Hi Everyone;

I have been on the CPAP for 10 nights.  I had dry mouth when I woke up for the first 8 nights.  The dry mouth has not been noticable during the last two nights.  Since I have insomnia, I took 10 mg of Ambien instead of 100 mg of Trazadone the last two nights and seemed to experience a steady 8 hours of sleep.  My pressure setting is 8 and the humidifer setting is 3.  I use the Respironics REMSTAR C-FLEX CPAP with small comfort gel nasal mask.

I have a question:

Is there a way or device to monitor your sleeping statistics at home to see if the CPAP continues to provide benefits?  I only have two small dogs as bed partners.

I never heard of sleep apnea or CPAP until recently.  How may people use CPAP?  
I had a 54% (poor) sleep efficiency during my first sleep study and a 89% (acceptable) sleep efficiency during my second sleep study with CPAP.  I was diagnosed as having moderately severe obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.  There was a significant improvement observed during the second sleep study compared to the diagnostic night.  I was told that moderate snoring was observed during the first sleep study compared to no snoring during the second sleep study.

I am going to Flordia during the Thanksgiving holiday.  I will be sleeping in a motel room with three other people for 7 nights.  Should I take the CPAP?    

Marshall (Dragster)

Hi Dragster,

1.  Your dry mouth was probably caused by opening your mouth the first few nights.  The lack of a dry mouth suggests you've gotten use to keeping it closed while you sleep.

2.  Yes, your instrument should of come with a memory card that records the data.  The slot for it is on the right side towards the back of the machine.  It is preferable to have your doc. download the info. so that you can work as partners to make sure your apnea is being compensated, but some people put the software on their home computers.

3.  By all means take your CPAP!!!!  You won't be the one snoring and keeping everyone else awake and you won't be feeling like garbage because you are apneic the whole time.

4.  I don't know how many people use a CPAP, but I do know that number is increasing due to OSA awarness and the increase in weight of American's.  When I travel, I'm amazed to see how many people are carrying CPAPs.  (BTW, do not check your CPAP if you fly, carry it on.  Medical equipment does not count as a carry on.  Most of us have never had any trouble getting through security, but a letter from your doc. stating medical necessity never hurts).

5.  Have fun!!

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

4.  I don't know how many people use a CPAP, but I do know that number is increasing due to OSA awarness and the increase in weight of American's.  


That's a hard one Vicki.

If we try some assumptions..........

In The US it has been quoted that up to 20 million people have some sort of apnoea.
International figures indicate that only 5/10% of possible sufferers have been diagnosed.
Another figure that has been bandied about is that of the total number of 'possibles', approx 10% will need mechanical intervention............so that would put the figure on cpap at c.2 Million.
Personally, I think the figure might be higher.

Maybe SleepyDave might have a better handle on the figure ?

Kind regards,

Daniel.


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)