CPAP Less effective

Saltydog · Post by **Saltydog** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:28 pm

Howdy everyone-

I have been on CPAP for just over a couple of months. Got through the initial adjustment period and can easily tolerate a full night, every night of treatment. However, it seems that the honeymoon is over as I am back to feeling very tired by the afternoon and have to take a short nap. Not as bad as before CPAP, but still disconcerting.

Is this typical? Should I expect things to improve again? Unfortunately, I do not have a CPAP with software capability. I am at 9cm, would it be prudent to bump up my pressure a cm or two?

Looking forward to some answers...

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:54 pm

What machine do you have? I ask because you may have an option for seeing data in software.

I don't need details, but do you sleep WITH someone?
I ask because sometimes your partner can tell you if they hear you snoring, gasping occasionally (believe it or not I never woke up enough to KNOW I was gasping for air after an apnea) ... things that may indicate that you are not sleeping through the night very well.

Before you go making any pressure changes you should make sure it looks like a good thing to try.

If the CPAP is keeping you BREATHING...then it could be that something alse in your environment has changed and maybe you aren't getting the quality of sleep you need. How LONG are you sleeping every night?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:59 pm

You may be mouth breathing, if so you are loosing the value of your treatment. If you use a FF Mask or Tape you may do better.

Saltydog · Post by **Saltydog** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:42 pm

I just have a Remstar plus with c-flex.

My wife has not noticed any changes, but it is good idea to have her try to pay more attention.

The mouth breathing thing might be a key. I have quit wearing the chin strap as it makes me nuts and I thought I had trained myself to keep my mouth shut.

I have only awakened in the morning two times with an extreme dry and sore throat. But maybe I am losing pressure more then I thought.

Summer is coming, I am a very warm sleeper, and I know that wearing that "scarf" around my jaw, ears, and head is not going to work. I guess I could try a full face mask, except I sleep on my side often and sometimes my stomach. I was primarily a mouth breather prior to CPAP. I do like the nasal pillows though.

What is a good full face mask to try? Are they tolerable in the summer?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:16 pm

I use the one in my SIG, but also have the F&P431, my next one will be:

Ultra Mirage FF, I wish I had got it before the 431, it was a toss up. I am a side sleeper too.