Brief history:
-Started CPAP March of this year
-Have tried 6 masks, finally settling on F&P 431
-Still not getting no way near full nights sleep
So, my Doctor has ordered the Remstar/Auto w-C-Flex so we can monitor my sleep (or non sleep) for a couple of weeks. My F&P CPAP machine works fine but I am only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night.
The Remstar starts at a setting of 4, but when I lie down I can feel my airway closing so they have upped the initial pressure to 7. When I sit upright in my recliner and fall asleep my airway does not close. It is apparent to me that when I lie down gravity is allowing my airway to close. Hopefully the additional pressure on the Remstar will help keep it open.
For whatever reason I wake up anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours after I fall asleep. My doctor put me on 3mg of Lunesta. It knocks me out and I am asleep within 15 mins of taking it. However I have always been one that when I wake up it is hard if not impossible to fall back asleep.
I am so sleep deprived I have not been able to work this week. My job requires lots of rather quick decision making and right now I am as sharp as a bowling ball.
Congrats to those of you who get a good nights sleep. As the subject line says I am not giving up, but this is getting frustrating.
NOT GIVING UP!!!!
NOT GIVING UP!!!!
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CollegeGirl
- Posts: 1038
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:49 pm
- Location: VA
Waking up an hour or two after falling asleep sounds like not enough humidity. Do you have a heated humidifier? If you do, try starting it out midway, on a level like 3 out of 5. If you are already at 3, try bumping it up a notch and see if that rectifies your problem.
If you are drying out, no sleep medicine out there will keep u asleep. Your brain will wake u up, begging u to take off the mask.
Jeffro
If you are drying out, no sleep medicine out there will keep u asleep. Your brain will wake u up, begging u to take off the mask.
Jeffro
JeffroDoe
DME Specialist in a full service sleep center
Cpap user
DME Specialist in a full service sleep center
Cpap user
Original titration is 7
[quote="snoregirl"]They should never have set up that APAP to start at a pressure of 4
Very hard to get air at that setting.
Glad to hear it is now 7, at least you can breathe
What was your original titration? Maybe even 7 is too low to start
My titrated pressure is 13 and I set my machine up for 10 - 15
[quote="snoregirl"]They should never have set up that APAP to start at a pressure of 4
Very hard to get air at that setting.
Glad to hear it is now 7, at least you can breathe
What was your original titration? Maybe even 7 is too low to start
My titrated pressure is 13 and I set my machine up for 10 - 15
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Both the Fisher & Paykel and Remstar have heated humidifiers. No problem with humidity I dont think. Currently set to 3 on the Remstar. I will bump it up tonight to 4.
Thanks
[quote="JeffroDoe"]Waking up an hour or two after falling asleep sounds like not enough humidity. Do you have a heated humidifier? If you do, try starting it out midway, on a level like 3 out of 5. If you are already at 3, try bumping it up a notch and see if that rectifies your problem.
If you are drying out, no sleep medicine out there will keep u asleep. Your brain will wake u up, begging u to take off the mask.
Jeffro
Thanks
[quote="JeffroDoe"]Waking up an hour or two after falling asleep sounds like not enough humidity. Do you have a heated humidifier? If you do, try starting it out midway, on a level like 3 out of 5. If you are already at 3, try bumping it up a notch and see if that rectifies your problem.
If you are drying out, no sleep medicine out there will keep u asleep. Your brain will wake u up, begging u to take off the mask.
Jeffro
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Since you are trying a Remstar Auto I assume that you have an upper pressure? Start at 7 goes to what for a max?
I am not sure if the NC in your name is North Carolina, but 3 or 4 on a Remstar in NY at this time of year is a bit much for me. Then again it is personal. Others like lots of humidity.
I feel with 3 or 4 at this time of year like the air is very heavy and it kind of chokes me. Especially if I just turn it on when going to bed, a little while later when it heats up it bothers me. If turning UP the humidifier is not better maybe you could try the other direction and turn it down.
I am not sure if the NC in your name is North Carolina, but 3 or 4 on a Remstar in NY at this time of year is a bit much for me. Then again it is personal. Others like lots of humidity.
I feel with 3 or 4 at this time of year like the air is very heavy and it kind of chokes me. Especially if I just turn it on when going to bed, a little while later when it heats up it bothers me. If turning UP the humidifier is not better maybe you could try the other direction and turn it down.
