Re: Sleepy and wheezy

[Guest guest]

Doug,

I too felt like a squid on steroids when wearing all the cemented on

wires and bands around my chest along with the head set.

I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have a CPAP also but cannot use

it because of having to fight with the hose, constantly having dry mouth

and sore throat the next morning and basically because of all the

twisting and fighting I get little sleep. I tried going from the mask

to nose and mouth piece and finally the plastic nasal device that fits

in your nose to a full face mask. No matter what I tried I disliked the

experience. You will find that at first it is a little difficult to get

used to the forced air through the device. I found that I forgot all

about it after a few tries. Other people I have talked to tell me that

the experience was very full filling and they never have felt better. I

wish I had the same experience.

I am glad you are happy with getting your CPAP to use. I would be

interested in knowing what you think about having to wear an apparatus

and fight with the hose. I also acquired the heating device for the

water after being told this would ease the dryness. It did not happen.

The dryness was worse. If you have any suggestions on what to do to

cope with wearing the breathing device after you gain a little

experience with the CPAP let me know.

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman

________________________________

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of uca79iii

Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:08 PM

Subject: [ ] Sleepy and wheezy

My allergist/pulmno ordered an overnight Pulse/Ox a few weeks ago and

it showed that I was not getting enough oxygen at night. Therefore, he

ordered a " Sleep Study " which I did last night.

This morning, I got a diagnosis of " Obrstuctive Sleep Apnea. " The

obstruction is in my

nasal passages and in my throat since I had two cervical disk fusion

surgeries in 1998 and last May.

The doctor who did the study is an Internal Medicine/Pulmno/Sleep

specialist who really knows his stuff. I had so many wires hooked up

to me that I thought I was one of " The Borg " from Star Trek. LOL

Looks like my neb will not be the only breathing machine I use from

now on (grin) I had fun on the CPAP last night. I asked the doctor if

I could put Xopenex in the machine instead of water to kill two birds

with one stone. He laughed, said " no " and shook his head.

Tomorrow, I get a CPAP of my very own. Can't say I am looking forward

to another breathing apparatus.......but as long as I CAN breathe

it's fine by me!!!!

Thanks to Xolair, I only use the neb maybe once a day, sometimes 2.

Doug

[Guest guest]

>

> Doug,

> I too felt like a squid on steroids when wearing all the cemented on

> wires and bands around my chest along with the head set.

>

> I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have a CPAP also but cannot use

> it because of having to fight with the hose, constantly having dry mouth

> and sore throat the next morning and basically because of all the

> twisting and fighting I get little sleep. I tried going from the mask

> to nose and mouth piece and finally the plastic nasal device that fits

> in your nose to a full face mask. No matter what I tried I disliked the

> experience. You will find that at first it is a little difficult to get

> used to the forced air through the device. I found that I forgot all

> about it after a few tries. Other people I have talked to tell me that

> the experience was very full filling and they never have felt better. I

> wish I had the same experience.

>

> I am glad you are happy with getting your CPAP to use. I would be

> interested in knowing what you think about having to wear an apparatus

> and fight with the hose. I also acquired the heating device for the

> water after being told this would ease the dryness. It did not happen.

> The dryness was worse. If you have any suggestions on what to do to

> cope with wearing the breathing device after you gain a little

> experience with the CPAP let me know.

>

> Have a Good Day

> Steve Zimmerman

>

>

Steve,

I am sorry you did not have good results with your CPAP. The one they

had me on was not bad at all. It had a built in heater/humidifier.

After I had it on, I could sleep so much better. I get my fitting

from my medical supply company tomorrow. I will keep you informed via

email.

Doug

[Guest guest]

Steve - the talk about cpap units reminds me I have a fancy bipap unit under my

bed, and my pulmo doc is talking about getting me an even fancier unit. I found

the bipap much better that the cpap, but don't use it because it doesn't solve

my apnea. My apnea comes from holding my breath, which a cpap or bipap doesn't

really address. I think the breath holding is the result of severe childhood

asthma, when I had to fight for each breath, and tended to hold it because it

was such a struggle to inhale - this is more than 60 years ago when there were

no real treatments for asthma, and on occasions the doctor would have to come to

our house and stay up with me most of the night just to keep me breathing.

