CPAP not for me

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Scout94
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CPAP not for me

Post by Scout94 » Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:01 am

Well after dealing with this bunk for two months, I am returning this machine crap back to the VA, so they can use it on someone who it could "help". I am really fed-up with this whole culture that wants to "live forever", stay "youthful" forever. Maybe if I had spent a 30 years propping a desk up, or maybe some cushy job, where the only exercise was mental push-ups. Thats not my case. I lived hard, played hard and at 55 yrs. of age, my body is paying for it. My current B/P is 110/68, my weight is 210 (at a height of 5' 11"). No heart issues, no diabetes, none of that stuff. I have what they called "Mild central apenia", (I guess a broken neck and a twice broken back, not to mention all the rib breaks over the years, has contributed to this problem. Go figure. If I loose 2 years because I choose not to use this cap machine, so be it. I have smoked since I was 12, lungs are 98 perfect according to the Docs. I have been shot twice (not fun!), had over a 1,000 stitches (over the years). Broken more bones than I can count. Loaded the top digit of my pinky finger in a 105mm M-60 tank main gun. Jumped out of not so perfect airplane...ect. ect., My point is, I have PLENTY of real health issues than this "speck" of a problem. On a scale of 1 to 10, this is, maybe a 2. I hope you get my drift....

I sleep WORSE now than I ever did before. I hate the noise, constriction of the masks (have tried 6 different ones), the hassle of cleaning, the non-adjustable settings that keep me awake, the panic wake ups because this thing "thinks" I need more air. not being to change positions while I sleep (face up, sleep side (left or right). I wake up every 2 hours before I started using this machine now I do net even get that much sleep. I guess I could use the machine for 2 or 3 nights and then not use it the night, so I could get some proper sleep. Somehow I don't think that is a proper therapy. The humidity settings are all, too much, too little. I have woken up going all "Jackie Chan" with the hoses, ripping the mask off, thinking it was someone trying to jump me from behind...I do not need this level of "care", thank you very much.

From reading lots of other posts, I can see that this works for lots of folks, but not for me.

I am very interested in any feedback the community has for me.

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LSAT
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by LSAT » Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:26 am

I'm sure the fedback you are going to receive is that you are making a mistake by giving up. Compared with what you have gone through in your lifetime, this should be a breeze. I'm sorry that you are giving up and I'm sure if you spent some time on this board you would get the help you are looking for. You sound determined to give up ...and if that's your choice...so be it. Thank you for your service.

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zonker
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by zonker » Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:39 am

welcome to the forum. i hope that you can stay and get help from the knowledgeable users here.

i am NOT one of those knowledgeable users, unfortunately! :)

but i can start out by pointing out a few things-

1. while there are people who take to this therapy immediately, those seem to be few and far between. if everyone did take to it easily and at once, there would be no need for this forum.

2. we are all special snowflakes. that is, we are each individual cases. we don't each of us suffer from the same type of apnea. many differences, though enough overlap that anyone can pretty much be helped.

3. we don't all use the same equipment. but, again, enough overlap so advice can be given.

4. point four means that the experts here need to find out what machine you are using, which mask you are using and just what your pressure settings are.

5. i notice in your post that you say you can't change settings. i'm betting if you post what machine it is, someone can tell you how to change that pressure.

and on and on and on. too many things to point out right now.

but take heart, stay with it and ask questions here.

give us a chance to help you.
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TedVPAP
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by TedVPAP » Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:50 am

I was worse off for two months. It took a while to get my treatment settled. Now I won't sleep without it.
Lets see your data.

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Goofproof
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Goofproof » Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:02 pm

In your past, you don't sound like a quiter, too bad you didn't think the rest of your life was worth it, mine was, I'm not quiter either. Not now or ever, XPAP makes your life better if you want it to, but you must want life to be better. Thank you for your service, another Vet. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

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salinas212
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by salinas212 » Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:22 pm

We all make choices and I make no value-statement about you/yours. I've smoked over 50 years myself while fully understanding the harm it was causing for at least the last 30+ yrs or so. Just started Chantix again this past Wednesday with little hope of success . As my dad used to say; "eat healthy, exercise regularly, don't smoke... die anyway." While CPAP has proven incredibly easy for me I can certainly understand why/how others struggle. Personally, I find it incredibly addictive... makes me feel better, but just a lot! Umm uhh, not unlike smoking.

