First night

[skater007]

I just finished my first night of therapy. I'm am beat, more tired and just kinda feel like s*#t. Is this a normal response?

Thanks

[DreamStalker]

The sleep professionals often dump a mask and machine on already disoriented apnea sufferers and send them off to make the therapy work on their own. So you are on your own. Now that you realize that, take control and start your journey to make it work.

First, fill out your membership profile with machine type and mask type and in the signiture section, list your titrated pressure.

Second, if you have not already done so, buy yourself a copy of the software for your machine, assuming the DEM didn't give you a dumb machine incapable of providing efficacy data. If you got a dumb machine, start looking into what it will take to get a data capable machine ... preferably an auto titrating/adjusting machine (APAP).

Third, relaize that the mask is actually the most critical part of the therapy .... you need a properly fit mask that does not leak and is comfotable to wear all night long. If you got a nasal mask (cushion or pillow type) be aware that you may be leaking therapy out of your mouth (waking with dry mouth is a sign of this).

Fourth, visit this site as often as you can and read read read.

Good luck!

[rested gal]

Great advice from Roberto (DreamStalker.)

skater007, I've always felt that the disruptions from trying to sleep in this crazy new way -- with a mask on and machine going -- can leave many people feeling even more worn out for awhile than they were before. Takes quite a bit of tweaking to get the whole setup comfortable enough to actually "sleep" well with it.

It can be quite a tradeoff at first. Trading in the more dangerous sleep disruptions of OSA for the aggravating sleep disruptions of equipment issues.

As DreamStalker pointed out, the mask can be the most important key of all to being able to use CPAP treatment. And as he said, read, read, read this message board to find ways to make it all work better for you.

Dig into the message board as if you were a medical student studying for the exam of your life. 'Cause that's what this therapy is about. Your life.

Here are some good places to start your digging:

Getting the main air hose out of your way:
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

Fixes and modifications for many masks:
LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

Mouth breathing and mouth air leaks if not using a Full Face (covers nose and mouth together) mask:
LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

LINK to Mile High Sleeper's great information resource for cpap users.
http://www.smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com

"Whats the differences in BIPAP, XPAP, APAP, CFLEX" Link to topic describing types of machines.
viewtopic.php?p=56836

"Learning lexicon of cpap terms" Link to topic listing common abbreviations and definitions.
viewtopic.php?t=14902

Oct 30, 2006 subject: Please Share Misc Helpful Hints
viewtopic.php?t=14746 Great thread started by Moogy

All links by rested gal:
viewtopic/t17435/ALL-LINKS-by-rested-gal.html

Yeah, it's a lotta reading!

[Billy6]

If you are like me, you'll have to fight it for three weeks, and then it becomes automatic. Now, I just flick the TV off, throw the mask on, push the button and wake up the next morning. Its a big improvement over waking up 3 or 4 times during the night, gasping for air, before I got the machine.

[tangents]

Hang in there, Skater007. All of us on this forum have been where you are now. Dreamstalker and Rested Gal have gotten you off to a good start, so when you have questions about the stuff you're learning, post them.

Welcome to the Royal Order of Hoseheads!

Take Care,
Cathy

[jenfa79]

Hi, I am new to this forum and new to my CPAP machine. I just used mine last night for the second night and I'm feeling frustrated too but I am determined not to give up yet. It seems like I am sleeping through the night, my husband says I'm not snoring anymore and "it's weird that it's so quiet" but I feel like I'm waking up every so often to adjust my mask or try and get comfortable, I"m still waking up feeling tired and well.... frustrated because it's not working or feeling right yet.

I guess this is normal, but it's frustrating. Any advice? I'm going to update my info so you guys know what I am using for equipment.

They have me on 5-20 right now for a month until they figure out where I should be set.

[Georgio]

Hi,

My best advice is to do a lot of reading on this site, and you can rely on folks here for advice and support. You can do it....after 2 weeks I still wake up at night and am conscious of the mask and blowing air....although I'm much more comfortable since I starting spending time on this site learning and getting help.

Since coming here, I got a new machine, record data, post it here, and got advice to adjust my machine for the best results....it's awsome....and today I think I made an improvement.

The big thing is I don't wake up in the middle of the night with my heart pounding like it wants to jump out of my chest...and wondering why I don't have a heat attack! I think from not breathing.

