trouble sleeping

Hi Again

I am not complaining but, in two weeks with a CPAP only one night did I really get to asleep,( only 3 .7 hours) with a sleeping pill. The doctor has lowered my pressure and the sleep tech has changed my full face mask from ResMed Quattro Air to a Fisher & Paykel Simplus. Not only are the masks uncomfortable, but it seems difficult to breath. Combine this with other aches/pains and with allergies and a deviated septum, I don't sleep. I wonder how others can sleep with a mask. I have been awake three hours before giving up and removing the face mask. I can't breath at all with the nose only pillows or mask.

Barn

Not having your other notes here in this thread... what are your pressures set at? Are you having trouble exhaling or only inhaling? Do you use the ramp?

Hi Barnabas,

A couple of things to consider,

Do you have or can get a copy of your sleep study reports? They will have helpful information on what pressures were most effective in treating you apneas.

Can you post the current pressures you are now using? If the pressure is low for some folks, they have the feeling that they can't breathe in.

Are you being treated for your pain at night? Pain can have an adverse effect on sleep and both make it difficult to sleep but make it difficukt to get to sleep.

Sleep hygiene is important in relation to treatment for sleep apnea. Lying in bed for three hours before giving up is helping to create a bad habit. The habit to create is one of: mask up, go to bed, go to sleep within a few minutes.

Here are some links for information about Sleep Hygiene
Info on Sleep Hygiene
Sleep Hygiene Recommendations
Sleep Hygiene Tips

Hang in there. It can get better.

barnabas wrote:Hi Again

I am not complaining but, in two weeks with a CPAP only one night did I really get to asleep,( only 3 .7 hours) with a sleeping pill. The doctor has lowered my pressure and the sleep tech has changed my full face mask from ResMed Quattro Air to a Fisher & Paykel Simplus. Not only are the masks uncomfortable, but it seems difficult to breath. Combine this with other aches/pains and with allergies and a deviated septum, I don't sleep. I wonder how others can sleep with a mask. I have been awake three hours before giving up and removing the face mask. I can't breath at all with the nose only pillows or mask.

Barn

Have you tried wearing your mask while watching TV or reading (at times other than when you're sleeping)?
Do you have it adjusted too tight?
What are your pressure and other settings?
Are you using a "high" humidifier setting?
Do you do nasal cleansing before bedtime (so you can breathe through your nose)?
Why were those two masks selected?
Were/are they the proper size?
Did you have any choice in which mask you're using? (Or did they just hand you something?)

Sounds like you're being set up to fail.

Den

.

If you can't breathe through your nose, cpap is pretty much useless. Try to correct what ever is keeping you from breathing through your nose.

borgready wrote:If you can't breathe through your nose, cpap is pretty much useless. Try to correct what ever is keeping you from breathing through your nose.

Not true. You have to have the right mask and it has to be the right fit, but it can work very well. My untreated AHI was 15 -- which means 15 events per HOUR. In the 8 nights I have slept with my machine I have had 15 events TOTAL. I have an AirFit F10 full face mask and it fits very well. After the first night when I loosened it too much I have had no leak events.

borgready wrote:If you can't breathe through your nose, cpap is pretty much useless. Try to correct what ever is keeping you from breathing through your nose.

*holds up the above answer" and, this, boys and girls, and barnabas, is what we call "wrong".

as most of us already know, this answer is total natural bull generated fertilizer, however, I point out the utter absurdity of it for people who might be new, like barnabas who don't know enough yet to recognize low grade natural fertilizer and distinguish it from good advice.

lots of people who are mouth breahters get fine cpap breathing assistance, using a full face, or total face mask.

that's all...

Answers to questions.
I should have the sleep study soon. They had a hard time at the sleep study center to find a mask and adjusting the pressure for me. Different sleep techs set up my masks for home use. Both masks seemed ok in a chair but when laying down over 15 minutes gave me problems. At 12 with the first mask I could breath ok with my nose, but when my nose plugged up the pressure seemed to blow me up like a balloon. The original press was 12 with 45 minute ramp. The next pressure setting was 9 with 45 minute ramp. I have noticed a big difference between masks with the same pressure. Now it is set up for 9 with ramp "off". The humidity and tube temperature have be tried at different levels to no avail. The CPAP report shows between 20 and 30 AHI. Currently at home the pressure goes to 9 in a few minutes. I have tried prescription and over the counter nasal sprays and medicines, but the relief don't last long. I believe all the settings and equipment have been a trial and error at my experience. I should eventually find the right equipment and settings, but until then I will have to ride the CPAP experience roller coaster. For pain medicines it seems like they have tried most with little difference. It sure will be nice to get a good nights sleep soon.

Barn

Hi Barnabas:
One of the things to do is get the mask fitted while you are lying down. The structure of your face will change dramatically between sitting up and lying down. This is especially troubling with a full face mask as there is more movement.

It may be that you cannot get your nose to work properly when lying down. My nasal passages almost immediately close up when I lie down so no nasal mask will work for me at all.

Even with you nose closed up, a FFM can be made to work well. Remember to keep the humidity up since most of your breathing will be through your mouth and will need a higher level of humidity to keep from drying out.

Could you post your equipment list so that folks with more experience with your particular equipment can chime in?
The is a link on doing that in my signature block.

Keep trying and keep asking questions about any part of the process that doesn't seem to be working. Someone here will have been down that particular path before you and may have a solution.

barnabas wrote:Hi Again

I am not complaining but, in two weeks with a CPAP only one night did I really get to asleep,( only 3 .7 hours) with a sleeping pill. The doctor has lowered my pressure and the sleep tech has changed my full face mask from ResMed Quattro Air to a Fisher & Paykel Simplus. Not only are the masks uncomfortable, but it seems difficult to breath. Combine this with other aches/pains and with allergies and a deviated septum, I don't sleep. I wonder how others can sleep with a mask. I have been awake three hours before giving up and removing the face mask. I can't breath at all with the nose only pillows or mask.

Barn

HI Barn,

Since wearing the full face masks still doesn't solve your problems with difficulty in breathing, have you tried nasal pillow and nasal masks? I can't remember what you previously said so forgive me if I am asking you to repeat yourself.

By the way, if you are still struggling to breath even though you are using full face masks, here are some possibilities to consider. No matter how you try to fit it, it could be hitting your nose in a way that causes nasal congestion. There have been previous discussions on this as an FYI. Perhaps another ff mask would not do this.

Additionally, you might be a terrible mouth breather even though you struggle to breath through your nose. I found out that was true in my situation.

Den's suggestion for nasal rinsing is excellent. However if you find this isn't enough, I would consider seeing an ENT to see what could be done about your nasal issues whether it be treatment for your allergies or more aggressive treatment such as having surgery for a deviated septum.

49er