Had a good night last night and felt inspired to share some things that I've experimented with, because I know a ton of people suffer the headaches, brain fog, weariness, etc. even after using CPAP, like I do. I thought this might help point some folks in the right direction or hint at what to avoid.

Background: I was diagnosed about 7 years ago and got a Resmed CPAP. Used it with a P10 mask for many years, and then it slowly stopped being effective. I'm a lifelong back sleeper, but experimented with sleeping positions, devices, etc. to try and get some normalcy back. Waking up with headaches and being tired all day absolutely sucks.

Sleeping positions & pillows: sleeping on my left side helped a lot. Problem is that I'm broad-shouldered and cannot consistently stay on my side. Putting a body pillow behind my back helped. The only pillow I could find that was tall and supportive enough for my head was the Sleep Number Ultimate, with the 3 inserts you can use. I use all three. It's not perfect but it's by far the best.

Masks: I used a P10 for forever and liked it, but it never felt 100% like a perfect fit. The cushions would get to where they wouldn't seal well fairly quickly, and if I shifted in the night, it'd come off. I've tried a bunch of other masks, but the best I've found (thanks to y'all) is the Philips Dreamwear Nasal Pillows. Really like that mask and sticking with it.

Mouth tape: I started doing this just to be sure I wasn't breathing through my mouth at night. I tried one my wife and I saw on Shark Tank (Somnafix maybe?), cloth surgical tape (it'll do in a pinch), a generic knock-off on Amazon, and finally settled on Hostage Tape. If I don't accidentally stretch it before putting it on, it is super comfortable. I forget I have it on. Once in a while it leaves black sticky residue on my mouth but not a big deal.

Nasal strips: this is one of my latest things. I'm not sure how much they helped at first, and I have seen several videos that showed how a smaller nasal opening doesn't really affect sleep apnea b/c the problem is in your airway, so this may be a bit of a red herring. I tried Breathe Right, and those worked okay but not drastically. I then tried Hostage Tape's strips, and those wouldn't stay on. Kept waking up with one side off. I shower at night and make sure my nose is clean for the strips, but couldn't get them to stay on. But I have noticed a difference in both sleep quality and how well they stay on with the Intake Breathing kit. It looks funky and takes a little to put on, but it works. The little magnets do the trick, I have to say. My sleep quality went up a noticeable bit when I switched to those.

Mouth guard: very recent, as in one nap and one night. I had been reading various success stories about these and thought it couldn't hurt so I got one. Really, I was in my hotel room at a conference surfing and did some experimenting where I'd shift my jaw back and try to snore (easily did), then shift it upwards like a mouthguard would and tried to snore (couldn't), so it made sense to me it might help. Kept reading how these things can cause cavities, teeth to shift, etc. so I was not wanting to go this route but had had enough of apnea symptoms. Got one in yesterday (QuietLab), cleaned it, and put it in my mouth for a nap to get used to it. Never really thought I fell asleep but looked over at my CPAP and I'd been asleep for an hour, 0.0 events. Plus I was on my back. When I went to bed, I shifted the bottom part forward two notches, put it in, and slept on my back because I really wanted to get back to that way. Woke up several times for a few minutes around 5 AM or so, but I think that's just because the mouth guard is a little uncomfortable. And it's definitely not super comfortable but it's bearable. My teeth hurt a little bit too. When I got up....0.0 events for the night. I felt great on about 7 hours of sleep. No headaches. Was mentally sharp all day. I am so thankful, you just don't know how much.

Next steps: going to reach out to my dentist to see if making me a more permanent mouth guard is an option or even a good choice, just to protect my teeth if that is a thing to worry about. Barring that, I'm open to trying other mouth guard brands b/c the QuietLab purchase process was way too infomercial-ly for me. That video they want you to watch about the ultrasonic cleaner is just too much. But I have to say the thing works. Perhaps there are others that work that are a little more comfortable. Have to say that it's helping me. Just one night, but man it was a great night.

Sorry for the TLDR post. Happy to answer any questions if you have them.

Hi everyone,

I recently had to return the Airsense11 I had due to insurance. It was picked up last minute and I have no way of seeing what my pressure settings were.

