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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:
TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 02/04/2022 16:15

Start with your GP.
In many (maybe all?) health areas the CPAP machines are free and are checked, and twiddled with annually to suit your changing situation.

unadulterateddad · 02/04/2022 16:22

Modern Cpaps are not noisy, and if you have a APAP machine (which are much better) you don't need a clinician to set it- I monitor mine online and via the app.
Resmed have a clinic in london you can just book, and then buy a machine, so that is an easy way to get assessed and sorted in one go, recommend the airsense 10 or air mini if you travel. I had an NHS one 15 years ago, but buy my own now as the machines are so much better

taylorsdoingapart · 02/04/2022 16:45

@FloralsForSpring

Just go to the GP
To the people saying this, even if you have sleep apnoea they may decide not to treat you in the Nhs.

I have moderate sleep apnoea but as it doesn't make me tired during the day they won't treat me. I need to buy my own machine and figure it out myself.

StillRock81 · 02/04/2022 16:58

Took my DH 4 years, two lots of sleep clinic trials and me logging everything before he got a machine. They listened when his oxygen was dipping below 80% but would not treat him easily. He's not overweight- he has severe apnoea but it wasn't until he got in front of the right specialist he was dealt with properly.

He's been fitted and we have no issues- it's silent. The clinic are helpful and responsive. If we could have, we would have gone private after the first knock back- (in hindsight- if we knew what we were dealing with)he was at real risk of a stroke etc . It was hell for us both.

Hankunamatata · 02/04/2022 17:07

You have my sympathy. Iv been to dr and being referred for sleep apnea but waiting list is 2 years plus. So gp has asked me to try and lose weight as I'm 4 stone overweight (I'm also menopausal). So I'm trying to think it will reduce my menopause symptoms too.

I'm finding it easier as gp is monitoring me and has made me an exercise referral to local gym. Im doing low calorie fasting for a month to try and shift first stone fast and see results

Mickarooni · 02/04/2022 17:54

They’ll ask you to try lifestyle measures first like losing weight. I know it’s not easy but now is the time to start. Get on the waiting list for a sleep clinic. :)

bumblingbovine49 · 02/04/2022 18:00

If you have the money ( around £200)
you could try something like this as a first step

www.sleeptest.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6J-SBhCrARIsAH0yMZhw7sxOB25RBYjrOXtgr6coymQg7WAuX6euXupHmoTxCOq3LQBxEJAaAmRNEALw_wcB

Apologies if this is not something you have the budget for

I wouldn't want to go via the gp at first either as they will do do the lose weight lecture which is not really helpful if you have a serious long term weight problem ( as I do) . I am thinking of getting this test done myself

QueenietheCutie · 02/04/2022 18:01

Go to your GP definitely. I have severe sleep aponea and use a CPAP, but it needed to be fitted, correct size of mask etc and adjusted - correctly level of pressure.
Yes losing weight can help but in my case I was retested by the sleep clinic after losing 7 stone and my sleep aponea levels were exactly the same. So whilst I felt good for losing the weight it had no impact on my OSA diagnosis at all!

Retrievemysanity · 02/04/2022 18:04

Hi op, does your DH tell you if you’re snoring through your nose or your mouth? If it’s a mouth you can get mouth guards and chin straps. If nose, you can get nose strips and magnetic nose ring things. Sleeping on your side can help and you can get pillows to stop you turning over. And your DH could get earplugs. I know it’s difficult but losing weight is obviously advisable and not just for the snoring but other benefits too. Good luck!

iRun2eatCake · 02/04/2022 18:32

@Notimeforaname

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.
Agree with this also. I was obese, menopausal and with abnormal blood results.... and I've still managed to loose over 3 stone
Toddlerteaplease · 02/04/2022 21:14

I don't think you can buy them. And you need to have the settings prescribed for you.

