CPAP kept me awake

[BethK]

I am a relatively new user of the S9.........quiet, yes, but I have been having problems sleeping with the FF mask (can't use the nasal as it makes me mouth-breathe). I read on the Forum yesterday that it might help to place the machine lower than my head at night, so I placed it on a stool near my nightstand. I managed to stay in bed all night, with only one or two episodes of "air leaks" that I adjusted the mask for, and went back to sleep. I don't want to jump up and down for joy just yet..............this would have to happen numerous times to convince me it works. Anyone else have options?

[Pugsy]

I keep my machine lower than the mattress and almost on the floor (small table with second level right above the floor) not so much for noise reduction but for rain out prevention. Whatever works to help you sleep better through the night is just fine.

If you would add your machine and mask to your user profile equipment page it would enable members to see what you are using and maybe offer some ideas especially with the FF mask and working on leakage.

Welcome to the forum. Lot of very nice people here willing to offer ideas to help.

[BethK]

Thanks Pugsy. I have updated my profile as you recommended.

[Pugsy]

Thanks Pugsy. I have updated my profile as you recommended

I don't see any equipment shown in your post. Did you save the changes? Look at the bottom of my post here and then look at yours.

[Nick_W]

FWIW, when I first started, it took me about about a week to get used to the whole thing before I slept well -- the constant blowing pressure, the feeling of the mask on the face, worrying about knocking the mask off while tossing/turning, etc.

As far as the full face mask is concerned, I probably readjusted the straps and forehead knob every other night for about 6 weeks before I found my 'sweet-spot'. The only time I get air leaks now is when I do something that applies enough sideways pressure to move it off my face.

-Nick

[harry33]

if you tug on the airhose in sleep, you can pull the CPAP off table unless you clamp airhose to bedhead

[EricinNC]

I am a relatively new user of the S9.........quiet, yes, but I have been having problems sleeping with the FF mask (can't use the nasal as it makes me mouth-breathe). I read on the Forum yesterday that it might help to place the machine lower than my head at night, so I placed it on a stool near my nightstand. I managed to stay in bed all night, with only one or two episodes of "air leaks" that I adjusted the mask for, and went back to sleep. I don't want to jump up and down for joy just yet..............this would have to happen numerous times to convince me it works. Anyone else have options?

What eased my CPAP transition was exercising heavily almost every single day for the first month, maybe the first six weeks I was on the gear. Without regular exercise, the CPAP made me feel too jacked up (especially with an SSRI antidepressant). After about a month on CPAP and reguarly exercising HARD, I adapted and now I cant sleep normally without CPAP.

The first couple nights to a week or so was kind of scary. Sleep a few hours, wake up, get up, get tired again, go back to sleep with CPAP, wake up again. Go to the pool and swim laps. Come back to my apartment and get tired again, sleep with CPAP.

Went on for about a month and leveled out.

Eric

[BethK]

Okay, so last night was the second night the machine was lower than my head. Once again, as soon as I put the mask on, no matter how sleepy I was before, the second the mask is on, I am wide awake and either staring into space or trying to think of things to make me sleepy again. I am so afraid that I am now getting less sleep than before my diagnosis, and the frustration is incredible, making it harder to sleep of course. Does this mean I also have an insomnia issue? I don't think so, since I have never had issues with falling asleep before. Friday will be the beginning of month 4 with the machine, and it isn't looking too hopeful. Help!!!

[BethK]

Almost forgot this part.............I have issues with the doctor, his office staff, and Apria. After reading some posts here, I realized that not once did any of these folks tell me what my equipment was, anything about the downloads, the software you all talk about, NOTHING!! I am a reasonably intelligent woman, but thinking back now, this medical office handles patients like cattle...............and it appears most are simple folk. If I can't answer these questions, dear lord how are the other patients being treated?? This has irritated me more now than ever...........................sorry, but venting helps a bit.

[Pugsy]

no matter how sleepy I was before, the second the mask is on, I am wide awake and either staring into space or trying to think of things to make me sleepy again.

Does this mean I also have an insomnia issue? I don't think so, since I have never had issues with falling asleep before.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? Use of Cpap can bring on some insomnia issues that weren't present before using the machine. Just ask Robysue. What you are describing is indeed the insomnia monster showing up for whatever reason and he needs to be dealt with. We can't begin to expect to show improvement with minimal hours of sleep, no sleep or fragmented sleep.

Go ahead and vent, it does help.

[BlackSpinner]

Okay, so last night was the second night the machine was lower than my head. Once again, as soon as I put the mask on, no matter how sleepy I was before, the second the mask is on, I am wide awake and either staring into space or trying to think of things to make me sleepy again. I am so afraid that I am now getting less sleep than before my diagnosis, and the frustration is incredible, making it harder to sleep of course. Does this mean I also have an insomnia issue? I don't think so, since I have never had issues with falling asleep before. Friday will be the beginning of month 4 with the machine, and it isn't looking too hopeful. Help!!!

Put the mask and machine on early in the evening and start watching tv with it. You have to remove the "Its a new thing" from your mind. so watch tv with machine at full power, read a book, do some knitting, wear the mask alone washing dishes. Get your body familiar with it. Make up a little phrase to say when you mask up about "My wonderful mask helps me sleep" and repeat it over and over, put it to music like a "twinkle twinkle" or your favourite lullaby or hymn.

[Pugsy]

Since you have issues with sleep doctor, have you discussed the lack of sleep with your primary doctor if you have one?

Also, do you take any meds on a regular basis? Even OTC meds? Drink caffeine especially late at night? How is your overall sleep hygiene? Anything there that might feed the insomnia monster?