Hitting a slump, need a bump.

[TomL_RN]

When I started with my APAP, things went well. 6-7 hours a night (which is all I normally sleep anyway), AHI better, running in the 3-8 range with mostly HI vs AI compared to my 38 at the study, leak seemingly acceptable, and pressures not nearly as high as the sleep doc originally thought (he set me 8-20, but my range normal is around 9-10). I am starting to feel better in general but feel that I'm already hitting a slump.

No matter what I seem to do I'm futzing around with the mask continuously when starting to sleep and have at some points gotten so frustrated by leaks and other unpleasantness that I've ripped it off and slept without. I wonder if I'm being to worried about the leaks and that is trickling into my ability to drift away. Is this part of the "normal" adjustment period? My eyes sometimes feel cold, but when I feel there is no air movement. Is that my imagination playing tricks on me or am I just overly sensitized?

The other thing I've noticed is that my insomnia has started to return. Guess because I'm better rested I don't just pass out, but get to be kept awake wanting to sleep but unable. Is insomnia and sleep apnea even mutually agreeable?

I want this to continue to work as I've been feeling better. No more naps on the couch, no more struggling to stay awake at work during downtimes, no drifting at stoplights on the way home, it's been a change already. I guess I need to reassure myself that this too (like my red nose) will pass.

Thanks for listening.

Not really crazy, yet.
Tom

[Julie]

Hi, join the 'slump' club! I think there are times we all run into them, for whatever reason, and just have to futz some more until we get back on track. What is a bit confusing is "starting to feel better in general but feel that I'm already hitting a slump". Either you feel ok (in which case the leaks, etc. may not matter), or you don't. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you're not "ok" because the numbers aren't ideal. However, if you don't feel good, or feel that you have "plateau'd" (are at a place where you're not quite at your ideal place, but have stopped improving), then consider the issues. Could you now have begun to mouth breathe while asleep (SO many seem to get there after being on Cpap for some time) and now need a FF mask? Try taping for a couple of nights to see if it makes a difference. Have you tried setting your machine to something like 8-12 as a range (the most common spread) vs 8-20, because 20 is too high for the machine to react to if there's an 'event' and won't ever get there by the time the apnea has occurred (and gone). Your machine can still rise above 12 when necessary, but being there as a setting 'ceiling' works better for average nights if you're working average is 10.

[KatieW]

Yes, the futzing around with the mask nights. I don't understand it either, but some nights the mask just slips on like a glove. Other nights, it doesn't stop leaking no matter what you do. What works for me is to have a back up mask, set up and ready to put on.

When I 1st started, I worried about leaks too. I have learned from watching my data, that a leak rate of 1-2 liters/minute doesn't affect my AHI at all, and try to relax about it.

I don't know how long you've been using your mask, but the straps do get looser with time, and the cushions do get leakier with use. Might be time to replace?

Hose management and head pillows make a big difference if your mask shift around on you.