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SelfSeeker
- Posts: 779
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:25 pm
Hello RHinNC.
I love your sense of humor and at least you have a sense of humour. I never heard the bowling ball saying before.
Since you said "you have always been one that when I wake up it is hard if it is not impossible to fall back asleep. I would not think it is equipment related.
I often wake up in the early hours of the morning, dose off and wake up again, over and over again. I did that for the 6 days I was on a APAP as well. Even though the APAP should zero apnea episodes.
My plan of attack is going to be, get the OSA taken care of, which means to mean, no leaks, AHI 0 etc. If after a few months if I am still waking up, I will start looking into other causes for the insomnia. Right now, I do not know if the insomnia, being a light sleeper is part of the OBA, habit or what.
I hope you find some answers. Maybe you can even help me.
I love your sense of humor and at least you have a sense of humour. I never heard the bowling ball saying before.
Since you said "you have always been one that when I wake up it is hard if it is not impossible to fall back asleep. I would not think it is equipment related.
I often wake up in the early hours of the morning, dose off and wake up again, over and over again. I did that for the 6 days I was on a APAP as well. Even though the APAP should zero apnea episodes.
My plan of attack is going to be, get the OSA taken care of, which means to mean, no leaks, AHI 0 etc. If after a few months if I am still waking up, I will start looking into other causes for the insomnia. Right now, I do not know if the insomnia, being a light sleeper is part of the OBA, habit or what.
I hope you find some answers. Maybe you can even help me.
For whatever reason I wake up anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours after I fall asleep. My doctor put me on 3mg of Lunesta. It knocks me out and I am asleep within 15 mins of taking it. However I have always been one that when I wake up it is hard if not impossible to fall back asleep.
I am so sleep deprived I have not been able to work this week. My job requires lots of rather quick decision making and right now I am as sharp as a bowling ball.
I can do this, I will do this.
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field Just my personal opinions.
My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field Just my personal opinions.
I believe the upper pressure is maxed out at 20.
The humidity in my house never goes over 55%, even in the very humid south.
[quote="snoregirl"]Since you are trying a Remstar Auto I assume that you have an upper pressure? Start at 7 goes to what for a max?
I am not sure if the NC in your name is North Carolina, but 3 or 4 on a Remstar in NY at this time of year is a bit much for me. Then again it is personal. Others like lots of humidity.
I feel with 3 or 4 at this time of year like the air is very heavy and it kind of chokes me. Especially if I just turn it on when going to bed, a little while later when it heats up it bothers me. If turning UP the humidifier is not better maybe you could try the other direction and turn it down.
The humidity in my house never goes over 55%, even in the very humid south.
[quote="snoregirl"]Since you are trying a Remstar Auto I assume that you have an upper pressure? Start at 7 goes to what for a max?
I am not sure if the NC in your name is North Carolina, but 3 or 4 on a Remstar in NY at this time of year is a bit much for me. Then again it is personal. Others like lots of humidity.
I feel with 3 or 4 at this time of year like the air is very heavy and it kind of chokes me. Especially if I just turn it on when going to bed, a little while later when it heats up it bothers me. If turning UP the humidifier is not better maybe you could try the other direction and turn it down.
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Before CPAP if I too say a Tylenol PM I would sleep all night, although I would awake with a headache and because of the undiagnosed OSA not get a restful sleep.
This is a different type of waking up, it is more like something is happening with my breathing and I get awakened. Hard to explain. Hopefully the Remstar will record what is going on. Personally I think I have something in my airway that is not right, especially when I am laying down. When I sit upright I can doze off and my wife tells me I breathe normally. When I recline she can tell I am not breathing right.
I have tried elevating the bed, sleeping with extra pillows under my head/neck and upper back with no success.
At least my employer understands and is giving me the necessary time to figure out what is going on.
[quote="SelfSeeker"]Hello RHinNC.
I love your sense of humor and at least you have a sense of humour. I never heard the bowling ball saying before.
Since you said "you have always been one that when I wake up it is hard if it is not impossible to fall back asleep. I would not think it is equipment related.
I often wake up in the early hours of the morning, dose off and wake up again, over and over again. I did that for the 6 days I was on a APAP as well. Even though the APAP should zero apnea episodes.
