newbie with lots of questions

[pamlt]

Recently diagnosed. Still hard to believe I even have sleep apnea. I am having a miserable time with it all. I thought once you got to sleep you would stay asleep. I have fallen asleep only a few nights with mask and then I keep waking up. Seems to be a different problem every night. This week I am belching air. Called Dr. He referred me to equipment company. They said raise my head to sleep. Has not helped. How do you know if CPAP is even working or worth it all.






ResMed VPAP III with humidifier
Simplicity nasal mask
Pressure 16/11

[Julie]

Hi, I know nothing about you apart from what you've written, but I'll presume for now that you don't necessarily know how to adjust your machine yet. I therefore suggest you ask your MD about a trial period of about a week at a slightly lower setting, as that oftens helps the aerophagia, which is what you have (and it's common).

[SleepyT]

I've only been on CPAP for 2 months...so, not sure I have a lot of info to offer...mostly encouragement. My first few nights on CPAP were as you seem to be experiencing...sleep a few hours...then wide awake. I still have nights where I have to sit up and burp out some air...though not too many nights lately. Some people say it has to do with sleep position...but I don't know. Maybe it's all about getting used to the whole thing. At any rate, you must come to terms with the fact that you have sleep apnea. (one of the first things you mentioned was not being able to believe it). If you can work thru acceptance...it will make it easier to adapt. Sometimes it is all comical...sometimes infuriating...well, you get the picture. You're not alone! Hang in there...

[jdm2857]

You might consider asking your doc for a prescription for Ambien. Unlike OTC sleep aids, it does not affect the normal stages of sleep, and can help you get through the adjustment period.

Hang in there. Things get better.

[mattman]

I might suggest talking to your equipment provider about possibly renting an auto adjusting cpap machine (Called an Auto-Pap). That can often help many things including the problem you described with belching air (This is called aerophagia). Some companies can easily provide loaners of those machines. Some companies will want a prescription from your doctor. Some companies may not be able to do it at all. It depends a lot on your state and local laws and also what the insurance company has directed the provider to do.

Aside from that, sleep position can have an impact on your problem. Training your body to get used to sleeping with this equipment strapped on can also play a huge part.

Also, please understand - this WILL take time to get used to. There is no way around it. It may help to consider that the alternative can be not waking up at all. That's a serious possibility.

For me I can tell you it took about a week and a half to get used to it. The first night I could hardly even get to sleep. 2nd and 3rd I'd make it a little while and then wake up. My nose and face hurt. Next couple nights I'd wake up a little later and my nasal passages would feel totally dried out and be painful.

Slowly I started to sleep longer and longer and have less discomfort until finally at around 2 weeks I was sleeping through.

Talk to your equipment provider about any problems and discomfort you experience. They really can be a great resource to help you. You may have a situation where you might even need a different type of mask if your difficulties can't be solved by other methods.

mattman

[hawkwind]

mattman is right. I have been using my Auto-pap since January. I started with many of the same problems. Things will get better as your body and your mind adjust. I found just recently that I could drop my IPAP from 14 to 12. This helped with the aerophagia. The main thing is to be patient and hang in there. The benefits are so worth it. You will adjust and your life will improve. Keep watching for posts on this forum, lots of good information and encouragement. Good luck!