CPAP machine and the Tuba

[sinfonian]

My doctor sent me in for a sleep study a few weeks ago and now want's me to go back for a CPAP penetration test and to start using a CPAP machine. Anyone have any experiences good or bad using a CPAP machine and playing the Tuba?

[king2ba]

Won't make a dang bit of difference to your tuba playing, but you'll sleep better! LOTS better.

Only suggestion I would make is to make sure you have a humidifier, especially during the sleep study. For the sleep study, you'll have to wear a full face mask as the monitoring equipment won't work with other types of masks. Having all that air blowing over your face can dry your lips out. Bring chapstick. Once you get a CPAP at home, get a nasal interface type of mask. WAY better!

Hope this helps!

[tuba72]

I have been on one for sometime now and don't have any problems. I do know that I can breath deeper with it than without. Sleep better, don't toss and turn, generally feel better. (like to try it while playing sometime and see what happens). Good luck with your study.

[Norm in Bellevue]

After being diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea (ave. 14 episodes per hour), I've been on one for the last three weeks. It hasn't affected my tuba playing one bit--I still suck! But I do sleep a lot better, waking up feeling refreshed. It does take a while to get accustomed to sleeping with the mask on your face. Persist. It's worth it.

[PolkaNoble]

Exactly what king2ba said? I have used a CPAP with nasal pillows since 1997. Any problems with playing are my own-- It has nothing to do with the CPAP. Seriously if you are sleeping better your mental sharpness is better and that has to help your playing. You will likely not have any harmful physical changes at all if you use a humidifier. You may also want to use Chapstick.

IMHO you should use the CPAP every night if you need it. Untreated sleep apnea can not only make you feel terrible, but there a number of quite serious problems associated with sleep deprivation and your body’s reaction to it. Strokes, heart conditions, respiratory problems (tuba players sure don't want THAT), acid reflux, bladder control. For me, the ones I had disappeared or improved greatly the first day I started CPAP therapy.

[Tuba-G Bass]

I have been on a CPAP machine since late February, It hasn't affected my playing.
Now it would be nice to have the extra air support, but alas.
I had about a hundred events an hour during my sleep study and was down to two once they put me on a CPAP.
It only affects you while you are using it, a couple of times I have had to answer the phone while wearing it
[my sleep apparently is not sacred], and it was an interesting experience.

[MWoj]

Ditto everything 'king2ba' and 'PolkaNoble' said. I hope the CPAP works well for you, but if you have problems I urge you to stick with it.

[Brucom]

When you put the mask on, try not to say, "Luke, I am your father."

[poomshanka]

After over six years of usage, I just replaced my old Resmed S6 CPAP and humidifier with a new S8 Autoset II with the H4i humidifier. I feel as though I'm getting better sleep with the auto-adjusting machine as opposed to the one that just blows with a constant, static pressure. Although I've tried in-nostril nasal pillows in the past, I find that the Resmed Activa mask works better for me. The nice thing about this mask is the pressure to hold it on your face doesn't come from a hard plastic framework, but rather an "active cell" technology that uses the air pressure in the mask to hold it in place. Nice because it can shift around a bit without losing the airtight seal.

Something else to consider is insurance coverage. Selecting an in-network supplier for my equipment gives me 90/10 coverage on the cost. Problem is I get a lower-model CPAP (the Autoset II isn't covered under their agreement with my provider), and they wanted nearly $1400 for the CPAP and the humidifier. My part - $140. They were also talking about needing a new sleep study, which would've been an additional cost plus the hassle of doing it. No thanks.

After getting the pressure setting off my old machine, I ended up buying a replacement from an out-of-network provider (70/30 coverage), but was able to get the upgraded unit. Price was around $725 including shipping, and it was worth the slight extra cost ($217 vs. $140) to have a choice of whatever machine I wanted. My doctor specified the exact make and model I wanted on the prescription itself. I'd recently replaced my Activa mask, so that cost just reflects the machine, humidifier, some replacement air filters, and an arm that holds the hose in place above the bed. My source:

CPAP
http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resmed ... chine.html" target="_blank

Humidifier
http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed- ... -cpap.html" target="_blank

Mask
http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed- ... allow.html" target="_blank

Hose suspension system
http://www.cpap.com/productpage/travel- ... ystem.html" target="_blank

It can take some getting used to, especially if you're a stomach sleeper like I was. Totally worth it though, and yes, it's a drop-dead sexy look in bed!



