Anyone Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea

[Blazer]

So I've been feeling really rundown lately, struggling to make it through the day, losing strength in the gym and unable to eliminate some stubborn belly flab. Went to the doctor thinking perhaps low testosterone or some other malady and when all my labs came back normal doc recommended a home sleep study. I've always been a terrible sleeper since I was a child, but never considered sleep apnea as a cause. Turns out I stop breathing about 35 times an hour which classifies me as having severe apnea!

So now I have to get a CPAP machine, which I am not at all thrilled with. Even having that small sleep recorder attached to me made it difficult to sleep so I can't imagine getting used to a hose stuck to my face for 8-hours.

Anyone use a CPAP and still smoke? Wondering if it might be time to find another a hobby as it appears smoke can exacerbate the closing down of the airway.

[luv2fly]

I use one. Sleep like a champ and no issues. I can't even take a nap on the weekend with out it. I use the nose pillow version. I feel it has made a huge difference. Feel more rested. The damage that apnea does is serious and it did take a few weeks to get adjusted but I can't do without it. My health is the most important thing. No issues on the smoking front.

[PapaDisco]

One of my tent mates at the annual camp out thing smokes cigars and uses one of those. The guy sleeps like a baby and is always the brightest and most chipper of all of us even the morning after a bender. He's also the only one in the tent that no longer snores.

So I guess once you get used to it, it must work out o.k.

[PapaDisco]

I use one. Sleep like a champ and no issues. I can't even take a nap on the weekend with out it. I use the nose pillow version.

Damn she's hot with that thing on!

[luv2fly]

Right!!! Thought that would be better than my ugly mug.

[HarveyBoulevard]

I have been using a cpap for years now and smoke every day. I love that little machine!! It did take some getting used to but keep it up and you will learn to love it and never leave home overnight without it.

I feel better. I'm not tired anymore. I wake up refreshed. I've lost weight. Its a mini miracle machine. I hope one day not to be a fat bastard and maybe I can stop needing it but until then...its my little buddy.

Don't worry about getting used to it. It WILL happen. There are lots of different types of masks so try them until you find one that works for you. I have a full nose & mouth. My brother has just nostril. Just find what suits you best.

Good luck...and it may have just saved your life. Sleep apnea will kill you.

[luv2fly]

Plus, my wife is so happy I don't snore anymore. Now to get her to stop snoring...

[luv2fly]

I have been using a cpap for years now and smoke every day. I love that little machine!! It did take some getting used to but keep it up and you will learn to love it and never leave home overnight without it.

I feel better. I'm not tired anymore. I wake up refreshed. I've lost weight. Its a mini miracle machine. I hope one day not to be a fat bastard and maybe I can stop needing it but until then...its my little buddy.

Don't worry about getting used to it. It WILL happen. There are lots of different types of masks so try them until you find one that works for you. I have a full nose & mouth. My brother has just nostril. Just find what suits you best.

Good luck...and it may have just saved your life. Sleep apnea will kill you.

Well said! It will kill you and it is a miracle machine. Doc said even if I get to an "ideal" weight, I may never be able to stop using it. That is fine by me!

[PapaDisco]

Hey do they by chance make those gizmos with humidification? That would be a dream for sleeping on all my long distance flights.

[HarveyBoulevard]

Yes they do. Mine has an optional chamber for water. I live in a dry climate so it really helps during the winters months. Don't have to use it but you can. Super easy.

[HarveyBoulevard]

The even make a battery powered mini version for travel. Great on airplanes.

https://minicpap.com/

[luv2fly]

Yes they do. Great in the winter so my nose does not get dried out. The mini referenced by Harvey is great according to some pilot buddies of mine.

[TCContender]

Hey do they by chance make those gizmos with humidification? That would be a dream for sleeping on all my long distance flights.

^^This. There is nothing worse than a flight over the pole on the respiratory system. An air purifier and humidifier would be and added bonus. (Plus, wearing one of these, people would not feel as compelled to engage me in conversation.)

[TheLiquidGator]

I love mine and sleep better then ever. Could not imagine sleeping with out it.

Luv2Fly is right, now my wife is the issue. She snores, I dont!

[leftimatic]

Yes they do. Mine has an optional chamber for water. I live in a dry climate so it really helps during the winters months. Don't have to use it but you can. Super easy.

Keep it at 60% and pipe it through the humidor first its a win win in my eyes.