(Yes, folks, doctors actually did that sort of thing back then - house calls - a

phrase that will soon fade into forgotten antiquity.)

At any rate, I'm curious if any others of us have a breath-holding problem. My

pulmo doc has not run into it before, and after failure with the cpap and bipap

route, it's one of the reasons he's got me on xolair.

Terry

----- Original Message -----

From: Steve Zimmerman

Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:30 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] Sleepy and wheezy

Doug,

I too felt like a squid on steroids when wearing all the cemented on

wires and bands around my chest along with the head set.

I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have a CPAP also but cannot use

it because of having to fight with the hose, constantly having dry mouth

and sore throat the next morning and basically because of all the

twisting and fighting I get little sleep. I tried going from the mask

to nose and mouth piece and finally the plastic nasal device that fits

in your nose to a full face mask. No matter what I tried I disliked the

experience. You will find that at first it is a little difficult to get

used to the forced air through the device. I found that I forgot all

about it after a few tries. Other people I have talked to tell me that

the experience was very full filling and they never have felt better. I

wish I had the same experience.

I am glad you are happy with getting your CPAP to use. I would be

interested in knowing what you think about having to wear an apparatus

and fight with the hose. I also acquired the heating device for the

water after being told this would ease the dryness. It did not happen.

The dryness was worse. If you have any suggestions on what to do to

cope with wearing the breathing device after you gain a little

experience with the CPAP let me know.

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman

________________________________

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of uca79iii

Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:08 PM

Subject: [ ] Sleepy and wheezy

My allergist/pulmno ordered an overnight Pulse/Ox a few weeks ago and

it showed that I was not getting enough oxygen at night. Therefore, he

ordered a " Sleep Study " which I did last night.

This morning, I got a diagnosis of " Obrstuctive Sleep Apnea. " The

obstruction is in my

nasal passages and in my throat since I had two cervical disk fusion

surgeries in 1998 and last May.

The doctor who did the study is an Internal Medicine/Pulmno/Sleep

specialist who really knows his stuff. I had so many wires hooked up

to me that I thought I was one of " The Borg " from Star Trek. LOL

Looks like my neb will not be the only breathing machine I use from

now on (grin) I had fun on the CPAP last night. I asked the doctor if

I could put Xopenex in the machine instead of water to kill two birds

with one stone. He laughed, said " no " and shook his head.

Tomorrow, I get a CPAP of my very own. Can't say I am looking forward

to another breathing apparatus.......but as long as I CAN breathe

it's fine by me!!!!

Thanks to Xolair, I only use the neb maybe once a day, sometimes 2.

Doug

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on the cpap! I hope that doesn't sound strange,

it's just that I started using one about two years ago and it has

made a HUGE difference in my life. I have so much more energy and

I'm not constantly feeling like I'm going to fall asleep. I used to

worry driving back and forth from work that I would fall asleep. I

had no idea that it had anything to do with sleep apnea, I just

thought it was all part of my other medical problems or a side

effect of the medications. I use the nasal pads and it took a

little bit of time to get used to, but now I don't like sleeping

without it. I also have a full face mask for times when my sinus

infections prevent me from breathing through my nose, but for some

reason, the full face mask does not stop my snoring.

Don't expect to get the full benefit of the cpap right away. It

took me over a week - maybe two- before I was feeling better (not so

sleepy). I was told that was normal since I had gone for so long on

minimal sleep. My husband says he can't hear the machine at all,

and for me it is very quiet. I first got mine when I was pregnant

with my youngest child and one of my big concerns was that I

wouldn't be able to hear the kids with it on, but I can.

It is one more thing you have to pack up and take with you when you

travel, but it is so worth it.

So, good luck. I hope it helps you as much as it did me!

>

> My allergist/pulmno ordered an overnight Pulse/Ox a few weeks ago

and

> it showed that I was not getting enough oxygen at night.

Therefore, he

> ordered a " Sleep Study " which I did last night.

>

>

> This morning, I got a diagnosis of " Obrstuctive Sleep Apnea. " The

> obstruction is in my

> nasal passages and in my throat since I had two cervical disk

fusion

> surgeries in 1998 and last May.