Hope that helps...

...Dave

[Tuba-G Bass]

Why didn't they also do the CPAP test on you during the sleep study?
I guess in my case, there was no question that I needed it,
so I did half the night just them monitoring me,
[all wired up!] and then they woke me and had me
on the nasal pillow type the rest of the night.
Both there and my home set had the humidifier,
I have to fill it with distilled water every night.
There air stream doesn't seem to get near my lips or dry them out.
Luckly my work healthcare picked it all up,
I just have to do compliance checks,
Cuz some folks take the machine home and never use it.
I could tell just from the half night of sleep with the CPAP
that I got such an improvement in sleep with it.
Both Polkanoble and me are using CPAP and
we both have 5/4 Rudy's, weird!

[king2ba]

Why didn't they also do the CPAP test on you during the sleep study?

It all depends on how much actual sleep you get in the first study. I only slept for about 3 hours....not enough time to monitor, then put on the CPAP, so I had to go back a second time.

I'm really surprised that you could use nasal pillows during the sleep study....with the way I was wired up, that was impossible.

[Tuba-G Bass]

Hi King2ba,
Well, the Sleep lab I went to had the capacity for four patients,
but it was a Saturday night in december, so I was the only one there.
So they went to town hooking me up,
luckily nothing around the naughtly bits
So they could run the cables right to the hookup box and not make a such a tangle.
And while having the hookup box on a strap, I could
still walk to the bathroom.
Two of my friends have the full old style mask,
and they have had issues maintaining pressure.
The headset issued to me has the option of having the hose locked to
the top of my head, but I don't use it that way,
I am not much of a mover while I sleep, so I guess that helps.
There is a velcro chin strap I have to wear to "encourage"
my mouth to stay closed, with all the gear on I look
like some misfit Borg.

[eupher61]

I've used the same machine since 2000...it's an antique, the equivalent of a Distin Eb. And it works just as well still. No interface, no readout of anything but pressure and power.
Won't affect your tuba playing directly.

A general note: If a doctor ever should recommend IPPP surgery, leave right then.

I'll post a link later.

[PolkaNoble]

Right, surgery WILL (very negatively) affect playing any wind instrument. Likely permanantly. Run the other way if you hear that suggested, especially if they claim there will be no effect!

There IS a thread on ( the old) tubenet about this. It may be 10 or more years old.

[David Richoux]

They suggested surgury for me back in 1997 - changing the shape of my jaw and moving my tounge forward - I said no thanks
!
I have mostly used Respironics CPAPS since 1996 - couldn't sleep without one! Since I travel a lot, it was important to find one that works on 110-220v AC and 12-24vDC without a problem (many devices do not have this feature.) For the last few years I have used a REMstar M Series - very portable and not too noisy, but I don't like the constantly illuminated control buttons. I recently switched to a full face mask - it is a bit different than the nasal mask I have used for 12 years, but it seems to be working pretty well, even with my beard!

If you do travel by air with a CPAP, be ready for extra scrutiny at the check-point - they are finally recognizing what they are, but they still have to do special screening tests.

[roughrider]

I have been using the cpap machine and humidifier for the last four years. It has made a huge difference to my quality of life. It does not improve your tuba playing however. One observation I would like to make is that it is really important to keep that humidifier squeaky clean and that all of the headgear and mask are washed thoroughly and dried at least once a week. This will keep your own breathing apparatus in excellent shape.

[TubaBobH]

My youngest daughter used a CPAP for around 6 months earlier this year. She is a good solid French horn player, and the CPAP had no effect on her playing, good or bad.