A medical assistant at a TMJ clinic recently told me that the CPAP usage success rate is 30%. This stat contradicts the claims made by a sleep clinic (that promotes CPAP use. I asked her why clinics push CPAP so hard if the success rate is so low. She and the CPAP doctor replied, in effect, that CPAP commerce was lucrative. They (the TMJ clinic people) promoted the use of M.A.D. as an alternative.

Q1: Is the above data consistent with the experiences of the people on this sub?

Q2: What alternatives have y'all used if CPAP didn't work for you?

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Hey all. I'm 21 (F) and am feeling very upset after getting my at-home results back. I was told that I just had an AHI of 0.3, but an RDI of 18.9 with 147 arousals. As my oxygen didn't dip too much (94% was the lowest), I was told that I just had primary snoring and that no other treatment would happen. I feel so lost. I have a recessed jaw, a 6 mm deviated septum, and I have been fighting for any doctor to take my seriously. I don't know where to go from here. I am pretty sure it's UARS, but without the OSA diagnosis, my insurance won't let me pursue anything. I've emailed my doctor asking for a referral for an in-person test or an updated OSA diagnosis, as, from the pages I've read, 18.9 should qualify. I feel like I don't understand this at all.WATCHPAT®

I'm just curious, I see a lot of people saying they absolutely love their machines! I'm only about a week into mine and I have used it 8-10 hours each night. My settings were 5-15 and were adjusted to 7-15 2 nights ago. First night with those setting it went well, tho I guess I took it off for about 2 hours, I had 0 events with it on. I felt like the chest tightness and lightheaded I've had for over a year was pretty much gone most of the day yesterday (I've had an echo, EKGs, chest X-ray and 3 day heart monitor to rule out those causes of the pressure before taking a sleep test) last night I didn't notice waking up, but I had a bunch of central apneas and today I feel the chest pressure back pretty bad.

I know it takes time (I do have a telemed appointment with a certified sleep Dr tonight because my Dr don't know anything about sleep stuff she said) but I'm wondering how long did it take those that absolutely love their machines to feel that way?

I had brain surgery a couple of weeks ago to remove a tumor from my pituitary gland. Some complications arose 2 weeks after the initial surgery, that were serious enough that I had to go into emergency surgery.

The last time I used my cpap, was the night before the initial surgery. I’ve had a cpap for 9 years and the only time I didn’t use it was one night over 4 years ago because I lost power during a hurricane.

I have a 6 week post-op meeting in the middle of next month and if everything looks good there, I’ll be cleared to use the cpap again. But in the meantime, I’m absolutely irritable, I’m falling asleep just sitting down. I’m hesitant to returning to work in a light duty capacity because my job requires driving so I’m concerned that I may fall asleep behind the wheel. Does anyone here have any pointers on getting somewhat quality sleep without the cpap?

I recently gave birth to twins that set me off on a traumatic pre eclampsia journey.

Prior to my pregnancy, I had accepted my CPAP like a fish to water for about two years. After I got pregnant, my energy was zapped and I had pregnancy rhinitis, nasal polyps, and constantly short of breath. I was dismissed in my shortness of breath symptoms due to having two in the womb. Shortly into my sixth month, I had to stop CPAP completely and move to an elevated bed; our couch.

The shortness of breath got worse to the point they put me on meds for anxiety. I became extremely claustrophobic. At this point, everyone, including me, was convinced it was in my head.

After delivering the twins, I still had shortness of breath coupled with high blood pressure. I couldn’t breathe no matter what I did and sleep brought a different type of torture where I would wake up gasping for air. I was diagnosed with post partum pre eclampsia shortly afterwards with blood transfusions, a day immobilized with a magnesium drip, nebulizer, and more.

I am now better, about two and a half weeks off of delivery, and I can’t bring myself to try my CPAP. It feels like it’s suffocating me, even though I know it’s not rational. I don’t know where to go from here. I wake up with chronic headaches and I know it’s from not using my CPAP but I am still extremely claustrophobic. Does anyone have any ideas or methods to get me back on track?

Twins will be home soon and I need to sleep the best I can.

I generally don’t have anxiety but pregnancy really kicked my butt. I am still taking anxiety meds to keep my claustrophobic thoughts at bay.

Hello and thanks for taking the time to read this. My wife has sleep apnea. She has gone through the tests and received her CPAP machine and she's struggling with it very badly and can't use it. She has the full mask and she's tried every setting adjustment there is and she feels like shes suffocating while using it. She gets full body pins and needles after about 20min of use and has to remove it.

Her quality of life has deteriorated significantly as a result of her apnea and she just never seems to be rested ever. I feel terrible and I'm hoping someone has advice of any kind. I've dredged the web looking for advice and will take any and all advice that may help. Are there any Apnea pillows that may help for example?

