Newbe in need of help!

[worshipful-one]

Greetings, I have been extremely challenged getting adjusted with my cpap.
I was diagnosed with moderate slap apnea 1yr ago. I was prescribed a cpap with a nose mask. After a few restless nights and a raw spot on the bridge of my nose I gave up. My fatigue, brain fog and burning eyes have become a real concern recently. I just had a head to toe phyical with good results. I was concerned that I may have chronic fatigue syndrome which has similar symptoms as apnea. I was unaware of the similarities until I stumbled upon this forum recently. After reading some of your similar experiences I became motivated to seek help and stick to the apnea treatment. I am prayerful that this is the answer to my condition as I am stuggling so hard with my symptoms!! I replaced my nose mask with a full face mask and started on my new journey on 10-6-09. I have yet to sleep thru a full night (not suprising). I wake up an average of 3 times per night however,my my bathroom trips are down to 1 time per night and I did only wake up 1 time last night. My fatigue and fog have lifted slightly the last few days.
Yet today I feel that my fatigue is the worst its been since I started. I am going to stick with it I just need some support. I am starting to feel comfortable with the face mask. I did not care for the nose mask.
Any input on moving forward is deeply apreciated!!
Here is my product info:
Machine-Respironics REMstar Plus M series with a humidifier
Settings= restrictions are 8cm c flex is set at #3
Mask=FlexiFit431 full face mask

[Hawthorne]

The thing I notice that may be causing you to wake up, is the C-Flex setting of 3. C-Flex reduces pressure to make exhaling easier. Sometimes 3 is too much, especially with a pressure setting of 8 cm.

You may be less disturbed in your sleep if you set it lower - at 1 or even "off". I think you can set it to 1 by just pushing the + button (under the cover) and use the arrow buttons to move C-Flex to 1. Push the "on/off" button when you have moved C-Flex to 1. It will go back to the opening screen on the LCD.

If you want to turn it off completely, you need to get into "Setup". To do that, go to http://www.cpap-supply.com. In the left margin, scroll down to and click on "cpap articles". then go down the list and click on "You can adjust the pressure of your cpap machine". Scroll down to "Respironcs Remstar M Series". Those instructions will get you into the setup menu. Just change the C-Flex at this point. I would leave everything else as it is for now. When you have set C-Flex to 1 or "off"(you can have either choice here), push the on/off button to get out of setup.

[SaltLakeJan]

You are not alone in the stress of getting started on cpap. I believe many members of this forum experienced the red burning eyes, headache and worse of all the fatigue from on-going sleep deprivation. The first days or weeks in my case, were hard. It isn't easy to go to sleep with the feeling that a vacumn cleaner is blowing up your nose. No wonder you couldn't breathe, I had a hard time getting used to that feeling. But, cheer up it does get better, & it is always a problem to get the mask that is right for you.

You have a lot of people who are rooting for you to succeed.

Jan

[magentapolkadots]

worshipful-one
I can't really offer much in advice as our machines and settings are so very different. I'm relatively new at this myself. I just wanted to say hang in there. This is a great place to come for support and information. Deciding to stick with your CPAP therapy is a wise choice. Keep at it, and keep coming back.
-K

[modistee]

I am only three and a half weeks into my cpap acquaintance so I cant offer anything but moral support. These guys are terrific and I am betting will offer advice that will help you immensely. I made up my mind that this has to work since I am way too tired to try to find anything else.... Take care and hang in there. *hugs*

Modistee

[Scarlet834]

I second Hawthorne about lowering the Cflex, although I only moved mine to 2. Also, as encouragement, I still wake up several times a night to adjust things, which is more often than I woke up before CPAP--but the thing is, I wasn't really sleeping deeply before I started CPAP. I am much more rested now, so you can be rested despite waking up in the night. When you get to the right balance of mask and pressure you won't believe the difference.

I do hope you'll stick with it this time. If you can get the software and card reader to really see what's going on with you, that will help and many people on this forum can guide you. If you can't, at least try to track your 7-day leak rate and AHI. It's not as precise but it does give a sense if you are trending up or down (down is good). If you have a really bad night or a really good night with either, the average will move. I agree with Hawthorne that it's too early to be changing your pressure, but the link she gave you to setup will also allow you to turn on the display for 7-Day and 30-Day leak and AHI. If your medical provider didn't do that (mine didn't). I recommend that you turn them on. I have the same equipment as you, but a different mask.

