Using A CPAP Machine-my experiences

The first time I remember that my snoring was an issue was in 1990 (I was 40 years old at that time), when I was visiting my parents.  After the first night there, my dad commented on my snoring, saying that he thought that a train was going through the apartment.

The other time I remember it being an issue was around 1995.  My middle daughter and I were going to the beach in AL during her spring break and we had to spend the night at a motel on our way.  During the night, I woke up when she rather loudly stated “Shut UP”.  I realized that I was snoring and turned over and went to sleep. She told me recently that she had vowed that night that she would never spend another night in the same room with me and she never has!

Different times over the years, my husband has commented when my snoring would be especially, but he never complained about it, so I never worried about it.

Over the last few years I began being aware that I would become incredibly tired in the afternoon and I also noticed that it was getting much more difficult to drive more than an hour anywhere, feeling as if I could go to sleep.  I also began falling asleep when my husband would be driving.  I had never slept during car rides before.

In March of this year, my oldest daughter and I went to the beach in AL and the first night, she had to leave the bedroom and go sleep on the couch because of my loud snoring.

The next morning, I began looking online at the health issues related to sleep apnea, and with my new year’s resolution being to take better care of my health, I saw my doctor upon my return home to discuss my snoring with him.  He referred me to one of the local hospitals for a sleep study.  I was fitted with a mask halfway during that study night and slept like a baby after the mask was on.  A few days later, the supply place called and I went in and got my CPAP(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine and mask   My results from the study indicated that I had 176 events per hour.  Was I even alive during my sleep?

Below are the notes that I have kept during the first two months of using my CPAP machine:

Week One-after 2 nights sleeping with the mask, I had a sore developing under my nose, a bruise on the bridge of my nose, and lines on my face that lasted 5-6 hours during the morning upon wakening.  I had to take my machine in to the supply company, because it was giving me an odd message about taking the computer card in and out, so while I was there, I pointed out that my face was taking a beating.  She asked if I would like to try the nasal pillows, which was what I had originally chosen the night of my sleep sturdy.  The nurse at that time of the study thought that my nose was too small for them and had talked me into using the regular mask.  Anyway, the RT gave me a “loaner” of the nasal pillows to try, and, after the first night of using those, the face beating issues went away.

What I did notice the first week on the CPAP machine was that I would wake up a couple of times with my back hurting badly, because I was only sleeping on my back.  My mouth and nose felt very dry and there was bloody mucus when I would sneeze or blow my nose.  My eyes felt very dry and tired.  I also was only sleeping 6-7 hours per night.  I didn’t feel tired, but had some difficulty getting used to having all that extra awake time!

Week Two-the new pillow mask is much better.  I am able to sleep on my side with it and the sore under my nose and bruise on the bridge of my nose are both gone.  Still a little bit of blood when I blow my nose, but less than last week.  I have used a prescription nasal spray for years, so that is probably helping avoid any nose bleeds, which I have read that some people experience.  I am averaging about 7 hours of sleep per night.  When I was young, I was never much of a sleeper, so it seems that I am returning to my natural state.  I was sleeping 9-10 hours for the last few years.  I am not at all tired during the day.

I am not experiencing any dryness in my nose, mouth or eyes anymore.

Week Eight-All issues seem resolved.  I am not experiencing any more bloody discharge from my nose, and I am sleeping great.  I am still averaging seven hours of sleep per night, so I have to stay up later to avoid waking up too early.  I feel great. 

Summary-I have been amazed at the difference there has been in my life since using the CPAP machine.  I am so sorry that I waited so many years before being tested. Just a couple of quick observations/notes:

I have had chronic plantar fasciitis in my right foot for the past three and a half years, and that seems much better.  I believe that since I am getting such better rest/sleep that my body is more able to repair itself.

I have also traveled with the CPAP machine quite a bit in the last two months and have had no problems with that.  L flew to Orlando and back last week and there were no issues with taking the CPAP machine on the plane.  At security they did a quick “test” on it and that was the extent of that.  You are allowed to carry it on the plane with you, but it does not count as a carry-on bag, so that was nice.  I bought a jug of distilled water upon arriving and that was all that was needed to do!  Very easy.