I want to throw in the towel!

[southernmomma78]

I’m new. Three nights in and I can’t breathe. I feel like I’m suffocating and have gotten maybe 5 hours of sleep in the past 48 hours. I am more sleepy now during the day than I was before. I have a nasal pillow and said I sometimes breathe through my mouth which makes it worse. When I got it, I asked what to do if I had a cold or couldn’t breathe through my nose... the rep said I then just wouldn’t use my machine. I feel like this is a scam. They took my money and it doesn’t work. And he made it very clear that I can’t change my mask once they’ve given it to me. I’m in tears because I’m so tired and am out so much money on a machine that doesn’t even help me.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Please read the first post at the top of the Announcements page...the sticky for newbies.

What machine are you using...what mask...what pressures?

Do you want help in getting to where you can sleep using the mask? If you do we need more information so we can offer the best ideas possible ...otherwise all we can off is generic "keep at it" stuff but no specifics to help you keep at it.

And the worry about the what to do when you have a cold..there are things that can be done...and did you know I have been on cpap over 9 years now totally using a nasal pillow mask and I have had my share of colds...haven't missed a night and never used anything but a nasal pillow mask. There are things that can be done or there are different masks which can be used...cross that bridge later.
Worry about just getting used to the machine and mask right now.

[southernmomma78]

I don’t know all the jargon. It’s a black ResMed that is supposed to be auto adjusting and I have a silicone thing that has two holes for my nose and wraps up my head to a hose at the top of my head.

[southernmomma78]

I’ll try to post a picture.

4470D17E-DDEB-49C8-B61B-459BBA4CA7C5.jpeg (667.81 KiB) Viewed 997 times

[Pugsy]

That mask is what we call a Respironics DreamWear gel pillow mask.

For the machine model name....look on the face of the machine and tell me all the words you see.
There are several different models that are black and there is one that is auto adjustable but doesn't have data...so I need to know all the words you see.

Once I know which machine I can point you to the manual so you can get into the setup menu and figure out all the settings...
and then we maybe do a little adjusting of those setting to make it easier for you to breathe.
I can't know what to offer without knowing what you are using now...and to get you the manual I need to know which manual to get you.

[Grace~~~]

southernmomma ~~~

There's a huge learning curve here. It doesn't seem like it there should be ... but there IS!

... and unless you are really really lucky to have a professional, someone to help you and care ... you are going to have to do it all yourself. A little at a time and the pieces will start to come together.

Absolutely no one in the real world helped me. I would have quit immediately if not for this place and these incredible smart people who are willing to share if you do the reading.

First things first is that I bet you have ramps and setting that are not giving you enough air. That was one of my first issues too. There's so many little tweaks you have to learn but hang in there! You can (probably) change that setting and give yourself more air so you don't feel like you are suffocating.

Next easiest thing to do is to relax and get comfortable with the machine. Wear it to read or watch tv.

There's lots more and much more important things you are going to have to learn and do but these two things will empower you. And of course there are masks for when you have a cold. I am convinced the cruelest and most ignorant people somehow find their way in to these cPap jobs. I absolutely DESPISE the people I had to deal with!

Definitely find out the name of your machine and/or take pictures so that the smart people here can help you. You might have to fight immediately if they gave you the wrong machine. Fight like a wildcat and don't settle!

I wear (AND LOVE) the same mask you're wearing - The Dreamwear. I just prefer the "cushion" nose piece which doesn't fit up to the nostrils like the one you're wearing. Those nose pieces are interchangeable and come in lots of sizes. Some times people get "fit kits" and get a whole lot of sizes and then sell the sizes that don't work here very inexpensively. So you might be able to try other versions or you might fall in love with that version.

I'm sorry you are feeling so exhausted and overwhelmed. It's the worst feeling to have when you also need to solve problems.

You are so lucky you found this place before you threw in the towel! Seriously, you must have had a guardian angel leading you.



