First night with CPAP...sucked

[CharlesS]

So I just did my first night with a machine... man did it suck.

It was my second night at the clinic. The first night resulted in a AHI of 57. So they schedule a second to hook up the machine. They set me up with a full mask, and started pumping... I struggled from the get go, fighting to exhale. I tossed and turned for what seemed like hours. Several times considering ripping it all off and going home. I've survived this long without it. The only reason I went in was on my wifes request, really my day to day living is fine, not overly tired, maybe only getting up once or twice a night.

I guess I eventually feel asleep, still fighting to exhale, woke up gasping a couple times in the night, once to go to the bathroom at 3:30. Had a major headahce, had to have them turn the pressure down as I could hardly handle it. Guess I feel asleep again and was awaken at 6am. How did I feel... tired, cranky, and with a splitting head ache. Worse than any night sleep I had on my own.

They hand me a script with a setting of 9, and a bunch of brochures and a list potentially vendors, and off I go.

I kindof want to abandon this whole experience and move on with my life, but everyone says how wonderful things are with the machine, I'm not sure how this is going to turn out going forward.

Not sure why I'm venting here, just hoping for some thoughts and guidance from the community.

Thanks,
Charles

[nanwilson]

I agree, yes it sucked.................at first..then I started realizing I was getting way better sleep, had more energy, felt sooo much better and no longer snored like a freight train . It doesn't happen overnight if thats what you were expecting. I don't even know its there anymore, I just hose up, turn on my machine and I'm out like the perverbial light switch. It will take some getting used to, lots of tweaking and you will soon be relaxed and ready to sleep the good sleep.
Start reading on this forum, especially the headers at the top, you will learn tons of info and things others have gone through. Before you get stuffed with a machine you know nothing about..............read, read and read some more. You will end up wanting a machine that will give you data on your progress and be able to better interpret your results...and know what is going on with your health.
Good luck...and welcome to the land of hoseheads.
Nan

[Pugsy]

Guess I feel asleep again and was awaken at 6am. How did I feel... tired, cranky, and with a splitting head ache. Worse than any night sleep I had on my own

Sounds just like my titration study. Exactly like how I felt.
Those people who say they went home feeling amazing......I just turn pea green with envy.

Educate yourself. Read up on what you should do before choosing a DME.... Janknitz's blog has some really helpful information....here...http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

Make sure you know which machines are full data machines and not compliance only machines.

While my first nights at home weren't spectacular...they were a whole lot better than the one night of at the titration. It does get easier with time and experience. For some piece of cake...for others hard work but you can get there.

[n0hardmask]

So I just did my first night with a machine... man did it suck.
It was my second night at the clinic. The first night resulted in a AHI of 57. So they schedule a second to hook up the machine. They set me up with a full mask, and started pumping... I struggled from the get go, fighting to exhale. I tossed and turned for what seemed like hours. Several times considering ripping it all off and going home...
I guess I eventually feel asleep, still fighting to exhale, woke up gasping a couple times in the night, once to go to the bathroom at 3:30. Had a major headahce, had to have them turn the pressure down as I could hardly handle it. Guess I feel asleep again and was awaken at 6am. How did I feel... tired, cranky, and with a splitting head ache.
They hand me a script with a setting of 9, and a bunch of brochures and a list potentially vendors, and off I go...
Not sure why I'm venting here, just hoping for some thoughts and guidance from the community.
Thanks,
Charles

Welcome to the forum for breathing-challenged folk. Sorry you have to be part of this community, but this IS the place to find answers. There's tons of reading materials.. above posters mentioned a few. Take advantage of them ASAP.
As far as the exhale pressure that you mentioned a couple of times, there are machines that reduce the exhale pressure so it makes it relatively easy.
The pressure of 9 is neither very trivial nor all that high. we all find it easier after a few weeks, more or less. The KEY is getting the correct machine; best mask for your individual face, and then working at it. Apparently you care about your wife, or you wouldn't be posting here. It's time to man up, do your homework and prepare for your newest passtime.
Buying a machine is a challenge.. and there are different ways of doing it. Do you know anybody that already uses a CPAP machine? I'm guessing not. Once armed with a head full of knowledge, you need to research where to get the machine - you will need a fully data recording machine, with exhale relief at at minimum. Then visit medical equipment vendors tht carry masks and try as many as you can. That's the secind crucial choice you must make.
Keep coming back with your questions and READ READ READ. We're here for you, Charles. earl

[snoringshrink]

Welcome! When I had my titration, my tech used nasal pillows and I felt as though she had placed a pillow over my head. Until the pressure started to come up I couldn't breathe. Since then, I've had good days and bad days with a general trend to the better. Take the time to learn as much as you can about your options, particularly when it comes to dealing with DMEs. Janknitz, a forum member, has written some great stuff on the forum and on her own blog. Check it out, especially while you're in the process of getting a machine and a mask. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions here on the forum. There are a lot of great folks who will help you when necessary!

