Sleep problems off and on

Jim w. · Post by **Jim w.** » Sun May 31, 2015 5:34 pm

Hi there: first time user on this site. First I am a disabled veteran with mild sleep apnea (17 interruptions per hour) I have extreme ptsd and near the end of January every year I have a hard time sleeping due to combat.
I have been using the Capp machine for about 2 years. It took me over a year to actually fall asleep with it. I started with the pillows and had a hard time with that from very uncomfortable fit to my mouth opening and all the air going through my mouth. Then I switched to the mask that covers nose and -----, too evasive. I have used all the masks and eventually ending up with the full mask. After a year and a half of unsuccessful use not able to sleep but a couple hours I decided I was going to bed to sleep and it worked. I actually used it all night and all the technitians were surprised. I was very pleased with myself.
Then it all stopped at about the middle of January and lasted for about three months. I would lay all night with this thing on and nothing then all of a sudden I shared sleeping with it again for a couple of months. Now I am back at square one. I have not given up I still ware it at night for two to three hours with no success. I am at my wits end.
The January thing is never going away, it is something I have to accept and I have. But this up and down business is getting frustrating. I have told the techs of this problem with no results and I go to a Hospital. I believe this problem is all in my head
That's it in a nutshell any advice?

Darth Lady · Post by **Darth Lady** » Sun May 31, 2015 5:44 pm

Welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry you had to be put in the situation you were in, to generate all of these problems, but I thank you for your service.

The experts here will be able to help you much better if you put the equipment that you are using in your profile (the names, not the pictures). Also, if you remove your personal information, scan and post your sleep study report (or if you don't have it, get it; it's legally yours), there will be a lot more information to go on to help you.

Do you feel claustrophobic with your mask? Or do you feel it's a more general inability to sleep that is PTSD related? Hopefully others will have resources for you for that; there is help out there, just not necessarily from the VA which to all accounts is pretty overwhelmed. Perhaps they can help you attach a better memory to January.

If you have the right machine, you can download SleepyHead and the gurus can see what the data looks like, and give you advice. But first we need to know what you have!

kaiasgram · Post by **kaiasgram** » Sun May 31, 2015 5:47 pm

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum and thank you for your service.

There's definitely a whole 'psychology' to this cpap experience. And the PTSD certainly adds a layer of complexity to your situation. But it might not be all in your head. The first question that came to mind for me is whether your cpap therapy is sub-optimal in some way. If so, then it becomes very difficult to use it consistently. Leaks, poor mask fit, fluctuating cpap pressures, poorly adjusted cpap comfort settings like temp and humidification and exhale relief, and even when all those things are worked out the AHI (average apneas per hour) can be "acceptable" by medical standards but hardly ideal for relief of symptoms and comfortable quality sleep.

So what about registering on the forum, posting your equipment, and starting to use software (SleepyHead software is free) to see what's going on with your therapy. You can post screenshots of what SleepyHead is showing you and get feedback from experienced users here. We would love to help you.

Glad you found the forum.

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Sun May 31, 2015 6:13 pm

Jim, pretty decent assessment of what is going on. You are correct. Some of the problem is in your head. However some of it may be to sub optimal CPAP therapy, as Kaiasgram mentioned.

Data is needed to figure out how things are going from the mechanical perspective.

On the emotional side you need to adjust your concept of wearing a mask from a frightening thing and get to the point where you embrace it because it is helping you sleep. There are a number of "tricks" to this and you simply have to "hopefully" try them until you find the right combination that works.

Combat PTSD is very specific and I would also suggest that you reach out to other PTSD groups, either locally or on line, and get the type of support that someone who has "walked a mile in your shoes" can offer.

One place to start is with diet. A good diet can help the body rebuild, and that includes the mind.

Jim w. · Post by **Jim w.** » Sun May 31, 2015 9:36 pm

Actually I have the personal stuff covered more or less. As of last Tuesday my episodes had gone form 17 to 11 seal was good very little leak. I only had a couple of months to go by. I am headed in the correct direction it's just intermittent. I am using a resmed veal auto 25 with humidifier. I am using a full face mask. Everything seems to work fine when I wake I don't seem to notice any discomfort . Lately it's just getting to sleep with everything on, I take it off I go to sleep right away.

kaiasgram · Post by **kaiasgram** » Sun May 31, 2015 9:46 pm

Jim w. wrote:Actually I have the personal stuff covered more or less. As of last Tuesday my episodes had gone form 17 to 11 seal was good very little leak. I only had a couple of months to go by. I am headed in the correct direction it's just intermittent. I am using a resmed veal auto 25 with humidifier. I am using a full face mask. Everything seems to work fine when I wake I don't seem to notice any discomfort . Lately it's just getting to sleep with everything on, I take it off I go to sleep right away.

Was 11 your AHI ?

Jim w. · Post by **Jim w.** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:19 am

Hello I'm back. Well for the first time in a couple of months I used the Capp all night I was up several times but I went back to it and went right to sleep. I am not getting my hopes up or get too excited but it was good to not lie there waiting to go to sleep. I am still interested in some of the things you have recomented to keep for the future. I will stay on this site and keep everyone posted and if I can help someone else I certainly will.
Jim w.

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:48 pm

I love it when a plan comes together... and actually works.

By all means keep us informed of your progress. We will try to help as much as we can.

kaiasgram · Post by **kaiasgram** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:51 pm

Jim w. wrote:Hello I'm back. Well for the first time in a couple of months I used the Capp all night I was up several times but I went back to it and went right to sleep. I am not getting my hopes up or get too excited but it was good to not lie there waiting to go to sleep. I am still interested in some of the things you have recomented to keep for the future. I will stay on this site and keep everyone posted and if I can help someone else I certainly will.
Jim w.

Glad you updated us, and happy to hear you had a good night. Keep in mind, if 11 is your typical AHI, your sleep might improve (and so might the off-and-on pattern) if you get your therapy better dialed in.

zookeeperkaren · Post by **zookeeperkaren** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:19 pm

I have had a cpap full face mask for three years now.. at first i had to pretend i was snorkeling ,, than i fell asleep and never moved a bit. previously was on restless leg syndrome meds.. now off them.. I also was tested to see if i was getting enough oxygen. I have to sleep with a oxygen machine with tubing attached to the cpap machine.. just thought i would give you two ideas of why you may be so exhausted.. not enough oxygen? and try to pretend your snorkeling... its nice when you wake up and you dont even feel you mask on..

Jim w. · Post by **Jim w.** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:26 pm

Thank you for your responses I do appreciate it. Looking at my Capp machine it is not the best out there but that is what the va gave me. The only good thing is it was free. I will be seeing my tech in a couple of weeks I will see What I can get out of him pertaining to my readings, he should be able to print it out. I am looking forward to a restful sleep tonight. Once again thanks.
Jim W.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:55 pm

By the way Jim....It's CPAP not Capp. Also...it would help if you registered and listed your equipment so it would be easier to help you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 8:24 am

Well last night I went to bed about 9 with great expectations however I payed there till 3 am when I finally took it off and it still took me at least a half hour to get to sleep. Back to square 1

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:31 am

I hate it when a plan falls apart and goes to crap...

There are a couple of ways to go. New plan, or try again.

zookeeperkaren · Post by **zookeeperkaren** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:53 pm

You have to remember .. you are not wearing a cpap for a new fashion trend.. this is going to save you from dementia, heart disese, and an entire host of other problems that come from not breathing... death ,, heart attack,,, stroke...
put that mask on and demand your inner child to realize this is for you health.. it is a life or death situation.. (i am in the mothers mode so there you go a moms rant)

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