not a happy camper any more

[damac100]

the ff mask means I have to wake up several times an hour to scratch the side of my nose, or upper lip or where ever that the mask covers that starts itching like heck.

The breeze just wont stay on my head and had rainout issues even with no heat on the humidifer.

The aura, fits nice, is comfortable but within 30 minutes of falling asleep I wake up feeling like I'm suffocating.

I've tried the aussie heated hose. Helps the rain out but still feel like I'm suffocating. Cant seem to tollerate the nasal interfaces and jsut about wont tolerate the ff masks.

Already, I'm back to the grinding headaches when I wake up. The chest pains are back. I'm getting sleep in insufficient enough doses that I'm already back to the muddled and confused with intermittant rage eruptions.

Suicidal idealation started back up full force last night. (dont worry. suicide is for quiters and I dont quit..unless its a diet. I dont do diets Committing suicide because its on my mind seems about stupid as committing a sex crime just because I saw a pretty woman).

This is a general indicator that I'm back into being miserable for a stretch.

I'm out of ideas but not yet full on desperate mode.

Anyhoo, just dumping ...and seeing how silly and pethetic I tend to sound when I've been without sleep for a few days.

I've not sunk back so far that I'm back to being afraid to try to sleep. That's a plus, so far.

I've only had one really bad night. A really bad night is when my throat closes up right as I lose consciousness on teh way to sleep, everytime I start to fall asleep.
Those nights suck. A few of them in a row and I just stop even attempting to sleep until I just pass out somewhere.

I do have the masks, even tho I can barely tollerate even looking at the damn things now. So I do know that when the really bad nights start, I can put on a mask and at least not worry about choking to death in my sleep..or have to go through that whole waking up after 30 or 45 seconds of unconsciousness gasping for air..repeat ad nausem.

so, I guess I can count that a win, at least, so far.

I hope this isnt a repeat whine post...I've kinda lost track lately :/

[NightHawkeye]

I'm out of ideas but not yet full on desperate mode.

OK, since you're out of ideas, I'll offer one, how about focusing in on just one problem you'd like to change and that you think you can change. The reason I offer this is not only because that's what I've been doing (one after another) for the past two months but because it's a concept that works. It sounds like you're dealing with multiple problems, damac. Not likely you'll fix 'em all in one fell swoop.

I'll offer an example from my own personal experience this morning. I had a pretty good night last night, but that was partly because I kept waking up immediately every time my mouth opened. The reason my mouth opened is because I couldn't exhale through my nose. Anti-histamines have been keeping the sinuses in check, but not last night. Felt kinda like I was suffocating when I was breathing through my nose. I'm getting closer and closer to seeing an ENT.

Don't forget that lots of folks here have been through or are going through the very things you are, damac, and they are more than willing to share what they've learned if you can focus their thoughts a little.

Regards,
Bill

[inacpapfog]

What is your pressure? Maybe it needs to be adjusted? (That smothering feeling can sure come from not enough pressure.) As far as the mask issues, you're in good company here! The Breeze would not stay on for me either. (Guess I toss/turn too much?) The Ultra Mirage FF is ok for those times when I am congested. The Aura is great on a random night here or ther, but regular use pulls my hair out aroung the hairline! (I am trying to get up enough nerve to deconstruct it like so many others here have done!) The Activa is a good alternate when I feel like my nares need a break. But all in all, I find the Swift to my mask of choice! So easy to pull on and off, comfortable for side sleeping, easy to clean.... Bottom line, Swift rocks!. Good Luck!

[Gidgie]

Damac, I have a problem sometimes with the itches under my ff mask. Learned how to sneak a finger under the side for a good scratch. Use your imagination to tackle one problem at a time. You'll feel a lot better about life with cpap in it.

[rested gal]

What is your pressure? Maybe it needs to be adjusted? (That smothering feeling can sure come from not enough pressure.)

I think inacpapfog nailed it, damac. I looked at your profile and saw you're using a REMstar Pro 2 - a fixed single pressure machine.

I don't know what pressure you're using right now, and I'm no doctor, but I'd be trying some higher pressures if I were you.

If upping the pressure didn't give better results in how it feels to get air in, I'd start looking for a really, REALLY good ENT to do a thorough exam to see if there is nasal or sinus blockage that could be interfering with getting enough cpap air through.

You may have seen posts from Snork1 about the extreme difficulty he had using cpap and various masks, until he had turbinate reduction and extensive roto-rootering of his impacted sinuses.

If it turns out that you have to use an uncomfortably high pressure, I'd be looking at the Respironics BiPAP Auto, to try to get both kinds of relief at the same time in a single machine....the varying pressure-as-needed of an autopap, along with the precise exhalation relief of a BiPAP.