Now I'm just sleep deprived and getting depressed

[pandatx]

Another night of crappy sleep. I keep trying with the Swift F/X but feel like I'm not making progress. I couldn't fall asleep (even with the ipod). I felt like I wasn't getting enough air. I couldn't stay asleep. I kept waking up wanting to pull the mask off but made myself leave it on until around 4:30.

But how is that an accomplishment if I'm not sleeping well with it on? Now I'm so tired that I can feel myself getting depressed. And all the crap with the doctor's office isn't helping. Like, I want to try a different mask. But they've made me feel like such a pain in the ass I feel uncomfortable calling them .....again. I mean, I will but I hate feeling like this.

[mollete]

Can you post your complete (including histograms) diagnostic NPSG?

[Denial Dave]

To get rid of the feeling of "not enough air" check your ramp time on your machine.... Most of us have turned it off or have it set to 5-10 minutes max...

Mine is set for 5 minutes.... That gives me time to get the mask on & adjusted, get settled into bed and by that time, I am at full pressure.

Next step to to work on your process of going to sleep, also known as Sleep Hygiene.

The primary use for the bedroom is for sleep... no TV, no reading, etc...
some other tips are;

If you aren't asleep within 30 minutes, get out of bed.
Make sure you go to bed at the same time

[pandatx]

Mollette, they wouldn't give me the histograms. I asked for the complete study (they only gave me the dictated report) and they said I wouldn't be able to read it b/c I don't have the software that they do.

[PreemieNrsTiffy]

Panda,

So sorry to hear about another bad night. I am far from the home CPAP expert here but if you feel like you are not getting enough air just when you are going to sleep it could be the ramp but if you feel that hours later I believe it should have shut off by then. I know the first week or two I kind of fought with the ramp because I felt I was intimidated by the "hurricane" of the full 10cm pressure. Due to that, I would read in bed gasping for breath until the ramp cycled off and the pressure went up. Finally I figured out that I preferred the hurricane to the gasping (like I could feel my nasal pillow deflating I was working so hard to breathe in).

I know it's frustrating to deal with this and how sleep deprivation can make you crazy, I was just about psychotic when my sleep issues started to resolve. I believe in medications to help in the transition period but it sounds like you just don't have the right set-up yet so medications are just going to obscure and delay resolving the problem.

[mollete]

The Complete Report is a printout so software is not needed (unless they send you the actual file, but that is often a Word document).

However, all cynicism aside (kidding!!), it would appear that a potential explanation is they are trying to "hide something" so go ahead and "raise" (poker talk). Tell them you want the entire Raw Data File including Scoring Mask because you DO have access to the software (which you do because most sleep files are in *.edf format and you can get a generic reader)(IF we need to go that route, but probably don't).

[indyredsfan]

What size pillows are you using with the Swift FX? When I got mine I originally tried the medium size. It seemed to work fine, so I stuck with it. I recently decided to see if the large would work as well so I could save money by not having to buy new pillows when my medium wears out. I found that the large fit fine. I was also surprised that with the larger opening in the large size I it felt like I was getting more air. I like the large size much better now. You might try a larger pillow size with the Swift FX.

[pandatx]

They gave me XS to start and then I asked to switch to S which helped. But they told me they'd charge me if I switched again.

[DannyPh]

Six years ago when I first started cpap therapy I was determined to make it work. First off you need to get rid of the negative thoughts even as you struggle with these problems. The Mind works off Positive as well as negative thoughts. Train your mind to accept the Cpap treatment and things will get easier. As long as you are negative in any aspect the Brain will trigger negative thoughts . Thinking Positive will surely make things a lot easier for you to adjust. Within a week of my starting cpap I was adjusted to everything--Hence Think Positive is always the answer. Keep us posted on your progress.

[SleepWellCPAP]

Hello Panda,

Never fear, things will work out. I know it's hard to remain patient with something that is keeping you awake, but cpap therapy does work.

Sounds like you switched pillow sizes and that's a good start, but I'm thinking you might just need to try a nasal cushion mask. Very short story, I set up a patient about two months ago. She tried the pillows for about a week, no luck. Went to a Mir Fx for her, a little too big, tried a small, it worked better but not perfect. Ended up trying a Fisher and Paykel Zest petite and boom, it worked like a charm. (took 27 days to get to that point) The patient couldn't wait to call me. It worked! I get it! she exclaimed.

Another short point to make, if the therapy is keeping you awake, it can sometimes be better to put it down and try the next day.

Gotta run for now, keep posting please, good luck!

Jim

[indyredsfan]

If you want to try a larger pillow size, it might be worth it to just buy the larger size yourself. You can order a new pillow for about $20. I don't think you need a prescription for mask parts if it is not a full mask, so your problems with the prescription would not be an issue.

[herefishy]

Wouldn't she just need the pillows, like on the Great Mask Exchange? Or e-bay?

[carbonman]

Another night of crappy sleep. Like, I want to try a different mask. But they've made me feel like such a pain in the ass I feel uncomfortable calling them .....again. I mean, I will but I hate feeling like this.

This is about you....
not he or she or them or they...... you.
If one thing is not working,
you need to find something else.
This is your life.
How much is it worth?

Tales from the Odyssey of the Mask
So, here is what the Odyssey of the Mask really looks like.

[Drowsy Dancer]

Mollette, they wouldn't give me the histograms. I asked for the complete study (they only gave me the dictated report) and they said I wouldn't be able to read it b/c I don't have the software that they do.

"Don't worry your pretty little head, dear, about things you can't understand."

Those _____. Time to go all HIPPA on their ass.

I also, however, really like Danny's advice to Think Positive, but as a yogic principle more than anything else. I also fully agree with Madalot that you have every right to be enraged about the treatment you are getting from these f-----s.

[Pugsy]

Wouldn't she just need the pillows, like on the Great Mask Exchange? Or e-bay?

Yes.

It sounds like her DME is a real hard ass and I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't real forthcoming with a change in mask models either.
She was given 3 of the XSmall nasal pillows with her mask set up...so they removed the Small and Medium that should have been included.
So she did go to them and got the Small size last Monday...now they want to charge for the Medium if she would want to try it.
I doubt the issue now is the size of the nasal pillow though.

The whole situation with DME and doctor just stinks.