Unable to sleep with( VPAP) Adapt SV

Hi there, I appreciate having this forum available. I was diagnosed with complex (combined obstructive and central) sleep apnea two to three years ago. I was prescribed a VPAP Adapt SV made by Res Med. When I was given the machine I was given very little instruction. I didn't know what I might need to know so I didn't ask many questions. The respiratory therapist set everything on the machine with no explanation and said that in a few weeks he would collect data. I assumed that it would take some getting used to but that it would just take patience. From the start I was unable to fall asleep with the machine. After several weeks of trying I spoke with someone else at the Medical Equipment Supplier's office. She suggested that I use the machine during the day, perhaps while watching TV, in order to get accustomed to it. I did this for a long while.

I then went back to attempting to use it at night still with no success. I had an appointment with a doctor at the sleep clinic who said things such as "don't expect miracles". He seemed to say that since I had a lot of other problems that I may have little success with the apnea treatment. I'm not sure what he was referring to, but I have a genetic type of peripheral neuropathy and a life long history of depression. I have been successfully treated for the depression for many years and it doesn't seem, to me, to be a factor. He did prescribe a much higher dose of Trazadone which I sometimes took for sleep.

With some increase in the Trazadone I was able to fall asleep with the machine about half the time. If I increased the medicine as much as he suggested I woke up very hung over and also had trouble walking safely to the bathroom during the night. (The neuropathy causes balance problems and then I was very "out-of-it" from the meds). On the nights I feel asleep I was only able to sleep for an average of two hours. Then I would wake up sometimes because my eyes and nose were watering a lot and other times I had the opposite problem that my throat and nose were very dried out. My machine has a humidifier built in but if I used that at all I would wake up with even more watery eyes and nose. Instead I purchased a room humidifier which seemed to help some. Still the best that I accomplished was having an average of an hour to get to sleep, sometimes not being able to do so at all. The length of time I was able to stay asleep continued to be from an hour to occasionally three and a half hours. Usually I was not able to get back to sleep another time.

I continued with this pattern for a month or two and it never got better, in fact often with time I seemed to have less success. The respiratory therapist adjusted the machine a couple times which seemed to have little effect. I did try several different masks. The one that works the best for me is a nasal cushion type. Generally the only suggestions I got from anyone was to be patient. And maybe that is all there is to offer.

I had thought that maybe being able to read my results myself may motivate me because I would be able to see small steps of progress. But from what I have been told apparently only the therapist can get the data from my machine. I wish I had known this because I would have preferred a machine that I could use more independently. When members of this forum write in and include various numbers and data I never have any idea what any of them mean.

I am both quite frustrated and worried about all this.Sometimes I worry about dying during the night because I stop breathing for too long. Is this likely? The sleep apnea was noticed during a heart cath, I had no idea I was having this problem.(By the way the hear cath showed no problem). I was told that I have symptoms to a moderate approaching severe degree. In the last year I have had extreme issue with energy level and almost never feels rested. I have had increasing problems controlling my blood pressure which is likely due to untreated apnea.(It is not extremely high but my family doctor would like it lower.) My central apnea is likely due to taking a fairly large dose of opiate pain medicine for neuropathy combined with arthritis. I'm not sure about the obstructive part, I am not over weight.

I am hoping that maybe someone has some suggestions. I am planning to find a new sleep doctor but am trying to figure out how to learn about the different doctors ahead of time instead of just "blindly" signing up with a new one. I realize this is quite long and want to thank anyone who has taken the time to read it. Thank you in advance for any ideas or encouragement. Take care, Kathyjean7777

Your Adapt SV is not the same model as the VPAP so I'm going to suggest that you edit your Subject title to read VPAP Adapt SV or even just Adapt SV. That way you will attract the attention of those who also have the Adapt SV and know better how it works and what adjustments can be made that may help, etc. IF I remember correctly there was a recent version of the Adapt SV and then a more current version, the Adapt SV enhanced, that provided more helpful data than the earlier version.

Meanwhile, while you are waiting for some replies try doing a search here on VPAP Adapt SV or even just Adapt SV to read u on other's posts regarding use and/or problems, solutions, etc. w/the Adapt SV.

You use a humidifier? What setting?

I bet you don't have the provider/clinical manual for your machine. You can request one here..scroll down to the bottom and follow the instructions. Not sure what data might be available from your machine but the manual will tell you.
http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

Your machine is a highly specialized machine.. I would suggest that you change "VPAP" in your subject title to "ASV" to get the attention of the other few members who are familiar with your type of machine and can offer more specific ideas on how to make using this type of machine more comfortable. From what I have read...it can be a tough pill to get used to. Look for threads from forum member JohnBFisher....he has considerable experience using ASV machines (both brands) and perhaps he has some ideas to help.

Please go to your User Account Profile and add your equipment to your Profile so we can easily see what you are using.

I found that using the "calm" aromatherapy with my machine helped me relax and fall asleep faster. I don't use it every night but when I do use it, I can tell a difference.

Thanks for the suggestion about the name of my machine and places to look for info. Also I will try the aromatherapy idea.Kathyean

I have been using an VPAP Adapt SV for some 8 months now and I am able to get data from the sd card and read it on my computer. I know it takes a long time to adapt to wearing a mask and the pressure that hits you but you will get better as time goes by. Believe me the VPAP is a lot better machine than some.