of you to explore the option. A lot of us on here are, shall we say, larger than normal and are at risk for apnea. If you've got a large neck, carry more mass than the average person (lean or otherwise) and wake up feeling tired all the time I would highly encourage you to get a sleep study. Apnea is hard on the heart and can have very negative long term effects on your health. CPAP machine can work wonders and if you have insurance they will likely cover most of if not the entire cost of the machine. If that's not an option you can pay for one out of pocket ($800-$1200) or buy one used. They are simple to setup and maintain.
 
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Yup. Game changer for me.. I try and use it as much as possible some nights I fall zzz before I put it on. Then I wake up feeling shitty. Sleep apnea has nothing to do with chest size. I have heard peopl say they have a big chest or big gut so it pushes on ther throat and makes them snore. Not true . My dr told me it has to do with the meat in your neck. I snore whether on my back
Or side..If it had to do with the size of my chest I would be choked out….🤙😂😂😂✌️
 

Jonjon

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I’d like to know the best way to go about it paying out of pocket. My sleep is horrible. I suspect that’s the problem
 
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I started snoring for the first time in my life when I was on test 500 mg / wk and my bodyweight started getting close to 200 lbs.

I have been on trt doses and controlling my e2 levels a lot better since march this year, and I haven't snored since. It's been nice.

I know it doesn't relate completely, but thought it would be relevant info.
 

Trendkill

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I’d like to know the best way to go about it paying out of pocket. My sleep is horrible. I suspect that’s the problem
find A local ears-nose-throat doc (otolaryngologist). They will get the ball rolling. You’ll need a sleep study done first then they can write you a script for the CPAP. You can then use that to buy one online.

Also, much like online try clinics there are also online sleep clinics that will set you up with a home sleep study and write you the script for the machine.
 

FearThaGear

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Yep, I've been using a CPAP for a little bit over 2 years now. Best thing that I've ever done for myself.
 

Patriot1405

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Been on a cpap machine for many years now. My wife used to say that I stopped breathing in my sleep quite often. She would push me to wake and gasp for air. Went to sleep clinic and that night I stopped breathing 38 times the first hour. They immediately put a mask on me. Honestly it took a good 6-8 weeks to get acclimated to sleeping with it on. Felt like I couldn’t breathe even though air was being forced into me. Eventually instead of ripping the mask off I would try and relax and count to ten slowly to stop the anxiety of it all. But after that period of acclimation I woke one morning the most refreshed I’ve felt in years. I’ve never looked back. Even take it on vacation. It’s going to be a challenge at first, but stick with it and you’ll soon see and feel the great affects of sleep therapy. Be well my friend!
 
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Bobbyloads

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Been on a cpap machine for many years now. My wife used to say that I stopped breathing in my sleep quite often. She would push me to wake and gasp for air. Went to sleep clinic and that night I stopped breathing 38 times the first hour. They immediately put a mask on me. Honestly it took a good 6-8 weeks to get acclimated to sleeping with it on. Felt like I couldn’t breathe even though sir was being forced in to me. Eventually instead of ripping the mask off I would try and relax and count to ten slowly to stop the anxiety of it all. But after that period of acclimation I woke one morning the most refreshed I’ve felt in years. I’ve never looked back. Even take it on vacation. It’s going to be a challenge at first, but stick with it and you’ll soon see and feel the great affects of sleep therapy. Be well my friend!
My wife would physically hit me lol
 

Trendkill

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My wife would physically hit me lol
I went through this for years too. She still sleeps with pillows all over her head out of habit because that’s how she used to drown out the noise.
 

Bobbyloads

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I went through this for years too. She still sleeps with pillows all over her head out of habit because that’s how she used to drown out the noise.
Lol I moved to the basement we have completely different sleep routines I like it cold our bedroom is hot as fuck she loves it she goes to sleep early and turns tv off I stay up later need noise to fall asleep I like to spread across the bed she hates it lol so now me and my machine are in the nice and cold basement
 
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I just started using one of these and although my sleep is way better, I think the pressure setting is too high. It feels like there's air caught in my throat/chest in the morning. Is that normal?
 

j2048b

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Ive had one for a looong ass time, cant use it, just sits there collecting dust, id rather die snoring and keep everyone awake, then put that mask on....i need a bi pap, have an auto cpap, turns off so i can exhale but isnt a long enough time so it causes anxiety
 

Trendkill

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I just started using one of these and although my sleep is way better, I think the pressure setting is too high. It feels like there's air caught in my throat/chest in the morning. Is that normal?
How high is the pressure? Mine starts low at 4 and then ramps up around 9 after I fall asleep. Ive never experienced the feeling you described.
 

Trendkill

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Ive had one for a looong ass time, cant use it, just sits there collecting dust, id rather die snoring and keep everyone awake, then put that mask on....i need a bi pap, have an auto cpap, turns off so i can exhale but isnt a long enough time so it causes anxiety
Do you have a full face mask or a nasal mask?
 
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How high is the pressure? Mine starts low at 4 and then ramps up around 9 after I fall asleep. Ive never experienced the feeling you described.
My ramp starts at 4 but the number underneath says 6-20... If it's running at max I think my sleep specialist is trying to kill me
 

Trendkill

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My ramp starts at 4 but the number underneath says 6-20... If it's running at max I think my sleep specialist is trying to kill me
Yeah I would follow up with the doc on that pressure setting. You shouldn’t be feeling that way when you wake up. What yep of mask are you wearing?
 
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Yeah I would follow up with the doc on that pressure setting. You shouldn’t be feeling that way when you wake up. What yep of mask are you wearing?
Thank you and agreed, I'll call as soon as possible. I'm using a nasal mask righr now. I'm guessing that mouthbreathing spikes the pressure?
 

stonetag

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Been on a cpap machine for many years now. My wife used to say that I stopped breathing in my sleep quite often. She would push me to wake and gasp for air. Went to sleep clinic and that night I stopped breathing 38 times the first hour. They immediately put a mask on me. Honestly it took a good 6-8 weeks to get acclimated to sleeping with it on. Felt like I couldn’t breathe even though air was being forced into me. Eventually instead of ripping the mask off I would try and relax and count to ten slowly to stop the anxiety of it all. But after that period of acclimation I woke one morning the most refreshed I’ve felt in years. I’ve never looked back. Even take it on vacation. It’s going to be a challenge at first, but stick with it and you’ll soon see and feel the great affects of sleep therapy. Be well my friend!
I could have expressed this very exact statement, absolutely what he said! haha. I might just add that I did rip the mask off a couple times, or maybe more.
 

j2048b

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Do you have a full face mask or a nasal mask?
Full, i cant do the nasal, causes me to die.... I sound like darth vader because my mouth opens when i sleep haha
 

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