>

> The doctor who did the study is an Internal Medicine/Pulmno/Sleep

> specialist who really knows his stuff. I had so many wires

hooked up

> to me that I thought I was one of " The Borg " from Star Trek. LOL

>

> Looks like my neb will not be the only breathing machine I use from

> now on (grin) I had fun on the CPAP last night. I asked the

doctor if

> I could put Xopenex in the machine instead of water to kill two

birds

> with one stone. He laughed, said " no " and shook his head.

>

> Tomorrow, I get a CPAP of my very own. Can't say I am looking

forward

> to another breathing apparatus.......but as long as I CAN breathe

> it's fine by me!!!!

>

> Thanks to Xolair, I only use the neb maybe once a day, sometimes 2.

>

> Doug

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Congratulations on the cpap! I hope that doesn't sound strange,

> it's just that I started using one about two years ago and it has

> made a HUGE difference in my life. I have so much more energy and

> I'm not constantly feeling like I'm going to fall asleep. I used to

> worry driving back and forth from work that I would fall asleep. I

> had no idea that it had anything to do with sleep apnea, I just

> thought it was all part of my other medical problems or a side

> effect of the medications. I use the nasal pads and it took a

> little bit of time to get used to, but now I don't like sleeping

> without it. I also have a full face mask for times when my sinus

> infections prevent me from breathing through my nose, but for some

> reason, the full face mask does not stop my snoring.

>

> Don't expect to get the full benefit of the cpap right away. It

> took me over a week - maybe two- before I was feeling better (not so

> sleepy). I was told that was normal since I had gone for so long on

> minimal sleep. My husband says he can't hear the machine at all,

> and for me it is very quiet. I first got mine when I was pregnant

> with my youngest child and one of my big concerns was that I

> wouldn't be able to hear the kids with it on, but I can.

>

> It is one more thing you have to pack up and take with you when you

> travel, but it is so worth it.

>

> So, good luck. I hope it helps you as much as it did me!

>

>

>

Thank you, and NO it does not sound strange at all.

Last night was my first night and it was lousey. My nose is still

hurting. I must have looked at the clock every 15 minutes.

The inhalation therapist says this is normal and to give it time.

I am exhaling through my mouth so I will try a chin strap tonight.

BTW, how do you scratch your nose with the mask on? This bugged me

all night too.

I love the fact that I am breathing in pure humidified hepa air.

I am also pleased that my insurance paid almost all the cost for the

machine and accessories.

Doug

[Guest guest]

It's been a while for me so I've managed to forget some of the

details about getting used to the mask, but I do remember feeling

discouraged because it seemed so uncomfortable. I thought there is

no way I can sleep with this for the rest of my life. That part just

takes time and a little adjustment. I actually feel funny when I

lay down to take a nap without my mask now - I actually find the

feeling comforting. However, scrathing your nose with the mask on

never really gets easier, but your nose will get less itchy. It's

just so irritating and it kind of tickles at first that personally

my nose really itched. I just lifted my mask up to scratch - I'm an

old pro at that now and hardly even think about it when I do it.

I also had problems breathing out of my mouth and that actually took

me longer to resolve than anything else. It probably took me a year

to feel like I had almost totally stopped this habit. I didn't have

a chin strap, but maybe that will help. I think it just takes

practice, I seriously had to concentrate on this at first. It seems

like I would have the hang of it for a while, and then I would slip

back into breathing through my mouth. Finally it just stopped (for

the most part.)

I also remember it took me a while to get good at putting the

contraption on - especially when you get up in the middle of the

night to go to the bathroom and come back to bed and try to do in

the dark.

But for all the hassle and getting-used to, I am so happy to have

mine. It's one of those things that made a huge difference in my

quality of life (and more importantly for me in my kids lives - mom

has more energy!) and I hope you feel the same way about yours once

you get used to it.

Peggy

> Thank you, and NO it does not sound strange at all.

> Last night was my first night and it was lousey. My nose is still

> hurting. I must have looked at the clock every 15 minutes.

>

> The inhalation therapist says this is normal and to give it time.

> I am exhaling through my mouth so I will try a chin strap tonight.

> BTW, how do you scratch your nose with the mask on? This bugged me

> all night too.

>

> I love the fact that I am breathing in pure humidified hepa air.

> I am also pleased that my insurance paid almost all the cost for

the

> machine and accessories.

