New to the Board

[JP808]

Aloha Everyone

After being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, AHI 63.3, I was issued a machine. After a week of treatment I have been feeling better during the day. No more dozing off at my desk or early evening naps when I get home from work. I use the machine roughly 7 - 9 hours per night. Average about less than 7 L/min leak and < 1 AHI.

When I initially fall asleep, I feel like I sleep better than I used to. However, in the early morning hours, I feel more aware and just keep my eyes closed and just go with the cadence of the machine. I tend to fall asleep in hour increments and become aware again for a short time. It is also during this time I try to find a more comfortable position and tend to fidget with the mask a little. Part of this could be my pillows as I cannot seem to get comfortable on my side without worrying about my mask. Is this normal or am I supposed ro just sleep all the way through to wake up time?

Any advice or experience on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Mahalo

[ChicagoGranny]

Is this normal or am I supposed ro just sleep all the way through to wake up time?

It's normal for humans to wake up a few times per night. If you stay awake after an arousal for a long time, it's not good. But, you indicate falling back to sleep quickly, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Part of this could be my pillows as I cannot seem to get comfortable on my side without worrying about my mask.

Are you trying to force yourself to sleep on your side, or is this your natural position? Do you place a small pillow between your knees? Have you checked some websites to see the best way to sleep on your side?

BTW, with a properly set CPAP system, you can also sleep on your back.

Please fill out your equipment profile - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

Welina!

[Miss Emerita]

Welcome, and congratulations on starting therapy for your apnea! You are actually adapting and benefiting way faster than most people. That bodes well. With some patience, you will continue to adapt successfully, I’m certain.

Don’t worry about your wake-ups. If you have a little mask problem, try analyzing it lying down in your bed on your side in the daytime or early evening. Pillows too high? Too soft? Too much of a trough? A fair number of people find they do best with a fairly low, firm bed pillow. But see what works for you.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[JP808]

It's normal for humans to wake up a few times per night. If you stay awake after an arousal for a long time, it's not good. But, you indicate falling back to sleep quickly, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for responding.

I was just wondering because I feel I’ve been denied good sleep for so long that I think I don’t know what good sleep is. My job is also quite demanding so that tends to linger in my mind some nights, thus waking me up in the wee hours. But I do notice that after a week on the machine, I feel more calm and not as anxious during the day.

Are you trying to force yourself to sleep on your side, or is this your natural position? Do you place a small pillow between your knees? Have you checked some websites to see the best way to sleep on your side?

BTW, with a properly set CPAP system, you can also sleep on your back.

I’m not trying to force myself, it’s just I get uncomfortable being on my back all night. I think I need a firmer mattress which I cannot afford right now. I’m looking into buying CPAP specific pillows to see if they will help me.

Given my experience so far, I think my sleep doctor prescribed the proper settings and mask for me. I just lowered my ramp time and tried different size nose pieces when I got my machine home.

[JP808]

Welcome, and congratulations on starting therapy for your apnea! You are actually adapting and benefiting way faster than most people. That bodes well. With some patience, you will continue to adapt successfully, I’m certain.

Don’t worry about your wake-ups. If you have a little mask problem, try analyzing it lying down in your bed on your side in the daytime or early evening. Pillows too high? Too soft? Too much of a trough? A fair number of people find they do best with a fairly low, firm bed pillow. But see what works for you.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Thanks for the encouragement!
I think my current pillows are too short on their own and too high when I stack them. Maybe I just need to buy new pillows in general. For pillows, do you recommend CPAP specific pillows or just find pillows at the store?

[HollyL]

I was just wondering because I feel I’ve been denied good sleep for so long that I think I don’t know what good sleep is.

I feel like this too!! I'm heading into my fourth week of using my CPAP machine and still tweaking settings to get it right, but it has been life changing.
You've come to the right forum, this place is a goldmine of knowledge and support!!

[ChicagoGranny]

For pillows, do you recommend CPAP specific pillows or just find pillows at the store?

Gramps and I are both CPAPers for a long time. We have a collection of different CPAP pillows. They all languish in the closet. We just bought basic pillows at Walmart, and they work fine. When sleeping on your sides, your head should be on the edge of the pillow so that the mask is hanging over the edge and not pressing into the pillow.

For side-sleeping, you need a pillow height that keeps your neck in line with the rest of your spine. The neck should not be cocked one way or the other.

