CPAP vs Inspire implant

I didn't realize how bad my sleep was affected. Got tested and was having 39 episodes per hour. Got a CPAP. Put it on, close my eyes and "boom" I am out!
 
The biggest difference since I got my ResMed is that I dream like crazy now. I am finally reaching deep level of sleep. Funny part is that they almost all involve boats/boating.
I couldn’t remember my last dream before having a cpap, now its nightly… my blood pressure dropped 20 points also…
 
I've been using a CPAP for almost 20 years so I've tried many different masks, the nose pillows are the best for me. I also didn't realize I wasn't getting a good nights sleep until I actually got one. My wife used to complain about my snoring so I got tested and yup sleep apnea. I will say it does take getting use to but it's worth the effort. I have a friend who tried the CPAP machine and says he can't use it but falls asleep while we're sitting at the table playing cards! My wake up call was falling asleep at a red light with my family in the car!
 
I had the deviated septum operation it helped some. Recently I found out that the blood pressure meds I was taking would cause congestion in my sinuses. I now use Sinex before going to bed or whenever I find myself breathing through my mouth. Made a big difference in my sleeping. By the way after my operation for deviated septum I was told I still needed the Cpap. That was 15 years ago still don't use it.
 
I had a friend that got a cpap a little while before me. He said he could tell a difference physically after a month, he felt that much better. It took me a lot longer than that to feel physically better

I can say if I don’t use it for a week, I can def tell a difference. I pretty much use it every night
 
I've been using a CPAP for about 5 years or more. To be honest, I haven't noticed any better sleep. I don't feel more rested. And when I tested it was a high number. It has stopped the snoring so a win for my wife. what bothers me most is I'll a high pitch noise from the machine like there is a leak at the seal. Very faint and not always there. Been back to be looked at numerous times but tell me no problem.

I looked into Inspire but the cost and having to do it every 10 or years shied me away.
 
I don’t know how anybody can sleep with that stuff on their face, no way I could do it.
You get used to it when you can't sleep because you stop breathing, are tired all the time, and you find out untreated sleep apnea has a huge stroke risk. The modern CPAPs are very quiet, too. Although when the mask leaks my wife hears it.

I went from having 15-20 events per hour (obstructed breathing) to 3-5, and have 100% device usage that averages almost 8 hours per night.

It's also about getting a good mask fit. It took me several tries to find the right one. I'm using the Phillips Wisp, which is a little cushion that fits over the whole nose (vs. IN the nose like a nasal pillow). It looks stupid, but it drastically improved my sleep. I really can't sleep without it anymore. Not that I was actually sleeping before I had it....
 
I've been using a CPAP for about 5 years or more. To be honest, I haven't noticed any better sleep. I don't feel more rested. And when I tested it was a high number. It has stopped the snoring so a win for my wife. what bothers me most is I'll a high pitch noise from the machine like there is a leak at the seal. Very faint and not always there. Been back to be looked at numerous times but tell me no problem.

I looked into Inspire but the cost and having to do it every 10 or years shied me away.
Is it really every 10 years? It would have to be REALLY good for me to do that.

My wife suggested I look at it, and I kinda bit her head off because I don't want something implanted that would have to be revised later. But I didn't realize it has a 10 year shelf life.

I looked at it a bit more later and the guideline seem to be fore people with severe sleep apnea, and who can't tolerate a CPAP. Mine is mild/moderate, and I adjusted very well to the CPAP so it seems like I'm not a candidate.
For your whistle, I found that I get a leak and whistle when 1) I haven't shaved in a few days, 2) my nose mask isn't clean enough (facial oil on the surface), or 3) the surface is worn out. It looks and feels just fine, but it's time for a new mask. I use the Phillips DreamStation 2 and the Phillips Wisp nose mask.

Needing a good shave that lasts longer for the CPAP inspire me to get a Henson AL13 double edged safety razor (fantastic!), but that's a different topic.
 
You get used to it. I feel much better in the AM when I wear it. If I have a cold or in ragweed season I can’t wear it. Slight stuffy nose and I feel like I can’t breath. And if I have had a few drinks that night I also feel stuffed up. So can’t wear it then. I hated the over the nose mask but find the nasal pillow version is great. I have slight deviated septum but it doesn’t impact me.
Having a cold with a CPAP sucks. I have one right now and it's been a tough couple days. Glad to know I'm not alone with the drinking thing and feeling stuffed up, too. These days having a drink puts me to sleep, then screws with my actual restful sleep. It kinds sucks, but I buy way less booze.
 
