One of my chronic conditions is sleep apnea. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 17 years ago. That’s when I used my first CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) device. It was a Healthdyne Tranquility Plus unit (top) that looked like a Macintosh computer and weighed about 20 pounds. Instantly, my life improved: I was less sleepy, my mind was sharper, and Diane didn’t have to endure the cacophony of my snoring each night. Seven years later, I upgraded to a RemStar (left) which was the size of a loaf of bread and weighed about five pounds. And now I have the new, compact ResMed S-9 (right). It’s about the size of a box set of Blu-rays and weighs about two pounds. If I hadn’t used a CPAP all these years, I’d probably be dead now. If you know someone who has a snoring problem, urge them to get it checked out!
My sister uses a CPAP and, as you undoubtedly know, it isn’t just snoring that’s a problem with sleep apnea: Lack of oxygen to the brain results in headaches, sluggishness, and lower matabolism (my sister has lost 25 lbs. since she started using the CPAP–she had always tried to lose but without adequate oxygenization, the body doesn’t function as it should). I’m glad the models are beginning to be downsized–the first time I saw my sister’s CPAP, I almost guffawed; it was like a piece of bondage equipment.
Sleep apnea can cause heart attacks and strokes, too, Deb. Your sister’s story follows a familiar pattern: once people get the proper sleep, they become more active and need to eat less to get energy. The result is weight loss. When my seven-year-old daughter was asked by her teacher to draw a picture of her father for Father’s Day, she drew a picture of me sleeping on the couch. I’d wake up in the morning and still feel exhausted. But once I was on the CPAP, the naps got fewer and I would wake up refreshed!
I need to read more carefully. I thought it said “NEW CRAP” at first!
Ha, Jeff! Yes, I’ve often wished they’d come up with a better acronym than CPAP
I spend so much time grinding my teeth, I wonder if I get enough oxygen.
I hope you’re using a Night Guard, Patti. Grinding my teeth while I sleep was another chronic problem that plagued me until my dentist fit me with a NIght Guard. It’s just like the mouth guards pro football players wear. Works great!
Improvements are always a good thing, George!
The S-9 is as quiet as a whisper, Rick. And the decrease in weight is always a plus when I’m traveling.
I’m as bad as Jeff. I thought it said “New Crap” too.
Anything that keeps you chuggin’ along is great in my book.
Art Scott, Cap’n Bob, and I all use CPAPs, Beth. Chuggin’ along is better than choking in your sleep.
One of Jackie’s sisters uses one too.
The S-9 is really slick, Jeff. The technology in CPAPland has really improved over the years.
George – I have been using a CPAP for about a year and a half. It really helps
Welcome to the CPAP Team, Scott! For those of us who suffer from sleep apnea, the CPAP is a life-saver.
I’ll have to pass this on to my wife. Her mother and some of her other relatives use CPAP machines and this looks like a much better and probably quieter version of the ancient relics they use.
After a week of refreshing sleep with the S9, Carl, I can highly recommend this new ResMed CPAP. Here’s a link that provides more information on the S9: http://www.resmed.com/us/products/s9_series/s9-series.html?nc=patients