Is there anything I need to change pressure wise on a new machine to effectively treat my apnea? I’m buying a refurbished Airsense 11 from SecondWindCPAP.

Thank you!! 🙏

I just received my at home sleep test from Snap Diagnostics and it has a bunch of wires and the little machine will rest on my nightstand. My question is, is there a specific position I should sleep in? The paperwork didn't specify.

I usually sleep on my stomach and toss and turn at night. I really struggle with sleeping on my back. Will this be an issue?

A family member has recently needed to use a bipap machine at night.

I'm wondering, is this truly the only option for sleep apnea? Is there some operation etc that can be done where this is no need for such machine?

Hi guys sorry if this is a dumb question but I’m supposed to have a sleep study done soon and I was wondering if the results vary depending on if your nose is clogged?

I’ve had some breathing issues for the past 2 years which made my sleep much worse than before but I have had apnea symptoms since I was a toddler and I was breathing fine then. I’m just worried I’ll get a false positive/negative because when I got a MSLT at the hospital to rule out narcolepsy they told me to keep my mouth slightly open while trying to sleep because apparently I wasn’t breathing well when I was trying to keep my mouth closed.

I’ve also visited multiple ENTs and was prescribed steroid sprays and meds but I haven’t been able to fix this problem yet because I got put on accutane in the meantime which severely dried out my nose and derailed all my progress. So is this something they’ll take into consideration or do I have to fix my breathing issues first?

Hi I want to ask people with mild OSA (AHA: 5-15) who have used CPAP for any other reason/symptom that are known to be triggered by the apneas if the OSA was moderate to severe, have you noticed a tangible benefit from this treatment?

So I have chronic daily migraine (30 days/month). In 2017 my sleep study showed mild OSA (AHA 8) and the physician told me there is no need to treat it. And here I am in 2024 with the same issue persistent for 7 yrs. Thank you.

I am new to CPAP and trying to decide on a mask. I was going to order the airfit f30i mask but it looks like the cushion lands right around where my nostril piercings are. I have 2 flat backed labrets on one nostril and I’m concerned there will be an issue with getting a good seal. The jewelry is relatively flat and low profile so maybe it won’t be an issue?

I am a new CPAP user, and like many, have struggled with mask fit and tolerance of it, and trying to understand how everything is supposed to work. AHI had improved, but my mask was waking me up at least a couple dozen times a night because of slippage and leaks. I learned a bit about OSCAR and how to interpret the data. I had an SD card in my machine from the first night and imported that data to OSCAR. This confirmed a major leakage issue and resulting sleep disruption. I then spent time online looking at masks to see if I could modify or splint my mask somehow to make it fit better, but ultimately concluded I really just needed a different mask.

I called the DME shop where I got my CPAP and supplies to ask for help. They of course said "But your numbers look great" to which I replied "Yes, but it could be so much better, please help me" so they set an appointment for me to come in.

I met with a different rep than before. They pulled up graphs showing my "great" AHI, and I said "Are you familiar with OSCAR?" and pulled out my laptop computer. I said "I agree the AHI looks good but these dozens of high spikes every night in the Flow Rate chart are arousals where the machine is waking me up due to how the mask fits. It slips and leaks and the air blowing at my eyes wakes me up." Rep looked at the screen and said, "I have never heard of or seen this software before, but look at all those Large Leaks! No wonder you're waking up!"

After several minutes of excellent problem solving discussion such as "Have you tried this and this and this" which I had already had tried all that and more, they said "All right, then let's get you a different mask."

After using the new mask for several days, it works exactly as I had hoped. I no longer fight with reseating the mask several dozen times a night, and the OSCAR data verifies my subjective impression that I now have my sleep disturbed much less often, with far fewer leaks.

I went in prepared to fight for what I thought I needed, but as it turned out that wasn't even necessary. They suggested a new mask as it was clear to them based on the monitoring data that I had been very stubbornly trying to use the machine, even though it had been very difficult due to the mask issues. The fact that I was armed with data, had educated myself so I could explain what it meant, and could clearly state exactly what was bothering me and how I had tried to mitigate it, went a long way toward getting the help I needed.

