4th night no luck sleeping yet, looking for tips

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:37 pm

I was hoping someone could tell me if this is a good plan for getting used to CPAP.

My equipment is the new Remstar auto with C-flex, my mask if a full mask hc 431. I'm going into my forth night and here is my troubles.

Basically I saline my sinuses, fluff the pillow and prepare to sack out. I turn on the Remstar and try and breathe naturally. For some reason my mind is geared in on the two port holes on the HC 431 mask. It blows air constantly from these two holes and keeps me from achieving a good relaxed breathing cycle. I keep feeling as if I'm "thinking" about my breathing and therefore it becomes manual and less relaxed.

Each of the first three nights, this goes on for a good 90 minutes or so, then finally I just START to dose off, only to awaken with a claustrophobic sensation. The mask comes off, I roll over and hack my way through a bad nights sleep. My plan is to keep this pattern, until hopefully I'll get that big breakthrough night. I'm hoping one of these nights, I manage to zonk out and not wake up like I've been just before dozing off. So total each night, I've been using the mask for 90-120 minutes, but never achieving sleep.

Do you suspect it will happen? Or am i one of the doomed 45% who never get over the hump. I'm trying hard, but I just can't get used to this.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:45 pm

Have faith, you are by no means alone nor lost

I can quite honestly say that for the 1st 6 weeks on CPAP (same machine as you but run initially in CPAP mode), I had a really hard time getting off to sleep. In fact for many of those nights I only had about 4-6 hrs of sleep. I got up & worked for some of these nights.

This whole business is life changing and it *is* stressful and will grab your attention well and truly, especially when you are about to go to sleep.

Part of the adaptation process is to persist and let the adrenalin rush associated with the activity, decline.

After awhile, I believe you will stop thinking about the air holes, the noise, the newness, the bigness of it all.

You have come to a great place to discuss your thoughts & feelings.

Cheers

DSM

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:09 pm

I'll second that......I have the same mask, had same machine at first but now have my own Remstar Pro2 with C-flex.......Yes, it will make some noises......learn to accept that as normal........afterall, what we do is really an unnatural way of sleeping, so we have to find a NEW normal.....Make friends with your equipment......make it your BEST friend......because it really does mean your life.......and noone is going to keep on, year after year doing something they really hate.......

Have you tried wearing the gear while you are up, watching t.v.? How about while talking to us? The more time you spend in that mask, the more accustomed to it you will become.......I didn't like it either at first, but now I just can't sleep 'bare faced'........Convince yourself that you can do this......and one day you will be rewarded for your perseverance.

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:11 pm

hi--

in my opinion, what you've got going on is not going to lead to cpap nirvana, just more cpap frustration.

i'm not sure why you're fixated on the two air holes of the fp431, since they're not blowing air at you. nonetheless, the key is that as the air goes on, you need to go with the flow--it's a zen like thing. allow yourself to be swept away by the air. go with the air, rather than hanging out outside it, if that means anything to you.

time spent with mask off is not helping, nor is torturing yourself while the mask is on. do anything you can to relax yourself before sleep so that you don't just hang out for a couple of hours with the mask on. my tech said to think of the machine as relaxing your body and let yourself go with it.

does that help any?

caroline

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:13 pm

hi again--

do you have a ramp feature? does gradual immersion into the air flow via the timing mechanism help?

caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:32 pm

Hi it's me agian, the one who started this thread. Thank you all very much for the tips. I'll try them tonight. Another problem I have is closed off sinuses at night, so I mouth breath. The mask makes my mouth teribbly dry, even with the heated humidity.

I'm going to try and stick it out longer tonight. Last night I made it alsmo two hours, but woke up in almost a panic and literally found myself ripping the mask off. Basically it was like awakening to the sensation that someone was holding a pillow over my face and I needed to fight for my life. So basically I'll probably be dealing with wondering if that will hapeen again.

I'm determined to make this happen. I think once I finally do fall asleep and breakthrough that first night, I'll have it made.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:52 pm

hi again--you might want to check out the current thread on cpap and breathe-rite as there are various tips for those of us who are clogged up in addition to all else. and jerry's routine is terrific. you may be ripping off the mask because you're having trouble breathing, even with a full face mask, not because you're cpap averse. so you need to get de-clogged and stay de-clogged all nite for this to work.

caroline

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:10 pm

[quote="Anonymous"]Hi it's me agian, the one who started this thread. Thank you all very much for the tips. I'll try them tonight. Another problem I have is closed off sinuses at night, so I mouth breath. The mask makes my mouth teribbly dry, even with the heated humidity.

I'm going to try and stick it out longer tonight. Last night I made it alsmo two hours, but woke up in almost a panic and literally found myself ripping the mask off. Basically it was like awakening to the sensation that someone was holding a pillow over my face and I needed to fight for my life. So basically I'll probably be dealing with wondering if that will hapeen again.

I'm determined to make this happen. I think once I finally do fall asleep and breakthrough that first night, I'll have it made.

Jim Eads · Post by **Jim Eads** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:50 am

Let me suggest that you completely discontinue sleeping without the mask.

You are clearly getting sufficient air or you would not be able to keep the mask on for two hours.

After you wake up ripping off the mask, calm down and PUT THE MASK BACK ON.