[scap99]

I used one for several years. All I can say is keep it clean. The humidifier and hose will grow mold faster than a cigar.

[Erm310mce]

I have used a cpap for a few years now and it has changed my life. i sleep so deeply, I don't hear a thing at night. Feel great in the morning.

Apnea is no joke and left untreated can cause heart and stroke issues. That deep sleep gives your heart and blood pressure a break.

I agree with the above post, clean and change the parts as much as your insurance will allow.

It's a tough two weeks to get used to it, but once you do, you won't sleep without it.

You won't look back, good luck

[Crash712us]

Best invention since sliced bread. Had mine for couple years now. Can not imagine life without it. Use to nap all the time, never could stay awake through a movie. No naps anymore, sleep like a rock every night. However you must maintain a proper cleaning regimen.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RickHendeson]

Same as all the others, used it for years, can't live without it. I personally had no adjustment time, either.

[scap99]

Also, a bit of neosporin on the nostrils is helpful until your nose toughens up to the nasal pillows.

[brschoppe]

I just started using mine last year after I was diagnosed with SA. I got tested after my father had a near heart attack and they found from that he had sleep apnea. My father-in-law (also still a BOTL) and my skinny as a rail sister-in-law have it. My buddy who I smoke cigars with has it. A lot of people have it, but it is serious stuff. There was even an article out there that Anthony Scalia might have died because he wasn't using his machine (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/02/24/scalia-may-have-forgotten-to-hook-himself-up-to-sleep-apnea-machine-why-that-can-be-dangerous/)

I took me just under a month to get fully used to the CPAP. I have the airsense 10 with the built in humidifier and the nasal pillows. The nasal pillows hurt initially till your nose gets used to them. I think that was also do to the tight elastic strap. That took around two weeks to get used to. A little Vaseline helped out. Now if I sleep without it, I wake up with a sore throat and can feel I didn't use it in the back of my throat. Also, where I would sleep in on the weekends before I had it, I can sleep around 7 hours and I still feel just as refreshed if not more than before I had the machine. I also feel I have a bit more energy...especially in the morning.

The biggest down side is having to clean the machine weekly. I am really looking at getting that So-Clean machine to do it for me using ozone. The other downside to it is having to travel with it. On a trip down to Cabo last year, it was just another thing to pack. However, note that if flying you should carry it on the plane as it does not count against your allowance for carry on as it is a medical device. I do not have the battery yet so I have only been able to take my son camping with the Scouts unless it is at cabins w/ electricity. Because of that I am really hoping that they get that Airing CPAP device to market soon! That would also eliminate getting tangled in the hose at night.

There are also other treatment options besides the CPAP. My dad uses the dental appliance. It moves his jaw forward and my mom says he still snores with it occasionally. My dentist talked me out of this even though he could make a fortune off of me on it as the side effects are worse than the CPAP (which are almost none). There is also something I have looked at seeing if I could use when my son goes camping called Provent. It seems to have mixed reviews I have also heard about something called Inspire where they implant something inside of you. However, w/o insurance I read this was around $60k.

So the question about using a CPAP and smoking cigars? Yes, you can still enjoy cigars and use the machine. I have to say I have only noticed the lingering cigar smell one night after using it on a day I had a cigar. And, that was around when my machine was past due for a good cleaning. If anything, I find that the cigar breathe isn't as bad using a cpap.

[Fuzz]

Those dental plates are only partially effective, in most cases with minor obstructive sleep apnea. If you have central or complex sleep apnea, a CPAP is the only way to help you.

I used a CPAP machine for about 6 months but had little effect (I also suffer from insomnia). To be honest, I really should go back on it, as I forget to breath even when awake.

[Drguano]

I've been on the CPAP for years. I was lucky as I put on the mask the first night and went right to sleep. I take mine on the plane and wear it for the overnights to the UK. I can't sleep without it. You will get used to it and live longer.

[Blazer]

Thanks to all for sharing their experiences. I would have never thought I would have sleep apnea as I always associated it with heavier people, I usually stay at 9-12% body fat. I also never thought I could ever sleep with a machine attached to my face, but the continued lack of sleep, weakness, inability to concentrate and at times form coherent sentences has been motivation enough to to do something about it. That in itself is a big step for a guy that never goes to the doctor. Also, very glad to hear I can continue my enjoyment of my cigars!!

[TheLiquidGator]

Good video on the Airing. Sounds promising.