Advice needed, 5 days in can't sleep

LizzyB · Post by **LizzyB** » Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:19 pm

Hi All,

Was recently diagnosed, have had my machine (Resmed AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her) about a week. The full face mask doesn't seem to bother me too much and I've used it to watch TV etc.. to get used to it. When I try to actually sleep though I just can't seem to fall asleep, when I finally start to doze off I come to suddenly with a panic attack of sorts, can't get the mask off fast enough, heart beating like crazy, feeling like I'm being suffocated. I longest I've made it at night is 2 hours so far and last night was the worst. It took forever to calm down and sleep (without the machine or mask). They have me on the auto ramp feature from 4 - 20, it looks like the highest I've gotten is 11. Is this all normal and part of the process of getting used to the machine and mask? Any advice to make the transition go a bit smoother? I really want this to work as I'm always so tired but I'm not looking forward to trying again tonight. I feel like I'm making myself more anxious the more I think about it and I'm afraid that my positive attitude could spiral down hill very quickly.

Lucyhere · Post by **Lucyhere** » Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:48 pm

Suggesting that you raise the minimum pressure of 4 to 6. Most people can't breath at 4. I tried min pressure of 4 at one time for the heck of it... I couldn't breath and felt like I was suffocating. I raised it to 6 and could breath much easier.

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:34 pm

When I started I was the same, i fixed the suffocating feeling by raising the pressure .. Also switched from a nasal mask to the pillows, such an improvement for me...

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:40 pm

Suggestions to consider...

You need feedback to determine if what you are doing and changing is helping. Sleephead allows you to analyze your data and is well worth setting up.

Change from Auto Ramp to a Ramp of 10 minutes.

Set your minimum Ramp pressure to 6.

Set your machine pressures to a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 14.

As you get ready to lay down take a few deep breaths before turning your machine on.

If you wake up in the middle of the night, reach over and turn off your machine. Then you can compose yourself, take a few deep breaths, and turn the machine back on again. This marks your data and the next day you can review what was going on just before the sudden arousal.

After a few nights, review your data and make adjustments as needed.

Ask lots of questions. Trust, but verify the answers you get.

Pretty soon you will be leaping out of bed in the morning ready to greet the day...

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Apr 16, 2018 6:05 pm

HoseCrusher wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:40 pm
a maximum of 14.

setting a max pressure is totally irrelevant in this case.

The other suggestions are good, though ramp may not even be needed with only a pressure of 8.

LizzyB · Post by **LizzyB** » Tue Apr 17, 2018 4:08 pm

Thank you all for the advice. I did as suggested and set my ramp starting pressure to 6 (10 min) and then the actual pressure to a minimum of 8. This felt so much better, I didn't feel like I was constantly suffocating. I still can't manage to fall asleep and after two hours I just removed my mask to sleep normally. I'll keep trying as this is only day 6.

Rubyslipperss · Post by **Rubyslipperss** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:16 pm

You might want to try getting some quality Melatonin capsules if you are still having problems. Even with my Autoimmune Hepatitis and nonalcoholic Cirrhosis my liver doctor says it is safe for me to take.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Wed Apr 18, 2018 2:11 pm

LizzyB wrote: ↑
Tue Apr 17, 2018 4:08 pm
I still can't manage to fall asleep and after two hours I just removed my mask to sleep normally. I'll keep trying as this is only day 6.

Below is a checklist for sleep hygiene. For right now, if you can take a leisurely walk in the afternoon and a warm bath after dinner, you may be more relaxed at bedtime. It can also help to go to the bedroom about an hour before bedtime and stage everything for the night - turn the bed back, lay out your PJs, lay out your hose and mask and anything else you need. Then go to a quiet room for the last hour of the day and do something relaxing under low light. Reading and crosswords are good choices for some people.

The Oft Overlooked Part of Good CPAP Therapy

- Practice good sleep hygiene (Google it and read several sources; ignore extreme advice.)
- Eat a good diet
- Have a regular, moderate exercise program
- Try to avoid daytime naps
- Practice total abstinence of caffeine including sources like chocolate (sigh)
- Review all medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking to make sure none are interfering with sleep
- Use the bedroom for sleeping (and sex) only, and make sure the bedroom and bed are comfortable.
- Learn to appropriately handle emotional stress in your life
- Do not listen to your breathing or the sound of the machine as you are falling asleep.
- Distract your mind by thinking of a pleasant, relaxing activity that you enjoy. Thinking of sitting under an umbrella on a quiet beach with a warm gentle breeze works for me.
- If you are awakening at night, do not be too concerned. It is actually a normal part of sleep. (It does become a problem though for people who, when they awaken, become frustrated and have difficulty returning to sleep.)
- Use CPAP software, such as the free SleepyHead, to make sure your therapy is optimized
- If you still don't feel or sleep well, make sure you have regular medical checkups to confirm there are no other medical problems

This is a checklist. Some of the things you already do. Some are easy and can be done right away. Others you can work at over time.

CG

Advice needed, 5 days in can't sleep

Advice needed, 5 days in can't sleep

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