The appointment ended with me receiving the very mask I had found online that looked like it would solve my issues.

Thanks to the help and education I have received on reddit and at https://www.apneaboard.com I was able to successfully advocate for myself!

I know not everyone is dealing with a small, independent DME shop which has no corporate overlords, but you never know what they'll do for you if you don't ask.

I only have an AHI of 7.1, but hopefully will still be treated as I think it would really help.

I did notice on the page of information though it noted that an irregular EKG was observed. Should I be concerned about this? It was not mentioned again in the final statement.

Just curious if anyone else had this in their results and what it meant.

long story short: second sleep study results are way worse than the first one

my last PSG sleep study (over a year ago) doctor dismissed me because the results were 'not that bad' and me being tired every day and moody and brain fog is not sleep related so it had to be mental fatigue.

Since my life is just fine and i don't see any reason why i have mental fatigue and going to the gym several times a week and eat more healthy and spend more time outside didn't do sh*t i decided to go for a second opinion, a second PSG sleepstudy at a different hospital.

First sleep study i had over a year ago
https://ibb.co/6XpFChS

AHI of 8.2 of which most of them were CSA, 22 awake moments, good REM and DEEP sleep quality.

That doctor didn't find this result bad enough and dismissed me even after i told him that i basically deprive my body of oxygen 8.2 times per hour.

Second sleep study i had last month
https://ibb.co/G02HBdD

what shocked me is that my AHI was twice as high, and that i even had a fairly high OSA count, CSA was 11 which is 3 CSA events per hour more than the last study.

i know i slept like shit this time for some reason and the first time i slept like a baby.

Why are the results of the second PSG so much worse in 1 year time? does this mean my symptoms get worse and worse?

Ps, I did a PG a few years ago and tried CPAP (resmed airsense 10 autoset) but after 2 months i still couldn't sleep with it so i quit and started searching the cause somewhere else.

I just got diagnosed through a home sleep study for moderate sleep apnea with an AHI of 16.1 per hour, but my follow up with my doctor isn’t until the 24th. I already have a CPAP machine (dreamstation) and I’m curious if I can just start using that before I do my in-lab titration? And if so, where is a good place to learn about settings and such?

Hi all, I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea last year (which im still unsure if that's really the cause of my bad sleep, primarily because I don't snore [two long term partners have confirmed this] ) and i tried a cpap for 6 months and didn't feel a difference. My symptoms only lasted briefly, and after i got rid fo the cpap machine my symptoms magically went away anyway. Well almost a year later the symptoms are seemingly back - exhaustion during the day, lack of feeling like good sleep etc, and i don't really know what to do.

I was looking into these mouthguard pieces i see people talking about, but most of them seem to be only for snoring/if you have sleep apnea that involves the snoring symptom, which i do not. Anyone know if it would be useful, or is there some other alternative anyone would recommend for my alleged mild sleep apnea, which doesn't involve snoring.

I will be buying my first cpap on Black Friday and am trying to figure out in advance what to order. For masks, I think I will start by trying the ResMed F40 and P30i to see what I like best. I've seen the fit guides for the cushions, but how do I find the right size for the F40 headgear? I have a small head. Kids hats fit me better than adult hats, so I'm guessing I would be a small. Since I am buying online, do I just have to guess a headgear size and order one? Also, any recommended suppliers that offer exchanges on masks?

Edited to add: my question is specifically about the F40 headgear sizing.

I did a PSG about two weeks ago and the report recommended a repeat PSG + MSLT. My doctor put in the order and it will be sent to my health insurance for prior authorization. In your experience will health insurance approve a second study this soon?

Does anyone here take wellbutrin to combat the fatigue symptoms of sleep apnea? I think my psychiatrist would prefer prescribing this to me over modafinil as I don't have a sleep apnea diagnosis yet, though I'm due for an in-lab sleep study in a few weeks, and modafinil is a scary controlled stimulant drug (worse yet I'm a college student lol). After my at home sleep study results came back negative I'm quickly losing patience. I'm not exactly depressed, but my lack of focus and energy is quickly taking me down that hill. I don't for how much longer I can take feeling like this all the time.