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Scout94
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Scout94 » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:15 pm

Thanks for the fast reply's. I am conflicted..I do not know where those number are. I can get the machine things info a masks (10 of them) and such...I wasn't determined to get up, but I was and am Leary of the actual need. The VA has been wonderful in supplying tools but very sort, like nonexistent on informed consent. This lack of information has already cost my my thyroid, my left eye and in December they tried to get me (not really...bad mistake on a nurse's part) with a massive blood clot...These are just a few, but the long and short of it is that they push equipment in lieu of people care...too many new, young Vets, not enough practitioners,, old story, new song. I CANT sleep with this thing! My average last month was, I think 2.8 hour average. And the sneezing....yesterday I sneezed, not kidding, 144 times in a 15 hour period....Today has been better (didn't use the machine last night), only about 25 since 0522 this am (its 1211 right now)

So how do I find the numbers that you guys need for some feed back?

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Pugsy
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Pugsy » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:23 pm

First tell us exactly what model machine you are using...brand and model name or if unsure...model number which is usually on the blower unit on a sticker on the bottom or side.

Software assuming you have a machine that gathers full data.
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

Some examples of what you can see and how to share them.
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service.

You haven't mentioned one problem that we haven't seen hundreds of times and people can work through them.
It takes work though and it isn't always easy.

Once you figure out exactly what equipment you are using please add it to your profile. Makes it easier for us to help you.
wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

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Pugsy
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Pugsy » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:25 pm

The sneezing might be related to humidity....you might need more...you might need less.
Google "cpap rhinitis" and read up. Quite common to have allergy like symptoms when starting cpap.
Are you using the humidifier....and if so, at what setting?
If not...get one and use it.

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Ron AKA
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Ron AKA » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:26 pm

Scout94 wrote:
Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:15 pm
So how do I find the numbers that you guys need for some feed back?
Start by posting the make and model of the machine you have, and then somebody familiar with that machine can help you find the numbers. There may be some simple fixes to your setup if we knew more about what you have for a machine, how it is setup and, what kind of results you are getting. An AHI of 2.8 is good especially if you have issues with central apneas. So perhaps it is a matter of working on the comfort factor.

If you quit CPAP you certainly will not be in the minority. I read somewhere that something like 83% quit or are non compliant to some degree. Like you I am having trouble finding enough positives to offset the negatives. That said I am going to stick with it for a while. At a minimum my wife appreciates it, as it has cut my snoring to zero. For me having a tensor bandage wrapped around my head, medical tape over my mouth, and this elephant trunk hanging from my nose, it is not so much fun... But, at least at this point with help from other on the forum, I hope to get over it.

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Wulfman...
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Wulfman... » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:33 pm

Scout94 wrote:
Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:01 am
Well after dealing with this bunk for two months, I am returning this machine crap back to the VA, so they can use it on someone who it could "help". I am really fed-up with this whole culture that wants to "live forever", stay "youthful" forever. Maybe if I had spent a 30 years propping a desk up, or maybe some cushy job, where the only exercise was mental push-ups. Thats not my case. I lived hard, played hard and at 55 yrs. of age, my body is paying for it. My current B/P is 110/68, my weight is 210 (at a height of 5' 11"). No heart issues, no diabetes, none of that stuff. I have what they called "Mild central apenia", (I guess a broken neck and a twice broken back, not to mention all the rib breaks over the years, has contributed to this problem. Go figure. If I loose 2 years because I choose not to use this cap machine, so be it. I have smoked since I was 12, lungs are 98 perfect according to the Docs. I have been shot twice (not fun!), had over a 1,000 stitches (over the years). Broken more bones than I can count. Loaded the top digit of my pinky finger in a 105mm M-60 tank main gun. Jumped out of not so perfect airplane...ect. ect., My point is, I have PLENTY of real health issues than this "speck" of a problem. On a scale of 1 to 10, this is, maybe a 2. I hope you get my drift....

