Am ready to jump out of my skin!!

[njkmommy]

Ok...here I go again! My doctor just switched my pressures again. When I had my sleep study, they titrated me at 18/14 for pressures. I tried it, and went crazy, so he switched me to 14/12. well, that did nothing! I was more tired than ever. So, now I am back up to 18/14 and ready to cry. It feels like a leaf blower. I even put an eye mask (like you get on airplanes, first class to sleep) on to help with the leakage into my eyes...I am hyperventilating and I ramp it, fall asleep and I guess once it hits full blast, I rip off the mask. I dont even realize that I am doing it. Someone suggested I wear socks on my hands so as not to pull the mask off so easily, tried it, but I still got the mask off.

The dr said that if this a problem setting again, I will need to go back into the sleep place and be titrated again overnite! I am at a loss...I have a 5 year old and I am walking around in a fog....not a good combination! I am starting to wonder if all of my other health problems are contributing to this sleeping problem. I want this to work so bad, but can't keep going on like this, sorry to be whining..but you guys have helped me so much in the past with all your wisdom!

[Irene P.]

Sorry you are having so many problems. I have no great knowledge to help you. However, I can feel your tension so strongly when I read your post. I hope you can find a way to let go of that tension and calm down. You just won't be able to sleep, especially with a mask blowing, if you are so stressed. If you don't already have something, perhaps you could get something to calm you down, especially at night.

[Georgio]

What do your nightly reports show? Post a typical report here for advice. (Ask how if you don't know how to do it.) Your reports are the key to your therapy success. You can do it with the help of this site.

[harry33]

sleeping piklls for a while will help calm you
removing mask in sleep is common for new users, simply tape mask to face so the pain will remind you to leave it on

remember your CPAP is always trying to help you, so think kindly of it

a long soak in a hot bath just before bed should help relax you

[Agape=Love]

I hope I can help, would need a little more insight...

What is your dx? OSA, CSA or hypoventilaion?

You have a BiPAP auto which is a good thing, this unit should provide you with a sleep report that gives details of your sleep activity in regards to the pressure delivered.

I don't think you should have to go for another test given that your dx should already be determined and you are already using a Auto Device.

Agape!

[kteague]

I am not at all familiar with the workings of bipaps - I am very familiar with the misery of treatment that is not working as it needs to. I agree that your data could hold significant clues to where your problems lie. One thing I would suggest is to look for patterns of the timing when you have removed your mask in your sleep. You mentioned ramping - it could really make a difference whether you are taking the mask off during the ramp period or if it is into your treatment time. There are many bipap users on here that can offer more than I, but the more info you can provide, the more targeted support you can get. Best wishes in sorting this out and getting restful sleep soon.
Kathy

[jweeks]

Ok...here I go again! My doctor just switched my pressures again. When I had my sleep study, they titrated me at 18/14 for pressures.

Hi,

I am right there with you...same machine, similar pressure (20/13). I went through all kinds of issues at the start. I started on the Quatro full face mask, tried other full face masks, tried some hybrids, and finally landed on the Swift LT. The swift isn't perfect, but it really made a huge difference to me. The biggest differences is no air moving around my eyes, and since it is connected to your nose, there is no feeling of air pressure (at least not for me). In fact, I haven't used the ramp feature in months. The only real advice that I can offer is to head back to your DME, or to your favorite on-line store, and try a few more masks.

18 is a pretty high pressure. A lot of things have to go right for it to be comfortable. In the long run, getting a good treatment that you can live with is very much worth the effort.

-john-

[njkmommy]

Thanks John! Your advice seems most helpful...so, I can just go online and try another mask? I did not know that was possible. I thought I had to stay at the resp. place I have been dealing with! Can you rec. a good website to try?

As far as everyone else....no, I do not know how to post my reports.If someone can guide me on how to do that,I will gladly post them! I also do alternate between a half of Ambien and a half of a Tylenol PM..I still have problems sleeping.

I do appreciate the advice..so please let me know how to dowload my reports, and I will..and what websites I can go to to try a new mask!

Thanks so much!!

[Pugsy]

let me know how to dowload my reports

I do screen shots
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42606&p=398887&hili ... ot#p398887

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45768&p=412049&hili ... ge#p412049

I use jpeg image files from a screen shot that I have uploaded to Photobucket. Then I copy the IMG location code from the Photobucket account and paste it into my post. Be sure to include the beginning and ending IMG brackets. Use preview button to make sure it shows up properly.

I have Vista so I use the Vista Snipping Tool to get a screen shot and crop at the same time. Then save it to where I can find it easily as a jpeg file and then go to Photobucket and upload it.

Windows XP users can use the prt scr key to get a screen shot and then a photo editing program to crop and save. Windows users can use Paint program to crop and save if they don't have a photo editing program.

[jweeks]

so, I can just go online and try another mask? I did not know that was possible. I thought I had to stay at the resp. place I have been dealing with! Can you rec. a good website to try

Hi,

If you have a good DME (the place you got your equipment), they should be able to work with you on trying and fitting masks. The quality of the DMEs vary considerably, some are great, some are worthless. That might be the best chance of doing an exchange, getting a loaner to try, and getting insurance to cover it. You can also order on-line. You have the option of buying outright, or you can buy with "mask insurance". That is an extra fee that you pay that buys you the chance to send it back if you don't like it. I don't buy insurance on consumer goods like this, but others do like the insurance to avoid making costly mistakes. The sponsor of this forum is a very good place to buy (cpap.com). They have a few excellent competitors (I have used cpap exchange), you can look for the cpap auction, you can buy from an on-line DME (the Mayo Clinic store), and even from Amazon.com. Some of these places will ask you to FAX your prescription to them to verify that you are a current CPAP patient.

-john-