I neep serious help

need_sum_sleep · Post by **need_sum_sleep** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:57 am

Ok, I have been here before and got a little advice. I guess I need to sit down and learn all I can about this condition. I have severe OSA. I have to sleep in a recliner because of other problems. I find myself waking up in an upright sitting position. I have even fallen out of my chair into the floor, my dresser, and just last christmas, I was on my inlaws couch and dove under the christmas tree. Let me tell you how fun that was........ I only came back because a MOD on here sent me an E-Mail. So I guess you ppl really do care. I am poor so I got my apnea machine free. I cannot afford new goodies or trinkets for my machine, yet.... I am beginning a new job on April 1. (Of all days to start a job) Here's my problem. I am deathly afraid of my machine. I cannot use the nasal pillows because I sleep with my mouth open, and taping my mouth shut is out of the question. Full Face for me folks. Problem is, I go to sleep with it on. Then wake with it ripped off, and I am swan diving on the carpet again. Mask in hand, sometimes ripped out of the machine and tossed across the room. Of course this didn't happened when I was @ the sleep study because all the wires and I guess subconcious. Now to scare you folks.... I have a 15 month old son. When I let him sleep sideways in my recliner with me. (NO HE WILL NOT FALL THE WAY I HOLD HIM) That being said, if he is with me, I don't try out for the olympic record in the one man falling down contest..... My main problem is keeping my mask on. When i get it on, it's comfortable. When I fall asleep who knows.............

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:26 am

Have you clicked on the yellow light bulb at the top of the page and read Our Collective Wisdom?
Did you try any of the ideas given the last time you posted this?
viewtopic.php?p=233785&highlight=#233785

Brenda

vonniebelle · Post by **vonniebelle** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:36 pm

Not that I am THE expert, but I have used my machine several years, and can tell you about my early struggles..... believe me, you are not alone. I know several people who jeopardize their health by refusing to use their machine, for various excuses. I just remember how bad off I was before I got my machine, and how much my health has improved since......
First, you probably will need to give yourself some pep talks about how this little box is your FRIEND. I had to learn to love mine. I had a terrible time adjusting to the pressure on my face, the noise, the constant presence of the durn thing, and several other issues. But every night, I told myself that because I had this little box, I would sleep better and my health would get better, and the next day would be better.
You probably should wean yourself of sleeping in the chair. I had to train myself to go to sleep with my mounth closed. You can. It might not happen the first few night, but it can be done. If you wake up and you have been breathing through your mouth, just get up and get a drink of water, and go back to bed with your mask on again. Even your sub-conscious can be trained. I still occasionally wake up with my mouth flopped open and dry as dust, but it is no different than having a cold now and then, or something like that. It happens, and you just don't let it throw you.
You really don't need all the little doodads and gadgets. If your mask isn't entirely comfortable, you may need to play with the adjustment. I had to work at this quite a bit because I have a very small nose. Even the smallest mask just swallows my face, and I have to work at getting it adjusted to where I don't have any leaks. Even at that, my mask comes down over my top lip. Believe me, THAT took some getting used to.
Now and then I wake up and find I have removed my mask. I think it is a claustrophobia thing. I just put it back on. If you have done much reading, you know there is a slew of health problems that are compounded by apnea. I still have a child at home and know how important it is for me to "stick around" if I can to get her raised. Once you move into the mind-set that this is good for your child, you will want to work with the adjustments needed and see it as a positive.

I hope you will not become discouraged. As for me, I just compare wearing the mask to some of the things it is not -- like having to have several shots a day, or chemotherapy, or dialysis, etc. It seems like a minor thing when you look at it that way, and PLUS we get to sleep through it!!!!

Good luck! Many people have adjustment issues at the beginning, but you be the master, and master the machine, your "breathing buddy"!!

need_sum_sleep · Post by **need_sum_sleep** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:55 pm

I see this now that you say it. I guess either I didn't pay attention or just plain forgot last time. I have kiddos at home too and another on the way. I'd love to be able to sleep with my wife again but I have back problems. I know it all stems from my being obese. I am going to start a gym membership tomorrow. They have personal trainers there. It's free for me so I figure It to be a valuable resource. I'll take all the help I can get. Once I lose my wieght I know things will get better. I'll keep you posted as to how I am doing. Thank you for caring about a stranger. Makes me think maybe there are a few good people left in the world. I will take the time to read the bulb tomorrow. The only thing I can really question right now, I think there is an Auto-Pap? It determines the amount of air needed right? Somehow I feel as though my machine is not pushing enough air like it was when I first got it. I was also told to get a mask and wear it all day doing everyday things to try and get used to it. I need to quit being so honry and do it. (Yes I said honry for those of you who did a double take LoL) I'll also get my equipment loaded on here so you can see what I am working with. Thanks Again.....