So I tried wearing the mask for like an hour before bed which might have helped. I've got I think a ResMed 11 with the Phillips Dreamwear nasal pillows, I saw nasal pillows recommended here a lot so I went for it.

Impressively, it's actually quite comfortable. I was a little worried about feeling a little suffocated but I got mostly used to breathing with it on. The problem I had while actually in bed was that I was too focused on my breathing, so I ended up taking deep, almost Darth Vader-esque breaths with it and I couldn't sleep much. I did pass out and dream a couple times, maybe an hour or two hours? I know there's a learning curve with this stuff so I wasn't surprised that I had some trouble. The myAir app said I scored an 80 though, and my pressure peaked at an 8.2.

The other issue I had was later in the night, my mask started to make a noise like air was leaking out of it. It was the air coming from the front, which disturbed me a bit. I eventually figured out that if I pulled it on tighter on top (where the tube goes in) it goes away, but it was pretty late on so I didn't benefit much. The tube also kept feeling like it was tugging a bit.

So, my questions:

-Any advice to fall asleep faster with this? Will use meds if I gotta

-How tight should this type of mask be on me?

-Do I need to clean all this stuff as often as the clinician told me?

-Best way to make sure the tubing isn't interfering with my sleep?

-Lastly, any way to reduce the noise?

I’ve already consulted my doctor about this but haven’t had much luck. I’ve been snoring since I was a teenager but I think it’s starting to affect me. My Garmin watch 5/7 nights shows me waking up with a body battery of 25-30. I wake up tired, not rested. I downloaded a snoring app and realized a lot of nights I heavy snore. I don’t stop breathing and my blood oxygen (from Garmin watch) doesn’t drop below 95% but I still know I’m snoring like crazy.

My doctor ordered a sleep study both at home / in person but the issue is that I have an HSA. My insurance negotiates lower rates but I still cover out of pocket until I hit I believe 6,000 then insurance kicks in and covered 90%.

My sleep study cost in office is 9,000 - 10,000 and the at home one is 1,200 - 1,500 but I was told that if the at home one comes back positive I still have to get the in office one to have any remedies for this. I’m in shape, young and not overweight. I eat pretty healthy, work out regularly if that helps with any questions.

I don’t know what to do. I can’t just drop $6,000 on this…. What other options do i have? I don’t sleep on my stomach or back, I only sleep on my side if that helps too.

I don't think my mouth is opening at night (the only time it opens is during cpap) which blows it wide open.

Now since Cpap is the only thing making my mouth open, and I am a nasal breather. My same pattern persisted.

Fall asleep from 9pm -3 Am wake up, then go back to sleep around 4.5 am then sleep to about 7. Fragmented.

Thoughts on what is causing this?

My sleep study result was 33 events per hour. I don't doubt the result, I definitely have sleep apnea. However, I did have trouble falling asleep for the study while I was hooked up to all that monitoring gear. In the end they gave me a sleeping tablet to knock me out. I never take anything like that ordinarily. I do wonder if the sleeping tablet could have skewed my result (one way or the other)? For the purposes of a sleep study, I would have preferred to have slept like I always do but it wasn't happening! Any opinions?

For the people who have heated tubes - I got mine in the mail and tried it the same night. Im worried mine is broken.

The air doesnt feel warm when I feel for it, even turned up to max temp of 86. When i plugged it in, half the tube got slightly warm for a min, stopped getting warm and got cold. I unplugged it, replugged it and the same thing happened, except the end towards the mask got a bit warmer for a min then stopped and got cold.

Does the tube stay warm all night or is something going on with the hose I received? I have a resmed10

Did anyone have any/all of the following

Low testosterone High cholesterol Low hdl Fatigue Brain fog Anxiety Panic attacks

Hey all. I'm new to CPAP, got it about a week or so ago. I've only been able to sleep with it all the way through the night twice. The first time was amazing and I felt so great the next day. The second time seemed okay but I still felt like trash the next day, but I know I'm still adjusting. Anyway the first few nights I didn't feel this but the last 3 nights, as soon as I put my mask on and the air starts to flow, I get this insatiable need to yawn, and nothing makes it go away except falling asleep. Even allowing myself to yawn doesn't make the sensation go away. I'm using an AirSense 11. Pressure range set from 7-12, EPR of 3, ramp is set to auto. Has this happened to anyone else? Did it eventually go away? Did you have to change your settings? Just trying to get some insight. Thanks!

