8hrs and 2 attempts

[khemicals]

So, I got my APAP in yesterday. I geared up and readied for a post-work nap hoping to get acclimated and maybe get some z's, but that didn't work. I just layed there for an hour and a half.

Then last night I put the gear on and tried sleeping. I don't think I got any, or if I did it wasn't much. I feel horrible today, tired well beyond anything I can remember. I removed the mask in the middle of the night out of frustration, and then put it on again maybe 30 minutes later. I apparently had the humidifier up too high or need to get a hose insulator as it started gurgling around 3AM or so. Had to drain the hose out.

The mask feels like it takes a lot of effort for me to exhale. I question whether I should be using a full face mask instead of the nasal pillow given one of my nostrils is almost always stuffed up (but the other is generally open, and both sometime before I got up given I could breathe out of them both). I know some amount of pressure is to be expected when exhaling given the mask, one way valve, etc.

I normally don't have issues falling asleep. I think this gear is making me uncomfortable even though it doesn't bother me that much, it seems to make me think and that thinking keeps me from being able to sleep. Here's hoping for a better second night.

Thanks to everyone for a supportive place to air my status. I am committed for the long haul, but this first night surely tested me.

[WindFlyer]

Hi kchemicals:

Welcome to the board. You will find lots of friends and support here.

One suggestion I always make is to try putting on the mask and turning on your machine while you are not intending to sleep- like while watching TV or something. Just take some time to get used to the way it feels to breathe with it on, take some time to tug & snug on the straps to get the right fit, etc. That might make it easier to take when it comes time to actually go to sleep.

[Treehorn]

I removed the mask in the middle of the night out of frustration, and then put it on again maybe 30 minutes later. I apparently had the humidifier up too high or need to get a hose insulator as it started gurgling around 3AM or so. Had to drain the hose out.

These problems early on are normal. But the end result is worth a few difficult nights. After a week of fighting with the humidifier settings I finally turned it to passover mode (off but still water in the tank) and that was when I started getting my best nights sleep.

The mask feels like it takes a lot of effort for me to exhale. I question whether I should be using a full face mask instead of the nasal pillow given one of my nostrils is almost always stuffed up (but the other is generally open, and both sometime before I got up given I could breathe out of them both). I know some amount of pressure is to be expected when exhaling given the mask, one way valve, etc.

I dont know much about your machine but someone else will help. Do you have a ramp set-up? Do you have exhale relief such as EPR setup?

I had to go through 4 masks before I found the best one for me. I was lucky enough to have a supplier who was supportive enough to put up with the switches. But one bad night does not mean you have the wrong mask. Good luck tonight!

[khemicals]

EPR was set to off on the device. They DME didn't have the menu enabled for me so did a quick search for how to get the clinician mode and enabled level 2 EPR figuring the middle is a good place to start. I am gonna move the unit into the living room with me and try to use it while I work and see how it goes. Thanks for the suggestions.

[BlackSpinner]

Since you do have sinus /clogged nose issues I would seriously consider a full face mask. Mouth breathing is defeating the purpose of the therapy and when you sleep you will do it if there is any resistance to you breathing through your nose. Even if you use it only when very clogged, it is good to have options.

[Babette]

WELCOME! You are not alone. My experience was very similar starting out. It took me 8 masks and 6 weeks and then another 3 months before I was 100% compliant every night. And I still tweak my settings whenever I feel my needs change.

Tweak your settings, try a different mask, and keep posting here. You will get some excellent advice.

I love that you are willing to try using while working to get get used to it. You have a great attitude, and you will get to where you want to go with that!

See the links in my signature block below for several forum members offering free mask "test drives" where you can try a mask without buying it, to see if it will work for you. Costs you just the postage to pass it on to the next person.

Welcome aboard!
Barbara

[khemicals]

Took a nap this afternoon and got about another hour of sleep in 2.5hrs of trying. I've been wearing the mask for 2 hours now just sitting here working and its a bit awkward with the hose between my eyes. I upped the minimum pressure to 6 given the machine says it puts me at 8-11, 4 seems too low to bother starting with. Left the max pressure at 20 for now. Once I get the software and card reader in from Australia I'll hopefully get sufficient data to figure out what really needs done.

[DoriC]

Welcome to the forum, you're sure learning fast. I've got a good feeling about this. Is your machine placed lower than your bed to prevent rainout? We've never had that problem but I've read about that here.

[pitrow]

I've been wearing the mask for 2 hours now just sitting here working and its a bit awkward with the hose between my eyes.

On that mask you should be able to route the hose off to the side, or just let it hang while you're working and put it back up on top when you lay down. Hope you get used to it!

[khemicals]

I think I got 5-6 hours of sleep last night. Tried to get a bit more but couldn't fall back asleep. I'll consider that a win for the night. One step at a time, but seems a giant leap from the 1 hour I think I got last night.

[roster]

I think I got 5-6 hours of sleep last night. Tried to get a bit more but couldn't fall back asleep. I'll consider that a win for the night. One step at a time, but seems a giant leap from the 1 hour I think I got last night.

If that is your second night, it is a big win.

Rainout prevention: Get the hose cover, lower the humidity, put the machine below the level of your head.

Watch out for mouthbreathing/leaking. Dry mouth is one indicator. If you mouthbreathe (and it is likely with congested nasal passages) you will need to switch to a FF mask.

The software will be of great value to your therapy.

[SleepyT]

Khemicals,
that's the way it begins...on and off...trial and error. it's a new habit you are beginning...and the body needs adjustment time to it. sounds like everything is normal to me. you might try breathe right strips to help with the nose...but i wouldn't change too many things at once (i.e. new masks, EPR). let your body settle in with it first and then make your experiments.

i had some difficulty adjusting to the nasal pillows...but it is now my favorite. just give it some time! the early days are the hardest.

T.

[roster]

K, What is your pressure?

[khemicals]

K, What is your pressure?

R,

Its set to 6-20 (DME set it to 4-20). I never have been titrated so want to leave the top high enough to get range data. I upped the bottom end figuring the worst its likely going to do is make it more uncomfortable. But, my AHI improved last night over the prior (though, given 2 days of use, its a pretty dubious comparison). I don't know how to get results from the last 2 days now that its past noon and I don't have the software yet. but my AHI was > 10 2 nights ago with the pressure being somewhere around 11-12 iirc. Last night my AHI was ~7 with the pressure being around 8. Leaks were 0.00, so my mouth is likely staying shut and sinuses are having negligible impact. I also reduced the humidifier to 1 from 2 -- though I may step it up half a notch. I'll play with its location later as the rainout issue was only for one night, the first, and likely due to me playing with the humidifier settings too much.

[roster]

If it were me, I would bump the pressure to 8 - 20 tonight. But waiting for the software is also a reasonable approach if it is coming soon.

I would also keep the humidifier at 1 unless dry nasal passages are present. When winter comes and the central heat is drying out the air, you likely will need to set the humidifier higher.

If you slept five hours then you have no problem breathing out against the pressure. Typically we have that sensation only when we are awake due to our focus on and anxiety about CPAP and breathing. When I was a newbie CPAP there was one thing that helped me when I got that sensation. I would take several strong exhalations as if to clear my lungs of all air. After each exhalation, make a normal inhalation. It doesn't work for everyone but for me it seemed to release my mind from focusing on breathing.

You already have a good knowledge of what to do and seem well on your way to success.