My plan of attack is going to be, get the OSA taken care of, which means to mean, no leaks, AHI 0 etc. If after a few months if I am still waking up, I will start looking into other causes for the insomnia. Right now, I do not know if the insomnia, being a light sleeper is part of the OBA, habit or what.
I hope you find some answers. Maybe you can even help me.
This is a different type of waking up, it is more like something is happening with my breathing and I get awakened. Hard to explain. Hopefully the Remstar will record what is going on. Personally I think I have something in my airway that is not right, especially when I am laying down. When I sit upright I can doze off and my wife tells me I breathe normally. When I recline she can tell I am not breathing right.
I have tried elevating the bed, sleeping with extra pillows under my head/neck and upper back with no success.
At least my employer understands and is giving me the necessary time to figure out what is going on.
[quote="SelfSeeker"]Hello RHinNC.
I love your sense of humor and at least you have a sense of humour. I never heard the bowling ball saying before.
Since you said "you have always been one that when I wake up it is hard if it is not impossible to fall back asleep. I would not think it is equipment related.
I often wake up in the early hours of the morning, dose off and wake up again, over and over again. I did that for the 6 days I was on a APAP as well. Even though the APAP should zero apnea episodes.
My plan of attack is going to be, get the OSA taken care of, which means to mean, no leaks, AHI 0 etc. If after a few months if I am still waking up, I will start looking into other causes for the insomnia. Right now, I do not know if the insomnia, being a light sleeper is part of the OBA, habit or what.
I hope you find some answers. Maybe you can even help me.
_________________
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Well, RH, I see we share residency in the Great State of North Cackalacky, and a preference for the HC431 mask. Rare birds indeed.So, my Doctor has ordered the Remstar/Auto w-C-Flex so we can monitor my sleep (or non sleep) for a couple of weeks. My F&P CPAP machine works fine but I am only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night.
The Auto is a good idea. You may find after using it that your initial pressure is too low, who knows? But an Auto with data recorder will allow you to determine that. I'm down from an AHI of 79 to one of 1-3.
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| Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: Auto C-Flex backup; CF2, HC431/2, UMFF, and Hybrid masks; SnuggleHose; Aussie Heated Hose; PadACheek; SPO 7500 Oximeter. |
Re: NOT GIVING UP!!!!
If your original titration was 7.0cm pressure, I would:
1. Set the Min. pressure to 5.0 or 6.0cm (you may starve for air at 5.0cm).
2. Set the Cflex setting to 2.
3. Set the Max. pressure to 8.0cm.
IF the pressure increases when you are awake trying to fall asleep or awaken during the night, hit the Ramp down button and it will drop the pressure back down to the Min. pressure setting.
So your range effectively becomes 6.0 to 8.0cm. The 6.0 cm pressure will be lower yet not so low you starve for air breathing. When you starve for air, the air you breathe in will feel stuffy. It feels stuffy because there is not enough pressure to washout the CO2 you are exhaling.
Next, it sounds like you are just a light sleeper. If TylenolPM worked for you in the past (long term use not good for the ole kidneys). I would suggest trying 3mg of melatonin (can be found at GNC or Costco pharmacy). The melatonin promotes more deep and REM sleep.
1. Set the Min. pressure to 5.0 or 6.0cm (you may starve for air at 5.0cm).
2. Set the Cflex setting to 2.
3. Set the Max. pressure to 8.0cm.
IF the pressure increases when you are awake trying to fall asleep or awaken during the night, hit the Ramp down button and it will drop the pressure back down to the Min. pressure setting.
So your range effectively becomes 6.0 to 8.0cm. The 6.0 cm pressure will be lower yet not so low you starve for air breathing. When you starve for air, the air you breathe in will feel stuffy. It feels stuffy because there is not enough pressure to washout the CO2 you are exhaling.
Next, it sounds like you are just a light sleeper. If TylenolPM worked for you in the past (long term use not good for the ole kidneys). I would suggest trying 3mg of melatonin (can be found at GNC or Costco pharmacy). The melatonin promotes more deep and REM sleep.
Re: NOT GIVING UP!!!!
Well, went to bed at 11:00PM and here it is 2:26AM. Anyone take Lunesta? Supposed to work for 8 hours, sorta makes you feel weird after you've only slept 2.5 hours.
