CPAP, APAP, Sinus, Ribs....

[DiscoPistol]

Hi all,

I've been using a ResMed S8 for a few months now on a setting of 11 and have a couple of problems (and indeed questions)

The 1st problem is that I'm getting some pretty bad Sinus headaches. I believe that this can be lessoned by getting a humidifier (which hopefully someone can confirm)

The second problem is that if I sleep in the wrong position (imagine rolling both shoulders in) I get rib ache I assume because (a) my lungs are not used to the work and (b) they have to lift my entire weight. I try to sleep on my side but not always with much success.

So my questions are......

Would I be better off buying a humidifier for the S8 (and of course from where and how much!) or would I be better buying, say a SleepCube APAP wth built in humidifier (although I guess I'd still have the Rib problem)

And of course, if anyone has any other suggestions, please feel free to post away!

Thanks in advance

Dave

[Tigers Fan]

More info

Hi DiscoPistol

Welcome!

Is the REsmed S8 yours or NHS? Are you already being seen at an NHS Clinic? The NHS should supply a humidifier - perhaps needing a little encouragement.

If you are going to buy, what are your criteria and price range? Travel?

You can do no better than start looking at Intus for your kit - sponsors of this forum and who do not pay me commision (but are very generous with goodies to lots of folk). Talk to James.

TF

[MrJones]

The NHS should supply a humidifier - perhaps needing a little encouragement.

sorry to hijack but interesting comment!

[DiscoPistol]

Hi Tigers Fan,

Thanks for the reply.

The Resmed S8 is courtesy of the NHS and to be honest I never asked (and was never told) about humidifiers during my clinic. Could you confirm that obtaining one might help with the headaches?

To answer your other questions, if I were to purchase it would be an APAP, although if I'm being honest its probably because I likes my trial version better that my current S8 (it was also a ResMed model). Plus I just think that having the right pressure is better than too much pressure.

I'd also like to be able to take it travelling with me as I see the world....okay to Wales.

I like the look of the SleepCube auto from Inus but to be honest if a humidifier is going to help with the headaches then i'll go for the cheaper option.

Thanks again

Dave

[DiscoPistol]

Most Excellent Advice

Hey Tigers Fan,

I took your advice and called my NHS Sleep Clinic and I have an appointment next week to pick up my humidifier..............

Ask and thee might not get rejected out of hand

Good times

[gvader]

Hey Tigers Fan,

I took your advice and called my NHS Sleep Clinic and I have an appointment next week to pick up my humidifier..............

Ask and thee might not get rejected out of hand

Good times

You might also want to check how old your machine is - I have an Escape S8 provided by the NHS which is just coming up for 2 years old and it doesn't have Exhalation Pressure Relief while I believe that newer models do. This reduces the pressure that the machine is providing while you exhale and a lack of this feature could explain soreness in the chest.

I had tried talking my clinic into providing an APAP rather than a CPAP but their response was that they ONLY provide CPAP so I bought an APAP myself!

[DiscoPistol]

Thats excellent advise gvader. I'll mention it when I see them next week and see what I can wangle. Thanks!

Dave

[gvader]

Hi Dave,

Just had a look online and it's actually Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR)

If your machine has EPR then it should look like the picture at the following link http://www.resmed.com/int/products/s...ml?nc=patients

[gvader]

No problem,

If it has got EPR then it will have an EPR logo bottom left of the display.

[DiscoPistol]

Again and Again and Again and Once more......

Hi all,

Further to the above posts I got the Humidifier from those lovely people at the NHS.

But I'm still suffering from Sinus Headaches. They seem to last for a couple of weeks, go away for a couple of weeks and then reappear.

I've tried antibiotics (which work to a point) and sprays (which don't)

The point is I'm getting bored now and aside from chopping off a leg to get my BMI down (I am dieting and losing weight with the notion of kissing the CPAP goodbye) I'm wondering of investing in SinuPulse will be of benefit.

I read that it's great for 'Sinus' problems but most of these I can live with (to the point that I don't notice them), its just these dang headaches that are getting to me.

So before I spend my bonus, could someone shed light on whether it might work?

Thanks

DP

[Alleycat]

Disco Pistol
The humdifier should help with the sinus problems from recurring. You say sprays don't work. Which have you tried? I've suffered with sinus problems since being a child and I know how hard it is...weeks at a time with only a couple of hours relief from paracetamol and some olbas oil. However, I do find Beconaise spray helps but takes a few days to week to start kicking in. The problem is as soon as the sinus pains go away I forget to keep using it and when they do come back I have a while before it starts working again. It may be worth giving it another go but don't expect immediate relief. Also its worth remembering that you can't use decongestant sprays like Vicks long term - no more than a week is reccommended but the steroid sprays can be used as long as neccesary.
Hope you get it sorted you have my deepest sympathy as I know exactly how you are feeling.
AC
xxx

[DiscoPistol]

Hi AlleyCat,

Thanks for your message.

I was on my jollies last week and as I didn't have the bind of driving thought I would give the CPAP a break and see how my head was.

I'm pleased to say that after a couple of days it was pain free......indeed it was bliss.

Back to work Monday so I popped the old mask on, had a standard 8 hours and woke up feeling like crap!

The biggest problem I have is that on or off the CPAP I don't feel that different (as in I'm not overly tired either way - scored a 9 on the test thing) but with the CPAP my quality of life is getting worse.

I've decided that the 3 options I have are cut out my Sinus's (no medical training and a fear of blood might affect this choice), give the clinic a call to see what they can do (they have been great but I'm not sure what else they can do) or get rid of the underlying problem (I sit here with a Salad in front of me)

What I don't know, and hopefully someone can enlighten me, is what causes the problems? Is the the Airflow? Is it dirty equipment (I clean everyday)? Is it a tight mask? Is there anything I can try to clear the Sinus's (other that the SinusPulse)?

Thanks in advance

DP