You have to say "Self, we are going to wear this mask all night. We may not sleep but we are not going to take the mask off! I am in charge and we're going to do this."

I suggest you start this routine on a night when you don't have to get up in the morning. But, no matter what, do not sleep without the mask.

By taking the mask off after a few hours you are teaching that part of you that doesn't want the mask that it'll come off if you wake up in a panic. Like a little kid, you have to show that throwing a tantrum just won't work.

Another thing you might try is to put the mask on while sitting up and watching TV or some other activity. It's just a matter of getting used to the feel of the mask and overcoming our completely natural reaction to anything that "feels" like it is covering our mouth and nose and obstructing our breathing.

You have to be firm with yourself but you'll find it's not all that difficult to get used to if you really stick with it.

I've been on a APAP for about 5 months and now I wake up thinking I've taken off the mask because I can't feel it.

Jim

Bellcrest · Post by **Bellcrest** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:56 am

Jim Eads wrote:Let me suggest that you completely discontinue sleeping without the mask.
You are clearly getting sufficient air or you would not be able to keep the mask on for two hours.
After you wake up ripping off the mask, calm down and PUT THE MASK BACK ON.
You have to say "Self, we are going to wear this mask all night. We may not sleep but we are not going to take the mask off! I am in charge and we're going to do this."
I suggest you start this routine on a night when you don't have to get up in the morning. But, no matter what, do not sleep without the mask.

By taking the mask off after a few hours you are teaching that part of you that doesn't want the mask that it'll come off if you wake up in a panic. Like a little kid, you have to show that throwing a tantrum just won't work.

Another thing you might try is to put the mask on while sitting up and watching TV or some other activity. It's just a matter of getting used to the feel of the mask and overcoming our completely natural reaction to anything that "feels" like it is covering our mouth and nose and obstructing our breathing.

You have to be firm with yourself but you'll find it's not all that difficult to get used to if you really stick with it.

I've been on a APAP for about 5 months and now I wake up thinking I've taken off the mask because I can't feel it.
Jim

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Excellent advise. Mind over matter. Attitude is everything. I promise you that if you persevere with this, you will win and you will feel so much better. Take it from one who has struggled and is winning the battle.

Hang in there.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:01 am

And then we can go in another direction:

Several people on this forum have said that even though they are mouth breathers, that they cannot wear a full face mask.

They have switched to nasal pillows. Some have found that they are no longer mouth breathers. Some have to tape their lips. Many have said that the nasal pillows with the heated humidifier helps to keep their nasal passages open. I have found that to be true.

So, if push comes to shove, you might try some nasal pillows to see if you tolerate them better than a ff mask.

Good Luck, you can do this thing.

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:33 am

For some reason my mind is geared in on the two port holes on the HC 431 mask. It blows air constantly from these two holes

Are you referring to the two holes below the elbow and right above the part that you attach the hose to?
If so there should be no air coming out of those while your machine is running.The two holes are there for when your machine is off and you exhale.
the only constant air leak should come from the small series of holes in front of the bridge of your nose.
If indeed the two holes by the elbow are blowing air there is something wrong with your mask that air is supposed to be getting to you.
I cant say for sure how much that is going to affect your settings. I can't even force my mask to do that so I could see.

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:36 am

Last night was night 17 and I FINALLY have slept for the past 2 nights. Have gotten so much more exhausted than I was before CPAP, I was wishing I never started it. If it weren't for Rested Gal helping me individually with pressure settings, etc., I don't think I'd have gotten through the past 2 weeks+.

I started with a full face mask, as I dealt with congestion also. When the ffmask made my face so sore, I had to try something different so went to Swift nasal pillows - what a godsend!!! The nasal pillows cleared up my congestion and I slept with less awake time spent babysitting leaks than with ffmask. Then inside of nose got so sore I needed to try yet something else - at least long enough to let nares heal.

Last night I used Activa Nasal Mask and IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Now that I have had 2 good nights sleep in a row, I think I can beat this thing.

I had good advice and took it that I needed more than one mask to switch back and forth to, as spots on your face (bridge of nose for me) may get very sore with different masks - this is also how you will find what works best for you. I do tape my mouth shut with anything but the ffmask - you will see why if you try nasal pillows.

I also just got a ComfortLite 2 with nasal pillows and it seems even more comfortable than the Swift, but I have not spent a night on it. These nasal masks and pillows are FAR LESS CLAUSTROPHOBIC for me than the ffmask and not near as many areas to leak from.

Please listen to the people on this forum - they will get you through - and after the HORRID 2 weeks I just spent, just 2 days in a row of good sleep are proof to me. I also broke down after week 1 and bought the software and smart card reader, which can help you figure out which way to go as far as pressure, leaks, etc. I find them an invaluable tool for taking charge of your own health.

Again, listen to those on this forum and PM some if their advice is particularly helpful. Another thing, when the noise bothers me, I use earplugs.............

Finally sleeping in Wyoming

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:39 am

Another opinion, probably not well received, is that I think some Drs need to prescribe new CPAP patients a mild antianxiety or sleep medication for the first week or two of adjusting to CPAP - it can be incredibly stressful in the beginning.

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:45 am

viewtopic.php?t=8595&start=0&postdays=0 ... highlight=

This link is to a thread that discusses the two holes and other people having problems with them,
might be helpful to you.

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection