CPAP / sleep apnea

[Lacan]

I'm currently being tested for possible sleep apnea (I'm a loud snorer), and really dreading the idea of having to sleep with a CPAP mask for the rest of my life! Anyone here with sleep apnea who has some advice in this regard? Which type of mask do you use? Full face, nose only, something else? Is it easy to get used to wearing it at night?

And what about bringing your CPAP machine to Pattaya or elsewhere around the world, any issues? How do the girls respond to it? Or do I have to give up on LT and go ST only?

[Bennieben]

I don't have one, but I know many people who are using it, and they told me it took some time to get used to sleeping with this, but not so long, and they are all saying it changed their lives. The gain in quality of sleep seems to overcome the time it takes to get used to it. For your other questions, I have no idea. A woman who would love you will accept it without a problem. It's probably a lot better than sleeping with someone who is snoring. But about the hoes you are paying ... keep your expectations low. They are there for money, so worst-case scenario, kick them out before going to bed. 

[madmike]

Been using a CPAP for years.  For me it was easy to get used to and I have no problems with it.  Seems that I am a minority though.  My sleep doctor views the records kept in the machine of daily use and was stunned that I use it every day and for 6-8 hours.  Seems most people have an issue,

having said that it is a health issue and better if you give it a go if it is prescribed.

  

[Luv2Phuket]

I've been using one for 25+ years....actually the SAME one for 25+ years!  555  I desperately need to go to a sleep clinic to get a new prescription and new machine.

I have a smaller travel CPAP that I use in Pattaya.

I use nasal pillows.  Different people like different things, but it was the least invasive to me.

Girls don't give a shit, and most have seen CPAPs before.  They're much happier sleeping next to a guy with a CPAP than a guy who sounds like a chainsaw!

[blake7373]

3 minutes ago, Luv2Phuket said:

Girls don't give a shit

Agree.

I rented one for two weeks at first and ripped it off night one and did not use again.

A few months later started waking up breathless several times a night. Went ahead and bought an auto machine and forced myself to sleep with it. I had to psych myself into it expecting a good outcome. 

All problems went away, I quickly embraced it and can't imagine not using it now. Maybe I'm one of a minority that took to it so easily.

Easy to travel with. Wearing a mask is a moderate pain in the arse sometimes but much, much better than not sleeping properly.  

[RickshawRick]

I've used one for years as well. Took awhile before I could sleep the entire night without taking it off. Nasal pillows worked out much better than the face mask, especially with facial hair. The thing that surprised me the most was actually having dreams again. It sucks having to wear it but not getting enough oxygen every night takes a serious toll on your health.

[joe_momma]

Takes a while to get used to a CPAP. Still wake up a few times a night as I roll over onto the mask, but the quality of sleep is far, far better than without. Would encourage you to keep using it - the long term quality of sleep and health benefits are well documented.  

My CPAP wore out after 5 years, just got a replacement unit a couple of months ago with a touch screen, but otherwise basically the same. 

[Phoenix Dave]

I've been using APAP (Auto CPAP) for 8 years, and CPAP for 3 years before that. It took me about a week to stop pulling it off in my sleep. Now can't even imagine sleeping without it. I can sleep without it, as long as I'm sitting up (airplane reclined seats work), but it isn't as restful.

I tried several kinds of headgear, even one that you stick in your mouth (hated it, couldn't find anywhere to put my tongue), and have found that nasal pillows (F&P P10) work best for me. Only issue is what it does to my hair. Guess that okay as it means I still have hair. And I keep it as loose as I can while keeping it in place, or my nose hurts. My mondo noggin was an issue, the straps are 'one size fits all' but too tight for me, I cut the back strap and tied in an elastic band to make it bigger. Adjustable ones are now available on Amazon, work perfectly.

As for the girls, some of the younger ones may never have seen it and ask a question or two, but I haven't found any over about 23 that even blink, with the average age (and weight) of their customer group they've seen it many times. A few have told me I don't need to wear it for their benefit, which gives me a chuckle. I'm a nice guy who always has extra toothbrushes for the girls to use, but lug that fucker around the globe so they can sleep? Yea, right. It's for me, baby girl.

[Luv2Phuket]

3 minutes ago, Phoenix Dave said:

I tried several kinds of headgear, even one that you stick in your mouth (hated it, couldn't find anywhere to put my tongue), and have found that nasal pillows (F&P P10) work best for me. Only issue is what it does to my hair. Guess that okay as it means I still have hair.
 

