Giving up

[dolphiuno]

I can't handle the mask all nigth. I haven't able to sleep at least 5 hr straight, waking up. Don't know what to do. I am goint to see my doctor next tuesday and tell her that I can't do this. My pressure is set to 8, when I wake up (if,I am in a deep sleep) is lookin for air. I have a mirage activa nasal mask (shallow) which I already have a red mark on top off my nose, does any one knows if this mask has to do with me getting lest air.

[Needsdecaf]

Don't give up!

1) If you're not getting enough air, then your pressure isn't high enough. You should not be gasping for air. Try turning up the pressure 1cm and see if that helps.

2) TRY ANOTHER MASK! Nasal pillows are much less invasive, and something like a Liberty or Hybrid is really much more comfortable as well. Each of us tolerates the mask differently, so what works for one may not for another. But try something different? If you don't have insurance or if it's too close to when you got your old mask, try posting on here or try CPAPauction.com

3) Look at the collective wisdom above, MANY tips and tricks on comfort.

4) HOSE MANAGEMENT! I don't know how I would ever survive without my hose hanger. Really, I can't see how you could ever sleep with this thing without the hose elevated above your head. Between pulling on the mask and pulling on your body, ugh!



I have only been on since April, but I have 4 masks and have used 3. The Liberty, so far is the best.

[JeffH]

Those who give up need to make sure their life insurance is paid up.

[Wulfman]

I can't handle the mask all nigth. I haven't able to sleep at least 5 hr straight, waking up. Don't know what to do. I am goint to see my doctor next tuesday and tell her that I can't do this. My pressure is set to 8, when I wake up (if,I am in a deep sleep) is lookin for air. I have a mirage activa nasal mask (shallow) which I already have a red mark on top off my nose, does any one knows if this mask has to do with me getting lest air.

Actually, FIVE hours ain't bad for just starting out. It could also be a combination of your pressure being too low and/or you're mouth-breathing or leaking if you're not feeling like you're getting enough air.

Quitting is NOT an option with this therapy unless you have a "death wish".......and it may be a quick one during the night or a much slower one from all of the other things that are going to plague your health in the future.

Den

[echo]

With the activa, you need to wear it as *loose* as possible, unlike other masks. That'll help with the red marks on the face. Also adjust the angle on the forehead piece - it can be placed in a number of positions and that'll help reduce the pressure on the bridge of your nose.

[Guest]

Boy do I remember how bad I felt at the beginning, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ended up going through 8 masks in 6 weeks before I could get comfortable and compliant all night.

I had to go on Provigil just to get through the day. I could only tolerate half a pill, and I only took it from May to August 2007.

I had to turn the Heated Humidifier down to Zero (passover) because it was bugging me.

I agree that you should turn up your pressure. If you don't know how, check out these links:

cpaptalk-faq.php?FCID=48#48

The number one thing most of us fight with is the mask. I was lucky enough to be able to afford to purchase a few used masks off this forum, and then began swapping masks with forum members. Check out the "Mask Roulette" thread here as well as http://www.cpapauction.com.

I run a Test Drive for the Nasal Aire II mask. It's not going to help you NOW - my list is backed out at least two months right now - but someday you might be interested. Keep that in mind. I'm "Babette" and you can PM me at that addy.

More info on the Nasal Aire II mask:
viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

Best of luck!
Babette

[Goofproof]

You need to join in, fill in your profile, so we can see your equiptment (in TEXT) not Iconney. Everyone needs a XPAP that uses data and the software to track what's going on at night. You may be having problems from mouthbreathing and or low pressure.

One thing for sure if you think you can't do something, you are probably right, at least until you make up your mind you can. That's half the battle, you don't want to give "Can't" a option, your health is too important. Jim

[OutaSync]

Ask your Dr. for some Ambien. Along with the Melatonin is the only way I can get to sleep.

Don't give up!