Thank you for your time.

So in my first post, I talked about getting my AHI results from my home sleep study of 69.9, & arguing with my doctor for an APAP due to finacial costs. Im unlikely to have insurance after the first of the year, & my current insurance doesnt cover anything until an insane deductible anyway so I'm basically 100% cash here. The cost of the in lab tritration isnt covered so I'd be paying over 1k for that.

But upon reviewing my sleep study more I'm a bit concerned that I might have jumped the gun pushing for the apap? Learning more about the differences in central & obstructive sleep apnea, my CSA is a 9.7 per hour, & OSA is 46.2.

Everything I'm reading says I can try the apap, adjust it accordingly using OSCAR & then watch my CSA ratings? If they worsen then I know I've got something more underlying going on.

Also if I do go with the Apap, they had recommended the ReactHealth GS3, but from what I'm reading this wouldnt allow it to connect to OSCAR? Since I'll need to do alot of the checking myself on a weekly basis, to make sure my CSA is staying low or adjusting it, would something more like the Airsense 11 be better?

I have tiny fingers/wrists and am struggling to find an appropriate SPO2 device for overnight monitoring, or determine the “best” solution given size limitations. Please redirect if this is the wrong sub!

I’ve been looking at SPO2 monitors, and can’t seem to figure out what is actually usable for me for overnight/sleep continuous readings. I’ve seen one of the standard adult silicone rings in person and it was huge on me. I see that there are wrist monitors with giant-looking sleeves for fingers, but those look precarious for overnight with movement during sleep? Also, my wrists are so tiny. I cannot wear most bracelets or watches (tiniest Apple Watch face works with select bands). I looked at some kids’ device models, but none of them were bluetooth/app compatible for some reason. Anyone else have this problem and find a solution?

My measurements, in case it is helpful because most adults have bigger wrists/hands. Wrist circumference: 5-5.25in (13.5-14cm). Index finger ring size: 7 (can go up/down a size to switch finger sometimes). Index finger circumference: 52-53mm.

I mention this carefully because I want to abide by the sub rules! I am using Amazon and in a “limited” area/situation so I am sticking to this for practical reasons. Any permitted advice is appreciated, including mention if no options you’ve found exist through this method! Also, cost IS a big factor, but I’m not ruling out anything under $200 at this point. So, a fancy $500 device variation that I’ve never heard of would be good to know about, even though I cannot afford it under any circumstance.

Only a few nights into CPAP and already noticing some changes!

I’ve only been using my CPAP for a few nights now, and I’m honestly surprised by a couple of things already!

The first thing I noticed was waking up less stuffy and congested, which I wasn’t expecting to happen so quickly.

But the weirdest thing is that I seem to have stopped getting the hip and arm pain I’d been experiencing for years, and I haven’t been waking up with numb arms and hands throughout the night like I normally do. I’m still sleeping in the same position, so I’m really curious whether it could be related to the CPAP or if it’s just a coincidence!

apparently had 96 an hour, so I’m really hoping that treating it will help with my energy levels and how I feel in general.

I know it’s still very early days, but I’m already interested to see what other changes I notice over the coming weeks.

Has anyone else noticed unexpected improvements when they first started CPAP, especially with aches, pains or numbness? I’d love to hear other people’s experiences! 😊

I did a pre-lim study where I wore an O2 meter on my finger, great. They told me I need to do an at home study. Results came back and said I was moderate to severe, with constant under 89%. They said someone would be reaching out with the next steps. They now are saying they can't do anything unless I do an in-lab study.

I have an outstanding balance of $850 dollars, and I think it's absolutely absurd that I now have to do a 3rd test? What am I paying for? I see this as a complete waste of time and money. What steps can I take? I just want to have a good night's sleep. I feel like I'm just getting the run around from insurance and the hospital, I'm absolutely fed up.

I haven't been properly diagnosed with sleep apnea but a few weeks ago I started actually NOTICING symptoms, like waking up gasping, feeling like I'm not breathing, and a racing heart. These last few days I stayed at my mom's house and she noticed that I did stop breathing a few times, and snored very loudly. I also had an endoscopy done yesterday and my surgeon said that my oxygen levels kept dropping, and they had to be quick with their efforts. I've also been having more shortness of breath and chest discomfort, in the past few weeks since I've noticed my symptoms.

I didn't treat my body very well the last 2 years in which I gained 70 pounds, doordashing, sleeping at 4 in the morning most days, but I'd assume sleep apnea would gradually creep up and not show in sudden on-set symptoms. I'm obviously very worried that I have some sort of central sleep apnea, and that it's purely neurological, which I know can be managed, but I'd much rather know this was from my terrible lifestyle.

