Would you recommend a cpap for someone with severe sleep apnea?
my mom has been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and her doctor has recommended that she buy a cpap machine to aid her in her sleep. we have been hearing conflicting opinions on whether she should get one or not.
would appreciate hearing from your experiences.
Tagged with: cpap machine • experiences • mom • sleep • sleep apnea
Filed under: Sleep Apnea Machine Questions
I would suggest she, atleast, try the CPAP. Sleep apnea can be fatal if it goes untreated. The most common complaint I hear from my patients is that the mask is uncomfortable or the air pressure is too high. But, for the most part, they adjust to it. For some people, it just takes time. However, I have also seen people adjust to the CPAP the very first night they are on it. Everyone is different.
The only other alternatives I can suggest are weight loss (if she is overweight) or surgery. Each person’s body reacts differently. I have had patients who had the surgery and it "cured" their apnea. I have had others who had it then they return a few months later when the apnea returns.
Patients who use the CPAP are NOT required to sleep on their backs. That is a myth. It is also a myth to say that sleep apnea can be compared to a child holding their breathe. When patients have sleep apnea (especially when it is severe), the brain may be telling the body to breathe, but with a constricted airway, it is not possible. Each time it happens, the body’s oxygen levels drop. That means the brain is getting insufficient amounts of oxygen and that, in turn, effects other organs, ESPECIALLY the heart. Sleep apnea causes high blood pressure which can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, etc… Needless to say, it is an extremely serious condition.
It’s really a personal choice, although a very serious one. Tell your mother to check with her insurance company. Many companies will pay for the mask that accompanies the CPAP and will pay for the rental of the machine. That would save her on out-of-pocket costs.
Doctor’s in the sleep lab where I work recommend a CPAP machine for patient’s with mild to severe sleep apnea, because it does make a big difference! If you don’t like what your mom’s doctor recommended, why don’t you get her a second opinion and see what they say? I would trust my doctor if it were me.
yes, the cpap will help. Plus, if she does not use it, her entire body will see the decline. When you stop breathing in your sleep, o2 levels drop, this effects your brain and heart. Long term damage can be bad. good luck!
I’ve had a number of relatives that have needed the CPAP for sleep apnea and they all say that their quality of sleep and health were improved with its use.
I haven’t heard many of my patients enjoying their experience with the machine. The mask over their face is the biggest complaint. In addition, you are supposed to sleep on your back while wearing it. Many of my patients also find this very uncomfortable and restrictive.
For the most part, I think sleep apnea is a crock. In the 80′s everyone had back problems. In the 90′s it was stress. Today, it’s sleep apnea. Please do not misunderstand me, a small percentage of people really were born with a blockage to their airways causing a real concern when sleeping. For them, a CPAP machine is the best bet. However, the rest of the millions "diagnosed" with this is simply a scheme. You cannot kill yourself by holding your breath, which is essentially what happens periodically when you sleep; you stop breathing. Your autonomic system will kick in causing you to breathe again. This can best be demonstrated by a little kid who’s mad at you and going to hold their breath "until they turn blue." At most, they will pass out until their autonomic system gets them breathing again.
I hope your mom feels better soon!
Yes,because if you don’t use a cpap,you can have a stroke or heart attack. I sleep a lot better now,and have more energy.They are not cheap.Mine cost $1600.But,if your mom has health insurance,it will pay for a chunk of it.
I would absolutely recommend using it. My husband has very bad sleep apnea. He was so tired during the day he couldn’t do his job.
After getting the machine and using it he was a different person. He has lots more energy and can stay awake and alert longer than I can.
Our insurance pays for the machine and all supplies. The newer masks are not as uncomfortable as they used to be and he got a new machine last year that is so quiet I can’t even hear it.
Your mother will feel a lot better if she uses the machine.