I sleep WORSE now than I ever did before. I hate the noise, constriction of the masks (have tried 6 different ones), the hassle of cleaning, the non-adjustable settings that keep me awake, the panic wake ups because this thing "thinks" I need more air. not being to change positions while I sleep (face up, sleep side (left or right). I wake up every 2 hours before I started using this machine now I do net even get that much sleep. I guess I could use the machine for 2 or 3 nights and then not use it the night, so I could get some proper sleep. Somehow I don't think that is a proper therapy. The humidity settings are all, too much, too little. I have woken up going all "Jackie Chan" with the hoses, ripping the mask off, thinking it was someone trying to jump me from behind...I do not need this level of "care", thank you very much.

From reading lots of other posts, I can see that this works for lots of folks, but not for me.

I am very interested in any feedback the community has for me.
You've ONLY been at this for two months and you're ready to quit??? Seriously? You're just at the beginning. You need to figure things out and get your therapy tweaked.
There was an obvious reason you needed to have a sleep study. What was it?
You THINK you don't have any health issues, but you're right at about the age where many of us started developing them from YEARS of untreated Sleep Apnea. It's not a "sleep" problem, it's a "breathing" problem......while we sleep. We weren't getting enough oxygen.

I haven't figured out how so many people (presumably) from the military can claim to be so tough but can find "quitting" so easy. It baffles me.

This is a CPAP "USER HELP" forum.......not a CPAP "QUITTERS" forum. You need to take control of your own therapy as soon as possible. The medical establishment won't care nearly as much about your health as you will.
Make up your mind that you can do this. If you REALLY have issues with OSA, you will regret quitting (as many have) and slowly get dragged down into lots of health problems.
You may THINK you're "tough", but you're not tough enough to withstand years of oxygen-deprivation during your sleep. It'll eventually get ya. Heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and other issues. You think we're feeding you a line of BS? Not hardly! The people on this forum have been there, done that and have the T-shirts, caps and coffee mugs for souvenirs.

Think it over, tough guy. You could be making a serious mistake by quitting.


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Scout94
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Scout94 » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:38 pm

That's thing..I do not snore, according the wife, never have. All the bad side effects that are talked about I do not have. I have been trained to be a very shallow breather. I was a Scout / sniper in the Army (19D) and Have spent years honing survival skills. Wife thinks I am dead sometimes!! Again I will get the info and check back...btw this is the first "chat" thing I have done, so I guess I am reaching out for help. From all the posts I read here (close to 200) You folks have more down to earth answers than I am getting from the VA. I am a complete nose breather, in and out, which was comical after my nose got shot/blown/ripped off in Western Chad, chasing the Boko Haram. My wife has concluded that I am NOT invincible, BUT apparently very had to kill...Hummmm

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Pugsy
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Pugsy » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:44 pm

Central apnea is a different animal from obstructive sleep apnea in terms of a lot of the usual symptoms like snores.

Do you have a copy of your sleep study? If not, get it.
Was the sleep study done in a lab setting or at home?
What altitude do you live at and is the same altitude you had the sleep study if done in a lab.

Let's figure out exactly what "mild central apnea" means in your situation.

There's more to sleep apnea than just snores...what caused you to get tested in the first place? What symptoms were you having?

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Goofproof
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Goofproof » Sun Apr 08, 2018 5:22 pm

After years in the military, I'm sure you have the ability to conform and change to your needs, it's part of the job, adapt or die. That same mindset applies to XPAP, by learning all you can you can overcome most problems, the only way to not is to give up trying.

In the military, we learn to count on ourselves, our buddies, and within the confines of the service. The V.A. isn't the service, it'a a bureaucracy, within a government bureaucracy, making it a poor form of health care, add to that they are swamped. (Think Postal Service)

We are sometimes better at taking of ourselves, like we did in days gone by. at least are there to help, and much of the stuff they provide is top of the line. They have had computers with my records stole three times. I stopped going 150 miles to get my eyes checked for glasses I couldn't see out of. I still use local for general health care, but also have a battery of local doctors too. I'm still trying, Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

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Scout94
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Re: CPAP not for me

Post by Scout94 » Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:57 pm

Ok, you mass of very helpful ppl. I had a family 911 that I had to deal with. I see the respiratory dept. tomorrow. I will get all the info I can, based on what you folks need to help. But it might be until tomorrow night until I update this conversation. until then, thanks for not leaving be in the way-side.

Remember there will not be any new future soldiers unless they feel that their fellow Americans care. Thank YOU for your support!

See you soon!