Still can't fall asleep

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Daebot
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Still can't fall asleep

Post by Daebot » Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:44 pm

I have been a c-pap user since January 31, 2017. It is now almost the end of March and I have yet to fall asleep for more than a few minutes with my c-pap machine on. I have a very comfortable unit, with a humidifier, and I use the nasal pillow with a chin strap. I used a full face mask before but could not get used to it and I find the nasal pillow is much more comfortable. I also have a thing stuck to the wall above the bed to keep the hose out of the way while I toss and turn. In addition, my doctor has decreased my pressure to 6, after I told him I could not sleep with the cpap on, until I get comfortable sleeping with it on. I have no issues with the machine (it is very quiet) or my throat or dry mouth or anything. I simply just cannot fall asleep. I tried some over the counter sleep aids, not very strong but they make me sleepy enough, but still, sleep alludes me as long as I have the thing on. I have not had the machine on for more than 4 hours but most nights, I only wear it for 2 hours. I just can't afford to not get any sleep as I have a job and can't concentrate if I haven't had enough sleep. I've tried wearing the cpap while I watch tv or read, just to get used to it. No problem. But as soon as they tv and lights go off, I'm wide awake and extremely aware of my breathing. Then I feel like I need to take deep breaths. Sometimes I will doze a bit, but never fall all the way asleep. Also, not sure why the thing is saying I had an AHI of 17 when I had it on for 1.2 hours and NEVER FELL ASLEEP! Every single night I use it, consistently, but only for a few hours, not falling asleep, and with a high AHI. Not understanding how that is. After almost 2 months, and still not sleeping, I have had the urge to pack it all up and take it back and give up but my husband (who also uses a cpap with absolutely no issues every night) encourages me not to give up. I don't know what else to try.......

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Pugsy
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by Pugsy » Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:08 pm

The AHI while awake is from the machine flagging awake irregular breathing by mistake.
The machine doesn't know if you are asleep or not. It just measures air flow and our breathing while awake is much more irregular than we might think and the machine just flags the irregularities because it doesn't know any better.

You might want to read this.
http://adventures-in-hosehead-land.blog ... er_19.html

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Attila
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by Attila » Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:16 pm

I would encourage you to use Sleepyhead software to post the data from your machine so that the folks here can get a better view of what all of your settings are and what you are experiencing as recorded by the machine. That way they can give you some more advice.

If you have a Ramp setting of some kind, perhaps try to turn it off. If your ramp is at a very low setting it may be that is the problem. The gasping for air and needing to take deep breaths could possibly indicate your pressure setting might be too low. Mine felt the same way when my DME set it to 6. I had to increase it to 8 to feel comfortable and if you have some kind Flex or exhale pressure relief setting, that may need to be adjusted as well. Again, posting the data from Sleepyhead will help with determining all that. Although I am not as familiar with your machine. Hopefully others here are that could offer you advice. I would assume there is a way to get into the clinical settings on your machine like there is on mine to be able to adjust these things...

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Attila
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by Attila » Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:53 pm

Also, if you are using nasal pillows. I myself am using the Airfit P10 nasal pillows and even though I fitted a medium, I went up a size to the Large and this helped the ease of my breathing greatly. No increase in leaks either.

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kteague
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by kteague » Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:55 pm

Daebot wrote: ...In addition, my doctor has decreased my pressure to 6, after I told him I could not sleep with the cpap on... Then I feel like I need to take deep breaths. Sometimes I will doze a bit, but never fall all the way asleep...
Not sure why your doctor turned your pressure down if you didn't specifically complain about the pressure. Sounds like they were taking a stab in the dark just hoping they'd get lucky. Your description of needing to take deep breaths makes me think you might need more pressure, not less. Not sure if that's during ramp or your treatment pressure, but if the pressure is not quite adequate, like approaching the verge of suffocation, it is hard for the brain to relax when it feels a very real need to stay alert. Not sure what your settings are, but you could try an increase for a while and see if it helps. Hopefully you can share your data here to see if anyone has more targeted suggestions.

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LSAT
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by LSAT » Thu Mar 23, 2017 5:07 pm

Unless I am mistaken, the low end Dreamstation CPAP does not provide meaningful data.

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palerider
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by palerider » Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:25 pm

LSAT wrote:Unless I am mistaken, the low end Dreamstation CPAP does not provide meaningful data.
it doesn't, but is that confusingly named thing what they really have?

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LSAT
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by LSAT » Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:23 pm

palerider wrote:
LSAT wrote:Unless I am mistaken, the low end Dreamstation CPAP does not provide meaningful data.
it doesn't, but is that confusingly named thing what they really have?
Just going by what she put in her equipment profile.......

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palerider
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Re: Still can't fall asleep

Post by palerider » Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:55 pm

LSAT wrote:
palerider wrote:
LSAT wrote:Unless I am mistaken, the low end Dreamstation CPAP does not provide meaningful data.
it doesn't, but is that confusingly named thing what they really have?
Just going by what she put in her equipment profile.......
yeah, I'm just always suspicious if someone picks "CPAP" for those, since ... well, they're all cpaps, aren't they? (I imagine that's how the thoughts go)

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