Trying to adjust while following insurance requirements

[nwdzsarahb]

I am about 5 days into this CPAP experience. I've recently had other sleeping issues including anxiety and insomnia that came about after a hospital stay. I felt like I was just getting back on track sleeping (with the help of medication) when I had to add the CPAP. I can't yet sleep much with it on due to just being distracted by it and/or it creating pressure in my ears, but understand it will take time. The main issue is that in order for my insurance to cover it, I have to use it 4 hours a night, 70% of the time. I've only been able to sleep an hour with it on (once), so I've been wearing it in the evening/morning while I'm awake to get to this 4 hours. This just makes it more stressful for me! Why doesn't insurance give you a grace period to become adjusted?? I know sleep aids are bad, but stopping them isn't an option for me right now. Any tips?

[palerider]

have to use it 4 hours a night, 70% of the time..... Why doesn't insurance give you a grace period to become adjusted??

that *IS* a grace period.

you SHOULD be using it 7-8+ hours a night, 100% of the time.

with that 70% and half the night, you've got 30% of the time as grace period.

identify the things that are keeping you from using the machine and getting it's benefits.

[Michelle-OH]

My insurance gave me 3 mos. to reach that level of compliance, but I reached it much earlier. How long does yours give you, it can't be immediate. You'll get there.

[nwdzsarahb]

I just lay there awake with it on. It's not uncomfortable, but I'm distracted when I have it on. It also creates pressure in my ear that is very uncomfortable. Even if it's not recommended, I'd much rather take it off and sleep than go back to functioning on little to no sleep that I experienced the couple months before getting the machine. I also often have to switch from sleeping in my bed to my couch during the middle of the night and am not going switch the CPAP back and forth in the middle of the night.

[nwdzsarahb]

My insurance gave me 3 mos. to reach that level of compliance, but I reached it much earlier. How long does yours give you, it can't be immediate. You'll get there.

Yes, it's three months, but the required compliance is evaluated each month (have to use it 4 hours, 70% of the time in 30 consecutive days, not over the whole 3 months), so myou anxiety is building that I'm not going to meet that any way and going to get it taken back, so why bother. I also forgot to mention that I lost 4 days by waiting to switch masks.

[palerider]

My insurance gave me 3 mos. to reach that level of compliance, but I reached it much earlier. How long does yours give you, it can't be immediate. You'll get there.

Yes, it's three months, but the required compliance is evaluated each month (have to use it 4 hours, 70% of the time in 30 consecutive days, not over the whole 3 months), so myou anxiety is building that I'm not going to meet that any way and going to get it taken back, so why bother. I also forgot to mention that I lost 4 days by waiting to switch masks.

if you don't USE it, then you get no BENEFIT from it.

presumably there was some reason you ended up with a machine... you said
"I'd much rather take it off and sleep than go back to functioning on little to no sleep"

let me correct that for you, so you have a proper mental picture:

"I'd much rather take it off and choke and gasp for breath while passed out than go back to functioning on little to no sleep"

if you were getting good sleep in the first place, you'd not be in this situation.

[Thatgirl]

What type of machine and mask are you using? Many have comfort features that you may not be optimizing.

[BlackSpinner]

Wear / use the machine while watching TV to get used to it so it is no longer a distraction.

Believe it or not but using cpap therapy can help a lot with your anxiety. Being strangled many times at night will cause a lot of fear and anxiety and depression.

In order for it to help you however you MUST wear it when ever you sleep. It is nice of the insurance company to give you a grace period where you can sleep with it only 4 hours at night - it is like having training wheels on your bike.

[Iamagolfer]

My insurance gave me 3 mos. to reach that level of compliance, but I reached it much earlier. How long does yours give you, it can't be immediate. You'll get there.

Yes, it's three months, but the required compliance is evaluated each month (have to use it 4 hours, 70% of the time in 30 consecutive days, not over the whole 3 months), so myou anxiety is building that I'm not going to meet that any way and going to get it taken back, so why bother. I also forgot to mention that I lost 4 days by waiting to switch masks.

if you don't USE it, then you get no BENEFIT from it.

presumably there was some reason you ended up with a machine... you said
"I'd much rather take it off and sleep than go back to functioning on little to no sleep"

let me correct that for you, so you have a proper mental picture:

"I'd much rather take it off and choke and gasp for breath while passed out than go back to functioning on little to no sleep"

if you were getting good sleep in the first place, you'd not be in this situation.

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Sorry but I find this response from palerider to the new user and new board poster to be RUDE (if you can use CAPS, so can I) and not helpful at all. Maybe it was easy for you to be compliant, it has taken me 20 yrs. and I still only get in 4 hrs on some nights and rarely 8 hrs. Not all of us are perfect.

It is all in finding the right mask IMO and I took take medication for anxiety too which I take right before going to bed.

God I feel sorry for nwdzsarahb if this is the find of support he gets on this board.

[BlackSpinner]

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Sorry but I find this response to the new user and new board poster to be RUDE (if you can use CAPS, so can I) and not helpful at all. Maybe it was easy for you to be compliant, it has taken me 20 yrs. and I still only get in 4 hrs on some nights and rarely 8 hrs. Not all of us are perfect. It is all in finding the right mask IMO and I took take medication for anxiety which I take right before going to bed.

