Some positives, but not sure what to do

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
zuckie13
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:06 am

Some positives, but not sure what to do

Post by zuckie13 » Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:46 am

I was diagnosed with OSA a little over a month ago, and have been on an APAP for the last week and a half (CIGNA Insurance made it be a home test, but if it works, it works). I think I've had OSA for a long time without knowing what it was or that I had it. Once i understood what it is (and that it may be a factor in some problems I have - weight, high BP) I was excited about starting treatment. Insurance didn't allow the in-lab titration my Dr. wanted, so the Dr. prescribed an APAP (set to 6-20 pressure to start).

I'll start with the positives
I've managed to keep the mask on all night each night since I started a week and a half ago (7/18). 7+ hours each night.
No big issues with leaks, with both the medium and large pillows for the P10 mask.
AHI from the test was about 48. AHI according to machine data has been under 1.

The problems
I havn't come close to actually sleeping through a night. Lots of waking up I think.
The mask has been causing my nose to be sore. With the medium pillows, it's more the middle of the nose and the tip. With the large, it's more the outer edges. I think it's more pressure soreness then skin irritation.
The medium do feel like they don't' quite allow enough flow (noisier when inhaling)
I certainly have not felt any better than before yet. In fact, I'd say a-lot of days (including this morning waking up tired and just plain angry), I feel worse then before.
Anger over seeing some folks on boards like this (plus a co-woker) who seem to put the mask on and immediately start feeling at least some results is not helping.

I don't know how much of the problem to attribute to the mask fit (DME called yesterday asking how things were going, and offered to let me try a different mask, though they were more concerned/happy about the "compliance" being 100%), the fact that I've been a lifelong face down stomach sleeper (the one position that won't work with any type of mask) and am having a hard time adapting to a different position, or something else.

Do I try a different mask or something else? Whatever I do, i want something that doesn't block my eyesight. I always read before going to sleep, and that will work better if I can do it with the mask on. That was my concern with the nasal and face masks.

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Eddie Fasolino
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Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2012 3:17 pm

Re: Some positives, but not sure what to do

Post by Eddie Fasolino » Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:17 am

zuckie13 wrote:face down sleeper
Sounds impossible. Won't that destroy your spine in the area of the neck?
Eddie (The Sandman) Fasolino

Cardsfan
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Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:02 pm
Location: Close to St. Louis, MO

Re: Some positives, but not sure what to do

Post by Cardsfan » Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:23 am

Try a different mask. I tried the nasal pillows, the P10 and Swift FX and both of them did not work for me. Think of this as a positive. You know for sure this mask hurts.
I can read fine with my mask, the Swift FX Nano nasal mask.
There are also comfort items you can buy to help with the mask comfort. Pad A Cheek sells liners and so does our host. I think they are called barrel cozies.
My sleep Dr said it takes 6 months for the brain to recover fully from untreated apnea. So give it some time. I'm at 7 months now, and can say it has taken that long to get to where I feel recovered.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  CPAP 10 cmH20., User since 1/1/15.

zuckie13
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:06 am

Re: Some positives, but not sure what to do

Post by zuckie13 » Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:23 am

It's what's always worked. Face down, arms under pillow. Nose off the top of the pillow.

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Pugsy
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Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Some positives, but not sure what to do

Post by Pugsy » Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:26 am

Welcome to the forum.
You won't have much chance of actually feeling those good numbers until you can say that you slept well and it's hard to sleep well when the mask seems to be causing discomfort and/or we are trying to sleep in a position that is foreign to us.

The nostril tenderness complaint is fairly common. Go to Walmart and in the baby aisle find a little tube of Lansinoh lanolin ointment/cream and apply frequently during the day and sparingly at night to help with the nostril issues.
See if that helps the issues before trying a different mask. If you do end up trying a different nasal pillow mask then look at the ResMed Swift FX nasal pillow mask. It's still pretty minimal on the face and allows for greater fitting adjustments.

BTW we can sleep on our stomachs with these masks (any of them)...just takes a bit of creativity in how we position our heads/face on the bed pillow. I do it all the time.
You might look at one of those cpap pillows that has cut outs on the sides for mask placement so the pillow doesn't put pressure on the mask. If you want to try one I would suggest getting one of the cheap memory foam pillows at WalMart and cutting out your own little mask resting places...save the big bucks for if it even works for you.
Cpap.com has some different bed pillows like that....check them out to get ideas.

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OkyDoky
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Re: Some positives, but not sure what to do

Post by OkyDoky » Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:01 am

Welcome,
I second the Lansinoh for the nostril soreness. It will go away after a few days.
Also I sleep from side to stomach every night with my old soft pillow, with one arm under the pillow and one over which pushes down on the pillow. I use the P10 with PadaCheek strap liners which seem to make it more secure and decreases morning strap marks. My leaks are minimal.
You will find the right combination it just takes time. I would also recommend a journal of how you slept and felt.
Since your settings are wide open 6 - 20, it may be the pressure changes that are awakening you and at some point you may want to look at your data with Sleepyhead and find a tighter range.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760