Having a cold with a CPAP sucks. I have one right now and it's been a tough couple days. Glad to know I'm not alone with the drinking thing and feeling stuffed up, too. These days having a drink puts me to sleep, then screws with my actual restful sleep. It kinds sucks, but I buy way less booze.
When I am stuffed up I put a little Vicks Vaporub on my nostrils and then put the CPAP mask on....
 
All great post about using a CPAP. I got three hours with it on last night so I guess that is a win but only a total of 4 hours of sleep.

Just like some others I find if I shave before bed that helps with comfort and I do the vicks thing as well so I don't dry out. I also have found if I have drinks to close to bedtime that is when my apnea comes on hard.
I've been draping the hose over the headboard so the hose isn't laying across me and that seems to help as well on keeping it on.
 
I wedge a pillow between the mattress and headboard and then pinch the CPAP hose between the pillow and headboard. There is enough slack that the hose is supported but I still have freedom of movement. I am a side sleeper and the other thing I had to do is train myself to rollover on my back first before rolling to the other side. This keeps the CPAP hose from wrapping around my neck.
 
Re: the hose, my head gear routes it over the top of my head. it them drapes across the pillow and the the side table. That really helps prevent tangles vs if it were attached at the bottom. I sleep on the left side, but I can still roll over with near zero tangles.

Looks like this (google image)

1701721955141.jpeg


Pro tip: to keep Your cpap gear tidy, out of sight, and off the floor when not in use, stick a Command Strip hook on the side of your bedside table and hang the mask from it. Out of sight, and the hook can easily be removed in the future.
IMG_0080.jpeg
 
Having a cold with a CPAP sucks. I have one right now and it's been a tough couple days. Glad to know I'm not alone with the drinking thing and feeling stuffed up, too. These days having a drink puts me to sleep, then screws with my actual restful sleep. It kinds sucks, but I buy way less booze.
I have exactly the same when I drink. I don't sleep well at all. I think its more of a stimulant for me. I play hockey a couple times a week, and if I go to the bar for a couple beers after, I am awake most of the night. I seem to get stuffed up from beer. Probably a hops allergy that I just have to live with. I'm not giving up beer!
 
Re: the hose, my head gear routes it over the top of my head. it them drapes across the pillow and the the side table. That really helps prevent tangles vs if it were attached at the bottom. I sleep on the left side, but I can still roll over with near zero tangles.

Looks like this (google image)

View attachment 155060

Pro tip: to keep Your cpap gear tidy, out of sight, and off the floor when not in use, stick a Command Strip hook on the side of your bedside table and hang the mask from it. Out of sight, and the hook can easily be removed in the future.
View attachment 155061

Great idea and damn where you get the phone charger thing. I look for mine on the floor every night.
 
Is it really every 10 years? It would have to be REALLY good for me to do that.

My wife suggested I look at it, and I kinda bit her head off because I don't want something implanted that would have to be revised later. But I didn't realize it has a 10 year shelf life.

I looked at it a bit more later and the guideline seem to be fore people with severe sleep apnea, and who can't tolerate a CPAP. Mine is mild/moderate, and I adjusted very well to the CPAP so it seems like I'm not a candidate.
For your whistle, I found that I get a leak and whistle when 1) I haven't shaved in a few days, 2) my nose mask isn't clean enough (facial oil on the surface), or 3) the surface is worn out. It looks and feels just fine, but it's time for a new mask. I use the Phillips DreamStation 2 and the Phillips Wisp nose mask.

Needing a good shave that lasts longer for the CPAP inspire me to get a Henson AL13 double edged safety razor (fantastic!), but that's a different topic.

The whistle is actually from the machine itself. Where the tank meets the machine. I think the gasket gets crushed. Sometimes it doesn't make noise. At least not all night. Just when you wake up and get back to sleep.

My mustache does sometimes tickle my nose when it is a bit long and the pressure increases.
 
All great post about using a CPAP. I got three hours with it on last night so I guess that is a win but only a total of 4 hours of sleep.

Just like some others I find if I shave before bed that helps with comfort and I do the vicks thing as well so I don't dry out. I also have found if I have drinks to close to bedtime that is when my apnea comes on hard.
I've been draping the hose over the headboard so the hose isn't laying across me and that seems to help as well on keeping it on.
I always drape the hose over the headboard at home or a lamp in the hotel room when traveling, def helps
 
The whistle is actually from the machine itself. Where the tank meets the machine. I think the gasket gets crushed. Sometimes it doesn't make noise. At least not all night. Just when you wake up and get back to sleep.

My mustache does sometimes tickle my nose when it is a bit long and the pressure increases.
Have you replaced the tank, I do mine every 6-9 months is so
 

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