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  • Shared Experiences

    Any females out there with CPAP?

    Related Topics
    Sleep Apnoea Sleep Medicine
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  • meg smith

    HealthShare Member

    yes!  both my sister and i use cpap machines.

    took a while to get awaynfrom “just lose some weight” from the medicos.

    we all seem to have a deviated nose - maybe losing weight would help but getting a good nights sleep can help tomlose weight anyway

    i would encourage people to get checked out for sleep apnoea - there can be brain injury from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) during sleep apnoea

    meg

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    April Dunow

    HealthShare Member

    Yes. Both my cousin (female) and I have CPAP machines - I recommend them highly as it changed my life. My sleep apnoea is only “mild” but within a week of the trial machine I was just about bouncing off the ceilings with energy. The “lose weight” thing is a bit ridiculous as my cousin whose sleep apnoea is severe is quite slim due to being diabetic (Type 1) and therefore needing to eat correctly. The noise is less than your snoring probably is right now if you have a partner who is concerned about that.

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  • meg smith

    HealthShare Member

    there.  is a gadget which doesnt use a machine - provent-  uses exhaled breath instead to create the air pressure. thought i. ight try it for overnight trips

    check out www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shoppimg/provent-therapy.htm

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  • JEN HITE

    HealthShare Member

    Meg and others, the /shoppimg  takes one to a non-existent site…it should be /shopping of course in the website quoted above.

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  • meg smith

    HealthShare Member

    oops! just about to go to bed and relate to The Machine. Thinking I might go for a cloth mask - although I think they are only for nasal types and I think I need a nose/mouth one. Have also got a special pillow for CPAP - has little scoops in the side to rest the mask in. Cost over $100 - you could probably get much the same effect by slicing out some sections of a (cheaper) firm rubber/foam pillow. the guy at the special pillow shop was more keen to talk about his CPAP experience than selling me the pillow.

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  • JEN HITE

    HealthShare Member

    You're really educating me, Meg. I have pillow issues and sort of build myself up on a neck do-nut type of thing, as well as the best pillow I thought  I could buy….where can I locate a pillow like yours?

    Re weight loss…having no thyroid either…. that is a real issue isn't it?

    Now I must ask about a cloth mask too, please. I haven't heard of them.

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  • April Dunow

    HealthShare Member

    I have the standard nose mask - much easier to wear than the total face mask. It might depend on the reason though - mine was related to throat not nose issues. However, on New Inventors this year a guy in Queensland has designed a mask which he builds to fit your individual face and doesn't have that annoying “blow out” effect either for air out. I haven't looked into it further but you could probably find out more via ABC despite New Inventors finishing.

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  • meg smith

    HealthShare Member

    hi Jen I got mine from Bad Backs - went to the shop but it is possible to mail order .

    http://www.badbacks.com.au/shop/product/2067/contour-cpap-sleep-aid-pillow



    Mine doesn't fit quite as neatly as in the pic but it did make a difference so I reckon it was worth the dollars. Also claimed it on my tax as a “medical expense” - might also be claimable on private health insurance.

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  • JEN HITE

    HealthShare Member

    I am 60. I have been needing day-time naps for years now. Is this another thing with sleep aponea (treated).

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  • Ellen Gude

    HealthShare Member

    Diagnosed with mild sleep,apnea 4yrs ago. GP said to lose weight. Drove my husband nearly mad and finally undertook a formal overnight sleep study in hospital with result being I have severe obstructive sleep apnea. I have just finished my first week on a CPAP machine with a full face mask.  Am already feeling better despite the discomfort of a strange device and never managing to keep it on all night. Talked to the sleep technician today and have reduced the maximum pressure for the 2nd week of the trial and will go back next week to try another machine and mask. Wish me luck!

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  • meg smith

    HealthShare Member

    all the best Ellen. It took me about 6 months to get used to the mask. Reducing the pressure did help to stop it blasting off during the night.

    I'm also 62 and enjoy afternoon naps. I dont think I “need” them because if i am working I dont fall asleep at work. It's a nice luxury during the day though and doesnt seem to affect how long I sleep at night.

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  • JEN HITE

    HealthShare Member

    Wishing you luck, Ellen. It will eventually feel like a “teddy bear” - something you just sleep with…..



    Meg, napping  a luxury…that's how my friends seem to view me I am sure. Maybe I should indulge in that thought a bit more often myself.

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  • Tracey Bouchier

    HealthShare Member

    Is sleep apnea and menapause linked?

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    kjacobs

    HealthShare Member

    I use CPAP, but its just not giving me the energy I had when I initially started using it, I would wake up every morning with so much energy, and my mind felt clear, I was able to concentrate really well and I was exercising again, but for some reason after I had a sleep study, my pressure went down a little by 2cms and still I am waking up like I have had no sleep. So I stopped using it for a week now and find that while I am still snoring I have a clear head and I can concentrate throughout the day, I fell my head is clear and I can think properly , but by lunch time I am tired??? Anyone had similar experiences i would like to hear solutions please. I also find I am tightening my full face mask and throughout sleep it is leaking air, water on the face and up the tube, its more of an inconvienience than a better health solution…. I want to be able to feel that burst of energy I used to get every morning…

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