Sleep Medicine

[956Vette]

Specifically regarding CPAP machines and managing sleep apnea, is there any advice when visiting a new doctor? It's been 8-9 years since doing a sleep study, and in my case, tequila(/xanax) slowed me down enough to qualify for the CPAP Rx...(full disclosure). While my issues are mild, I cannot sleep without a CPAP, largely because of an array of septo/rhinoplasty revisions. It would be great to attain a fresh CPAP with the least amount of friction - appreciate any inside baseball, as I assume the doctors don't want patients to utilize or have a backup machine for when traveling/bw homes/etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[IronSoul]

I'm not sure that I entirely understand what info you are asking for brother. I'd love to offer my experience if I know what you are looking for.

 

[myosin]

I'm not sure that I entirely understand what info you are asking for brother. I'd love to offer my experience if I know what you are looking for.

My translation is: "I want a second cpap machine, so how do I ensure I fail the test to get one from another doctor"

 

[IronSoul]

My translation is: "I want a second cpap machine, so how do I ensure I fail the test to get one from another doctor"

This makes sense. Do you actually have sleep apnea vette? That should be all you need to do lol

 

[ValeTudo8080]

i just got a replacement Cpap and i don't think they took my old one back....shit i cant remember.

it wasn't working well so it didn't make sense to keep it when i got a new one.

i would just schedule appointment and be honest with the nurses and i think you can keep the old one if that is what you are asking.

 

[kid666]

I've been using a CPAP well over 20 years, and they never took or asked for the old one back after insurance approved a new one. I have 4 of them. Always good to have spares. I can't sleep without it either.

 

[Warrior45]

My insurance covers a new machine every five years. That being said, I believe if I turned my old one in, then they waived my deductible so I did it.

 

[ItalianMuscle]

Ive had the same CPAP for well over 5 years. I talk to my sleep doc in a few weeks, so I am going to ask for a new one. I honestly been using one for over 10 years, and I still am not used to it. I dont know how anyone can sleep with it. If I have a stuffy nose, forget about it. I sleep best breathing through my nose, and not my mouth. When nose is stuffed up, CPAP sucks to use, because I have to breathe through my mouth, then I wake up 4-6x times, with dry mouth and have to take a piss every hour 1/2.. and have to consume a ton of water to get rid of the cotton mouth.

I looked into that aspire sleep apnea device, and that doc wanted to do a whole rhinoplasty job(deviated septum) on top of the surgery to install the aspire device. I would be down for a whole month, because where they make the incision, you can't move your arm till everything heals. Plus the time being down for the nose job. Sounded miserable, so I just said fuck it and passed on it. He didnt want to do any of it anyways, unless I physically, mentally, etc just can't use the mask anymore. Plus it's only good for like 8-10 years and you have to do the surgery all over again when the battery needs replaced.
I would give anything just to sleep 5-6 straight without getting up once to piss..

 

[big bx]

Ive had the same CPAP for well over 5 years. I talk to my sleep doc in a few weeks, so I am going to ask for a new one. I honestly been using one for over 10 years, and I still am not used to it. I dont know how anyone can sleep with it. If I have a stuffy nose, forget about it. I sleep best breathing through my nose, and not my mouth. When nose is stuffed up, CPAP sucks to use, because I have to breathe through my mouth, then I wake up 4-6x times, with dry mouth and have to take a piss every hour 1/2.. and have to consume a ton of water to get rid of the cotton mouth.

I looked into that aspire sleep apnea device, and that doc wanted to do a whole rhinoplasty job(deviated septum) on top of the surgery to install the aspire device. I would be down for a whole month, because where they make the incision, you can't move your arm till everything heals. Plus the time being down for the nose job. Sounded miserable, so I just said fuck it and passed on it. He didnt want to do any of it anyways, unless I physically, mentally, etc just can't use the mask anymore. Plus it's only good for like 8-10 years and you have to do the surgery all over again when the battery needs replaced.
I would give anything just to sleep 5-6 straight without getting up once to piss..

Try afrin, blow your nose... repeat several times. Turn up the pressure a couple.

Works every time.

I do it cuz I take viagra around 7 if it's our night for sex. It's still lingering around 845 at bed.

I've done it sick too..

 

[Wallyd]

Ive had the same CPAP for well over 5 years. I talk to my sleep doc in a few weeks, so I am going to ask for a new one. I honestly been using one for over 10 years, and I still am not used to it. I dont know how anyone can sleep with it. If I have a stuffy nose, forget about it. I sleep best breathing through my nose, and not my mouth. When nose is stuffed up, CPAP sucks to use, because I have to breathe through my mouth, then I wake up 4-6x times, with dry mouth and have to take a piss every hour 1/2.. and have to consume a ton of water to get rid of the cotton mouth.

I looked into that aspire sleep apnea device, and that doc wanted to do a whole rhinoplasty job(deviated septum) on top of the surgery to install the aspire device. I would be down for a whole month, because where they make the incision, you can't move your arm till everything heals. Plus the time being down for the nose job. Sounded miserable, so I just said fuck it and passed on it. He didnt want to do any of it anyways, unless I physically, mentally, etc just can't use the mask anymore. Plus it's only good for like 8-10 years and you have to do the surgery all over again when the battery needs replaced.
I would give anything just to sleep 5-6 straight without getting up once to piss..

We are pretty much in the same boat. I don’t sleep worth a dam, I fall asleep super fast but between 12-2 I’ll wake up & just lay there with my mind racing. I’ve also got the pee issue. Getting old sucks.

 

[Wilson6]

I have a custom made dental appliance that makes a huge difference, can't do CPAP. The app pulls your jaw forward. I wear an Oura ring to track sleep. This past week I've had some gum issues and tooth pain from food that was lodged in a pocket next to my first molar. Haven't been able to wear the app for a few days until the tooth pain resolves. The difference in sleep quality and breathing issues is amazing. Not wearing it for several days I feel exhausted during the day, certainly the tooth pain hasn't helped but the breathing issues play a role. The app is easy to travel with and works well, at least for me. Something to talk to the sleep specialist and dentist about.

 

[ItalianMuscle]

I have a custom made dental appliance that makes a huge difference, can't do CPAP. The app pulls your jaw forward. I wear an Oura ring to track sleep. This past week I've had some gum issues and tooth pain from food that was lodged in a pocket next to my first molar. Haven't been able to wear the app for a few days until the tooth pain resolves. The difference in sleep quality and breathing issues is amazing. Not wearing it for several days I feel exhausted during the day, certainly the tooth pain hasn't helped but the breathing issues play a role. The app is easy to travel with and works well, at least for me. Something to talk to the sleep specialist and dentist about.

Been there, dont that too. This was also a pain in the ass, at least for me. I had an episode(Choking) a few times using this, so it wasn't working. And plus having your jaw, like wired shut all night, It was too uncomfortable. So my sleep doc, told me to go back to the CPAP. CPAP is the tried/true best method, that majority of the docs use, because it is bullet proof. My doc is against everything, but the CPAP. It took me a few years of me complaining to try and use or get the aspire device. I was approved for it, but I still opted to not do the surgery and just keep using the CPAP. So unless there is a 100% cure for my condition, I wont be using anything else but it for the rest of my life.