I cannot fall asleep with Dreamwear, jaw is clenched tight,

I am quite new to CPAP. I have to take a sleeping pill every night now with this machine. I did not have to before. I have the Dreamwear nasal. I am a mouth breather and was given this nasal to try. It is comfortable, but I clench my jaw tight and cannot fall asleep. I find I am suffocating at night , so often I take off the mask while sleeping . I have not had a good nights sleep since I started and it has been 3 weeks. I wake up in the morning with my mouth very dry, even though I have max humidity, I am only sleeping 5 hours because of this mask. I have moderate sleep apnea, but now I am wondering if this machine is helping me or making me worse. i am now sleep deprived, but am not able to nap during the day. I dread having to use this machine tonight.

As a mouth breather, using a nasal mask, you could try a chin strap (which may or may not help), tape your mouth, or use a full face mask (which in my opinion is the easiest).

What pressure are you using?
Are you using the ramp feature?
Is the suffocation issue mainly when you first start the night or all night long?
Is the DreamWear the nasal cushion (under the nose) or the gel nasal pillows?

hello, annek! was wondering if you've tried wearing the mask when NOT in bed? like while watching tv or reading a book. some, including myself, find this a good way to get used to the mask on the face. when you think about it, it's scary to have that hunk of plastic hanging off your face!

as to dry mouth, you might consider xylimelts. this is a pill shaped lozenge that you place in your mouth between teeth and cheek. it slowly melts and promotes saliva. available at drug stores usually near the toothpaste section.

and hang in there. this DOES get easier the longer you use it. it's unlikely that the treatment isn't right for you. more likely you will have to get your therapy fine tuned.and people here can help.

please come back and stay with us. you'll get lot's of help!!

The pressure is set at 6-12.i cannot change it. The ramp is”auto”whatever that means..The dreamwear is under the nose.
I feel suffocated in the beginning and wake up wanting air during the night. i am told I should get used to it, but it feels like torture.

Hi,
My machine is Resmed
The technician told me the pressure is set by the prescribing MD and he ordered 6-12.
I can change the temp, humidity but not the pressure.
I think I need a full face mask. This mask is comfortable, but does not let me get enough air.
I have always been a mouth breather, and now they are trying to get me breathe through my nose.

Anyways, everyone: you have been very helpful.Thank you for your comments and support!

If the pressure is 6-12 then it is an apap. You will learn that you have to take some control of your own treatment, The DME will tell you the setting are by prescription, and that's true, but you can change your own settings. Get ahold of the clinical manual to see how. You can get the manual from a link at the top of the apneaboard.com site. While you are there, in the software section you will be able to download a program called sleepyhead for free which allows you use a sd card to see how your nighttime breathing is on a breath by breath basis. Once you get sleepyhead installed there are a bunch of people here who can help you get your setting better.

I would suggest that you try turning the ramp off and see if you can breathe easier.
With ramp on the pressure is reduced to 4 cm and most people feel like they are suffocating at such a low pressure. There's just not enough air movement for comfort.
Here's the manual that explains how to get to the clinical setup menu area where you can turn ramp off if the DME has you locked out.
Turning ramp off should cause the DME to get in a stew because ramp is considered a comfort feature and patients are allow to alter comfort settings.
Oh...there is no law that says you can't change the pressure if you wanted to. DMEs have to go by what the doctor says but there's no law that says you have to.
Though at this point I wouldn't go changing anything unless there is a need. I just mention it for educational purposes.

https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf

Turn the ramp off and just check the pressure out having it start at 6 cm and see if you can breathe better. You can do it while awake if you wish just to check things out.