It was very hard for me to strap on the mask at first, I tried to visualize that it was actually a dive mask, and that I was diving in the keys looking at beautiful tropical fish!!

I think the first recommendation that you will get here, is that you need a "Fully Data Capable" machine, not one that just records "Compliance Data". That way you can review your treatment progress, and be sure you are making some! You can insist on this from your provider, get a new provider, a new perscription for one from your dr. or even a new dr. if necessary. I would do whatever it takes!

Do you know why they put you on a full face mask? I have a nasal mask, am getting along with it, they said I would only need a full face if I started mouth breathing at night.

Stick around, and good luck.

Georgio

[jenfa79]

Thank you for your kind words and advice. I appreciate it.

It's definately been a hard road to here. I was first told that I had Moderately Severe Sleep Apnea a year ago after taking a Sleep Study because I was having panic attacks at night, numb arms etc. At that point I was still resistant and chose not to do anything about it and try to lose some weight on my own instead.

Now I am getting ready to have Gastric Bypass Surgery and one of the requirements is to follow through with recommendations for the CPAP etc. I'm not as resistant as I was but, still hesitant that's for sure.

They put me on a full face mask, because I tend to be a mouth breather at night especially. I'm stuffy most of the time and they felt that it was better to be able to cover both my nose and mouth. I wish I could do the nose only. What's bugging me the most is having the leakage around my eyes or cheeks whenever I move wrong or just get comfortable.

I'm going to hang in there... just need to be patient I guess.

Thank you again for your help!

[Georgio]

Hi,

For mouth breathing you may need the full face. But, you will need a mask that fits and doesn't blow air in your eyes. The mask leaks defeat treatment. Getting the correct equipment is your first challenge to help make you more comfortable. I use nasal spray to open my nose. Lots here say that much nasal "stuffiness" goes away with CPAP treatment. Some here tape their mouths closed at night. I might prefer that to a full face mask. I think occasionally people are handed their machine and mask, go home, strap it on and say goodnight. Many more give up because it's usually not that easy. The successfull ones keep learning more, and making adjustments to equipment untill it works.

You should return your machine and get one that is fully data capable so you can see if your treatment is doing any good. (* The HC233 is not capable of (even) tracking compliance!) Otherwise, you are in the dark and have no idea if it's doing you any good. Since I replaced my machine, now I at least have hope because I can see my numbers improving...and believe I'm getting it adjusted to feel better.

I suggest a Respironics M Series A-flex, or ResMed Autoset II. Machine. Get your Dr. to write you a prescription specifically for one of these machines if they won't give you one. These Auto machines make it much easier to breathe.

I have found that you can't ignore sleep apnea, because it will just get worse and you start to lose your health.
Georgio

[sleepydoll]

hello skater007!
What more can I say after all these encouraging responses?
You make me recall some posts by "carbonman" . He has such a way with words ! I just have to share this with you !

on Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:40 am Carbonman wrote : ( see below)

I am new here. I just discovered this group. I am at the point of tears after reading the Seven Stages of CPAP and What Is Feeling Good?
I have had my sleep study and diagnosed w/OSA. I have not seen the specific results, yet.
I am at the stage of waiting for contact from the DME supplier.

I am feeling all those things listed in that article. I am feeling a wave of relief wash over me, knowing that I am not alone.
I have not slept well in years. I had no idea I have such a problem. As I write this I feel the fatigue of the day beginning to drag me down.
______________________________________________________________________

Just like him, we know what you're going through....but thing will get better...there is a light round around the bend , you just can't see it yet!

and then here is Carbonman's view some time later!

by carbonman on Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:59 pm

This therapy is your life.

I put the mask on everynight and believe that I will be better the next day...... .....and so far, I am.
I am not sleeping hours at a time, yet. I have not felt like a million$$, yet. ......BUT, everyday, I feel a little better.
Little things, my attitude toward life in general, I don't feel so hopeless,
my depression is lifting, my ability to be more patient, I make it through the work day, I have energy when I get home from work,
my legs don't ache all day..... he little things. It is happening.

I want my life back, and if that journey is through the mask, so be it. It gets a little better every night.
I know that when I can get data, I will start tweaking things, and it will only get better.

This is my life. I want it back.
________________________________________________________________

You will find so many friendly helpful folks on this amazing forum.
welcome and keep us posted on your therapy progress!

D.