Iputthetrampintrampoline · 02/04/2022 21:51

OP I have a cpap machine after being properly diagnosed and its changed everyones life in this house, It took from first initial enquiry I made with a GP to being seen by the sleep clinic and going home with a properly set up machine for my use 3 weeks all in. Within 3 days after that harmony had been restored to our house!!! I didnt realise what a strain we had all been under. My machine is no hassle now and I love how I feel and my dh loves he can sleep and even my dd who is 2 bedrooms further on cannot hear anything anymore.They recorded me once and it was honestly horiffic. I also have to tell you( if this is something that concerns your husband ) that I am still driving, This fact alone scares many people into not getting a proper diagnosis if they feel they will loose their license ,,this is not the case in the vast majority of people so if that is whats putting him off going then this might help. Sleep Apneoa is recorded by various degrees and mine was the high end ,,Severe obstructive sleep Apneoa , When I was first recorded I was having 94 sleep apneoas an hour,,after one month of use I was down to 0,4 ...like I said its a bloody miracle machine. I hope my tale helps reassure you and your dh. If you need anymore info please message me and if I can help will be glad to. Go do it properly though and do it soon,Mine was in the middle of the pandemic so even then I was seen fast, Good luck .

Bunnycat101 · 02/04/2022 22:03

You really need to go and get properly tested. My husband needs a machine and they were able to determine it was because of his anatomy and not weight related. His scores were awful and having the clinicians go through that has helped with compliance. They have remote monitoring in place and review his data every 6 months. They also fit test the machine properly and supply spare parts as required. He’ll be on the machine for the rest of his life but without it his life expectancy would have been severely curtailed as his apnea was much more severe than anyone expected.

Bunnycat101 · 02/04/2022 22:07

Also it’s changed my life. The snoring was immense. We’d both struggle without him being on the machine now. People minimise apnea as just heavy snoring but the outcomes are really bad if not treated.

LuckyLuckyWoman · 02/04/2022 22:09

DH has one here too, very quiet and way, way better than the snoring and more so the twitching

GoodSoup · 02/04/2022 22:20

Totally unreasonable yes. Do it properly. Losing weight will also make a difference.

Anoisagusaris · 02/04/2022 22:49

My weight gain is due to my sleep issues. I did a sleep test and it showed suspected sleep apnea. But an ENT consultation showed it’s caused by a deviated septum so I’d advise getting it checked properly.

Asdf12345 · 02/04/2022 22:56

Yabu. Eat less, love more.

BorderlineHappy · 02/04/2022 22:57

I have a CPAP machine.
i think its safer to go to your gp,after all its needs to be adjusted for you.

Also its handy having somebody at the end of the line if you need support,

Fuckitsstillraining · 02/04/2022 23:19

You need to get assessed for a cpap, dh has his about a month, its constantly monitored remotely, he gets a weekly call checking on how he's feeling, the pressure and humidity has been adjusted a few times to improve efficiency and each adjustment has helped him. The machine is as good as silent and he really notices the difference if he removes it during the night and falls asleep without replacing it. Get yourself to the doctor and get referred. If you can afford it go private to speed it up

Original poster
WalltoWallBtards · 02/04/2022 23:20

‘Asdf12345

Yabu. Eat less, love more.‘

Grin ok. I have huge capacity for love, my DP,
Kids, family, friends,our pets, the kids I work with, the kids I volunteer less but I could always try harder.
There’s truly not enough love in the world.

OP posts:
Original poster
WalltoWallBtards · 02/04/2022 23:23

As for the driving comments, I’m tired during the day, don’t always feel rested but functioning fine - work, Exercise, dog walking, kids.
I’m not falling asleep in the day… or drowsy, or nodding off or anything…

OP posts:
AffableApple · 02/04/2022 23:36

@dementedpixie

I don't find the CPAP noisy as dh has one. It is 1000% better than the sound of dh snoring.
This! Frankly, saved our relationship/his life as I was on the verge of suffocating him with a pillow/bludgeoning him with a bedside lamp
HeyBlaby · 02/04/2022 23:41

It literally is move more eat less, menopause or not.

caringcarer · 03/04/2022 00:07

My DH has sleep apnoea. He has a cpat and it is not noisy at all. His snoring used to be dreadful now I hear virtually nothing so I get to sleep too. He went to GP got referral to sleep clinic spent one night in there with wires on and diagnosed. Apparently he astoppef breathing 68 times in one hour so about once every minute. It is not difficult just go to GP.