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DAVE IN DELAWARE · Post by **DAVE IN DELAWARE** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 9:40 pm

hi eveyone was diagnosed a month ago with very severe apnea A.H.I was 103 trying to use Respironics plus foa acouple of weeks with no success cant get used to the hair dryer blowing up my nose all night. pressure set at 12. doctor prescribed 5 mg ambien but 10 mg. didnt work. any suggestions on sleep aids, or any suggestions would be appreciated . DAVE IN DELAWARE

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 9:55 pm

Hello Dave,
A few questions. Do you have a heated humidifier ?
What mask are you using?

The Remstar Plus is a bit dated I believe.

A pressure of 12 is a bit high for a beginer. Not that you can't get used to it.

Many have a better time of cpap if they use a Resmed Activa mask.

You may also wish to try a auto titrating cpap. These units use less pressure overall. What you have now is a fixed pressure set for a higher pressure than you require most of the time. An auto will run lower pressures until you need more to clear an event.
It is set for a pressure range that covers most of the events that occur while you sleep. It only goes as high as it needs to to clear your apneas.

Read about them on https://www.cpap.com/productpage/756

Cheers,

Chris

sthnreb · Post by **sthnreb** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:59 pm

Maybe I don't really understand the cpap's since I use a bipap pro and have for the last 3 years. I took to it right off. When I put the mask on, I feel no pressure at all and mine is set at 12/8. All I hear is the whisper of the air moving. Breathing is really quite normal and really easier. Of course a bipap does have pressure relief at exhalelation. Maybe you do need the self adjusting cpap or maybe even a bipap. Good luck with it..use it though, it really helps.

guest · Post by **guest** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:20 pm

Just keep working with it. I have been on mine for 7 days with a pressure of 18 and have finally had my first night of real sleep. I am using a bipap with a heated humidifer turned all the way up to help the throat dryness. I am using nose pillows and am finally adjusting to them. I agree, the air blowing up your nose is hard to get used to but kieep at it.

53now · Post by **53now** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:29 pm

Hey Dave
I took the Ambien route in my early days of Cpap. Some folks may not agree with what I'm about to say but..........I would take those pills to my trash can and deposit them !!!! OH I know how hard it is for some folks to adjust to this contraption strapped to your face. I fought hard !! everynight for about 6 months. I thought I was going to lose my mind. BUT it got easier every night. I read some books on good sleep practices which includes ways to relax prior to bedtime and .........."Bingo !! I became a well adjusted Hose head.
If the equipment is right !! (machine with correct pressue/comfortable mask) then it's just a matter of sticking to it. The benefits are wonderful.
Hang in there
Rich
PS >>>>>>>>> A must read for anyone who has trouble going to sleep (Cpap or not) "Desperately Seeking Snoozin" by John Wiedman

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:43 pm

Dave,

I couldn't stand the straight CPAP in my sleep study. The Tech recomended an auto PAP and I've been sleeping great since. It's starts at a really low pressure, gives you 45 minutes to fall asleep and then starts titrating up till it senses good control...when you start to wake and your airway takes over control again (right before you wake) it titrates down again so you never really feel the suffocating pressure. Then the only task is to find a mask that you can get comfortable with. I listen to music to go to sleep and rarely am awake when the second song is over. I am currently using the ResMed Auto Spirit....it works great but am also going to try the RemStar Auto with C-Flex which has pressure releif when you exhale. Alot of people swear by the C-Flex technology. Good Luck and stick with it and stay on your DME's butt till they get you something that is worth your time. As far as sleep aids work with your GP to find something that works...maybe you won't need anything if the Auto PAP works for you.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 11:55 pm

Hi,
Wow. Someone from Delaware. Wilmington or somewhere south? (I'm from the Eastern Shore and I haven't seen anyone on this forum who was from there).

I'm in your boat, still getting used to the pressure (mine is 18 and it's been about 3 months on my bipap machine so far). I can sleep some, but still wake up a time or two, which I think is dealing with the pressure once it reaches full force. Does your machine have a ramp button feature which starts the pressure off lower so you can fall asleep?

Linda

sthnreb · Post by **sthnreb** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 9:29 am

You know, my bipap pro has the ramp feature but I prefer not to use it personally. I prefer my 12/8 setting right from the get go. It makes it easier to breathe and I don't feel suffocated from low pressures. It seems to be a nomal breathing pressure. Maybe it comes down to how well your sleep study group does in getting the correct setting for you? I know cpap is different and the self adjusting sounds like a winner to me for cpap users.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:28 am

Maybe you should try a full face mask. Lot more cumbersome but some ppl can t handle the nose mask. It will take you awhile to get use to the whole setup, but you will be amazed when it finally happens. For me heated humidifer is a must. You can also ask to have your machines pressure dropped a few numbers.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:05 pm

Dave
Is your cpap, an auto? Or do you have a htd. humidifier?
Also, if you feel comfortable using any sleep medication, do not listen to those well-meaning, but perhaps uninformed people, who tout, the no medication route. Until everyone can walk in everyone else's shoes, do what you MUST to get some sleep You can't be sleep deprived while adjusting to the machine and stuff on your head. It's not a quick fix, altho' some strap it on and "get a great night's sleep". For me the pollyanna quick fix is not happening, but it's a slow gradual process and some take to it faster, easier, and with less medicine indications than others. I use ambien, and do not like it (or the price either), but until one can fall asleep without it and on a c, bi, or autopap, one has to do what one has to do to get thru the night. Hang in there.

I'm only on my autopap 2 wks, and believe me I still need ambien. No one knows ea. other's medical conditions and other med's which additional can cause difficulties in falling and maintaining sleep.

Do what you must and with what you're comfortable with.

DAVE IN DELAWARE wrote:hi eveyone was diagnosed a month ago with very severe apnea A.H.I was 103 trying to use Respironics plus foa acouple of weeks with no success cant get used to the hair dryer blowing up my nose all night. pressure set at 12. doctor prescribed 5 mg ambien but 10 mg. didnt work. any suggestions on sleep aids, or any suggestions would be appreciated . DAVE IN DELAWARE

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Hi Dave in Delaware

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Additional Comments: Resmed AirCurve 10 VAuto BiLevel with HumidAir