You're going to be fine.
You can do this ~~~

[AURORA1018]

I've been at this a month and while it's not perfect, it's not the hell I thought it was going to be. I have a similar mask as you, but mine rests under the nose, not in it.

I struggled the first few days with ramp ups. I did feel like I was suffocating, because I was trying to keep my mouth shut. I finally realized I needed to relax and let the machine do what it was supposed to do. I know my mouth is open sometimes when I sleep, and I don't worry about it. My leak rate is reasonable and my other numbers are pretty good.

Please don't give up. You will get used to it, I promise.

[zonker]

southernmomma ~~~
<snip>
You're going to be fine.
You can do this ~~~

+1

to the OP-you CAN do this! but it's going to take commitment and hard work on your part. you mention feeling that you've been scammed. you are not alone in this feeling. all of the regular participants in this thread know what this feeling is like. it's the reason this forum exists.

you've been sold a bill of goods, in a way. many(not all) sleep doctors feel they have done all that needs to be done in just writing your prescription. they are convinced that the machine will do it all.

but those doctors who think that way are sadly mistaken. we are each of us individuals, with different bodies and different needs to treat this condition. so this is why you are going to be bombarded with questions from the experts here from this point on. once they know enough about you, they will be able to make informed suggestions as to what will work best for you.

good luck!

[Flex Plexico]

I’m new. Three nights in and I can’t breathe. I feel like I’m suffocating and have gotten maybe 5 hours of sleep in the past 48 hours. I am more sleepy now during the day than I was before. I have a nasal pillow and said I sometimes breathe through my mouth which makes it worse. When I got it, I asked what to do if I had a cold or couldn’t breathe through my nose... the rep said I then just wouldn’t use my machine. I feel like this is a scam. They took my money and it doesn’t work. And he made it very clear that I can’t change my mask once they’ve given it to me. I’m in tears because I’m so tired and am out so much money on a machine that doesn’t even help me.

You and I are EXACTLY the same boat right now. I got diagnosed Friday and have had my machine for two nights. First night I got approximately one hour of sleep, and last night I’m pretty sure I only got about four, if that. I also subconsicencly ripped the mask off but noticed immediately because of the blast of air. Some people adjust immediately and get the best sleep ever, some people have the experience we are having. I’ve read enough posts on the newbie thread to know that it WILL get better, and they key is to percerviere and to be compliant.

I felt suffocated at first too, so I changed some settings. I bumped my lowest pressure level from 6-8, and I changed my Dreamstation from A-Flex to C-Flex mode... A-flex mode unfortunately never lets me complete a full breath without cutting off the pressure, so I had to fight it to breathe on the way up. C-flex fixes that. Play with humidifier settings and put a podcast on so you’re not so tuned into the breathing. Also I have found just using it watching TV has really helped.

YOU CAN DO THIS! If you can, try and take a few days off work. Just try and take it slow and pick your battles. I’m dead tired but I can already tell my headaches are going away and my eyes feel much less tired believe it or not. Little differences!

[raisedfist]

Once we know the exact machine you are using, and the pressure or pressure range that is set on your machine, someone here will be able to assist you in great ways. It's your therapy you are the one in control, not some dimwit sales representative who doesn't give a rats ass. We are here to help and get your therapy and sleep optimized.

[Okie bipap]

Welcome to the forum. You are not the first person who felt like tossing their machine out the window. Many people feel over whelmed when starting treatment. There is a lot of information to try to absorb at one time, and you are not sleeping well which makes it even harder. People here will help you in learning how to get your treatment under control and optimize it. Unfortunately, I did not find this forum until I had my machine for over a month. What I have learned here would have made my my first month easier.

[riversong]

I felt the same way you did five months ago and the wonderful people here helped me out. This forum is a godsend when trying to get used to it all. It took me about two months but now I sleep like a baby and I feel great. Don't give up! Turning off the ramp feature helped with the feeling that I couldn't breathe. Another thing that helped was some advice my uncle gave me -- try to breathe with the machine, not against it. It will feel weird at first, but it gets better.