Sleep Apnea and CPAP masks

[pomtzu]

My son uses a CPAP, but doesn't use the full mask. I don't know what it's called, but it's made of silicone and fits into the entrance to each nostril, so it's not at all bulky or stiff or restrictive. He likes it much better than the mask. Don't know if you understand what I'm trying to get across, but I really don't have a name for it.

[Bonny]

Catnapper,
My husband has a nose piece called Comfort Classic. It fits over his nose & he has a harness that fits over the back of his head. The harness is attached on his forehead to a sponge type of material that is very soft & holds the top of the nose piece in place. The bottom strap attaches to the nose piece & can be adjusted. The head piece has velcro to make adjustments on the forehead & on the nose piece there are places where the strap goes through so it can be tightened to fit properly on both sides. I hope this is maybe helpful.

Do you dream? We were told when you dream you are in the deepest part of your sleep & should wake up well rested.

[catnapper]

Do you dream? We were told when you dream you are in the deepest part of your sleep & should wake up well rested.

I dream vivid dreams several times a night. Every night. I still wake up tired because my dreams are interrupted by snores


Pomtzu, it sounds as if your son uses a nasal pillow l ike me. I like it, I just wish it didn't irritate my sinuses. I keep squirting gel and such in my nose to help with the pain but its not enough. Sigh.

[Cataholic]

I know three people that were dx'd with SA and used the CPAP. All three of them struggled with the fit, the sleeping on the back, and had minimal relief from it. All three of them went on to lose significant amounts of weight (two of these three people were a couple, not everyone I know loses weight), and all three of them are sleeping fine, and feeling rested, without the CPAP. I don't know that any of them went back to the sleep doctor or not, so I don't know if the SA went 'away' or is dormant, or what.

[caseysmom]

My brother had severe sleep apnea, unfortunately he never splurged for the machine, he died at 51, I often wonder if the lack of oxygen at night led to his heart problems, he wasn't a smoker nor a drinker and he wasn't overweight at all.

[cassiesmom]

I just got a new mask not long ago, gave up (reluctantly) one I really liked. This one is almost as good. I will check the brand. It has a little smaller gel pad that fits the bridge of my nose better than my old one, and it fits just about the same on the sides.

[Catty1]

Kim, it took me almost a month to get used to the mask and how to tweak it, and all. Now it's like brushing my teeth. It does take some time, and I know how frustrating it is.

Are there other alternatives to the machine? Breathe-right strips? Sometimes a minor surgery that removes polyps or etc helps snoring as well. There are also dental devices that position the jaw differently to help intake of air.

Did the doctor say what is causing it?

I hope you get some answers soon.