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Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

news.flinders.edu.au

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Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#51
post #25
post #2

The number of people that are using a CPAP is honestly mind boggling to me. The number that have gotten one, and then refuse to wear it is even crazier. I remember when I first got one, I assumed it was some niche thing that was going to be unheard of from everyone I talked to. Turns out, not so much. I don't think it has been a miracle device, by any measure. But I'm curious what makes it so hard to stick to for so…

When I wear it I wake up in the middle of the night and feel like I am suffocating. Like it’s smothering me in my sleep. Even the expensive biPAP makes me feel this way. I have no such issues when I sleep without one.

I went through that phase a couple weeks after starting and it lasted for a few weeks. That was almost 5 years ago and now I love my CPAP.

Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#53

When you see a paper like this, what, if any, path is there to seeking this kind of treatment? I know someone who would likely be interested in this, but I know from prior experience of my own that just trying to reach out to the researchers listed is a long process that can be fruitless. Is there an intended/better way? I know about clinicaltrials.gov, but that’s only helpful if there’s an ongoing study of the thing…

If you're in the US, then you have to be the primary driver of your health care. In this case, research oral appliances on your own, buy one and try it. You can use something like a wrist mounted pulse oximeter to gauge its effectiveness. If it works, great.

I'm not familiar with the article's 'phase 2' options like oxygen therapy. There again though, you are able to purchase a home oxygen concentrator on your own and try it out.

Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#54
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know some medical professionals in this domain who would disagree with your assessment. The hardest part is convincing patients to come back for followups and to comply with treatment. Even my primary care doctor said he has abysmal compliance rates with apnea treatment because so many people decide that wearing any device every night is too much to ask. I half suspect that apnea is being diagnosed so aggressively…

That's a catch-22, and it's exactly why followup is important. And why physicians should talk to patients, instead of just sending them on their merry way with a cheap CPAP and a shitty mask. "Here's a shitty mask and some random pressure, good luck, and remember to use it for 4+ hours each night and byebye." If you're unfortunate enough to require a stoma, they don't just randomly attach a bag and send you home. You…

Honestly, I'm very sorry that you've hard a horrible experience with this.

My sleep analysis itself was 2 days worth of data that the doctor reviewed. I came in .... the next day? Later on in the day of turning in my at-home test? I forget. Anyway.

My CPAP machine came in about a week later; and I had a full hour or so visit with the doctor as he described each individual step, and we tested out a TON of different masks. I had a follow up visit after ... not very long(?) where we reviewed a different couple of masks because the first one wasn't working. We had another officially scheduled meeting after like 3 months? And, now I see them every like 6 months (admittedly, I schedule these meetings), when one of the masks starts to get old, etc.

I recently bought a travel CPAP as well, because setting up the CPAP in multiple locations is an absolute pain; but even that was a painless process once I said I wanted it (and paid out of pocket because insurance only covers the big machine).

Then again, my sleep apnea is so bad that I would wake up every 1-2 hours at night (I actually use that power to take naps now, lol), and I was starting to fall asleep during everyday activities, so maybe I have better compliance out of the understanding of danger.

Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#55

Totally agree. My journey started with TMJ disorder. Turns out bruxism (teeth grinding) is common in sleep apnea patients; I assume because it forces the lower jaw forward. I started with a mandibular advancement device and it was amazing. It completely relived my debilitating TMJ jaw pain and fixed my sleep apnea. I couldn’t believe how amazing I fet every morning. Unfortunately, and which was clearly communicated t…

>What has made a major impact was seeing an ENT [...] Turns out “negative pressure” is a major cause of airway collapse. The cause of snoring & apnea, from my own searching online and seeing various anecdata, is that there are several common causes but it can vary wildly. I've also tried many similar treatments to yours, short of CPAP, and including trying tongue & jaw exercises and mewing to try and get my default s…

Is "mewing" a typo? This sounds incredibly cute.

Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#57
post #36

The only reason why CPAP has such abysmal failure rates, is because followup is an absolute joke. Patients are titrated in a sleep centre, typically for one night, and are then sent home with a machine, probably the shittiest mask the sleep centre had on hand, and a kick out the door. With some luck, patients have to come in once a year, usually to prove that their therapy is compliant with whatever harebrained schem…

[flagged]

Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#58
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a catch-22, and it's exactly why followup is important. And why physicians should talk to patients, instead of just sending them on their merry way with a cheap CPAP and a shitty mask. "Here's a shitty mask and some random pressure, good luck, and remember to use it for 4+ hours each night and byebye." If you're unfortunate enough to require a stoma, they don't just randomly attach a bag and send you home. You…

Honestly, I'm very sorry that you've hard a horrible experience with this. My sleep analysis itself was 2 days worth of data that the doctor reviewed. I came in .... the next day? Later on in the day of turning in my at-home test? I forget. Anyway. My CPAP machine came in about a week later; and I had a full hour or so visit with the doctor as he described each individual step, and we tested out a TON of different ma…

My experience was also very similar to the GP’s, and I’ve gone through it twice, at two different sleep clinics. I definitely don’t have routine follow-ups and the one (singular) follow-up I had was useless.

I’ve had to essentially figure it all out on my own. I still find wearing the mask miserable but I don’t have much of a choice because OSA was slowly killing me.

You were lucky to have such attentive care! I wish I could find the same.

Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#59
post #36

The only reason why CPAP has such abysmal failure rates, is because followup is an absolute joke. Patients are titrated in a sleep centre, typically for one night, and are then sent home with a machine, probably the shittiest mask the sleep centre had on hand, and a kick out the door. With some luck, patients have to come in once a year, usually to prove that their therapy is compliant with whatever harebrained schem…

[flagged]

While losing weight can improve OSA, studies have shown that, in most patients, it does not eliminate the disorder.

Re: Flipping the model presents a new way to treat sleep apnoea

#60
post #2

The number of people that are using a CPAP is honestly mind boggling to me. The number that have gotten one, and then refuse to wear it is even crazier. I remember when I first got one, I assumed it was some niche thing that was going to be unheard of from everyone I talked to. Turns out, not so much. I don't think it has been a miracle device, by any measure. But I'm curious what makes it so hard to stick to for so…

Some of us are just unlucky and face a bunch of challenges with CPAP.

I was first prescribed a full face mask. I didn’t tolerate it well. I swallowed air and woke up every morning feeling like I was going to vomit.

I had to teach myself to breathe through my nose while sleeping (with no help from the sleep clinic, of course) and then switched to a nasal mask. This was extra challenging because I have a deviated septum and can only really breath through one nostril.

I’m a side sleeper and it took me a long time to find a pillow and sleeping position that didn’t hurt or break the mask seal.

Along with all that, I just find it uncomfortable to have a thing strapped to my face all night. I still really can’t fall asleep without some sort of sedative.

It’s just hard for me.

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