Best wishes,

The Snoring Shrink

[xenablue]

LOL, you are in the majority there! Welcome - you found the best place on the web IMHO for help with anything XPAP.

A very few take to this like a duck to water on the first night, but DO believe everyone who tells you it gets way better and much more tolerable.

You aren't supposed to sleep with something strapped to your face - it's foreign and until you convince yourself otherwise, it will be a struggle.

I've been at this just over a year now, and settled in finally with a good mask and slept most nights right through. Then I decided on a whole new and different mask - it's right back to square 1 - wrestling with this thing - but am determined to win!

Hang in there - it gets better and easier. Plenty of great folk here to help you along the way.

Cheers,
xena

[SleepingBearDoNtWake]

You are not alone! Almost everyone of us has had the same feelings you had. The first sleep test, I never fell alseep, and they told me I had to come back!! I had fiery daggers in my eyes at that point!
I got my machine and never used it.
Then I had another sleep test, as I new I needed to have it. Sleep apnea causes all kinds of medical problems and it is only a matter of time if we don't take care of it. I was able to sleep through it, and they sent me a Cpap from Hell as I refer to it. Well lets just say I really tried to us it, but it just didn't work.
So then I had to go for another study, as I have numerous medical problems, and they said that treating my sleep apnea may be the key to my medical problems that I am having.
So I did it, I went, and took my anxiety medicine, and my sleeping pill and I survived the night. They set me up with a new and improved APAP. I gave it a shot and failed miserably.
Then I got sick with a sore throat. When I mean a sore throat, I mean really bad. I couldn't sleep with out my throat feeling like it was closing up, and it was so painful. I feel asleep and was woaken up to so much pain. I had to get my APAP out and try to use it, as it was the only way I was going to be able to sleep. And thankfully I was able to use it to sleep and had to continue for about 3 days afterwards with it, so my throat wouldn't close up.
It was like a miracle, in those 3 days, I just became used it to, it was a little difficult, but not too much at that point. I think it was more like, I don't want to hae to wear it if I don't have to. But I realized that I am doing right now and it isn't bothering me so I better continue.
It has been easy for the most part after that. There is a bump here and there, but for the most part, no problems at all.
This forum has also been a helpline to me, and I now they will for you too. Try not to get discouraged.
Make sure you do your research on the machines, as you don't want to get riped off by the DME. You want the best machine you can get, with all the bells and whsitles, if you insurance will pay for it. Don't let them tell you lies. I got a Resmed S8 Autoset, which is awesome, but I found out later being on this forum that they gave me a model that was 1 behind from the current model, just so they could save money.

[CharlesS]

Thanks All!!

I've been lost in the posts pinned above for a while now, and obviously have alot more reading to do.

Thanks for the support, I'll be a regular on here now!

Charles

[zet]

I had to Nyquil myself for several months until I go used to it.

[archangle]

After a few weeks or months, you won't even feel the pressure any more. If you put it on, you will have to lift up the edge of the mask and let some air leak out to convince yourself the air is on.

Warning: The CPAP sellers (DMEs) are worse than used car salesmen. You will get screwed if you don't figure out which CPAP machines are acceptable and which should be rejected. You DO usually have a choice.

[RocketGirl]

I too felt absolutely horrible during and after both my sleep tests - even with the sleeping pills that my doc prescribed and insisted I use for the titration, I too left the place stumbling-down tired with a roaring headache and an everything-else-ache too. They have to do it, but every time I started to relax the tech would change some setting (which is what he was there for, after all) and BOOM! I was fighting for air again, or fighting against a mighty wind. You are not alone.

Compared to those two nights in hades, adjusting to actually using the machine at home was a walk in the park. When you get yours, if you are able, consider making liberal use of the "ramp" feature, which starts the pressure low and sneaks it up over 20 minutes or so. My doc encouraged me to use it and even to reset it several times each night if I felt the need. I no longer use it, but it sure helped while I was developing the ability to exhale. (She also warned me that my chest would feel sore for the first week or so due to the effort of exhaling, which meant that when it happened, it did not frighten me.)

Good luck!

[DoriC]

Your machine whichever you choose as long as it's data capable will also have some type of exhale relief (EPR on Resmed or Flex on Respironics). It will also have a ramp feature which will gradually raise the pressure when you turn it on as you get used to it.That should be much more comfortable at the beginning and after a while most people turn those features off. Welcome and keep us posted.

[Samba]

Well 1st thing is: don't fight the machine or it will keep fighting back, relax & breat normally.
It took me 3 months to adjust but I was able to stay in bed all night after day 1 with the mask

[Mr Bill]

Charles, a lot of good comments supporting you so far. I just wanted to welcome you also. Be sure to get a data capable machine once you get the RX the sleep doctor will give you to take to your durable medical equipment (DME) provider. When you get that script post the numbers and somebody who is familiar with that script will list some good machines (seems like we should have a sticky for that). I fought my machine for 3-4 months before we reached an accommodation. But its really really worth it. Edit your profile and put some pressure info in the comments section and the suggestions for a machine will roll in.