blowing up!

By delia hagen Friday, February 22, 2008

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I have been using a CPAP for over 3 weeks now. I've tried the nose mask and now I'm using the face mask. I can not use it past 3am, usually past 1 am. The problem is some time during the night my air way closes off and all the air goes into my stomach. By the time I wake up I look and feel 9 months PG! I truely want for this machine to work for me, I believe my OSA is the reason I'm on 6 different pills, blood presure, depression, etc. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did you do? I've told my Doctor about this and he just doesn't take me serious.

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Leah

2/23/08 4:09pm

Hi, Delia. I, too, am trying to get used to my CPAP. I have not had your problems. The most shocking thing you said was that your doctor is not taking you seriously. If that's the case, you need a second opinion. Most insurance companies pay for such a thing. Don't stop fighting for better health. There must be a doctor out there who can help you. Good luck.

Leah

delia hagen

2/23/08 5:27pm

Thank you so much for responding. I have a question that maybe you can help me with? do you know where I could get info on results from having an over night sleep study? I was told by this same doctor that I stoped breathing 22 times a minute while on my side and 55 times a min. while on my back and that my oxygen % droped to 65%. He asked me if that surprised me, I was shocked to say the least! I didnt have a clue I had a sleep disorder. But with all the problems I have its all starting to fit. Any way I would like to find out just how serious my results are? Thank you agian, Sincerly Delia

Leah

2/26/08 2:32pm

Hi, Delia. I'm sorry for taking so long to get back to your question. You can "google" or "yahoo" for information by starting with something like "understanding sleep study scores". From there, you just have to pick and choose. It is good that you have a copy of your sleep study. The group where I got my CPAP told us that every smart patient must first be a smart consumer. We were told that we need to keep copies of all medical studies.

Anyway, I do hope you are getting a second opinion. I have been having some good success with my CPAP. I can't tell you that we are best friends yet, but I continue to try using the nasal pillows. I may buy myself a gel mask to see if I like that better.

Best of luck! Leah

Sue

2/24/08 8:05pm

Hi Delia -

Thanks for posting and letting us know about your issues with the CPAP and apnea. I'm a moderator for this site and thoughnot medically trained can try to help you find information to help with your sleep disorder.

I thought you might want to read some of the material we have on our site. In our treatment section, it discusses the CPAP as well as other things that doctors can do to help sleep apnea patients.

Don't forget to always go back to your doctor to talk about any complications or issues you are having. They can give you a professional medical evaluation and help make appropriate adjustments to your treatment.

Hope this helps.

All the best, sue

jono

2/25/08 12:01pm

This is a side effect some people experience, and it can be serious. You are correct to proceed with a second opinion. Hopefully you are already being advised by either a pulmonologist, cardiologist or both. The solution can be as simple as lowering the pressure, or starting low and increasing it up to the point you no longer experience this effect. Have you talked with your equipment provider, and or technician? Call them, and contact the manufacturer of the CPAP--you have to be procactive here. Big Smile

Good luck.

delia hagen

2/25/08 12:10pm

thank you for your response. Tomorrow I go see my doc agian, a 2 hour drive { one way } the last time I seen him I told him my problem, He said my air was at the lowest setting and wanted to add more pressure and he did and the problem has only gotten worse! I'll see what he has to say tomorrow? Maybe I should get a 2nd opinion? Some one closer Unsure

Thank you for writing, sincerly, Delia

jono

2/25/08 12:20pm

Look at this:

http://www.apneasupport.org/about945.html

jono

2/25/08 12:27pm

and this...

http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=25

good luck!

drgreenburg

2/26/08 12:16pm

Hello Delia,

My name is Dr. Jonathan Greenburg and I treat sleep apnea and snoring disorders in my clinic near Los Angeles, California.

What you describe is a classic symptom of someone who is CPAP intolerant. The statistics are amazingly high with 50% of people who are prescribed CPAP cannot actually continue treatment with it.

You may want to look at some of the alternative treatments. I have found a great deal of success with an FDA approved oral appliance called the Full Breath.

The statistics have been astounding. Our research and case studies have shown excellent patient response to this new appliance, achieving as much as an 85% reduction in apneic events.

I am not sure what state you are in, however if you are near Los Angeles, I would be happy to give you a free consultation.

You can get more information at my website:

</p><A href="http://www.apnea-treatment.com/">Sleep Apnea Treatment</A>

Wishing you the best,

Dr. Jonathan Greenburg

delia hagen

2/26/08 11:00pm

thank you so much for your information. I seen my doctor today and he agreed I'm one of those that cant use this machine, he wants me to see a specalist { ear and throat } so well see what happens. Thank you so much for your offer however I live in Omak Wa. but I would like more info on what you do. thank you agian, Sincerly, Delia

Mack Jones

3/23/08 1:18pm

If your sleep Dr. doesn't take you seriously, you should immediately find one who will take you seriously and then drop your current "Dr." like a hot potato.

blowing up!

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