New to CPAP and having a lot of trouble

[jadfer]

Hello,

I have been diagnosed with OSA and purchased a (ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP w/ HumidAir™ Humidifer and ClimateLineAir™ Tube) and a (Fisher & Paykel Simplus™ Full Face CPAP Mask & Headgear). Initially the mask was too large as anytime the pressure reached 12 it would leak all over the mask.

I made two changes which was change the auto from 4-12 down to 4-10 and got a medium mask which seemed to fit better.

My problem is that after 2 weeks.. I am a walking zombie.. I just cant sleep more than an hour with that machine.. its some kind of medieval torture device.

At times I find my self chocking.. feeling like there is not enough air to breathe and then panic.. when I finally do fall asleep I don't know if that is repeated.

I have tried staying up 24 hours so that I am so tired I have no choice but to fall asleep but as soon as I put on the mask I am instantly WIDE AWAKE and have to lay there for 30 min to an hour or more to fall asleep. When I do fall asleep the longest I have stayed asleep is 90 minutes. Since I have to go to work everyday.. I usually have to give up at that point each night so I can at least function at a minimal level. At this point it is REALLY affecting my work.

I have also discovered that I have removed the mask in my sleep a couple of times as well.

I feel worse than I did before I got this machine.... and I don't want to take drugs as I live alone and if anything happens I wont be able to wake up to deal with it.

Any ideas on how I can get used to this machine or have a better experience?

[LSAT]

First of all...the starting pressure of 4 is most likely too low. What was the pressure at your titration? Possibly gradually increasing the lower pressure to 6 will help. Lowering the upper pressure didn't really do anything since the machine may not ever go that high. To get accustomed to the mask, wear it while watching TV with the cpap running. I assume you are a mouth breather and that is why you are using a full face mask.

[ashish]

Hi,

Human body needs some time to adapt with the machine. It varies person to person. For somebody the pain which you are facing is for 3-4 days, for some may be more than that. My mother is using CPAP(Resmed Autoset S9) for her it took around 1-2 week to sleep peacefully with the machine. She is using it for 1.5 years by now. Even now some times she tends to remove it when she is asleep.

Dont worry and dont loose hope, once your body adapts it you will be able to have a peaceful sleep.

Moreover there are some other issues which makes use of machine unbearable. like
1. Pressure not adjusted
2. Mask is not fitted perfectly
3. posture of sleep.

Thanks

[palerider]

First of all...the starting pressure of 4 is most likely too low. ... Possibly gradually increasing the lower pressure to 6 will help.

it would be better to suggest that people post their graphs before telling them to change their pressures.

[Julie]

You're theoretically correct... but she says she still feels like a zombie and her pressure's at 4, which to the vast majority of us is like trying to breathe with a plastic bag on our heads. I really doubt that a little trial at 6 (or 7) is going to be a problem, but absolutely results should be looked at with software... in case there are other issues as well.

[palerider]

You're theoretically correct... but she says she still feels like a zombie and her pressure's at 4, which to the vast majority of us is like trying to breathe with a plastic bag on our heads. I really doubt that a little trial at 6 (or 7) is going to be a problem, but absolutely results should be looked at with software... in case there are other issues as well.

it could be a lot of things, like all CA... I just don't like to guess and say "well, make a change". all it takes is one good screenshot, and then we'd have some data to make an educated suggestion

https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize <- to the OP, please read all three pages here, links on the bottom, and you'll know everything there is to know about posting good charts so we can help better.

[jadfer]

You're theoretically correct... but she says she still feels like a zombie and her pressure's at 4, which to the vast majority of us is like trying to breathe with a plastic bag on our heads. I really doubt that a little trial at 6 (or 7) is going to be a problem, but absolutely results should be looked at with software... in case there are other issues as well.

haha 'HE' can try boosting the lower pressure.

[jadfer]

Hi,

Human body needs some time to adapt with the machine. It varies person to person. For somebody the pain which you are facing is for 3-4 days, for some may be more than that. My mother is using CPAP(Resmed Autoset S9) for her it took around 1-2 week to sleep peacefully with the machine. She is using it for 1.5 years by now. Even now some times she tends to remove it when she is asleep.

Dont worry and dont loose hope, once your body adapts it you will be able to have a peaceful sleep.

Moreover there are some other issues which makes use of machine unbearable. like
1. Pressure not adjusted
2. Mask is not fitted perfectly
3. posture of sleep.

Thanks

Thanks for your reply. I do feel comfortable in the mask and there have been times I did fall asleep right away just not much. I found that this mask feels fine when side sleeping and don't need a special pillow. The fitting is now good.. it wasn't to start with. Seems a pressure adjustment is in order.

[sheep1234]

Been on cpap since 2009.
In my opinion, 4 is entirely too low! It would be like trying to breathe through one of those face masks like when you paint.
My ramp was set to 5, I believe. This is not enough air for a human to breathe. I couldn't breathe and had to take my mask off to get air.
I googled how to adjust my settings and turned off the ramp part. Now when I hit the ON button I'm at 9.2 immediately. NO ONE lays down and starts out with 1/4 of the air they're supposed to be inhaling. That is where the gasping/choking for air comes into play.
Also, you have to figure how you are breathing against the air coming in. Takes some adjusting to get this right. If you can't breathe calmly and efficiently against the air then it needs to be taken down a notch or two.
Not every mask is for every head. My mom tried several and finally found one that fit her well and one that she could get on with minimal difficulty.

[jadfer]

Been on cpap since 2009.
In my opinion, 4 is entirely too low! It would be like trying to breathe through one of those face masks like when you paint.
My ramp was set to 5, I believe. This is not enough air for a human to breathe. I couldn't breathe and had to take my mask off to get air.
I googled how to adjust my settings and turned off the ramp part. Now when I hit the ON button I'm at 9.2 immediately. NO ONE lays down and starts out with 1/4 of the air they're supposed to be inhaling. That is where the gasping/choking for air comes into play.
Also, you have to figure how you are breathing against the air coming in. Takes some adjusting to get this right. If you can't breathe calmly and efficiently against the air then it needs to be taken down a notch or two.
Not every mask is for every head. My mom tried several and finally found one that fit her well and one that she could get on with minimal difficulty.

I have set my machine to start at 7 and see how it goes tonight. I am working on installing sleepyhead but so far only have an hour of data a day. Thanks for all the replys!!

[yippeekia]

First time I wore it, I thought my head would explode. Now three weeks later, I have to check to see if it is on and I use a setting of 12.
It gets easier. I am still struggling with issues. My AHI has come down, but I am chasing leaks. I had a terrible time with mouth breathing, but the third pillow I tried has helped. I am choosing to look at this as a process. I am learning how to sleep better.
No more snoring has been nice. Now rather than my sweetie complaining of my snoring, I am irritated by him getting up to go to the bathroom. Nice to have different problems.