[jnk]

As the wise ones above said, you ain't doin' so bad, friend. Four hours a night is considered "compliance." So you get a gold star for anything above that. Naturally, the goal is 7 to 8 hours straight on therapy each night, but you are most of the way there already, so don't turn back now!!!!

Think of it as a kind of game--a lifesaving game, but a game nonetheless. Every time you stumble on some nugget of good advice in this forum, feel good about it. Every time you find some little thing that helps you out in a practical way to make it work for you one more night, well, give yourself points for that too.

If you wake up at night every few hours, just say to yourself that it is a nice opportunity to double-check that your mask isn't leaking too badly or that your mouth isn't dry from mouth-breathing, or whatever, and then smile to yourself about the fact that the mask is still on and the machine is still pumping air and you're still there to benefit. Then roll over and go back to some more lifesaving sweet sleep. Or if your body won't let you do that yet, and you've already had several hours of sleep with treatment, assure yourself that the hours of treated sleep were better for you than 8 or more hours of untreated sleep, get up, clean your mask and hose, and get a nice early start to the fine day ahead. There is always the next night to play the game again.

jnk

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, clean

[kteague]

Been there, done that. I quit for several months, but when I tried again it was with the help of those on this forum. None of it came easy, but with a used autopap I got my pressure right and learned how to trouble shoot and about working with different masks to tweak them.

On my last sleep study one of my apnea events lasted 57 seconds. I know some have recorded even longer events, but that scared me enough to do whatever it takes to make this work.

Sorry to hear you're having it rough. Hope you get some helpful answers to keep you moving forward.

Kathy

[Insomniyak]

I wanted to give up yesterday too, had 3 hours of sleep and went to work with battle scars on my face. Then I got into hot water here and really wanted to get rid of the CPAP, mask, and this stupid iMAC I have to use at work.

Last night I got 6 hours and the difference is night and day. I know I have a few bad nights ahead of me again as I have only been on CPAP for 2 weeks. I am at the point now at least where if I don't have it on, I miss the white noise along with the fans in my room. It's almost become like a security for me to have the mask on if that makes sense, because I know I have a chance with it. Now if only the dogs and cat wouldn't escape my room, mistaking the CPAP for a vacuum cleaner, I'd be set.

Stick with it.

[Snoredog]

[quote="dolphiuno"]I can't handle the mask all nigth. I haven't able to sleep at least 5 hr straight, waking up. Don't know what to do. I am goint to see my doctor next tuesday and tell her that I can't do this. My pressure is set to 8, when I wake up (if,I am in a deep sleep) is lookin for air. I have a mirage activa nasal mask (shallow) which I already have a red mark on top off my nose, does any one knows if this mask has to do with me getting lest air.

[tangents]

Insomniyak said:
It's almost become like a security for me to have the mask on if that makes sense, because I know I have a chance with it

That's exactly how I feel about it. Don't care that I look like a ninja turtle, don't care that it's hot in summer (well, maybe a little), don't care that I wake up several times a night to adjust my mask and hose. If I never wake up again gasping for air, then the CPAP's my best friend.

I loved your poignant response, jnk. I think we too often forget to tally the positives along with the negatives.

Keep at it, dolphiuno. You have lots of people pulling for you!

Take Care,
Cathy

[dolphiuno]

I will not give up, (also I am taking care of my life insurance, that is not the case), I am frustrated,depress,sleep and all the bad thing in the world I love my life. This afternoon I went and change my mask and I hope this one work for me now, I have a respironics comfort gel nasal mask, I can't handle the full mask, I only have 2 weeks to try it, the technician said with 2 day I will know if it work. I just keep trying until I find mine. Thank for all the support.
Babette tell me how to pm you, I am very new in this.

[tangents]

With the comfort gel, try cutting almost all of the sticky ends off of a bandaid and putting it on the bridge of your nose. It'll still seal, and will keep your nose from getting sore.