I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Enchanter
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I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by Enchanter » Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:21 pm

Well I was able to get through some of the holes, but now the problem has been getting sleep with the mask. I realized beforehand that this could be an issue, but I didn't realize how hard it would be. Now the pressure was set at 13 cm. I tried a 10 last night. I just wasn't able to sleep at all. But once I removed the mask, around 4 am I fell asleep. Of course I woke up with my head feeling less than okay, but that's on me for not sleeping with the mask. The point is that I couldn't. I don't know what it is, but I feel like the pressure keeps me up. Because the thing is, I already changed the mask. I hate to sound like I'm making excuses, but I literally could not sleep a wink with the mask. As soon as I took off the mask, I fell asleep. The downside to that is I'm not sleeping with my airways open. The downside to trying to sleep with the mask on is that I don't sleep at all. At least this has been my short term experience.

And I can see why people give up early. Heck, I learned my uncle who recently passed away had Sleep Apnea. He only wore his mask for one night and after that he elected to have his uvula removed because he wasn't interested in wearing the mask. He had already had enough after just one night. How many nights does it typically take you to adjust? And does your sleep ever improve? Or does it make you even more of an insomniac? I almost feel like I might have to rely on a sedative to use the mask. It's tough. I'm not trying to make an excuse or use a cop out, but I didn't realize exactly how hard it would be to adjust with the mask. People warned me.

The good news is that this still is not my permanent mask. The new mask that was donated to me is good, it is just ''slightly'' small. It could be just slightly bigger, but it's almost perfect. I kinda feel like using a nasal pillow only because it seems like it would be so much easier. But then again, I believe I'm a mouth breather. Although I am getting started on allergy shots and nose sprays which do help me breathe out of my nose better.
My Current Therapies
- CPAP + Humidifier
- Allergy Shots + nose Spray + Hepa Air Purifier
- Cardiovascular Exercise + Stretching

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BlackSpinner
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by BlackSpinner » Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:25 pm

Wear it while watching movies every single day

Put your pressure down to what feels ok and every few days increase it by .5 until you are up to where you need to be.

You didn't ride the bike the first time you sat on it.

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Enchanter
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by Enchanter » Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:28 pm

BlackSpinner wrote:Wear it while watching movies every single day

Put your pressure down to what feels ok and every few days increase it by .5 until you are up to where you need to be.

You didn't ride the bike the first time you sat on it.

Good idea. I'll start slow. Maybe 10 cm was too much. I was sitting around at a 6.5 and then I told myself that I'm too strong for such a low setting.
My Current Therapies
- CPAP + Humidifier
- Allergy Shots + nose Spray + Hepa Air Purifier
- Cardiovascular Exercise + Stretching

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BlackSpinner
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by BlackSpinner » Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:32 pm

Enchanter wrote:. I was sitting around at a 6.5 and then I told myself that I'm too strong for such a low setting.
It is not an "how butch am I" contest.
The win is sleeping with it every night and getting your AHI down to one.

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Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal

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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by yaconsult » Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:38 pm

Did you miss the most important part of what blackspinner said, enchanter?! You seem to selectively read. The important part of what she said was to wear the mask and use the machine while you are awake.

So you don't need to worry about the pressure being too high or too low unless you have trouble breathing. The idea is to get your face and body used to having the mask on and breathing with the machine. It works!

This is different from what you do and what settings you use when you go to sleep. You get used to the feel of the mask and breathing in and out with the pressure of the machine.

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Additional Comments: January 2015 Sleep Study Results: Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI): 80.2, Sleepyhead

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LSAT
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by LSAT » Sat Jul 04, 2015 6:59 pm

Enchanter wrote:
BlackSpinner wrote:Wear it while watching movies every single day

Put your pressure down to what feels ok and every few days increase it by .5 until you are up to where you need to be.

You didn't ride the bike the first time you sat on it.

Good idea. I'll start slow. Maybe 10 cm was too much. I was sitting around at a 6.5 and then I told myself that I'm too strong for such a low setting.
That's a joke ..right?

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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by Enchanter » Sat Jul 04, 2015 7:38 pm

yaconsult wrote:Did you miss the most important part of what blackspinner said, enchanter?! You seem to selectively read. The important part of what she said was to wear the mask and use the machine while you are awake.

So you don't need to worry about the pressure being too high or too low unless you have trouble breathing. The idea is to get your face and body used to having the mask on and breathing with the machine. It works!

This is different from what you do and what settings you use when you go to sleep. You get used to the feel of the mask and breathing in and out with the pressure of the machine.

