Mask is Complicated?

Hopefullady · Post by **Hopefullady** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:29 am

I sleep for half the night on my stomach and side and don't need my mask.

At some point during the night my body can no longer sleep in those positions and that's when I need CPAP for back sleeping.
I reach over and grab my mask which is very comfortable once on, but the problem is the whole apparatus seems so complicated that I'm awake by the time I get it on. And once I'm awake, I'm usually awake for good.

I so badly need those last hours of sleep. If anyone has any tips or even recommendations for a simpler full face mask, please let me know. I can't use nasal masks because my lips flap, so it has to be full face. In the meantime I'll practice with my current mask today and try to get used to putting it on.

Heart Jumping · Post by **Heart Jumping** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:49 am

Hopefullady wrote:Also, how can I add a signature or profile information so at the bottom of my posts you can see my equipment etc?
Thanks much

When you are logged into the forum you should see a link on the upper left side of the page that says "User Control Panel". Click there. Then click on the tab that says "Profile". Then click on the left where it says "Edit Equipment".

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:50 am

"I sleep for half the night on my stomach and side and don't need my mask".

What on earth do you mean? Did your sleep study (sorry but results must be in some other thread here) say so? Just because things look better when you're not on your back doesn't mean you e.g. don't have apnea when asleep and/or don't need Cpap then. Most people are worse when back sleeping but it doesn't (usually) mean they don't need Cpap otherwise.

49er · Post by **49er** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:57 am

Hopefullady wrote:I sleep for half the night on my stomach and side and don't need my mask.

At some point during the night my body can no longer sleep in those positions and that's when I need CPAP for back sleeping.
I reach over and grab my mask (ResMed Soft Edge Quattro Air For Her) which is very comfortable once on, but the problem is the whole apparatus seems so complicated that I'm awake by the time I get it on. And once I'm awake, I'm usually awake for good.

I so badly need those last hours of sleep. If anyone has any tips or even recommendations for a simpler full face mask, please let me know. I can't use nasal masks because my lips flap, so it has to be full face. In the meantime I'll practice with my current mask today and try to get used to putting it on.

Also, how can I add a signature or profile information so at the bottom of my posts you can see my equipment etc?
Thanks much

Hi Hopefulllady,

Confused as to why you aren't initially sleeping with the mask.

What do you find difficult about the Quattro Air? Have you tried watching a you tube video to see how you can make the process simpler?

Regarding my experiences with full face masks, I have found the Mirage Quattro easy to put on. Perhaps you should ask check the video for this mask to see if that is a possibility?

49er

Heart Jumping · Post by **Heart Jumping** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:02 am

Julie wrote:Most people are worse when back sleeping but it doesn't (usually) mean they don't need Cpap otherwise.

Yep. Before my sleep study I half thought I had apnea when on my back and was worried it would not manifest during the study unless I managed to fall asleep on my back. Boy was I wrong, I have it all the time, it's just when I was on my back that it was so bad I'd wake up with my heart pounding.

I think people get even further confused on this subject because I've seen articles and people talk about "positional apnea" in situations where what is really meant is "peoples whose apnea is worse when on the back", not "people who only have apnea when on the back". That's not to say that there aren't some people that truly only have it on their back, but I'd be super careful about assuming that, and just because a report says it exhibited on the back doesn't mean that's the only time it happens.

Hopefullady · Post by **Hopefullady** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:17 am

I didn't qualify for CPAP through Medicare. Doc says I have mild upper airway obstruction or something like that. He was able to put it through my secondary state insurance though.

I have no problems breathing that I'm aware of when on stomach and side and if my bed is comfortable I can wake up totally refreshed -- but I need 8.5 hours of sleep. I don't think that is odd, as everyone needs different amounts of sleep.

I could have apnea on stomach and side but I don't feel it.

One other thing that could cause me to need more sleep than many people: I take seroquel for sleep (tiny dose but I'm very sensitive to it). It totally conks me out. I also take a few other anxiety meds that are of course sedating.

Add to that the fact that everyone's different when it comes to how much sleep we need due to other factors also. I have a huge abuse and trauma background and am extremely emotionally sensitive, and tend to be very fear-based. So if I am not totally rested, I'm a mess. I am also sensitive to caffeine and the cup a day I drink might be too much. I may need a total overhauling of many things - or it could just be my emotional state - or I could have apnea I'm not aware of on stomach and back, although it feels I've slept wonderfully during the hours I'm in those positions.

