I was diagnosed with Sleep Apea in 1995 although I suffered from loud snoring and fatigue for years before that. My health service provider delivered a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine and a CPAP mask. I tried the mask and the mask leaked air. I got another mask to try. It leaked. I got another mask, it was uncomfortable. Finally, I tried the Puritan-Bennett ADAM CIRCUIT CPAP mask with nasal pillows. It looks like this:
The nasal pillows didn’t leak and the design of the hose over my head was way more comfortable than having the hose resting on my chest so I could get tangled up with it. Fast-forward to 2015. Puritan Bennett doesn’t exist any more. I would search for parts for my CPAP mask online and after a couple of years, the parts started to disappear, too. Time to find a new CPAP mask.
It was the same story as 1995. My heath services provider gave me six different CPAP masks to try. They leaked or were uncomfortable. I was starting to despair until Ed, my long-time CPAP supplies guy, handed me the new Philips Dreamwear CPAP mask with nasal pillows. I tried it and loved it! I highly recommend the Philips Dreamwear CPAP mask with nasal pillows!
That looks uncomfortable as hell. Glad I don’t have that problem. As I sleep on my stomach that could be a real problem.
Steve, you’re right: no stomach sleeping is possible with most CPAP masks.
Steve, you get used to it – if not and you have apnoe you also have a problem. I’ve been using my CPAP machine for almost 20 years, every night and sometimes during the afternoon for a nap.
Re masks:
I’ve been using a Resmed Mirage, no problem, sometimes I have to adjust it because of my beard.
Our provider just sent me the new Resmed Air Fit which looks similar to George’s new mask but I haven’t tried it yet.
Of course I don’t have to pay a cent …
PS:
I know a few men who have problems with the use of masks, some even gave up totally – so they have separate bedrooms again …
Wolf, two of my friends with Sleep Apnea HATE their CPAP machines and masks. One is actively trying to get a surgical solution.
Luckily for me, I don’t have that problem either. Like Steve, I used to sleep on my stomach, but changed to mostly my right side decades ago. At times I have had to sleep on my back – when I broke my shoulder, etc. – and managed, though I tend to wake up more often that way.
Jeff, like allergies anyone can develop Sleep Apnea anytime during their lives. Once the soft tissues in your throat lose their resiliency, Sleep Apnea tends to develop. Millions of people have Sleep Apnea but haven’t been diagnosed or treated. Without my CPAP machine, I’d be dead.
True. I believe Cap’n Bob has it too.
My problem was in my nose. I had a couple of years there where I had nasal polyps, but steroid sprays helped a lot and I haven’t had that problem in years.
Jeff, I’ve had friends with polyp problems and they had to have surgery to remove them. You lucked out!
I’m glad you found one you like. I don’t think I could do that, I don’t like anything on my head when I sleep, and I move and change sides frequently at night, as well as get up 2-3 times, so being tethered to the machine would be a problem too. THANK HEAVENS this is not one of my medical problems (I’ve been ill lately).
Rick, I’m sorry to hear about your illness. Hope you recover soon! Anyone with Sleep Apnea has two choices: go with a CPAP mask and machine…or strangle when the soft tissues of your throat collapse and cut off air.
Rick, I also turn around, sleeping on the left for some time, go up to pee, continue on the right, pee again and back to the left.
The CPAP machine and the mask don’t bother me there, it’s easy to switch off the machnine and then take off the connecting hose/tube/pipe (How would you call it?). I usually get up twice every night, sometimes more often …
There are alternatives but CPAP is the gold standard – until someone finds a better solution.
A bit OT:
In German there is a periodical (every two months) called “Sleep Magazine” with very interesting info on sleep – which is one of the most important topics for humans. They have articles by scientists and docs from all over the world. Is there something similar in English, maybe online?
I did luck out with the polyps. I was with two or three different doctors, and then each ended up giving me a steroid for ten days or so, which worked temporarily, then it would come back after a year or so. But the last doctor gave me a second spray for daily use, and whether it was that or some other reason, it hasn’t recurred since.
Jeff, I’m glad you resolved that problem!
I also had problems last year with my nose being “closed” so I couldn’t get enough air and started breathing through the mouth which lead to snoring …
. The doc recommended Nisita ointment which really helped. I put in in both nose holes and it opened them – enough for one night.
Something like this should be available in the USA too
Wolf, I’ll have to check out Nisita ointment.
Yes, I have sleep apnea but I haven’t used a mask in many years! If you toss and turn in your sleep it’s often because of sleep apnea and a mask will keep you still! I’ve been thinking about a small mask and this one looks like the perfect choice!
Bob, I love my Philips Dreamwear CPAP mask! It comes with three different styles of nasal cushions so you can pick the one that works best for you. I like the nasal pillows model best.