God I feel sorry for nwdzsarahb if this is the find of support he gets on this board.

No not RUDE - REALISTIC
Do nor encourage denial or bad habits.

Sleep only with your cpap machine. It is that simple, anything else is self defeating. Every time you sleep without your machine you are undoing the good of sleeping with your machine. This is unacceptable. Suggesting to a new person that 4 hours is acceptable is WRONG!!!!! If you need help to make it through the night with cpap we will help you but we will NOT support you saying 4 hours is good enough. This has nothing to do with perfection but with health.

[palerider]

Sorry but I find this response from palerider to the new user and new board poster to be RUDE (if you can use CAPS, so can I) and not helpful at all. Maybe it was easy for you to be compliant, it has taken me 20 yrs. and I still only get in 4 hrs on some nights and rarely 8 hrs. Not all of us are perfect.

It is all in finding the right mask IMO and I took take medication for anxiety too which I take right before going to bed.

God I feel sorry for nwdzsarahb if this is the find of support he gets on this board.

your "opinion" is noted, and I'll consider it for all it's worth.

it doesn't matter in the least how easy, or hard it was for ME, or anyone else to get used to cpap when starting out. the *FACT* of the matter is that if you don't use it, you get no benefit from it.

if you, or nwdzsarahb came looking for someone to say "oh, you poor poor dear, it's sooo unfair of the insurance company to actually expect you to use the expensive machine you're asking them to pay for, they should just give it to you and let you shove it in a closet because you don't want to sleep with it. I understand completely"... well, you came to the wrong place.

the people here, myself included, have as our primary goal, attempting to help people get the BEST that they can out of their cpaps, to get to where they can have it work for them as well as it can, so they can get all the rest that they can, and feel as good as they can. telling 'em that it's fine to not sleep with the machine does NONE of that.

[OkyDoky]

I am about 5 days into this CPAP experience. I've recently had other sleeping issues including anxiety and insomnia that came about after a hospital stay. I felt like I was just getting back on track sleeping (with the help of medication) when I had to add the CPAP. I can't yet sleep much with it on due to just being distracted by it and/or it creating pressure in my ears, but understand it will take time. The main issue is that in order for my insurance to cover it, I have to use it 4 hours a night, 70% of the time. I've only been able to sleep an hour with it on (once), so I've been wearing it in the evening/morning while I'm awake to get to this 4 hours. This just makes it more stressful for me! Why doesn't insurance give you a grace period to become adjusted?? I know sleep aids are bad, but stopping them isn't an option for me right now. Any tips?

It does take learning and taking control. You can do it. I assume you want a machine that you can use and not just one for the closet. Start by telling us what machine you have and what are your settings? What mask are you using? Are you having problems with the mask? Communicate with us and we will help you.
While you are wearing the mask and practicing while awake. Put your tongue at the roof of your mouth just behind your teeth. Relax breathing in and out through your nose using your abdomen.

[palerider]

No not RUDE - REALISTIC
Do nor encourage denial or bad habits.

Thank you, BlackSpinner, you said it better than I could... and were quicker too.

[SewTired]

I am about 5 days into this CPAP experience. I've recently had other sleeping issues including anxiety and insomnia that came about after a hospital stay. I felt like I was just getting back on track sleeping (with the help of medication) when I had to add the CPAP. I can't yet sleep much with it on due to just being distracted by it and/or it creating pressure in my ears, but understand it will take time. The main issue is that in order for my insurance to cover it, I have to use it 4 hours a night, 70% of the time. I've only been able to sleep an hour with it on (once), so I've been wearing it in the evening/morning while I'm awake to get to this 4 hours. This just makes it more stressful for me! Why doesn't insurance give you a grace period to become adjusted?? I know sleep aids are bad, but stopping them isn't an option for me right now. Any tips?

If you are feeling pressure in your ears, contact your doctor.

[nwdzsarahb]

To the people asking further questions, thank you. To the people judging me, I'm not stupid and know that it's not helping if I'm not using it. I would return it before I would let it sit unused in a closet. I try to fall asleep with it every night. I have mild apnea and have never woke up choking or gasping for air. The only reason I was encouraged to do this was because I complained to doctors of being tired during the day, no matter how much sleep I've had and snoring. I have allergy and sinus problems and have to use a full face mask as I switch between breathing through my mouth and my nose. I have a ResMed Air 10. It's on auto for the pressure because my insurance would not approve a hospital sleep study that would determine the exact pressure that would be best. It has the ramp feature turned on with a range of 5-20. It's not uncomfortable...I can sit and watch tv with it no problem, which was suggested for me to do by the respiratory therapist to get used to the feeling of it. When I lay down I feel like I hear the echoing of my breathing through my head and generally feel like I breath heavier and it drives me crazy. Also the problem of the ear pressure, which I've emailed my doctor about. Before getting the CPAP, I used nasal strips and essential oils and was much happier with that treatment. My snoring had decreased and never woke me up, but I'm not sure that treatment is exactly doctor approved.