My machine is set for a max of 20cm. I will try setting it to a max of 8cm.
Not sure what the cflex setting is, will check that.
The bridge of my nose was hurting (slightly sore from the 431 Mask) so I used my nasal pillows tonight. The reason I went from the Nasal Pillows to the 431 was because I breathe through my mouth. At least tonight I know what woke me up, I was breathing through my mouth.
Will try the melatonin also.
Will also try to go back to bed shortly, even if it is broken sleep if I can grab another couple of hours it will be better than no sleep.
Thanks for the comments!
[quote="Snoredog"]If your original titration was 7.0cm pressure, I would:
1. Set the Min. pressure to 5.0 or 6.0cm (you may starve for air at 5.0cm).
2. Set the Cflex setting to 2.
3. Set the Max. pressure to 8.0cm.
IF the pressure increases when you are awake trying to fall asleep or awaken during the night, hit the Ramp down button and it will drop the pressure back down to the Min. pressure setting.
So your range effectively becomes 6.0 to 8.0cm. The 6.0 cm pressure will be lower yet not so low you starve for air breathing. When you starve for air, the air you breathe in will feel stuffy. It feels stuffy because there is not enough pressure to washout the CO2 you are exhaling.
Next, it sounds like you are just a light sleeper. If TylenolPM worked for you in the past (long term use not good for the ole kidneys). I would suggest trying 3mg of melatonin (can be found at GNC or Costco pharmacy). The melatonin promotes more deep and REM sleep.
My machine is set for a max of 20cm. I will try setting it to a max of 8cm.
Not sure what the cflex setting is, will check that.
The bridge of my nose was hurting (slightly sore from the 431 Mask) so I used my nasal pillows tonight. The reason I went from the Nasal Pillows to the 431 was because I breathe through my mouth. At least tonight I know what woke me up, I was breathing through my mouth.
Will try the melatonin also.
Will also try to go back to bed shortly, even if it is broken sleep if I can grab another couple of hours it will be better than no sleep.
Thanks for the comments!
[quote="Snoredog"]If your original titration was 7.0cm pressure, I would:
1. Set the Min. pressure to 5.0 or 6.0cm (you may starve for air at 5.0cm).
2. Set the Cflex setting to 2.
3. Set the Max. pressure to 8.0cm.
IF the pressure increases when you are awake trying to fall asleep or awaken during the night, hit the Ramp down button and it will drop the pressure back down to the Min. pressure setting.
So your range effectively becomes 6.0 to 8.0cm. The 6.0 cm pressure will be lower yet not so low you starve for air breathing. When you starve for air, the air you breathe in will feel stuffy. It feels stuffy because there is not enough pressure to washout the CO2 you are exhaling.
Next, it sounds like you are just a light sleeper. If TylenolPM worked for you in the past (long term use not good for the ole kidneys). I would suggest trying 3mg of melatonin (can be found at GNC or Costco pharmacy). The melatonin promotes more deep and REM sleep.
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CollegeGirl
- Posts: 1038
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:49 pm
- Location: VA
Snoredog,
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree here. A range of just 1 cm over titrated pressure is not enough when starting out on an auto, and when there is the possibility of a pressure issue (and from what he describes, re: waking up because of breathing issues), there may very well be. At the very least I would set the range for, say, 5 to 10, or maybe even 5 to 12.
RH, if you can't breathe at 5 cms, you can up that bottom number to 6 or 7, whichever is most comfortable for breathing. I would suggest giving it a wider range, though - you need to find out what's going on, and that's going to be hard if the auto doesn't have "room to breathe," so to speak.
Just my two cents.
--CG
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree here. A range of just 1 cm over titrated pressure is not enough when starting out on an auto, and when there is the possibility of a pressure issue (and from what he describes, re: waking up because of breathing issues), there may very well be. At the very least I would set the range for, say, 5 to 10, or maybe even 5 to 12.
RH, if you can't breathe at 5 cms, you can up that bottom number to 6 or 7, whichever is most comfortable for breathing. I would suggest giving it a wider range, though - you need to find out what's going on, and that's going to be hard if the auto doesn't have "room to breathe," so to speak.
Just my two cents.
--CG