I have never lacked for energy, woke up tired or suffered from any of the other ills that CPAP's very effectively treat. Not everyone who snores needs the "Alien" on their face. In fact the prospect of me having more energy would probably frighten my bride. Like many of my posts I try to inject a bit of humor and since my initial experience has been positive I decided to share. The overpriced piece of plastic I have seems to do what the $1,000 plus custom ones do and if someone else out there might benefit from my experience or all of the excellent advice you folks have added then my work here is done.
A couple of years ago after months of exams, injections, prosthetic boot and various high dollar orthotics I cured my Plantar Faciitis with a set of $19 orthotics from another infomercial. I get first class dental work done in Nogales and save 70 percent. The point is not everyone has the option of high dollar treatments, believe me I wish I did. Sometimes simple solutions will get it done. I'm delighted to hear that you all have excellent medical insurance that pays for your CPAP's but keep in mind many do not.
FWIW....
Heavy snorers.. (if that is truely what you are doing), usally stop breathing 60 - 200+ time a night. It doesn't always make you feel tired. It doesn't always seem that you lack energy. The only symptom can be the snoring.
The 19 dollar piece of plastic you have is NOT the same as a 1000 custom fit piece which covers all your teeth. (just like a CPAP, and TAP is often covered by medical, which in many cases is FREE to you) Your initial post stated you only wore it once or twice. With time.... your device will cause you to have teeth and jaw issues.
This is what I do for a living. Take the advice or leave it. All I will say is get a sleep study done. Something that seems like nothing, snoring, can be masking a larger medical condition.
Desert Captain wrote: The point is not everyone has the option of high dollar treatments, believe me I wish I did. Sometimes simple solutions will get it done. I'm delighted to hear that you all have excellent medical insurance that pays for your CPAP's but keep in mind many do not.
I'm not saying you should definitely get a CPAP - just a sleep test to see if it's beneficial.
My father doesn't have energy issues, but he's definitely apnea'ing... it's eerie to listen to.
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When I was in hospital after an angioplasty (4 stents installed), my daughter visited while I was still partially anesthetised. I was on a respiration monitor and she said that about every 5 minutes it flashed up a "Sleep Apnea" warning. It was so brief (only a couple of seconds) that the nurses' station didn't spot it.
DW has always thought (at least for the last 30 years) that I suffered from apnea. I snore heavily most of the night, and she has gone to the guest bedroom to get a decent night's sleep many times. I will be going to our local hospital's sleep clinic shortly for an evaluation.
I think my problem is that the volume of air taken in is often more than I need in sleep, so there's no need for additional oxygen for a few seconds. As a result, I sometimes have maybe a 5-second pause between ending an exhalation and starting the next inhalation. I don't think this is real apnea, but I'll wait and see what the experts think.
I'm not sure I could sleep with a mask over my face and an air compressor running alongside the bed all night. It would probably make more noise than my snoring!
Frank Damp, DW - Eileen
Anacortes, WA
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frankdamp wrote: When I was in hospital after an angioplasty (4 stents installed), my daughter visited while I was still partially anesthetised. I was on a respiration monitor and she said that about every 5 minutes it flashed up a "Sleep Apnea" warning. It was so brief (only a couple of seconds) that the nurses' station didn't spot it.
DW has always thought (at least for the last 30 years) that I suffered from apnea. I snore heavily most of the night, and she has gone to the guest bedroom to get a decent night's sleep many times. I will be going to our local hospital's sleep clinic shortly for an evaluation.
I think my problem is that the volume of air taken in is often more than I need in sleep, so there's no need for additional oxygen for a few seconds. As a result, I sometimes have maybe a 5-second pause between ending an exhalation and starting the next inhalation. I don't think this is real apnea, but I'll wait and see what the experts think.
I'm not sure I could sleep with a mask over my face and an air compressor running alongside the bed all night. It would probably make more noise than my snoring!
While I am sure that folks who snore a lot should be checked out, I also know some folks just snore due to factors that don't require medical intervention. On that note I surely don't dismiss posts here that are stern and say get CPAP apperatus. But in reality, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. My ex snored a lot, but no sleep apnea. Went thru all the tests, he was just a snorer. Which is most likely the case for the OP if he doesn't have any other classic symptoms that distinguish sleep apnea patients (which from his posts, he does not). From AAOS:
It is important to distinguish between snoring and OSA. Many people snore. It's estimated that approximately 30% to 50% of the US population snore at one time or another, some significantly. Everyone has heard stories of men and women whose snoring can be heard rooms away from where they are sleeping.
