I can't fall asleep!

England · Post by **England** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:08 pm

I've been using the cpap for the last 2 nights...without success. I lay in bed from 10:30 til about 2:30am before finally taking the mask off and sleeping w/o the machine. I'm just having a really hard time adjusting. I'm wondering if I should ask my doctor for some Ambien to help me fall asleep. I don't think I'll have trouble staying asleep, it's just getting to that point that seems impossible. I know it will take time to adjust but it's incredibly frustrating and I'm VERY tired.

OutaSync · Post by **OutaSync** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:14 pm

Yes! Ask you r Dr. for some Ambien. It makes the world of difference to those of us who can't fall asleep with all this crap on our faces!

proctor78 · Post by **proctor78** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:16 pm

Heelo,
I am also new 6 nights and only one night did i sleep 8 hours and that was the night i took theraflu night time cough syrup.. Now i know its not good to take more than about a week but i just took it that night and none since but it may be worth a try to get a good nights sleep...

Dont give up everyday i feel a little better i had setbacks already had to switch masks but hang in there...

CatherineF · Post by **CatherineF** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:17 pm

Ehhh I've got the same problem so I can see how you feel I started CPAP therapy 2 nights ago, first night: 1h with it, second: no sleep with it. I am terribly tired too, and I feel that I can't make it to make it now at school, at work, at home. But we have to try, I hope it will be better over time. I wish you luck

I have a problem with sleeping pills because I've been on them for 4 years, it was hard for me to stop taking them, I can't come back. Zolpidem is not working for me anymore, trazodone makes me feel like I crashed into truck...

dusty0318 · Post by **dusty0318** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:22 pm

England wrote:I've been using the cpap for the last 2 nights...without success. I lay in bed from 10:30 til about 2:30am before finally taking the mask off and sleeping w/o the machine. I'm just having a really hard time adjusting. I'm wondering if I should ask my doctor for some Ambien to help me fall asleep. I don't think I'll have trouble staying asleep, it's just getting to that point that seems impossible. I know it will take time to adjust but it's incredibly frustrating and I'm VERY tired.

you sound like me... i was putting the mask on and laying there for the required 4 hours then taking it off and going to sleep... i'm doing much better now... i'm at 4 months... hang in there it will take some time... i'm taking ambien too

England · Post by **England** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:40 pm

At least I know I'm not alone! Thank you everyone. I'm so happy to have found this forum. I think I will try some Ambien. I tried Tyelonl PM last night and NADA. I just had my lower braces and a palette expander put in my mouth today...and starting cpap the same week, wow, talk about going for the gusto! Ha ha! Oh well...things will get better.

avi123 · Post by **avi123** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:01 pm

Check this:

avi's experience with Zolpidem (generic Ambien)

Link:

viewtopic/t65580/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65 ... en#p610029

TalonNYC · Post by **TalonNYC** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:02 pm

Things DO get better, I can attest to that. The CPAP has actually helped with my insomnia! Over the last few weeks, I'm noticing that breathing through the CPAP machine acts as a trigger to my brain that it's now sleep time =)

Ambien can help, but you might also just need time to get used to it. Possibly a course of 1-2 weeks of Ambien, then try again without it.

Skip the Tylenol PM, if you want to try a non-RX sleep aid, use just plain generic Benadryl. It's the EXACT same sleep aid in the stuffPM meds, but without the other ingredients that you don't need. The generic version probably costs quite a lot less than Tylenol PM. Not quite as strong as Ambien, but I find that 2 Benadryl will knock out many folks - your milage may vary, and ALWAYS call your doc to double-check that you're ok to take it.

robysue · Post by **robysue** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 4:48 pm

To England, proctor78, CatherineF, and dusty0318,

As its honorary president, I bid you all a sad (and hopefully tentative) welcome into the CPAP&Insomnia club. May your membership be short and may you very soon be an ex-member of this club.

There's a tremendous amount of stuff that you have to get used to in the early going of CPAP therapy. For most new CPAPers, problems with getting to sleep with the mask on and staying asleep with the mask on will start to resolve on their own in a few weeks or maybe a month. For many, a short course of Ambien may help. Others may for personal reasons want to avoid taking sleeping medication. There's not an answer to that question that is RIGHT for EVERYBODY.

Regardless of your decision about sleeping pills, however, you still need to make sure that you develop good sleep behavior habits (sleep hygiene) that encourage you to get to the point where masking up each night is a habit.

If you want lots of tips about how to handle the insomnia that you are worried is setting in with the beginning of CPAP therapy, you might find the How to Tame the CPAP-Induced Insomnia Monster link in my signature to be of some use to you.

Best of luck.

Lizistired · Post by **Lizistired** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:18 pm

Have you tried using the mask while watching TV, to get used to it?

Have you experimented with the Ramp feature?
Many times the DME's set it too low and for too long.

Have you experimented with the EPR or Flex settings?
My DME set my EPR to 3 and I felt like it was telling me when to breathe. I finally turned it off.
The S9 also has a slow, med, fast setting if it is on Cpap.

Do you have a comfortable fit on your mask?

Does it feel like the pressure is too high?

Ditto on the Tylenol PM. Just get the PM part. Tylenol is in too much stuff.

