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#100920 08-05-2009 05:56 PM
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My husband is suppose to use a CPAP machine in order to have continuous breathing while he sleeps. However, now in his 3rd week of radiation he says he cannot tolerate the CPAP mask. Has anyone else had any success using the CPAP while being treated with radiation?


Husband 79 metastatic cancer neck lymph nodes, biopsy Moffitt showed base of tongue, tonsil & vallecula. VA in Tampa - Teeth out 6/16, Radiation 5X7 and Erbitux 7/13 Carboplatin 8/4 - Amifostine added 8/6
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Never heard of a CRAP machine. We all had to wear a mask but again I've never heard of it with the word CRAP other than the whole Tx being described as CRAP!


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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Googe CPAP


Husband 79 metastatic cancer neck lymph nodes, biopsy Moffitt showed base of tongue, tonsil & vallecula. VA in Tampa - Teeth out 6/16, Radiation 5X7 and Erbitux 7/13 Carboplatin 8/4 - Amifostine added 8/6
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I have a CPAP, and definitely could not use it during radiation, even though my side effects from radiation were not that severe. The CPAP, even with the humidifier, dries the nose and mouth out severely, which I found intolerable.

Today, I use my CPAP about half the time, due to the drying issues. Before I use it, I make sure the humidifier is working, and that I moisturize my nose and mouth well.

One positive note -- after completing the treatment and having the tumor eradicated, I snore less, even without the CPAP (according to my spouse). So there is hope.

Best of luck to both of you!!


Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
JeffL #100992 08-06-2009 11:56 AM
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CPAP is a new one to me. THey had me with lung cancer at our Dr Jeff, but he never mentioned anything to help with breathing.


Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
EzJim #100997 08-06-2009 12:47 PM
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I was on a CPAP w/out a humidifier, but added one before treatment and found it tolerable. I used the CPAP every night. I had to. My own snoring would wake me up! I did wake up with a drier mouth than usual. After treatment I got a little esophogaitis that may have been caused by the dryness. That�s gone now.

To JeffL, I think my snoring may be alleviated somewhat too. I haven�t tried to sleep without the machine yet, but I do feel more refreshed than I used to when I wake up. Maybe the BOT tumor back there had something to do with my snoring.

A suggestion I have is to look into a TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) . They supposedly work pretty good. It is like a pair of those invisiliners used for braces except the bottom one attaches to the top one and you turn a small screw that pulls your jaw forward. This leave a larger �hole� for air to pass through at the back or your throat.

I don�t know how this would work with someone who has had their teeth removed, but it might be worth checking out it.

NOTE: the TAP is not the only device available, but the one most dentists, including mine, are pushing. With a little googling you will find a lot of people trying to get into this market because it appears to be working.


57 @ Dx, Stg IV BOT (1.5cm), lymph nodes (lrgst 2.5cm), non-smoker, casual drinker and exercise nut, Cisplatin x 2, Erbetux w/IMRT x 35/70Gy, PEG, Treated in San Antonio @ CTRC 12/16/08-1/27/09.
3/5/09-CT
6/12/09-PET, PEG out
12/1/09-CT
12/6/10-PET
12-8/11-CT
1-4/13-CT
(all clean)
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OK I Google'd CRAP and of course you know what I got. Then I did CRAP machine and I got a web site about sleep disorders and saw some pictures of the machines and masks but I still don't know what CRAP stands for or what the heck those machines are supposed to do? And that mask!!! How can one sleep with that thing on?


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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David, you are supposed to google cPap not cRap. I believe it stands for Continous Postive Air Pressure.


Margaret
----------
C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx)
Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3)
Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.
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David it is CPAP as CRAP is something entirely different sick

Here is some information;

How is OSA Treated? (Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA))

The most common treatment of OSA is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, pronounced �see-pap�. It is effective in almost all cases. CPAP provides light air pressure to hold the airway open and, as a result, allows uninterrupted sleep throughout the night. Normally the air is delivered through a small mask worn over the nose during sleep. There are many different types of masks, and finding the most comfortable one is very important.

Whilst the CPAP system may look a bit daunting, you will find that using it has minimal effect on anything but your sleeping. Putting on your CPAP will quickly become part of your regular routine. Please look at the equipment available for all the different options.
CPAP therapy has been successfully used, since discovery in 1980, to treat patients with sleep apnea.


History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.

1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family

Gabe #101053 08-07-2009 06:59 AM
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Oopppps, my bad!!!


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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