My cpap arrives today, but it’s 3am and I woke up to an apnea episode that made my heart start racing. Now I’m afraid of going back to sleep.

Hello everyone,

For years I've been suffering with the following: Fatigue Anxiety Panic attacks Low testosterone High cholesterol Brain fog I caught a Joe rogan podcast and these symptoms matched someone diagnosed with sleep apnea, I'd never heard of it and promptly bought a pulse oximeter and synced it to my phone, the results showed a sawtooth trend going from mid 70s oxygen saturation to 98 average one every minute all night, the doctor ordered a sleep study with an accu pebble and found the same results, severe sleep apnea diagnosis.

However the waiting list to be treated is lengthy Jan 2025 minimum.

Could anyone please confirm if the above mentioned symptoms are typical of apnea and which machine is best to resolve the issue, I don't mind purchasing my own machine as opposed to waiting on the medical system.

Thanks for taking time to read this.

Do i need to go through a sleep study, etc? or is that just needed to get insurance to pay for it?

Can I just go ahead and buy a CPAP online?

Do custom settings need to be applied for me depending on my interruptions per hour? or is it all the same airflow pressure for everyone?

I just want to go ahead and buy a cpap online, plug it in and then use if. I don’t want to deal with all the doctor bs

Thanks

I work for the rail road and got put on medical leave due to dozing off as a conductor on a 12 hour 300 mile trip, I can not return to work until I get a sleep apnea test and possible pap machine if needed, u was very worried about sleep apnea and the impact it would have on my career if I did have it until I learned I can still work at my job with it and reading some of these posts gives me comfort that if I do have it it’s good to get treatment and not duck from it cuz it can be serious, hoping I don’t have it going in for my test in about a hour, how long did it take your doctors to get back to you with results ?

Those with apnea who went under anesthesia, how did you feel after waking up, compared to your regular sleep with, or without PAP?

I’ve always been curious, i have moderate apnea and even after working with sleep doctors, and also self titrating, although my AHI is consistently <0.5, I feel unrefreshed.

BUT, recently I did an upper endoscopy, where I assume most of the time I was under anesthesia they had a scope in my mouth (which kept my airway open), I felt refreshed. In fact, it was probably the best “sleep” I’ve had in years.

I know anesthesia is different to regular sleep, but even in DICE procedures they use general anesthesia and still are able to “detect” the point of airway resistance, meaning the sleep must at least be close enough to mimic the airway collapse or whatever is causing the apnea right?

The point is, one of the sleep doctors I’m seeing believes my unrefreshed sleep is caused by something outside of apnea, but I always come back to this example of my sleep with anesthesia and I can’t help but think if I had my apnea under control (airway properly opened, which for some reason PAP isn’t doing properly), I would feel refreshed.

I hope this makes sense, and I’m looking forward to hear of your experience with anesthesia.

Also especially interested to hear cases where you were under anesthesia and didn’t have anything opening your airway (i.e. scopes / procedures that don’t require your airway to be opened).

I started off pretty good with my CPAP.. .Okay it took a lot of getting used to but I was managing over 4 hours a night. I was also starting to feel a lot better in the morning. However, the mask has started to make a weird rattle. The first time it did it I seemed to be able to correct it by moving the mask around. But this time I've tried everything. The rattling sound is so bad, I wouldn't be able to sleep with the sound. I'm so frustrated as things were going well. Please 🙏 if there is anything you can tell me?

Do these medicines make sleep apnea episodes not happen? I recently have both of the medicines increased and as a result later on, I had not have any sleep apnea episodes.

(maybe I am having them but it wasn't as severe as before, the main reason why sleep apnea is a concern for me is because depression episodes follow with sleep apnea.)