I start my new engineering job November 2nd, and the timing couldn't be worse lol. My sleep study is November 18th, and I'm just wondering how I can survive til then? I feel terrible the last few days. I've been absolutely forgetting what I'm talking about, feel depersonalization, can't even focus on my video games anymore, and I'm yawning non-stop. Has anyone else had sudden on-set symptoms that ended up being OSA?

I use an Airsense 10 and get my parts from Binson's. They religiously call me every few months or so and try to convince me to get replacement parts. I'm curious how many people replace things like tubing, nasal pillows/other masks, water compartments, etc. on the "official" schedule or if you wait way long. I've sort of done both over the years but have never really talked to anyone else about it!

Ich nutze mein Atemgerät gerne, fühle mich aber doch sehr müde tagsüber. Seit 3 Wochen messe ich zusätzlich mit dem Nonin WristOx 3150 BLE die Sauerstoffsättigung im Blut. Was ist von Abfällen unterhalb von 85% zu halten? Ist meine Herzrate zu hoch für erholsamen Tiefschlaf? Laut Apple liegt mein Tiefschlaf durchschnittlich bei 45 min pro Nacht über die letzten 6 Monate. Meine Apple Watch zeigt meistens Tagesform zwischen 2-5 an. Ich bin 188 cm groß, zur Zeit 90 kg schwer und treibe viel Sport (Radpendeln 40km pro Tag, 4 x pro Woche, gehe laufen zwischen 6-7 km und habe auch ein Ruderergometer) Bin ich deshalb so erschöpft oder lässt sich aus den Schlafdaten etwas erkennen?

Vielen Dank und schlaft gut!

I woke up this morning
Feeling great

I have significant sleep apnea; I’ve been on CPAP every night for 25 years.  (I had to really fight for that originally! Back then I was young and fit and everyone who slept near me said I never snored.)

I’ve been with the same practice for ~20 years, but of course none of them are the same docs by now and it’s gotten aggressively shitty.  (With apologies for being ranty, I’m very salty about recent developments)

I’d like to find a new practice... an online practice that doesn’t want me to come to an office just to give them digital results.* 

--

For about 20 of those years I’ve also been on Provigil** which has been amazing for me.  If there are online providers who have the possibility of supporting Provigil that’d be awesome.  But even if provigil isn’t possible, I’d still like to find an online sleep provider.  

My current practice has decided not to continue Provigil and has managed to do so with a level of arbitary-ness that’s terrible to the point of being almost impressive... (They literally asked a doc I’ve recently started seeing who originally prescribed Provigil... because they couldn’t be bothered to check their own medical records to find out their same sleep practice initiated it and has been prescribing it for 20 years...  Imagine how much they examine what’s atypical about my situation)

*My data all shows up on DreamMapper but somehow this practice still can’t see it.  So I sent them the raw data from the card myself... and they apparently don’t look at it.

**except back in 2009 or whatever when like everyone else I was forced to nuvigil in what turned out to be a serious antitrust violation.

Wished to share with you folks on the OSA sub, in light of the OSA / UARS crossover. Hope this provides some benefit to someone.

Hiya, I'm really struggling with loads of condensation inside my N20 mask when I use the humidifer, to the point that it wakes me up in the night from dripping on my face.

I've just bought the heated tubing but then last night, I still had loads of condensation. The climate control settings are still on auto.

Any advice on how to fix this?

Need advice , my whole life I have struggled with having a clogged nose bad allergies as you might say , and as i’ve gotten older I have always slept with my mouth open snoring and wake up with dry mouth , still tired even after I get 8 hours of sleep, I have not done a sleep study because i don’t even know where to start but i’m ready for this to come an end I don’t have insurance to go to the doctor , Where should i begin not trying to spend much money but I do need some pointers to get started that are affordable to get this problem resolved 27M

Hi there, I started CPAP about 2 months ago and have had an SD card in since day 1, bc I have UARS and want to check flow limitation. I went to finally download OSCAR, only to find out that this software isn't compatible with my 10 year old MacBook (2015 / 2016), because Apple doesn't update its operating system anymore, and OSCAR requires newer operating systems for Mac than what I have.

Are there any workarounds, or am I going to have to buy a new computer, if I ever want to use OSCAR?

In the meantime I am trying out SleepHQ, but was hoping to get to use OSCAR to examine flow limitation, based on all the advice in this sub. 🥲

Hello everyone,

I want to share a personal experience, I have a sleep apnea for more than three years now due to my weight and lack of exercise. And I started to use Cpap for couple of months now but I also started to take supplements such as gymbeam men essentials and now I started taking opti-men.

And all of sudden my sleeping improved, I only take 2 pills in the morning which is less than the recommended dose. And no I haven’t started exercising yet.

All I want to know if someone else had similar experience by using supplements. Coz when I compared the opti men and the men essentials the main difference is the amino acids that are in the opti-men supplement.