My job is also quite demanding so that tends to linger in my mind some nights, thus waking me up in the wee hours. But I do notice that after a week on the machine, I feel more calm and not as anxious during the day.

Untreated sleep apnea often causes anxiety/worry. As you get better rested, it is expected the anxiety can be greatly relieved.

One tip for anyone who worries about their job is to write down your concerns in the evening. This can help prevent mulling them over in the bed.

Take care.

[gv280z]

No worries man, you're doing everything right. The point is that you're trying and that's the only real rule in cpap therapy is that you wear the mask. Whatever else you do to get there, fill in the blanks as you see fit. This forum literally runs the gambit of experiences and many of them are polar opposites, but the point is they are all peoples real life experiences and they couldn't be any more diametrically opposed.

For myself when I began therapy, I was used to getting like 4 or 5 hours of sleep, waking up early and going to work. That didn't change much for the first 6 months of therapy, I might have started to get maybe 5 hours or. Then like a year later I'm getting 6, 6.5 hours, then now on completion of my 2nd year, going into 3rd I now require / achieve around 7 to 8 hours, which before was almost unheard of. It's a gradual thing and as your therapy matures, it'll go the way it needs to naturally. You were asking about back and side sleeping and waking up, I begin every night on my back for the 1st half of the night, then transition to side midway into morning because my back is sore. Someone above said side sleeping kinda needs your face at the edge of the pillow, I tend to agree with this as to not push sideways on the mask.

If I get up in the middle of the night, it's usually because my little dog is asking to go outside, luckily I've no problem getting back to sleep quickly. Most people do get up to use the restroom atleast once, some others sleep through the night. It's all good. Just keep in mind the look and feel and methodology behind your therapy isn't rigid, and is very susceptible to change. Your attitude will change, your physiology is literally changing as your body adjusts to proper sleep and becoming chemically balanced. Your mask type will change several times before you get it right.

So don't worry man, your on it.

[ChicagoGranny]

For myself

when I

I was

I might

I'm getting

I now require

I begin

I tend

If I

my

I've

[gv280z]

For myself

when I

I was

I might

I'm getting

I now require

I begin

I tend

If I

my

I've

Uh huh, you're funny Granny, very clever.

Point taken, but its the truth, if I can't talk about myself, and relatable experience to help someone, what do i have? Guy needs help and *I* dont want to see him fall.

Good one though, threw me for a loop for a good 20 secs trying to figure out what the deal was, haha..

[JP808]

Thanks to everyone for responding with encouragement and advice.

Based on the responses I have set some immediate and long term goals.

Immediate Goals:

• Buy new firm pillows to help me sleep on my side

• Start journaling work related stuff to clear my head

• Start reading paper books instead if reading digital books before bed

Long Term Goal:

• Buy a new firmer mattress

I’ll keep posting on this thread to keep you all updated on my progress. I really want my treatment to work. Perhaps getting rituals in place will lead to success.

[ChicagoGranny]

<snip>

Thatta boy (or girl)! I like to see someone who immediately goes into problem-solving mode!

[palerider]

Uh huh, you're funny Granny, very clever.

Point taken, but its the truth, if I can't talk about myself, and relatable experience to help someone, what do i have? Guy needs help and *I* dont want to see him fall.

Good one though, threw me for a loop for a good 20 secs trying to figure out what the deal was, haha..

Isn't she though.

You say the new guy needs help, even though he's doing very well, but you didn't offer any help, just talked about yourself.

At least granny didn't pick on your spelling and grammar.

[ChicagoGranny]

Run-on Sentence with a Comma Splice

You say the new guy needs help, even though he's doing very well, but you didn't offer any help, just talked about yourself.

"Even though he's doing very well, you say the new guy needs help. But you didn't offer any help. You just talked about yourself."

[gv280z]

Isn't she though.

You say the new guy needs help, even though he's doing very well, but you didn't offer any help, just talked about yourself.

At least granny didn't pick on your spelling and grammar.

Guys this is rediculous. I'm sorry, I thought this was this place for positive encouragement and relating personal experiences from a happy cpapian, how silly of me! Lol, I guess I'm just goofy that way. Well, regardless, this is the last time I'll be making that mistake.

Peace out, Hosers! Its been real. Glad I was able to help a couple people on here.