Yep - I use the P10 nasal pillows

....and you can fuck right off for still having hair!  (5555)

[Phoenix Dave]

3 minutes ago, Luv2Phuket said:

Yep - I use the P10 nasal pillows

....and you can fuck right off for still having hair!  (5555)

If you don't have hair, how do you keep the top strap from sliding off your head?

 

555

Edited April 16 by Phoenix Dave

[Luv2Phuket]

34 minutes ago, Phoenix Dave said:

If you don't have hair, how do you keep the top strap from sliding off your head?
 

Dual straps on top and back of my head:

[Phoenix Dave]

I use this one.

[Lacan]

Wow, didn't imagine so many BMs would be using CPAP! Anyway, thanks for the reassuring replies! I'll have the result of my sleep study by next week. I still hope it's not needed, that I can fix it by sleeping on my side or something. That would be a challenge by itself.

[freedom42]

Diagnosed with OSA in 2000. Was non compliant with my CPAP (used it about 50 times) until I had a new polysomnography done in 2018, and found out I have Complex Sleep Apnea. Had a brain MRI immediately and it showed whitening of the ventricles of the brain due to constant hypoxia (my sleep study showed 77% O2 saturation at my lowest).  Was provided with a BiPAP with ASV by Veterans Affairs (cost of machine here was 140,000 THB), they provide me with a new one every 5 years, so I have one permanently set up beside the bed, and the other is for travel. 

I have tried multiple masks - full face (mouth and nose), nasal pillows, cloth nasal (sleep weaver) and have found for me, the best is the Resmed Airtouch N20 memory foam mask. 

The biggest thing with PAP is getting used to having something over your face while you sleep - many people get claustrophobic, and panic. Others just can't get used to it. My advice is wear the mask alone (not connected to the machine) around the house, watching tv, using the computer, etc to get used to it. You will eventually feel like it is not really there. 

Some people find that they get filled with air and get gassy, being able to rip ass like a hippo in the morning. Some will get a dry mouth (ensure you are using the humidifier, and preferably sterile water from a pharmacy or distilled water from Big C or Lotus or Mr DIY found in the automotive department, labeled as battery fluid - don't get the pink one, only clear). If you have the dry mouth problem, you can get Xylimelts that adhere to your gums or roof of your mouth and will help you salivate more during sleep. Some people tape their mouth (ensure you make a small hole that you can easily stick your finger through it and tear it open if needed and always fold an edge over so you can peel it off quickly in an emergency. 

And have your machine set up properly with your pressures set and in the patient menu should you change masks, ensure you adjust the setting for the type of mask you are using. 

@Luv2Phuket I would love to see how many hours are on your machine after 25 years. Has to be 25000 or more (some of the newer machines when you hit 21000 hours, they throw an error telling you to get the motor replaced). 

And I have found a website that will read your CPAP data from your card and give you a report. I just started using it recently and it creates good info - https://airwaylab.app 

And don't worry, 99% of the girls will have seen one of us with a PAP being used. 

[Nikhil]

Yet another member here with sleep apnea.

I decided not to go down the CPAP route, but instead got a surgery. They snipped off a few pieces inside the mouth and nose. Sorted the issue for the most part. But, I still snore lightly.

Maybe, an alternative to consider and check with your doctor? Recovery was less than a week.

All the best

[SlowlyMan]

I was a slow adapter. I fought it for a year. Ripped it off most nights. I often woke up with the hose wrapped around my neck. Threw it in the closet, forgot about it. 

The sleep doc was completely unhelpful. Her only advise was stick with it, it will get better. It never did.

But then I started watching YouTube videos. Yeah, I know... A lot of nonsense to sort through. But I found two guys who actually know stuff. They talked about the exact issues I was struggling with, gave some common sense solutions. I decided to try it again. Night and day difference. I fall asleep quicker, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more rested. Now, if I could just stop getting up 3 times to pee.

The mask is a personal choice. It depends if your a mouth breather, or nose breather. The most popular by sales, is the P10. That's what I use.

I have the airsense 10, and the air mini. I was using the mini for travel, and the 10 at home. When I moved her, I just kept using the mini. I don't need to deal with the water. I still have the 10 for a backup.

Resmed supplies are available on lazmall, and at Bangkok Pattaya. I get supplies free from the VA, so I stock up once a year.

If you have access to the one German machine on the market, independent lab testing suggests they have the best algo. Resmed falls in the middle of the pack. Not as bad as the knock off machines, but not as good as some others

It's definitely worth trying. Loads of data connected sleep apnea to a raft of health issues.