I have been wearing the mask when I'm awake. Technically that has been the only time I have been wearing it. What are you talking about?
My Current Therapies
- CPAP + Humidifier
- Allergy Shots + nose Spray + Hepa Air Purifier
- Cardiovascular Exercise + Stretching

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Enchanter
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by Enchanter » Sat Jul 04, 2015 7:46 pm

LSAT wrote:
Enchanter wrote:
BlackSpinner wrote:Wear it while watching movies every single day

Put your pressure down to what feels ok and every few days increase it by .5 until you are up to where you need to be.

You didn't ride the bike the first time you sat on it.

Good idea. I'll start slow. Maybe 10 cm was too much. I was sitting around at a 6.5 and then I told myself that I'm too strong for such a low setting.
That's a joke ..right?

No, it's just that I didn't want it too low. I wanted it to be effective enough. I don't know the setting I need though. But now I know that I have to start low and work up. That is all. Don't take everything I say too literally. I'm just gonna try it at a 6 or 6.5
My Current Therapies
- CPAP + Humidifier
- Allergy Shots + nose Spray + Hepa Air Purifier
- Cardiovascular Exercise + Stretching

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palerider
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by palerider » Sat Jul 04, 2015 9:01 pm

Enchanter wrote: No, it's just that I didn't want it too low. I wanted it to be effective enough. I don't know the setting I need though. But now I know that I have to start low and work up. That is all. Don't take everything I say too literally. I'm just gonna try it at a 6 or 6.5
put it on automatic, and wear it at night, and stop acting so stupid.

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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by 49er » Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:47 am

The good news is that this still is not my permanent mask. The new mask that was donated to me is good, it is just ''slightly'' small. It could be just slightly bigger, but it's almost perfect. I kinda feel like using a nasal pillow only because it seems like it would be so much easier. But then again, I believe I'm a mouth breather. Although I am getting started on allergy shots and nose sprays which do help me breathe out of my nose better.
Enchanter,

I made the mistake of believing I was a mouth breather because my sinuses were always clogged and went through what I call full face mask h-ll for several months before finding out that the elan cloth mask a friend had provided was a much better option. This was true even before my March septoplasty.

My leak rates have been fine and I don't need to tape my mouth or do anything special to keep it closed. So when you finally get everything through a DME, I would definitely see about trying a nasal or a nasal pillow mask. Could make all the difference in the world.

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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by Cardsfan » Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:24 am

I'm sure everybody is different, but the mask seems to help me sleep. Crazy, I know. Before I began CPAP, I had awful insomnia. I've been on cpap for about 6 months now. And I find the feeling of the mask now signals my brain to relax, and I doze off pretty fast. And usually sleep through the night. It took a few weeks of adjustment, it didn't happen right away.
What also helped, is I got some "comfort items", from Pad A Cheek. Those covers that go over the plastic parts of the mask. And a Snuggle Hose cover. Those all seemed to make the experience more comfortable.

Do NOT give up. And do NOT go to sleep without the mask. Your body and mind need time to accept and adjust.

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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by postitnote » Sun Jul 05, 2015 11:56 am

Enchanter, if you want a snuggle hose cover email me and I'll send you the one I have. It's powder blue and very soft. Like a velvety feel but washable! Zips up over hose and then has velcro at ends. I think it's made by Pad-A-Cheek.
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Enchanter
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by Enchanter » Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:31 pm

Well I got near a full nights sleep with the CPAP. I set it on auto. I think it was delivering pressure around 7 cm. While the crushing headache seems to be dissipating, my eyes feel tired and I'm still not really refreshed in all honesty. So even though I probably feel better, I don't feel good. Is this something you just live with or are there more improvements to be made?
My Current Therapies
- CPAP + Humidifier
- Allergy Shots + nose Spray + Hepa Air Purifier
- Cardiovascular Exercise + Stretching

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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by hpm08161947 » Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:34 pm

Cardsfan wrote:I'm sure everybody is different, but the mask seems to help me sleep. Crazy, I know. Your body and mind need time to accept and adjust.

I know it sounds strange, but I have found the same thing. Although I have only been using CPAP for 3 months I believe I almost look forward to putting on the mask and feeling the air flow...... it puts me too sleep. Took me about a month to get used to the mask, so guess I was lucky. SH says I seldom have an AHI more than 1, whereas I Sleep Tested at 64....so guess no wonder I look forward to the mask.

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Julie
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Re: I'm having a hard time sleeping with the CPAP masks

Post by Julie » Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:36 pm

You've just barely begun, of course they'll improve, or certainly should. You've had OSA for a long time, the chances of it's just going away after a night or two are almost nil, and without software you don't know how things really went, only that they were better. You're almost 'there', just hang on!