[karessamom]

Welcome to the forum! I'm basically new to this too--only been on cpap now for about a month but like you and others, i'm bound and determined to make it work--it can not fail! I think most of all, you need to give it some time! I still don't feel like I should after a month! and still have problems sleeping at night--i don't get up as much as I used to but still find it difficult to just "crash" like I used to. Hang in there--Sleeping with a mask on can take some getting use to--but it's worth it. I'm actually beginning to feel better. there's alot of support on this board! alot of good advice too! you can do this! Do you have a machine that's fully data capable?? if you can access the data, you'll be able to see how you're doing each night-- I'm not familiar with respironics machines so i can't help you there but they're many here that are. Good luck

[mdintx]

It's often most difficult in the beginning. There's a ton of great info on this board. I would suggest taking a few hours to go through the Our Wisdom section. I would concur with the lowering or turning off your C-flex feature. I've only found that helpful when using a nasal pillow interface. Also, you need to spend some time working the fit of your mask. Often, a raw spot on the bridge of the nose can be a sign of over-tightening. If you're setting loose enough to float and seal and you're still getting redness, a thin application of 3M or Nexcare gentle paper tape will fix that up. If not of that works, you have have the wrong mask. In which case, you're gonna have to go on a MaskQuest like the rest of us (I just found my ideal mask). Between your insurance, cpap.com, and CPAPAuction.com websites, you should be able to experiment in the manner that suits your finances the best.

Good luck and keep asking questions!

[kdiverson]

worshipful-one

Hang in there. I have only been on cpap therapy for 2 1/2 weeks. I was in deniel for over 2 years, didn't seek help until i was so tired i could almost not function. was actually thinking about takeing a family medical leave from work.

waking up frequently is a nusance, but it will get better. i was waking up frequently before cpap, and only sleeping for 2 to 3 hours at a time, typicaly no more than 5 hours total sleep each night. after 2 1/2 weeks, i am sleeping for 4 hours with out waking, and then getting another 3 to 4 hours sleep with occasional waking. the big difference is i wake up rested. were naps were the norm for me, i have only had 1 nap in last two weeks.

you will get used to the mask, try some mole skin ( available in the foot care section of your local drug store ) as others in this forum have suggested. i was told that i was a mouth breather, and was told i needed a full face mask, didn't like it, and ended up using a nasil mask, and a chin strap to keep my mouth shut. its comfortable.

If a more normal sleep doesn't return after a few months, ask your Dr. about a prescription for a sleep aid. I have used ambien to try and re-establish a normal sleep pattern. i am not quite there yet, but it is getting better.

My wife is already noticing changes in my activity levels and attitude. my boss noticed that i seamed to have more energy, and asked if i was doing something different. point is that others will notice the changes in the way you are feeling as the result of cpap treatment. I think i avoided the sleep study because i couldn't stand thought of sleeping with mask attached to my face. now i don't care about inconvience of mask, the discomfort is worth the results.

[kteague]

Welcome to the forum and welcome back to cpapland. I once quit then resumed successfully with help and support here. If you get the mask issues worked out, lower the cflex, and get used to the treatment but still have trouble, you may need to get some data to further tweak your treatment. That would mean either investing in another machine or askng your doc to order a two week loaner of an autotitrating machine to take a look at how you are doing at the prescribed pressure. Making this work is an effort, more for some than others, but the treatment has been a godsend (or God sent) for me and worth the effort.
Kathy

[Autopapdude]

Worshipful one, your story is typical. I think we've all gone through a lot of that which you describe. Please don't give up, as it is crucial to your health that you succeed. There are hundreds of stories like yours around, and keep on with it--yes it is frustrating at times, but the outcome is well worth it.

[swknight]

I am on my third night of treatment. My daily migraine is gone, I can actually remember what happened this morning, and my mood has greatly improved. However, I am still incredibly tired.

I've heard from a co-worker and a couple of friends that the first week is tough. The exhaustion that I feel now is different than before which is encouraging. I actually look forward to sleeping now knowing that I will feel better each day.

Hang in there!