Feel like giving up

gregnga · Post by **gregnga** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:45 am

I have used the cpap machine on and off for about a year. Usually, I will go several weeks of using it and then I am so tired in the morning that I quit for a few weeks and then after getting more rest not using it than when I am using it, I try it again.

Even though, I wake up numerous times during the night when I don't use the machine, I still felt more rested than I do when I use the cpap machine , even though I usually only wake up once when I use the cpap machine. However, I am concerned about the health effects of not using it.

I have not been able to figure this phenomena out, that is, why I am still so tired with cpap even though I don't wake up a lot.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:01 am

* DON"T GIVE UP!!!*

Are you having trouble with the mask? Leaks? Anything else bothering you? Is the only problem that you're tired? What pressure are you at? Did your sleep study show any central or mixed events? Do you have any other medical problems?Fill in your profile with your equipment so we can better help you. If your treatment works you should be feeling better. We can and will help you, but we need more info.

Keep in mind it can take months to see results. But PLEASE don't give up!

Brenda

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:14 am

Brenda is RIGHT! DON'T give up. Give us more specific info on your unit, mask, pressures, etc. Those in this forum can probably help.

However, YOU are also right. Your body knows better than any machine or doctor how well you are doing. Since you FEEL more rested w/o the PAP than w/it its time to get back to your sleep lab and TELL them that. They can't help you if you don't tell them there is something wrong. You don't have to wait until your next appointment or your next compliance check. Why waste that time not getting adequate rest? Do it now.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:27 am

Please fill in your profile and list your pressure.
Do you have your prescription and a copy of your sleep study? (PSG & titration)

Thanks,

Den

gregnga · Post by **gregnga** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:41 am

I didn't see my cpap machine in the list on the profile page

cpap: RemRest CPAP Advanced System - TIER 2
http://www.hebhomecare.com/Respiratory/ ... kw=remrest
cpap pressure: 8
mask: Comfort Lite 2 Nasal Interface
humidifier: Fisher Paykyl 150

I don't have any leaking problems with the mask, I really like it a lot better thatn the previous mask
_________________

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:44 am

One problem might be that you are using it off and on. When you first start, the disruptive impact of the therapy often offsets the benefits. While you the CPAP gives you the opportunity to sleep better, mask leaks, hose tugs and the feel of the straps against your face are all irritations that disrupt your sleep. Not as often as the apnea but in some ways more annoying because you become so conscious of them. Until you get used to them you will have bouts of being more tired.

One good sign is you are only waking up once with CPAP. Our bodies are amazing things. We can readily adapt to a bad condition. If you had OSA a long time then you have learned to adapt. CPAP is a new way of sleeping for you. Because of OSA you probably got four hours or less of real rest in eight hours of sleeping. You adapted and that amount of rest feels right to yoru body. So now you are getting 4 hours of real rest with the CPAP and your body is awake and raring to go like the pre-therapy days. You have to retrain it to take additional rest.

The above reasons are why doctors are looking at one year of compliance as the sign of success. Previously they considered two months successful. You have to continuously stick with it to reap the benefits. If you keep quiting everytime you hit the wall you will never get over that wall.

The only way to do this is to commit to doing it. Telling yourself this is medicine you have to take no matter how bad it tastes. You will get used to it and in time won't think of sleeping without it. It does make you feel that much better and that much healthier.

Good luck, we will be pulling for you.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:06 pm

Wow! A 3 year guarantee! I'm impressed. Resmed and Respironics only seem to give 2 year warranties on their machines! Too bad it doesn't have data capabilities so you could check leak rates, AHIs, AIs, HIs, etc.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:10 pm

Don't give up!!!!

Be stronger than the equipment

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:24 pm

Just a quick thought.....do you use your CPAP each and EVERY time you snooze? Naps and all?? It seems to be an all or nothing deal....if you don't use it every time you snooze, you lose....Just a thought.

Kajun

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:54 pm

If you had a APAP with software you could see if your pressure was right, or if you had [roblems leaking. Using a Nasal interface you may be loosing treatment pressure out your mouth without knowing it. Tapeing you mouth shut or a ff mask is the only way you can tell for sure. Jim

gregnga · Post by **gregnga** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:36 pm

I am going to try the tape thing tonight. I already have the correct type of tape.

As far as APAP determining the correct pressure. Would Respironics Auto Cpap do that as well? I don't have one, but just curious. My sleep doctor mentioned loaning me an auto machine to determine the pressure. Maybe he is planning to use an apap machine

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:02 pm

gregnga wrote:As far as APAP determining the correct pressure. Would Respironics Auto Cpap do that as well?

Hi Greg,

That's what autos do. I tried straight cpap for a while and it was awesome at first but as I got over the initial honeymoon period (for me), I got tired again. Then I changed to an auto and I now have it set 2 above and 2 below my titrated pressure and I'm sleeping and waking very well. Being able to monitor your nights sleep with software or at least an LCD readout, is very helpful in correlating the data to your sleep experience, so you can work out how your body is responding to the treatment..

Above all, DON'T GIVE UP.

This forum is a great resource, with many knowledgeable and helpful cpapers willing to help, so keep asking questions until you get it sorted.

Good luck,

Peter

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:31 pm

If your doc is considering a trial on an autopap without you having to fight for it, it sounds like your doc is interested in helping you work through this. The autopap will help determine if you indeed have a therapeutic pressure. If I were ever having another machine set up for me, I would request that I be allowed to view every setting and have it explained to me. Mistakes do happen and sometimes users are trying to adjust to nonprescribed settings.

Once you are sure that your pressure is therapeutic, your machine has been set up properly, and your mask is working for you, the only thing left to do is to do it. Having to start over every time you've decided to try the machine again is bound to be frustrating. If you have done due diligence up front and also in continuance of the treatment, results can be expected to follow. And getting the auto for a trial period is a huge step in the right direction. You can do this.

Kathy

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:30 am

kteague wrote:Mistakes do happen and sometimes users are trying to adjust to nonprescribed settings.

My RT was very nice and helpful when I requested a specific mask, but I've never been titrated and he left the machine set for CPAP at 15cm. If I didn't know what I was doing, I wouldn't have been able to go in and set a reasonable Auto range to figure out my pressure, which is quite a bit lower than 15. Verify your settings and stick with it.

Rapunzel111 · Post by **Rapunzel111** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:45 pm

Don't give up!!!!Your health depends on not giving up on this!
You can set yourself up for serious diseases like diabetes and heart disease by not complying with the treatment.
You may have mask leaks or you may still be snoring with the mask on.
Please talk to your doctor about this and your DME.
CPAP treatment is a process,not an instant cure,andyou can learna lot of tips and tricks here in this forum to make your experience better.
We are all here to help and support you,so please don't feel alone in your journey.
-Rapunzel111

Feel like giving up

Feel like giving up

I didn't see my cpap machine in the list on the profile page

re:Goofproof

Re: re:Goofproof

Feel like giving up

Re: Feel like giving up

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)