Last night slept 7.5 hours and I'm exhausted. Puffy eyes, feel and look like crap. For some reason that last hour of sleep makes ALL the difference.

I've posted sleep study below. I was on side whole time, although they claim I wasn't. However the techs sucked and the place wasn't good. I left after 4 hrs due to putting up with behavior that wasn't conducive to sleeping.

viewtopic/t105341/viewtopic.php?t=105248

stepyou · Post by **stepyou** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:26 am

Would it be possible to put your mask on at the beginning of the night and then sleep on your side (probably not front with the mask on) and see if you are able to stand it through the night? Then you wouldn't have to put it on in the night?

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:31 am

Hopefullady wrote:I sleep for half the night on my stomach and side and don't need my mask.

At some point during the night my body can no longer sleep in those positions and that's when I need CPAP for back sleeping.

You are doing it backwards. Switch it. Put the mask on when you are going to bed and sleep half the night on your back with the mask. If you wake up after sleeping half the night, then you can sleep maskless on your sides or stomach.

It's easier to sleep the first half of the night because sleep debt is larger. By the middle of the night, you have paid back part of that sleep debt, and you may have more difficulty sleeping. The medicine you take is also a factor. It has a stronger effect in the first half of the night, and it has "worn off" somewhat in the second half.

If you do switch it, let us know how it works.

Hopefullady · Post by **Hopefullady** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:12 am

Thank you. I will start off the night with the mask on and on back, then go to side. Maybe take it off if I don't need it then. Great info all, thanks.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:43 am

Don't take it off! I don't know if you have Sleepyhead or not, but if you do, then we can see what goes on overnight and hopefully work on it, but don't take it off at all or a real picture of what's happening won't be 'taken'. And under 4 hrs the machine doesn't give useful info in any case. Even if you don't have SH, until you know for sure you don't have apnea, you should use it, all night every night and for naps.

Hopefullady · Post by **Hopefullady** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 8:03 am

I guess I'm afraid of the experience I had two nights ago (on my first night) - where as I fell I to REM sleep, I woke up gasping for air. I also find it hard to see sleep without the mask getting in the way.

I can work at these things though and will try all night tonight if I can, or as much as I can.

BTW there's no SleepyHead for my new machine yet. Pugsy has a software but I don't know if it'll work with my IPhone and I don't own a computer. I'll work with RT at docs office for now on data and report back what happens.

herefishy · Post by **herefishy** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 8:10 am

I slept like a log, though had a tough time waking up, and not the life of the party at night as I would nod off in a corner at parties, and at work, if I wasn't occupied I would snatch a little nap. After I started CPAP, just to keep my husband from throwing me out of the bedroom from the snoring, I didn't do that. I was never aware of having any trouble sleeping other than "needing more than most people".

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 8:33 am

Hopefullady wrote:I'll work with RT at docs office for now on data and report back what happens.

Are you able to see the efficacy data that is provided on the machine's display?

According to the manufacturer --->

Advanced Data Displayed: The machine will show on-screen advanced data such as AHI, Periodic Breathing, Leak Rate, and Therapy Hours. It will also show the pressure the machine was at or below 90% of the time, which is used for Opti-Start.

I have a ResMed machine, and I like to take a quick glance at the display data as soon as I arise in the morning.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:20 am

Here's another thought since you like to sleep on your sides and stomach. This blog, http://www.uarsrelief.com/sleeppositions.html , shows one doctor's method of sleeping on his stomach while wearing a CPAP mask. I've tried it, and it works well for me.

As far as sleeping on your side while wearing a CPAP mask, I find the fetal position is the best for me. I place my face on the edge of my pillow so that the mask is off the pillow. Also, placing a pillow between the knees helps.

Hopefullady · Post by **Hopefullady** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:58 am

Granny, I do have the ability, yes, to see that data.

What it says (I've only used it for 1.5 hrs) is this;

AHI: 2
Mask Fit: 100%
90%: 8.0

ALSO: I JUST SPOKE WITH MY NEW TECH PERSON who said it seems by looking at data that I had an apnea plus shallower breathing all at once and that ramped up the pressure and woke me up.

He seems GREAT - and said we will keep talking and we'll see if I need to raise the bottom pressure # from 5 to something higher. He also said I can do this on my own. I think I will raise it today to 6, since I forgot to ask what the pressure bumped up to when I had the breathing event.

Mask is Complicated?

Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?

Re: Mask is Complicated?