Poll: Falling asleep with CPAP

[graciel]

I don't always sleep well, but it's nothing to do with the CPAP. I adapted in three days and haven't looked back. The doctor's always ask do I use my machine and I'm always amazed because I can't imagine being diagnosed with SA and NOT using the machine. I've used the machines for seven years next month.

[SleepWrangler]

Good sleep hygiene improved my ability to fall asleep quickly. I'm out within 15 minutes on most nights.

Entering my third month of CPAP. The first ten days were a struggle with far more central events than obstructions (worst night was an average AHI 19, peak of 60). Fragmented sleep sessions of only five hours were normal. Last month things changed and I consistently feel good in the morning but have to fight taking a snooze around lunch time. Once I get passed that I feel fine. The situation is still improving.

I am susceptible to clusters of centrals transitioning into sleep or when my pressure changes because of leaks. On nights when I am not moving too much and the mask is stable then AHI<2. When clusters appear, maybe one or two episodes per night, then I usually wake with a racing heart rate but go back to sleep quickly. Those nights are characterized as AHI<5 with a good 4 - 5 hour period of AHI<1. Funny enough my eyes are very sensitive to poor sleep and will be red and angry in the morning if stressed or clear otherwise. Weird.

The therapy is working, no way I'd go back to pre-CPAP mode. Once I have a good stretch of therapy with the current device, if clusters of centrals still appear, I may seek an ASV from my doctor even just to trial for a short period.

[RobertS975]

Two months plus, have used several different nasal masks and pillows, now fairly happy with the Airfit P10 nasal pillow. Even though falling asleep was not much of an issue after the first few weeks, I do continue to be very sensitive to "leaks". The P10 is quiet and seems to manage to stay in great position despite my movement better than anything else I tried. It is so quiet that I often wake and forget it is even on! And because the vents are diffuse, I do not get that "airplane blower vent" effect that other headgear can give. Also, for some reason, less of the "puffer fish" cheek leaks?

I am still a little OCD and download my data every morning. I had a terrible initial sleep study in Feb, didn't study hard enough I guess, and had an AHI over 70. Since starting CPAP (S9 Elite set at 10cm.), I have yet to have a night with an AHI over 1 no matter which nasal mask or pillows I have used... the few events are either hypopnea or CA. I no longer drift off when watching afternoon news etc.

[SleepGuy]

anybody struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep on their equipment, send me a PM and I will send you some free essential oils (Pur-Sleep). I am interested in your honest feedback (public or private, however you want to send it). I have had great feedback on my cpap-related products from this forum in the past. All information is confidential.

sleepguy

[JCWarrior]

I'm 16 nights into CPAP. Having mixed results getting to sleep. Saturday night was wonderful: fell asleep quickly and slep 9.2 hours. Last night was terrible falling to sleep. I started falling asleep and was awoken during transition to sleep. Made me anxious and I got in and out of bed several times. Finally took half an Ambien, sat up watching TV (very low volume) with my CPAP on. After about 20 minutes I turned it off, layed down and fell asleep.

After I'm asleep I'm fine. I have noticed this has happend 2 nights where I had desert later in the evening. Maybe the sugar is contributing?

[SleepyFinger]

Like some others here, falling asleep is no issue. Sleep comes quick but just as assuredly that the sun will rise in the east in the morning, I will be awake within the hour. I get up, walk around for a few minutes and then hit the sack again. I'll fall asleep again quickly and within the hour I get to go through it again. Rinse and repeat until about 4 in the morning and then I can usually clock in a solid three hours. Very fragmented sleep. I was diagnosed with periodic limbic movement disorder during the sleep study so that is contributing to my restless sleep. Just don't want to go on heavy drugs to alleviate the symptoms.

[SleepGuy]

People have been asking me about my earlier offer to provide free Pur-Sleep product in exchange for feedback.

This video explains how Pur-Sleep works and how and why it will help you (a) fall asleep and (b) stay asleep on your CPAP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7qgoFOfw0

All I need is your name, shipping address, and email address (all confidential). Send me a PM.

[The Latinist]

I have no problems falling asleep; indeed, I find that the regular ebb and flow of the EPR on my S9 Autoset lulls me to sleep in record time. Leaks are my only issue: they occasionally wake me and they correlate closely with increased AHI. I'm strongly considering trying nasal pillows.

[jencat824]

I've been on CPAP 14 years & still fall asleep every night while reading. I know this isn't good 'sleep hygiene' but its worked for me for years. It used to be a book open that fell off the bed. Now its my Kindle, I put a pillow beside the bed to catch the Kindle.

I stay asleep all night most nights, very occasionally waking to use the bathroom.

Absolutely will not sleep without my CPAP.

[JohnO]

I now fall asleep with CPAP in roughly the same amount of time it took me before using the machine. That can vary from 5-15 minutes most nights. I've learned that, for me, there is no sense in turning off the light until I feel tired, otherwise I will toss and turn for hours.

I've been on the machine for 1 3/4 years. The first 5 days were very, very difficult. The next 2-3 weeks were better, but it still probably took me 30-45 minutes to fall asleep. After a month or so, it was pretty good. There are still the occasional nights where the mask (nasal pillows in my case) seem to be fighting me. Thankfully, those are few are far between.

John

[toe]

when i put my mask on i instantly feel calm relaxed and sleepy

it's amazing how relaxed it makes me now because its so heavily associated with sleep in my brain i guess, i use it to deal with stress sometimes as crazy as that sounds, just putting it on and laying there mellows me out

[JCWarrior]

when i put my mask on i instantly feel calm relaxed and sleepy

it's amazing how relaxed it makes me now because its so heavily associated with sleep in my brain i guess, i use it to deal with stress sometimes as crazy as that sounds, just putting it on and laying there mellows me out

Was it always like this for you or did you struggle in the beginning?

[70sSanO]

I've been on CPAP for 13 years and I don't think I had any issues when I first started. I honestly don't remember any issues. I was so tired back then that I didn't really care if I was wearing a mask or if there was air blowing; I just fell asleep.

The odd thing is that I don't know if I can fall sleep without using CPAP. I am so used to it now that it might actually be more difficult.

John

[Day_Dreamer]

No problem getting to sleep

I wake several times a night to rinse my sinus passage

Sometimes I can't get back to sleep for an hour or so.....My cats seem to be the only ones who like this

[SleepyFinger]

People have been asking me about my earlier offer to provide free Pur-Sleep product in exchange for feedback.

This video explains how Pur-Sleep works and how and why it will help you (a) fall asleep and (b) stay asleep on your CPAP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7qgoFOfw0

All I need is your name, shipping address, and email address (all confidential). Send me a PM.

I've been using the Pur-Sleep product sample for the past two weeks. I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised with the results so far.

My situation is that I don't have a problem falling asleep, but that I will wake up often throughout the night. Like Day_Dreamer, my sinus passages tend to get clogged up during the night. The 'clear' fragrance is keeping my nasal passages more open and this is helping to keep me from waking throughout the night. Typically I would be getting up about 6 or 7 times during the night. This week I've been clocking in at 3 sessions per, and one lasted over 6 hours! That's huge for me. I've read where some people think the fragrance is too powerful...personally I can't get enough of it and enjoy it. If anything I wish it had a bit more of a menthol smell.

I would recommend taking SleepGuy up on his offer and see whether you like it for yourself.

Best of luck to all!!
SF