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:24 pm

You need to go into your profile at the top of the page, and list your equiptment,(in text form), so people will know what you use. it makes it easier to help you that way.

Also we need to know how you use your machine, pressure, treatment and ramp if you use it, and for how long. (not fond of Ramp use)

As you get use to using the machine it does feel as if it's not blowing as stroung as when you started, your body gets used to air. Jim

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:22 pm

Back in December need_sum_sleep started this thread: viewtopic.php?p=233785&highlight=#233785 I suggest everyone reads all of it again before posting.

O.

need_sum_sleep · Post by **need_sum_sleep** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:07 pm

ozij wrote:Back in December need_sum_sleep started this thread: viewtopic.php?p=233785&highlight=#233785 I suggest everyone reads all of it again before posting.

O.

Oh man....I forgot I posted that Thanks Ozij. Yeah that post says a lot.
Ok next question. I finally hunkered down tonight and there was not gonna be a mask throwing contest. I was not gonna get scared. I was gonna show this thing who the boss was.
Only one thing... My wife says I am still snoring loudly and I am picking my head up like I do maskless. She said she cannot tell if I am having any apneas. I do remember dreaming a little bit, waking up to the mask, calming myself down then sleeping again. Should I turn my pressure up? It is set at 10. I also shaved my goatee for a better fit on my chin. No leaks at all now! But you can see from the time of this post I am still having some problems getting a good night's rest.

snorenot · Post by **snorenot** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:10 pm

Hello, in response to your questions let me say first off that noone is used to falling asleep with something strapped to their face, and second of all noone is used to the gail force air being piped into their airways. Natural reaction is to tear the thing off your face, but as the other responder said you need to make like a Nike commercial and "Just do it". I know this because I have set up over five hundred of these machines cpaps, bipaps, auto cpaps and auto bipaps, bipap st, bipap sta, you name it and I have probably delt with it. I have seen people get used to it over night and others it has taken a couple of months. You can do it, you just gotta keep telling yourself you can. Stick with it and you wont believe how great you will feel once you are consistent and compliant. Your health will thank you for it. By the way I also use a machine, so I can respond from both sides off the fence. The auto machine is the way to go, because it will cater to your pressure needs, but you also need to make sure that the minimum and maximum pressures are set properly. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.-Frank

need_sum_sleep · Post by **need_sum_sleep** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:53 pm

Ok Ok Right on.... My wife said I was snoring with my mask on and making the same movenments as before when i was having an apnea, And I just don't feel as if there is enough air flowing. I am gonna invest in an autopap, I see no other way around it. And if I get one with a smartcard or chip I can bring it here for test results! Thanks Frank. I appreciate it. Now which machine to save up for .......

snorenot · Post by **snorenot** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:47 am

Probably one of the better auto machines that I have worked with is The Resmed S-8 Autoset spirit its reliable, compact, Durable and patient friendly. The downloads and reports are also very simple. If you are still experiencing the same symptons while wearing your current machine I would bet your pressure is not set high enough, do you know what your AHI(apnea-hypopnea index) was from the sleep study? and what pressure is your machine is set on?-Frank

need_sum_sleep · Post by **need_sum_sleep** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:59 am

Not really sure what ur askin, But I do remember the tech saying my pressure was at a 10.. And I have a ramp of 20 min. But I don't use the ramp. I like it better to take it all at once than wake up overwhelmed

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:14 pm

"Goofproof"]You need to go into your profile at the top of the page, and list your equiptment,(in text form), so people will know what you use. it makes it easier to help you that way.

Jim is right, about listing your equipment...your choice in text or graphic mode...BUT MORE importantly, get back to your sleep doc or your respiratory tech at you DME or hospital. I don't think it is fair that you have to figure this out by yourself.

As good as we all are here and there is a lot of "wisdom", you need someone coordinating all this info. It can be confusing to a newbie. Get this worked out and from there you can start building on your knowledge and your ability to manage the little issues that will and do come our way will be a lot easier once you get stabilized and perhaps will be able to sleep in your bed. No more worries about your child

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): newbie, DME

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:33 pm

Need_Sum_Sleep. you said you have gained 75 lbs in the last year. Is that SINCE you started CPAP? If you have gained that much since you were originally titrated I don't doubt that your pressure is wrong now.
You said you got the machine free, where did you get it and can you get another sleep study?
You might also get your Dr. to write an RX for a weeks rental of an auto (usually covered by insurance I think). That could get you better information to work with.

I neep serious help

I neep serious help

one or two pointers......

Light bulb?

Getting used to it.

Snoring

Auto Titrating CPAP