Newbie, can't sleep

[hedgie]

Sorry for the novel-length post!!

I've been using an auto-PAP machine for just over a week. My hubby started a week ahead of me and pretty much jumped right in--no trouble. I, on the other hand, am having a terrible time, despite my score from ResMed being good on most days. (2 of the 8 days has been perfect 100s, and I haven't scored anything below a 70.)

I see from reading a few threads that I should look into this Sleepyhead software, which I'll do. In the meantime, I wondered if there are any quick fixes y'all can suggest.

Here's what's going on:
My sleep study showed moderate apnea, 25 episodes per hour on average. The tech who did both of my studies commented that I get a remarkable amount of REM sleep despite this, falling asleep quickly and sleeping pretty deeply. That generally matches my experience, pre-CPAP: I almost always remembered dreams when I awoke for my middle of the night potty runs, and I often awoke confused and disoriented, still halfway in a dream. (The latter has happened since I was a child.)

Since starting on the machine, I feel like I've barely slept. No particular issues I can pinpoint that would cause it, just general discomfort--possibly because of all the stuff touching my face or because of the air blowing, though I really don't feel that much. (I'm very, very sensitive, especially in the facial area. I don't wear make-up and hate water on my face to the point that I keep a towel just for that purpose hanging over the shower curtain or by the pool if I go swimming.) I don't remember dreams anymore. I do remember waking up over and over and over all night. I'm yawning all day, much more than before treatment. I fell asleep in the library yesterday and church today. I've had a headache for three days straight, and not even my prescription migraine med will knock it out. My brain is as fuzzy as if I hadn't slept for 36 hours straight (which I stupidly did in college sometimes), and I have the hand tremors and extreme moodiness and such that went along with the same level of sleep deprivation in college. It seems to me like I must not be getting any REM sleep at all while using the machine; I suspect the mask or air or something is waking me up too frequently to get to that level.

I finally gave in and slept without the machine last night, in a desperate attempt to get some good quality sleep. I feel much better today--no zombie-brain and I felt like I could drive safely this morning, unlike yesterday. Obviously, that can't be my long-term solution, and I do plan to use the machine again tonight.

About my equipment:
My machine is a Res Med AirSense 10. My mask is a Brevida; I tried a Swift FX For Her the first few days because they didn't have the Brevida in stock. I don't know the terminology yet, so I'm probably going to say this wrong: My air pressure is 6-8; my ramp starts at 4, and I have it set on auto timing. I don't have the special humidity tube (which hubby got but I didn't for some reason); I had humidity set on 4, but I turned it down to 3 with the Brevida after having a noseful of water the first night.

One more note: I'm a big girl--5'10" and overweight--but apparently I have a tiny nasal cavity. The sleep doc, the sleep study tech, and the respiratory therapist at the store all commented on it. Size XS on Swift mask, and I have to wear Breathe Right strips (okayed by the sleep doc) to breathe at all through my nose at night. Mentioning this in case it's relevant....

[bigdave36]

Hi...Fellow newbie here.
I did alot better when I turned off the ramp feature, 4 cmh2o is just not enough air for me. Other ,much more experienced members will probably be greater help but maybe this is a start:)

[Cardsfan]

There a products that may help with your facial sensitivity. I use mask pads and liners from http://www.padacheek.com
The liners and pads make the mask more comfortable against your skin.

[hedgie]

I did alot better when I turned off the ramp feature, 4 cmh2o is just not enough air for me.

Thanks for the suggestion! I don't have much trouble *falling* asleep, so I don't think this is an issue for me, but I'll definitely keep it in mind as something to try if nothing else is working!

[hedgie]

There a products that may help with your facial sensitivity. I use mask pads and liners from http://www.padacheek.com
The liners and pads make the mask more comfortable against your skin.

Thanks! I've looked at liners but hadn't found anything for my style of mask yet. This is a new site to me, though, and it looks like she'll even customize something to my mask type. I love the fun fabrics!

[Pugsy]

I've looked at liners but hadn't found anything for my style of mask yet.

You are using the Brevida....it's really new to the US and not commonly available just yet. Once it is available there may be some padacheek comfort items available once she gets her hands on the Brevida and can work on designing something.

[Cardsfan]

Another great comfort item is the http://www.snugglehose.com . Snuggle hose cover. It makes the long hose feel like the blankets against your skin. It also stops the click click noise when the long hose rubs against anything hard. The one with the zipper is so much easier to go on and off.

[hedgie]

Another great comfort item is the http://www.snugglehose.com . Snuggle hose cover. It makes the long hose feel like the blankets against your skin. It also stops the click click noise when the long hose rubs against anything hard. The one with the zipper is so much easier to go on and off.

Thanks! I'll look into it! The hose definitely bothers me.

[TASmart]

I am petty new also, but I am a compulsive fiddler. So I have been fiddling with my settings. What I have found is that at this stage the auto settings really messed up my sleep and AHI. I ended up using a EPR of 1 and a fixed CPAP of 10.5 which is close to my titrated value of 10.