I Can't Stand My CPAP Machine! What Else Can I Use? | Dr. Valerie Cacho

[@lisac996]

I feel like I'm the only person on earth who doesn't mind using a cpap machine. I sleep so comfortably with it, a solid 8 hrs, and I feel good when I wake up. It's so worth the initial awkwardness.

[@StephaneBergeronPixelyzed]

You are not alone Lisa. I love my CPAP and have been using one for 15 years. Finding the right mask is probably the most difficult and important thing other than the right pressure of course. When I was diagnosed, I resigned myself to it. It was that or keep destroying my health... I was lucky to adapt quickly and now I'm very comfortable with it as well. Very worth it for sure!

[@martinm7714]

I hate my cpap! If i was not singel or older person i would have no problem, but cpap out the door and Inspire will be installed. Nobody want to date or sleep with someone with cpap.

[@cherylfleck5606]

Excellent video, very knowledgeable Dr who explained everything so well, the average person can understand it.

[@sleephoria]

Thank you for the kind words. Glad you have found it useful.

[@duncananderson466]

You’re not the only one! I really enjoy the outcomes of CPAP

[@Tinabee1961]

Since starting CPAP therapy, I wake up every 2 hours, 3 tops if I'm lucky.

[@Sh.aqrabawi1]

Thank you doctor.. The doctor did my sleep study didn't tell me I have positional apnea and put me on CPAP until I saw a new doctor few days ago and he said most likely I don't need CPAP and he ordered a new in lab sleep study as the first one was done at home.

[@jeffrman777]

Severe OSA patient here with a 36.4 AHI. My ENT surgeon will be doing a drug-induced sleep endoscopy on me, then we'll go from there and see which surgery (surgeries) would be suitable. Nervous about it, but also excited that there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.

[@sleephoria]

Yes there are many options and it sounds like you have a great team to help you along this journey.

[@SajidKhan-kt6rz]

Whatever u decide don't ever get into UPPP or Hyoid suspension surgery. They do nothing to treat sleep apnea. I had a double jaw surgery recently and I'm quite happy I made that decision

[@ksm16543]

I’ve read statements that are very pro and very con about getting the implantable device, called Inspire. First of all, it’s only 70% effective when it works as opposed to the 90 to 95% with the CPAP machine. And that’s if you don’t have any issues with it, which many people do. I’ve read about a number of patients that couldn’t tolerate it and chose to have it removed surgically. I looked into it for myself but was dissuaded against moving forward with it by the ENT surgeon who would have been the one implanting it. He said there are difficulties with it and he felt I should try CPAP for a longer period of time. CPAP however drives me crazy and I’m finding it very difficult to tolerate.

[@catallergiccat]

Same here, I’ve been struggling with mouth leaking and aerophagia many years. The two phenomena are conflicting, I either get less effective pressure or stomach cramps.

[@sleephoria]

For the implantable device it depends on what the drug induced sleep endoscopy shows about someone's upper airway. Yes there are some folks who have more benefit than others. Every option has pros and cons and I hope you find something that works best for you.

[@sleephoria]

@@catallergiccat some people have benefitted from combination therapy for aerophagia with the cpap and an oral appliance.

[@JonathanLewis-gf1lu]

Hello friend I’ve been using cpap almost 3 years now. There is so much info out there it’s crazy but I’ll be honest and kind cpap works really good The challenge is to get the right mask and have your cpap set for what you’re needing like when I went to my sleep study in a lab they use a small mask on me when I really needed was the next one up. But once I got to the nasal pill mask I don’t have any problems at all. So hang in there bro ok

[@catallergiccat]

@@sleephoriaI actually tried, MAD + CPAP or TRD (tongue retraining device) + CPAP, only the big full face mask like F10 would be compatible with the big price of stuff on my mouth. Still lots of leaks, as when I enter the deep or rem sleep, my face shape changes, even with chinstrap, even I tighten my mask really tight. The discomfort keeps my awake all night long ..

[@JonathanLewis-gf1lu]

Hello Ms I’ve been using my machine a couple years now after I found the right mask for me I’m doing great.

[@jsballeck]

What kind of mask did you chose ?

[@sleephoria]

Fantastic! Mask selection is so key!

[@JonathanLewis-gf1lu]

@@sleephoria hello friend I can agree with you Because I used a full madk had problems like crazy but when I use a dreamwear naseal pillow mask my whole world is simply amazing I sleep so much better there be times I’ll sleep less and more but that’s ok. I’m just so happy I can actually sleep

[@lucianracu9975]

I did a in hospital sleep test l was so nervous l did not sleep my doctor told me l have sleep apnea how does she know if l did not sleep told me l need a cpap machine.

