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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To use a CPAP machine without

70 replies

WalltoWallBtards · 02/04/2022 13:32

A diagnosis? Overweight, bad snorer and DP is about to kill me. Have tried various things for snoring. Am currently spending most nights on the sofa.
Feel tired in day and like I’m suffocating at night sometimes so think I probably have sleep apnoea.

AIBU to just buy a machine without bothering with GP and sleep clinic and all that fuss? Anyone else just gone and for one? Any downsides, other than the comfort thing with them??

OP posts:
R00K · 02/04/2022 13:33

A cpap machine won't hurt you. Do you drive?

Xmassprout · 02/04/2022 13:34

They are uncomfortable and very noisy

Xmassprout · 02/04/2022 13:35

Oh and my mum suffers with skin issues on her face where the mask sits

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 02/04/2022 13:37

Two things: the air pressure can be harmful to you if you’re not in need of it - so a formal diagnosis is sensible. Secondly, depending on where you are buying from they may require a prescription from your GP before they allow you to purchase.
And a downside for your partner is tbh the noise from them can be just as disruptive and annoying as the snoring (DH uses one).
If you think you have sleep apnea you really Don need a formal diagnosis tbh.

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 02/04/2022 13:38

Do need!!! 🤦‍♀️

dementedpixie · 02/04/2022 13:39

I don't find the CPAP noisy as dh has one. It is 1000% better than the sound of dh snoring.

SpiderVersed · 02/04/2022 13:40

Just get yourself referred.

RandomThought96 · 02/04/2022 13:40

Honestly - go and discuss the issue

iRun2eatCake · 02/04/2022 13:43

I think l would try and resolve my weight issue first to see if that helped especially as referrals can take weeks.

I definitely wouldn't purchase my own as this is medical equipment and needs fitting correctly

RandomThought96 · 02/04/2022 13:44

Honestly, go and discuss the issue with your GP. They should support you. There could be an underlying health related cause to your snoring Good to rule that out.

Similarly there may be a less expensive, less invasive intervention to try eg nose tapes, mouth guard.

If weight is the problem why not try and address that?

A CPAP machine is expensive and is not totally side effect and risk free.

FloralsForSpring · 02/04/2022 13:45

Just go to the GP

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 02/04/2022 13:45

@dementedpixie

I don't find the CPAP noisy as dh has one. It is 1000% better than the sound of dh snoring.
Well there are different types and different masks - in fact we’re looking at different things now because it’s keeping me awake as much as before. I suppose the benefit of going via the sleep clinic is you can try alternatives.
FlyingUnicornWings · 02/04/2022 13:46

You can’t buy a CPAP machine without a prescription. There are companies who do a private sleep study and if you have sleep apnea, will write a prescription for a CPAP. Intus Healthcare and Sunrise are worth looking at.

Toomanyradishes · 02/04/2022 13:47

For those with noisy cpap machines it might be worth seeing if your nhs trust has any new ones, my dh recently got a newer one and its almost silent compared to the noise of the previous one

Op a cpap machine needs to be set to a specific pressure, without the right medical guidance how would you know what pressure to set it to?

FloralsForSpring · 02/04/2022 13:47

If it helps my DH only needed to lose a small bit of weight to see a dramatic reduction in the snoring

UncomfortableBadger · 02/04/2022 13:47

My DH has a CPAP - not noisy or uncomfortable at all if properly fitted.

He does have to go in to get it adjusted yearly and they read the box data, fiddle with the pressure/settings & make sure that the mask fits correctly. Given how carefully they fine tune it in the specialist sleep clinic, I’d be wary of trying to DIY it.

Winky1 · 02/04/2022 13:49

I have a CPAP machine. It is best to get it investigated before getting a machine. It will be setup correctly for you if you need one. It could be that you just need a mouth guard. Get it checked out before buying anything.

Notimeforaname · 02/04/2022 13:50

It would he better for your overall health to try to lose a bit of weight as well as using the machine. Even just losing a few pounds can reduce snoring.

Mummyoflittledragon · 02/04/2022 14:13

I have a CPAP. You can’t just buy one off the peg and expect it to meet your needs and it needs to be prescribed. For starters, if you’re a mouth breather, you need a mask, which covers your mouth as well as your nose. Then there are different sizes of masks and head straps to hold it in place. It’s more complicated than you think so get yourself referred asap to the sleep clinic.

SunshinePie · 02/04/2022 14:16

Without sounding rude and offensive…are you overweight? Sometimes losing a bit of weight can help things…just an idea xx

Original poster
WalltoWallBtards · 02/04/2022 14:48

Yes I am overweight, yes that does contribute, and ye SI am aware that I should lose weight but it was that simple we would have an obesity crisis!

OP posts:
Original poster
WalltoWallBtards · 02/04/2022 14:49

Would not have I mean! Losing weight, at my age, in menopause is not as easy as eat less move more unfortunately

OP posts:
Ljmumun · 02/04/2022 15:23

Please don't just by one, it's not safe and if your pressure's are not set correctly can cuase significant lung damage. Your pressures need to be set individually for you. You need to see a sleep clinic and be properly assessed. Also.if your using a cap an it's not being monitored and you haven't told the DVLA you ate driving illegally and your insurance is invalid. It's a notifiable issue for the dvla.

Notimeforaname · 02/04/2022 16:07

Losing weight, at my age, in menopause is not as easy as eat less move more unfortunately
I agree it's not easy. But it is doable.

DysmalRadius · 02/04/2022 16:11

Why do you not want to go to the GP?

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