It regard to the girls, none of them care. Not even slightly interested. I thought I would get questions. Not a one. she is sleeping with an old fat man. The hiss of the machine is the least offensive thing she is compartmentalizing

[Luv2Phuket]

5 hours ago, freedom42 said:

 
@Luv2Phuket I would love to see how many hours are on your machine after 25 years. Has to be 25000 or more (some of the newer machines when you hit 21000 hours, they throw an error telling you to get the motor replaced). 
 

You are less than half!  5555

Photo taken today - 53,830 hours.  

Geez….I gotta get in and get a new prescription and new machine - this thing is an antique!  5555

AND I need to wipe it down & clean it off!

 

[phlampson]

A little off-topic but losing weight can do wonders for snoring/sleep apnea. 

I was a heavy snorer for years, all the way back to my college days at least. 7-8 years ago, I started a very low-carb diet and lost about 15-20% of my total weight. Not sure if it was the weight or the reduced inflammation from avoiding carbs (maybe the combination of the two), but my snoring reduced dramatically (according to a phone app that recorded me while I slept). 

For most of us, losing weight is a benefit all by itself, but there are often side-benefits that you only notice after-the-fact.

[Luv2Phuket]

@freedom42 You got me curious, so I Googled it - the CPAP model I have "was largely discontinued in around January 1, 2007."

Here's what Google AI has:

• Specific Unit Lifespan: While manufactured, models like the REMstar Plus (1005960) were produced between 2001 and 2006, with some units still in use for over a decade.

Still in use for over a decade?!?  Mine is still going strong TWO decades later! 555

[SlowlyMan]

2 minutes ago, Luv2Phuket said:

@freedom42 You got me curious, so I Googled it - the CPAP model I have "was largely discontinued in around January 1, 2007."

Here's what Google AI has:

• Specific Unit Lifespan: While manufactured, models like the REMstar Plus (1005960) were produced between 2001 and 2006, with some units still in use for over a decade.

Still in use for over a decade?!?  Mine is still going strong TWO decades later! 555

I would be very curious to open the case to see what's growing inside.

[Lacan]

11 minutes ago, phlampson said:

A little off-topic but losing weight can do wonders for snoring/sleep apnea. 

I was a heavy snorer for years, all the way back to my college days at least. 7-8 years ago, I started a very low-carb diet and lost about 15-20% of my total weight. Not sure if it was the weight or the reduced inflammation from avoiding carbs (maybe the combination of the two), but my snoring reduced dramatically (according to a phone app that recorded me while I slept). 

For most of us, losing weight is a benefit all by itself, but there are often side-benefits that you only notice after-the-fact.

I'm working on that too! I gained 15 kg quite suddenly by starting certain meds. I've been really struggling with trying to lose that again. I had some success last year on a PSMF, but I gained the weight back quickly because those diets are not sustainable. I now exercise regularly and track my calories since a couple of weeks. I still eat carbs, but I switched to almost exclusively whole wheat products. And I eat lots of protein.

[Luv2Phuket]

Anybody else use their CPAP on the flight?

NOT my antique; I have a smaller travel CPAP.  I use it every long haul, but still sleep like shit on flights.

[phlampson]

31 minutes ago, Lacan said:

I'm working on that too! I gained 15 kg quite suddenly by starting certain meds. I've been really struggling with trying to lose that again. I had some success last year on a PSMF, but I gained the weight back quickly because those diets are not sustainable. I now exercise regularly and track my calories since a couple of weeks. I still eat carbs, but I switched to almost exclusively whole wheat products. And I eat lots of protein.

Might want to experiment with cutting the carbs. It seems like the results might come quicker than I had thought, according to some posts here:

On a side note, I also stopped suffering from frequent heartburn

 

Edited April 16 by phlampson

[SlowlyMan]

42 minutes ago, Luv2Phuket said:

Anybody else use their CPAP on the flight?

NOT my antique; I have a smaller travel CPAP.  I use it every long haul, but still sleep like shit on flights.

Yes, I use my mini, and yes, still sleep like crap, but I do think it helps.

[Phoenix Dave]

1 hour ago, Luv2Phuket said:

Anybody else use their CPAP on the flight?

NOT my antique; I have a smaller travel CPAP.  I use it every long haul, but still sleep like shit on flights.

Only if in BC lay flat, which is seldom since Covid jacked the prices up. Just not enough room in PE for that rig, and no way I'm putting it on the floor.