England · Post by **England** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:33 pm

Hi Lizistired...I haven't tried the mask while watching tv...but I think that is something I'll be doing. Mine does have the ramp feature on, it starts at 4 and I don't like that, too hard to breathe. It feels better when it gets to 5 and beyond. I think I do need to set my a-flex to 1, it was on 3 and I changed it to 2 but your are absolutely right, if feels as if the machine is forcing me to breathe on "its schedule". I don't like that either, I'll try it at 1. Or maybe I'll turn it off, if I can figure out how. My mask is better since I switched from the XS to the S nasal pillow.

Lizistired · Post by **Lizistired** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:27 pm

If you look around on this site, the manual is there somewhere. I have it somewhere but I've changed computers...
Here's the quickie instructions.
http://www.apneaboard.com/PR-System-One ... -Setup.htm

digitaleagle · Post by **digitaleagle** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:41 pm

I have been on CPAP about 8 months now. I can relate to your early experience not being able to fall asleep. This was a problem for me also. Here is what I learned since I am now sleeping very good every night.

#1. Give it some time. Like others have said - this is a freaky weird thing your body is getting used to. Subconsciously your brain is revolting to this and keeping you awake. It will take some time for you to adjust to it. It took me about a month. It may take longer. It will take what it takes. Don't worry about it but stick with it. Without it you will get sick. Your body needs this.

#2. Do use some sleeping aids if you need them. I like generic Ambien - (not the CR version) as it has a quick onset and will help you get into the initial sleep phase fast. I also had good results with Melatonin. Try the GNC brand. I find it works very well. I still take 3mg's per night and it really helps me fall asleep. It's also a good antioxidant for your body and as you get older your body produces less of it so it won't hurt you.

#3. Use some stuff to distract your brain from the freaky sounds and smells of the CPAP machine. I use the ecotones sound machine. http://www.ecotones.com It's a great machine (and worth every penny) as it has real recorded sounds of thunderstorms, ocean waves, crickets, wood burning, and many other things. It's great at drowning out the annoying initial cpap sounds. It also self adjusts to louder sounds during the night. (Like dogs barking, noisy neighbors, etc.) It's a great machine. I turn it on and I am sound asleep in less than 10 minutes. My brain hears the sound of rain and it means SLEEP to it. It really works.

Also - get some of the aromatic scents. This also distracts your brain from the freaky smells of plastic and things you might not think are too bad, but once again, your brain is subconsciously freaked out by them. Why? because they are foreign. By putting a drop or two of these scents on a little pad behind your filter will distract your brain to focus on something pleasant. (My favorite is the Black Cheery smell - there are lots to choose from) Also - you will build an association with sleep and these smells. Sounds stupid - but it works. I find the combination of sound and smell a very powerful combo that my brain now associates with sleep.

If you don't want to spring for the ecotones sounds machine - try running a fan by your bed. It creates white noise and will do the same thing. See if that works first before you go for a more expensive machine.

#4. It was strange with me but all of a sudden one night I was able to sleep. It was like switching something on in my brain. I can't explain it but do believe the sounds and scents helped a lot.

I have also found that watching TV before I go to sleep does NOT cause me problems. I watch TV in bed and I get sleepy. I get up, strap on the mask, turn on the sound, and shut the TV off. Your mileage may vary.....but don't believe everything you read as gospel. (Including what worked for me) You need to find out what works for you. Everyone is different - but try some of things I suggested. You will eventually associate CPAP with sleep - but it does take time for you to get used to it. Try the sound and smell distractions that I mentioned - they really worked for me. Maybe it's all psychological - but who cares - if it works it works.

Also - find a mask you are comfortable with. I use the Swift FX and like it the best as it doesn't feel like I'm being smothered by a huge heavy mask on my face and I stay cool with it. Every mask takes time to get used to - but IMO less invasive and lighter is better. If you are a mouth breather - this mask is not for you. Try different masks until you find one you get along with. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Finally - stay committed to it. It will get easier and over time you won't think anything of it anymore. You will have setbacks - just don't get too concerned about it. At the end of the day it's just a single evening out of many many more to come. Give yourself a break.

This forum has given me great support. Listen to the people on here - they will help you through it.

I hope this helps.

tonycog · Post by **tonycog** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 7:17 pm

digitaleagle wrote:Finally - stay committed to it.

There have been lots of good suggestions to try posted in this thread. If you are struggling with this foreign thing, pick one or two and work through the list to see what helps. As has been stated, "your mileage may vary". But the above statement is true for all of us. We MUST stay committed to this. We must remind ourselves that we need our XPAP machines in order to be as healthy as possible. That commitment will help you to keep trying things until you find the right combination for you. Read through this forum and search for the specific things that are causing you trouble. Work at them one-at-a-time. You WILL figure it out if you stay committed to it.

Best wishes,
Tony

PS I'm a relative beginner at 2 years but my machine and I have pretty much figured out how to get along with one another. There are still occasional nights when I just want to throw it out the window, though. Hang in there.

ozze_dollar · Post by **ozze_dollar** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:28 pm

I have been using my VPAP for just 3 months. I am quite used to the machine and the mask. However I just cant sleep. I usually stay in bed for 8 to 9 hours but am lucky to get 5 hours sleep. I had some warm milk and some valerian but it didnt do anything. As well as that my AHI went up to 3 after many night less than 1.

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