Ready to get a hammer!

[Sid]

It's been about three and a half months since I've had a decent nights sleep. Last night was the worst. I have been regressing to the point I was at before starting CPAP therapy. No energy, dozing while driving(momentarily), memory lapsing, etc. The downfall started with mask leaks and now it' s rainout and leaks at the nose pillows. I have placed the machine below the height of the bed, got a hose cover, got some cool Pad a Cheek strap covers, got a new CPAP pillow, tried the Aroma Therapy(didn't work), adjusted the humidity level(last night I dumped the water and turned the humidity level to 0), clean the mask daily, changed the hose last night, tried different size nose pillows, put ponytail scrunchies under the nose pieces to help keep them up(this seemed to work for two nights), and got all huffy and threw a mask last night...didn't help at all. Went back to the old reliable Ultra mask last night, it leaked. Tried another full face mask that I can't remember the brand and finally dug out an old Liberty hybrid, put it on and passed out. Slept three hours. I have not tried a heated hose yet. Is there anything else out there I can try? I like the mask, I have had better luck with this brand than the other 4 brands/types I've tried. I will need to pick up another one since I broke the newest one(4 months old) getting huffy last night...which by the way didn't help one bit. I haven't tried drinking until I pass out yet...any suggestions guys?

[BlackSpinner]

So what does your data say?

[Julie]

Have you lost or gained weight (even a little can make a difference)?

[Mary T]

I don't know, maybe you are mouth breathing, because it is letting the air out of your mouth, and/or leaks. Check out the kind I have.. it works great and I get the best sleep with it.. (Swift FX nose pillows). I have a chin strap coming and when my mouth is closed all night I get a good night sleep.

[KAZ]

First of all when you say that you are:"dozing while driving(momentarily" you need to find a safe driver until you get things sorted out with your treatment. You seem very motivated to make cpap treatment work and I suggest that you try a Quattro Full Face mask. I have some high pressures and that mask has worked for me for over three years. Before I was diagnosed I fell asleep and went over a lane before my spouse realized what had occurred and grabbed the wheel. It was only a momentarily thing. You will get past these problems! Regards

[Quilter2]

Hi,

I am new to this CPAP life. Every night is a new adjustment in some way.

Is there a possibility your machine is somehow defective ? Maybe it worked at first, then developed a problem?

A HUGE breakthrough for me was using OTC nasal decongestant. I was hugely plugged up- especially, when I bent over or laid down.
Be sure to read up on each one, their abilities and side effects.
I wasted weeks w/ plain Claritin.Only to find there was zero nasal decongestant in that one . And those ever bigger morning headaches were the first side effect. ( I do think there is a Clairitin w/ decongestant out there)

Currently I am trying the Sudafed PE and the real Sudafed. The newest twist was running out of water last night. Machine was alarming and I was too groggy to figure anything out.

This advice was given to me by people on this forum. And it was the SINGLE biggest help I have had.
With a ENT and allergist giving me zero reason for nasal congestion. Why then, when taking a OTC pill, was it the first time in years I could actually breathe clearly and smell things? It was the very first time I could actually BREATHE in the mask.

I am so thankful. Having that big boost, gives me the ability to press on. My battle isn't over.

[chunkyfrog]

That machine shows only compliance data--according to our host's info.
Sorry
How long has it been since you've had a sleep study?--I see you joined in 2007.

[Sid]

I am definitely a mouth breather and have to wear a full face mask. Chin straps, etc. do not work. My first mask was an Ultra Mirage FF but had too many leaks around the bridge of the nose. The mask i am now using was great up to 3-4 months ago when things seemed to go down the toilet. Last night was not too bad. No water and zero humidity. Woke up once with a stuffy, plugged up nose but minimum leaks. Woke up this morning with a very dry mouth. Since the initial sleep study back in 2007, I have not had another study or seen a doctor.

[Julie]

Again... have you lost or gained weight?

[KatieW]

I wonder, if your mask is 3-4 months old, do you need new nose pillows?

Or, have conditions (such as weight loss or gain, change in meds, diet, exercise, stress levels) changed and you might need adjustment in your therapy. Depending on your insurance coverage, can your doc may prescribe an apap rental for 2 weeks, to see what your pressure needs are, and see what your AHI and leaks are doing?

[rubymom]

I can hear your frustration and I don't blame you. I do think you really need data on your leaks and your AHI. But two things popped into my mind as a Liberty user. First, I only wash my mask once a week or so. Everytime I do, I have a night or two of leak issues. If you're washing it every day, that "night or two" is every night for you! I don't know why it is. It's just my experience. The other thing ties into Katie's post above. How often do you change your pillows or the mask itself? They definitely deteriorate over time and for me, as they do, the leaks go up.

Good luck working this out. And stick with it!!

[Sid]

Since experiencing the dropoff in getting a good nights sleep, i have gained about 10 to 15 lbs. Wake up very tired and don't feel like exercising...which just compounds the problem. I wash the mask weekly and wipe it down daily. The mask is about 3 months old. I'll order another mask tomorrow and get additional nose pieces if i can. As far as the doctor,I felt like cattle getting run through the sleep center so he could prescribe a CPAP machine and collect his money. I haven't seen him since 2007. i was never called back in for any kind of follow up, being a rookie I thought this was the way they did things(is it?). I am not familiar with this other type of machine. My machine shows an avg hours per night. Before the downfall i was registering around 5.6 hrs/night. It's now at .8 hrs/night. My medical supplier said that leaks will cause it to drop, I am no rocket scientist but i figured that out on my own. Should I find another doctor and seek help.

[brazospearl]

Sid, honey, if you get a data-capable machine you don't really need a new doctor. With the machine you currently have, the doctor has no data, so what can he do to help you? A new mask is probably needed, as well, but without data you're just guessing as to what the problem is, and we're guessing while trying to help you. Do you have your original prescription? If so, you can probably use it to get a data-capable machine.

[Sid]

What will this data capable machine tell me? Do I rent one or purchase one.

[robysue]

As far as the doctor,I felt like cattle getting run through the sleep center so he could prescribe a CPAP machine and collect his money. I haven't seen him since 2007. i was never called back in for any kind of follow up, being a rookie I thought this was the way they did things(is it?). ... Should I find another doctor and seek help.

Yes, you should definitely get another sleep doctor.

I'd say that the treatment you got back in 2007 was not adequate and not typical.

And try to get another sleep test run too in my humble opinion.

Personally, I think there's the potential for way too much stuff to be going on for you to simply try to self-titrate. I mean, do you even know what your AHI was back in 2007 when you were diagnosed? Do you know what your current pressure setting is?