>

> Doug

>

[Guest guest]

>

> It's been a while for me so I've managed to forget some of the

> details about getting used to the mask, but I do remember feeling

> discouraged because it seemed so uncomfortable. I thought there is

> no way I can sleep with this for the rest of my life. That part just

> takes time and a little adjustment. I actually feel funny when I

> lay down to take a nap without my mask now - I actually find the

> feeling comforting. However, scrathing your nose with the mask on

> never really gets easier, but your nose will get less itchy. It's

> just so irritating and it kind of tickles at first that personally

> my nose really itched. I just lifted my mask up to scratch - I'm an

> old pro at that now and hardly even think about it when I do it.

>

> I also had problems breathing out of my mouth and that actually took

> me longer to resolve than anything else. It probably took me a year

> to feel like I had almost totally stopped this habit. I didn't have

> a chin strap, but maybe that will help. I think it just takes

> practice, I seriously had to concentrate on this at first. It seems

> like I would have the hang of it for a while, and then I would slip

> back into breathing through my mouth. Finally it just stopped (for

> the most part.)

>

> I also remember it took me a while to get good at putting the

> contraption on - especially when you get up in the middle of the

> night to go to the bathroom and come back to bed and try to do in

> the dark.

>

> But for all the hassle and getting-used to, I am so happy to have

> mine. It's one of those things that made a huge difference in my

> quality of life (and more importantly for me in my kids lives - mom

> has more energy!) and I hope you feel the same way about yours once

> you get used to it.

>

> Peggy

>

>

Peggy,

Thanks! I had another night of wrestling with the thing. UGH! The

chin strap helped some but not nearly enough.

Well, I need to take my own advice here....... I tell people on this

board all the time to be patient when it comes to getting asthma

relief from Xolair. Some people it takes a few shots, for others

(like me) it can take up to a full year.

Well, now it's MY turn to have patience. You know the saying " Lord,

give me patience, and give it NOW " Sounds like me LOL!

Doug

[Guest guest]

i have cpap and use a full face mask because i am a mouth breather.

i found this much better than trying to adjust to nasal mask.

> >

> > It's been a while for me so I've managed to forget some of the

> > details about getting used to the mask, but I do remember feeling

> > discouraged because it seemed so uncomfortable. I thought there

is

> > no way I can sleep with this for the rest of my life. That part

just

> > takes time and a little adjustment. I actually feel funny when I

> > lay down to take a nap without my mask now - I actually find the

> > feeling comforting. However, scrathing your nose with the mask

on

> > never really gets easier, but your nose will get less itchy.

It's

> > just so irritating and it kind of tickles at first that

personally

> > my nose really itched. I just lifted my mask up to scratch - I'm

an

> > old pro at that now and hardly even think about it when I do it.

> >

> > I also had problems breathing out of my mouth and that actually

took

> > me longer to resolve than anything else. It probably took me a

year

> > to feel like I had almost totally stopped this habit. I didn't

have

> > a chin strap, but maybe that will help. I think it just takes

> > practice, I seriously had to concentrate on this at first. It

seems

> > like I would have the hang of it for a while, and then I would

slip

> > back into breathing through my mouth. Finally it just stopped

(for

> > the most part.)

> >

> > I also remember it took me a while to get good at putting the

> > contraption on - especially when you get up in the middle of the

> > night to go to the bathroom and come back to bed and try to do in

> > the dark.

> >

> > But for all the hassle and getting-used to, I am so happy to have

> > mine. It's one of those things that made a huge difference in my

> > quality of life (and more importantly for me in my kids lives -

mom

> > has more energy!) and I hope you feel the same way about yours

once

> > you get used to it.

> >

> > Peggy

> >

> >

>

>

> Peggy,

>

> Thanks! I had another night of wrestling with the thing. UGH! The

> chin strap helped some but not nearly enough.

>

> Well, I need to take my own advice here....... I tell people on this

> board all the time to be patient when it comes to getting asthma

> relief from Xolair. Some people it takes a few shots, for others

> (like me) it can take up to a full year.

>

> Well, now it's MY turn to have patience. You know the saying " Lord,

> give me patience, and give it NOW " Sounds like me LOL!

>

> Doug

>