[@bab3132]

I did an overnight sleep test in hospital and due to severe back issues and a very hard bed, I only had 62 minutes of sleep for the whole study. I was told the next day I stopped breathing 100 times and that I needed a machine. They never did any other medical tests or look around my neck or throat. I don't believe my sleep study was accurate and they were very quick to tell me to buy a machine. Since the machine I have had between 1 and 6 events per hour.

[@MN-lw1uf]

What if you don’t want treatment, even if you know the consequences?

[@Robin6512]

Heavy apnea patient here. 51 p/h. These things are great but I have a hate love relationship whit it.

[@jonathanmorrison2225]

51 per hour? How are you alive? 😂 Seriously I feel for you. Mine are 32 per and it makes me miserable. Hope it gets better for you soon

[@RetroMonkey1999]

​@@jonathanmorrison2225my husband's test was over 2x that. He'd stop breathing CONSTANTLY. And he'd stop breathing for really long periods. I couldn't sleep at night because he was so disruptive and snored so violently..for years! It was awful.

[@Robin6512]

@@jonathanmorrison2225 I have the machine now for the better part of 7 years. My sleep improved quite a bit. I still feel like some kind of a dart Vader 😜

[@sleephoria]

Yes I like to ask patients on the follow up visit after they start CPAP "like or hate it or somewhere in between" Then we focus on what steps to make it more comfortable.

[@cleanqueen75]

I sleep on my side but because of allergies I still sleep with my mouth open. I have very mild sleep apnea and have tried a full face mask but I can’t inhale or exhale with it on and I can’t sleep on my back. I’m going to try a dental device.

[@Captainredneck1488]

I really need some help using to cpap machine is freaking miserable its like a torture device I fear going to sleep what can I do

[@caseybhouse]

120.7 AHI. Pure terror when using CPAP. Too overweight for surgeries.

[@sleephoria]

Yes CPAP isn't for everyone. Hopefully your healthcare team can find something to help you on your journey.

[@realstreetuk]

Hi I have Central Sleep apnea. Is there any alternatives to treat my conditions instead of my adaptive servo ventilation machine ?

[@Luke-ih1oc]

What are your thoughts on the studies that have examined benefits to sleep apnea in people who people who play the didgeridoo or double reed instruments?

[@sleephoria]

Great question! Yes it certainly can work to improve the strength of one's upper airway. I have reviewed the data and found it fascinating. I haven't had any takers to actually follow through with this. There is a FDA approved device called eXcite OSA that may be beneficial for snoring-mild OSA. Working with a myofunctional therapist may help as well. Also there are some apps such as snore gym or myairway gym that offer instruction on this.

[@artboy789]

What about just forcing yourself to sleep with your mouth closed so that your tongue doesn’t fall back and obstruct the airway and you just breathe through your nose all night long?

[@the1andonlytrav]

Yeah that’s definitely something you can do when you’re unconscious. 🙌🏻

[@albertbaez1408]

@@the1andonlytrav 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ellenhofer3343]

So, this is judt telling us to use a sleep doctor????

[@sleephoria]

Sleep doctors can help guide you toward the best treatment option but they aren't the only ones who can help. Sleep dentists and ENT surgeons can also offer a lot of non-CPAP therapy for OSA.

[@sleephoria]

A team of different types of sleep apnea experts can be helpful.

[@scottjohnson676]

I get ill after an hour or two of use. Then try after getting over illness. This has happened all five times. I'm tired of getting sick.

[@sleephoria]

Yes it can be difficult to tolerate CPAP therapy when you are sick. Hope you get better soon!

[@underthetornado]

Make sure your mask is clean and mold free?

[@yonemitsu1]

My sleep Dr wasn’t helpful like you

[@sleephoria]

Glad you found this video helpful.

[@EmptyCages1964]

Disappointing video. I expected to see examples of the mouth things.

[@sleephoria]

Thanks for the feedback. Happy to make a video on the mouth things. Are you referring to oral appliances made by dentists or different devices you can purchase online such as a tongue retaining device?

[@catallergiccat]

@@sleephoriayeah, the TRD does prevent my tongue from falling back at some level, but very uncomfortable. If I squeeze too much air out, my tip of tongue turns black, otherwise there is a chance it slips off. I use it as a retreat, in the case I need wake up either by leaks or aerophagia, and not wiling to use the CPAP.