Snoring of this magnitude can cause several problems, including marital discord, sleep disturbances and waking episodes sometimes caused by one's own snoring. But, snoring does not always equal OSA; sometimes it is only a social inconvenience.
frankdamp wrote: When I was in hospital after an angioplasty (4 stents installed), my daughter visited while I was still partially anesthetised. I was on a respiration monitor and she said that about every 5 minutes it flashed up a "Sleep Apnea" warning. It was so brief (only a couple of seconds) that the nurses' station didn't spot it.
DW has always thought (at least for the last 30 years) that I suffered from apnea. I snore heavily most of the night, and she has gone to the guest bedroom to get a decent night's sleep many times. I will be going to our local hospital's sleep clinic shortly for an evaluation.
I think my problem is that the volume of air taken in is often more than I need in sleep, so there's no need for additional oxygen for a few seconds. As a result, I sometimes have maybe a 5-second pause between ending an exhalation and starting the next inhalation. I don't think this is real apnea, but I'll wait and see what the experts think.
I'm not sure I could sleep with a mask over my face and an air compressor running alongside the bed all night. It would probably make more noise than my snoring!
Mr. Damp Here's hope for a speedy recovery from your angioplasty. Thank you for sharing your experience regarding sleep apnea. I hope you may have convinced someone that may need one to inquire about a sleep study. There is much info on the internet about sleep apnea. The fact that you have a cardiac condition indicates there may be a link with apnea. If you are advised to use CPAP,(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)there are various masks that can make it more comfortable. God Bless
My new cpap is designed to run on 12v. I only stay in CG that have power and do not boondock otherwise I would need an extra battery and solar power recharger.
FYI on the mouth piece and pillows. I have tried them all the mouth piece hurt after a while(could have been me) and i toss and turn alot the pillow was not comfy. I ended up getting a firm pillow raising my head for optimum air plus the darthvader mask, now a nasal mask, because the air pressure from the machine filled my stomach and I became a stinky wind machine. Raising my head is important. Before I would stop breathing for as long as 30 sec to 1 min. Those dreams of drowning and gasping for air, well that's it.
Now being married for 42yrs=nice job
When I hit my 20s, I began to snore like all the other men in my dad's family. I'll never forget the nights I spent at Grandpa's farm with Grandpa, 2 uncles, and my dad all snoring while us kids were trying to fall asleep.
frankdamp wrote: When I was in hospital after an angioplasty (4 stents installed), my daughter visited while I was still partially anesthetised. I was on a respiration monitor and she said that about every 5 minutes it flashed up a "Sleep Apnea" warning. It was so brief (only a couple of seconds) that the nurses' station didn't spot it.
DW has always thought (at least for the last 30 years) that I suffered from apnea. I snore heavily most of the night, and she has gone to the guest bedroom to get a decent night's sleep many times. I will be going to our local hospital's sleep clinic shortly for an evaluation.
I think my problem is that the volume of air taken in is often more than I need in sleep, so there's no need for additional oxygen for a few seconds. As a result, I sometimes have maybe a 5-second pause between ending an exhalation and starting the next inhalation. I don't think this is real apnea, but I'll wait and see what the experts think.
I'm not sure I could sleep with a mask over my face and an air compressor running alongside the bed all night. It would probably make more noise than my snoring!
My mask just fits over my nose. I sleep on my side and it is adjusted for that. It has a fairly loose fit and is comfortable. Nowhere near as bad as one would think. My machine is almost totally silent. I can't sleep without it for more than 10-15 minutes then I wake up. Makes for some short naps if I fall asleep in front of the tube. I can't tell you how glad I am to have this thing.
B.O.
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Twin Cities Mn.
I'm a retired RN with experience in this field. Most snoring issues are simple physical ones and re-positioning of the epiglottis (that flappy thing at the back of the throat) either by redistributing air through the nose (As Seen On TV ) or adjusting body angle (those pillows) will work for many. At times, those issues are a matter of affective concerns such as allergies.
For conversations about the use/abuse/overuse of CPAP's in term of snoring, go here and then go from there:
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Like many of my posts I try to inject a bit of humor and since my initial experience has been positive I decided to share. The overpriced piece of plastic I have seems to do what the $1,000 plus custom ones do and if someone else out there might benefit from my experience or all of the excellent advice you folks have added then my work here is done. 
