CPAP machines - how does yours or your partner's work?

[WifeOfSnore]

After years of nagging by me, dp finally did a sleep study only to find out that he has so many incidents of stopping breathing that he had to urgently source a CPAP machine. His something or other index was 76 which is apparently horrific.

I don't want to make this all about me as I'm really delighted he's finally getting treatment for something I know was a huge health risk for him but he has his CPAP machine now and it's a bit of a pain.

First of all, it seems to spew out air so if he lies facing me, I basically get a massive draught of cold air either directly in my face or on my shoulder if I'm facing the other way, so much so that it's exacerbating my frozen shoulder that side. Dp says it's about getting the mask to fit right but not one night has that happened so far.

Second thing is that he still snores with it on. Admittedly not as loudly because now there's a loud mask on his face but he's still snoring, he just doesn't seem to stop breathing as much. His index he says has gone down from 76 to 5 which is normal so apparently it is working which is great but now I have some snoring, a very noisy mask and freezing cold air blowing at me lol.

Is this normal? Is he doing it right (I guess he must be if his index is coming down)?

Hi OP. I have been using CPAP since last July. My AHI was 82, so even higher than your DH's, and is now down to 0.5 to 1 most nights, so I am doing much better, especially with daytime sleepiness. It's a gradual process of adjusting, for you and your DH. Firstly, he has done really well to get his AHI down from over 70 to 5 and that will really benefit his health. But if it is still at 5 and he is still snoring, it's worth trying to improve it further. I recommend watching a series of videos on YouTube by an Aussie sleep technician called Uncle Nicko, which helped me massively to learn how to adjust my machine to the best settings for me. If he still has AHIs he could try putting up the minimum setting. If the machine is blowing way too much air he could try bringing down the maximum. In each case I would recommend making small adjustments, a point at a time, and keeping notes on what you did and how it affected the AHI. Uncle Nicko explains it all way better than me!
In terms of comfort for the bed partner, my DH appreciates that I now snore much less and no longer get up 2-3 times per night to wee. But he has noticed the air blowing thing. It is from the exhale ports in the mask. It could be reduced if you are able to bring down his maximum pressure without sending his AHI up, but can't be eliminated altogether as he has to breathe out. You could try putting a pillow in between you. I am sorry to hear about your frozen shoulder, I know that's very painful. Could earplugs for the snoring help? I think it's very possible that if you get the CPAP optimally adjusted, the snoring will reduce or stop. I wish you good luck. After getting the adjustment right, it's working for us.

thanks Rowena, that's super useful. I will get him to watch the videos and learn how to adjust it!

I still sleep in another room.
while the snoring is much better the hissing and draughts disturb me too much to tolerate

Hello!

My husband has had his CPAP for years, his score was 123! After correct use of the machine he is now down to 0.5 every night. It sounds like the mask isn't fitting properly at all. Could the sleep clinic help with fitting/advice?

My husband has a CPAP. I've never noticed any draught at all. The only time it makes an annoying noise (hissing sound) is when the mask has come loose a bit or moved.

Interesting that a PP mentions adjusting the settings/pressure. I guess the machines aren't all the same, but I'm sure my husband was told there was nothing to adjust and the machine would automatically adjust.

He doesn't snore at all with the machine (it was horrendous before!).

I can commiserate and for me it's my own cpap! The air blows out and one of my favorite sleep positions puts my arm in the air flow and it makes me absolutely crazy to feel the air blowing on me -
Even worse is when the blanket or pillow get in the way and the noise it makes blowing against it!
DH also has a cpap - he's been using it for years and it only occasionally bothers me - (mostly if he sleeps facing me)

I'm new to it and hoping they can help me at my next appointment

I think this could be due to the type of mask he has? What model mask is it? I had a resmed air fit f30i , that one had the tube at the top ( great for side sleepers/tossing and turning) of your head and there is a vent at the front that sides cold air out for about 18-24 inches and it HURT if was pointed at your body/loved ones body. The bone chill was extreme. I swapped them to a full face mask and it was horrific and I didn't even last one night. Then I went to a resmed N30i and it's been revolutionary.

I'll attach the photos of the one that caused so much upset with the bone chill and highlight where the vent is, this is what you are looking for on your DHs mask. That will be where the problem is coming from. A mask leak would not come towards you, it would dry his eyes out so they were dedicated in his skull. You can check his leak rate in the resmed my air app on his phone. I'll attach a photo of mine to help you find it. On the app go to history and then leaks. Mine is pretty good now, the "bad" nights are still good for me but it's normally when I'm struggling with my sinuses.

If he's still snoring, and depending on the type of mask he has, it is worth investing in a chin strap to help stabilise his jaw and in turn, improve the mask fit. Also a trip to the dentist to get a night guard to protect teeth

And I only just realised I hadn't addressed the noise. When the mask is on, fits correctly and has a good seal, there should be no noise. A smear off Vaseline on the skin can help with a good seal. A lot of it is trial and error. I hated my cpap and was terrified tbh as I have a huge phobia of my face being covered. But now, 6 months on is transformed my life. 45 years old and I've just discovered that I'm not meant to be chronically exhausted! For the first time ever I am awake at 6/7 am on my own and I'm productive through the day. I feel so much better. My events were 68 AHI . Now they are 0-3 on average

My husband has a cpap-has done for years.

Yes there is a draft-can't sleep facing each other.
I know it is a vital necessity but I find it hard to sleep with even after all of these years.

He would occasionally snore and it was because the mask wasn't fitting right and he needed to adjust.

Currently in different rooms because I he had a heavy cold and it is easier tbh-

For anybody else that's interested, this mask has almost no real draft to affect you or your partner d as the exhale port is angled away instead of straight out and tiny and so close to zero leak. I sleep wrapped up like a burrito with my DH every night and he's never complained.

Were you able to gat this mask through NHS? Or did you purchase it on your own?

Thanks

My husband's only really makes the noise and air blasts if the seal on the mask is starting to go, or if it's pinged loose slightly in his sleep. I just hit him to readjust it and it's resolved.

Considering when we initially requested the sleep study that the GP told us "CPAP WRECKS MARRIAGES" it's been really quite unobstructive.

I purchased my most recent mask, but my cpap and original two masks were from the nhs. I do occasionally need to use the old masks as I struggle with sinus issues