Heart Rhythm

[Robert]

I just had a cardioversion done again last tuesday to stop the atrial fibrillation and get it back in a normal rhythm. My Dr said he thought sleep apnea was the underlying cause and so i am using a cpap machine to aid that. Anyone else use one?? Can you open your mouth with it working or must you keep it closed?? Just basic stuff i want to know for sure. Hope all of you are doing well and the various health issues i have seen posted over the months are being taken care of!!!

Blessings All- Robert

[Me Again]

I have apnea and use a CPAP. If you sleep with your mouth open, the machine won't be effective unless you have a full mask. Mine is a nasal mask (only covering my nose). My wife uses a full mask (she has apnea too). When I first started using the CPAP nearly 10 years ago, I had a strap that was supposed to keep my mouth shut, but it always slid off my head...what I've found though is that if I am sleeping and my mouth opens, the pressure from the machine forces me to close my mouth...it's kind of like the feeling when you stick your head out the window of a car moving at about 70-90 mph...when you can't quite catch your breath...that's the feeling I get. And it forces me to close my mouth and breathe normally through my nose (I am, when awake, a "mouth-breather" taking after my mother).

Hope this info helps...gotta go.

ed