OSA-VS-CPAP Only kidding :lol:

TiredTex · Post by **TiredTex** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:49 pm

Last night was the first night with my CPAP. All I can say is rough. Mask adjustments waken up every hour or so. Leaking mouth, mask to tight, Mask to loose, and general annoyance do to it being so new.

I think I sleep more with OSA than I did last night with CPAP………

LOL LOL

I know I need to give it time to adjust

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:39 pm

Ain't CPAP fun? But when you consider that the alternatives are a permanent tracheotomy or increased risk for death by car crash, heart attack or stroke (but at least you might go in your sleep!), its maybe not so bad. Speaking for myself, I too slept much more without CPAP, but sleep much better, much more effeciently, with CPAP. I could easily sleep 10-12 hours pre-CPAP and still take a hour long nap in my recliner during the day.

All of the issues you list are resolvable. Successful therapy is about fixing problems as they arise. Search this site for solutions. As you resolve each problem, your sleep will get better and better. Attitude isn't everything, but it helps a great deal. And yes, it does take time to sdjust, but it is worth every moment.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:55 pm

Hang in there!!

It will get better!!!

Congratulations on such great equipment!!

MartyR · Post by **MartyR** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:09 pm

yep tired tex...i have been on it a little over a week...and you desrcibe what very night is like for me now.

Snooze_Blues · Post by **Snooze_Blues** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:08 pm

I guess I'm getting to be an "old timer" with 4 weeks beneath the mask.

I had a great first night, which gave me a false sense of how easy things were going to be. My next few nights were really rough, similar to what you describe. My nose was so sore from the nasal pillows that I couldn't even touch it. I was feeling pretty discouraged, even using AYre Gel, but I kept after it.

I discovered and obtained a different nosepiece, a "direct seal" type, for my Respironics ComfortLite 2 mask and I thought I was in heaven. Then I started waking up with water in my nose like I was drowning. I'm working on that now with a DIY Repti Cable hose heater that is on order.

I figure my first cold or runny nose will be another great trial. Maybe I should start thinking about a full face mask. I think that is what's recommended for colds, but I'll have to start researching that, too.

Always another hump to get over I suppose. But, back to me...

TT, Once you get over the initial humps, you may be in better shape than I am. I have Complex Sleep Disordered Breathing which means that once I iron out the problems in my CPAP therapy for obstructive apnea, my brain goes on a holiday and I just lie there with an open airway thanks to CPAP, but I don't suck any air into my lungs.

So don't give up, even though it can get discouraging. There's a lot of good info on this site to help you and a lot of helpful people to assist when you hit a wall. The alternative of not sleeping well is unacceptable as it will slowly destroy your health.

NickD25 · Post by **NickD25** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:01 pm

OSA is way better than CPAP anyday. I mean, who wouldn't want to wake up at noon, feeling like they have a hangover and having to quit their job because of fatigue.

The small side effects of OSA aside (well you know, strokes and heart attacks or failure, I mean no big deal), it's great because you have no energy, therefore you end up on welfare and you're getting paid for doing nothing. Man that's sounds like a plan!!

OSA is WAY BETTER than CPAP. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to choke during their sleep at least 30-40 times an hour! It's awesome.

I still questioned myself as to why I ever got treatment and why I still use it. Feeling fuzzy and having a brain fog all day long was way better! I still remember the days where I would be a total wreck for no reasons! Those were the days... and what about the nights, oh man, going to sleep completely tired and waking up as tired. I mean, is it living or what?

LOL

Seriously, I find it quite incredible that just using a mask and a machine has changed so much in my life. I actually did not have a nightmare since I've used CPAP/BiPAP. Before I used to wake up in a panic attack, my heart was pounding.

hades161 · Post by **hades161** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:07 am

One night at a time and one problem at a time. You all got the right outlook though so I am sure you'll all do well. Depending on all the factors in your life it will take anywhere from a few months to a year or more to nail it down. So take it slow and work on making 1 part of each night better till the problem is solved and then hit the next.

I am still pluggin away a little over a year or so now and it's not perfect but things are better =)

OSA is a strong fighter but Cpap can wear him dowm =)

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:30 pm

Snooze-Blues:
Does the direct seal feel better than the nasal pillows? The pillows hurt my now as soon as the air starts blowing. Does it still hurt with the direct seal?
My pressure is 13. What's your pressure. I want to get the direct seal but I'm not sure how the air will feel from them compared to the nasal pillows.
I've been using the simple cushion in the meantime.

Snooze_Blues · Post by **Snooze_Blues** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:07 pm

jomac30,

The CL2 Direct Seal is definitely less painful for me because of the way it contacts my nose. The pillows didn't match the shape and angle of my nares nearly as well.

I couldn't quite get my nares to comfortably match the width and angle of the pillows by bending the T-shaped metal strap on the nosepiece. And I hadn't yet discovered the posts on modifying the shape or angle of the CL2 nosepiece using fishing line or twist ties. It's possible one of those mods might allow me to use the pillows without pain.

The pillows that hurt my nose, possibly because they were also too small for my nares (I'm guessing) were "Size: Medium". I now use a "Size: #5" Direct Seal, which is essentially a (hefty looking) "Medium" that at quick glance looks like it might should be called "Large", but that may be an illusion due to the significantly different shape of the Direct Seal compared to the pillows.

As far as when the air starts blowing, if you are saying that the air itself is hurting your nose, like from the velocity, I didn't have that specific issue, but my pressure is only 6 cm H2O. Yours is considerably higher. The sensation of air blowing into my nose through the direct seal seems about the same as it did with the pillows. My problem had to do with the flaring portion or rim of one of the pillows going a little too far inside my nare, which apparently allowed it to rub on something a little more tender than the skin on the outside of my nose.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): seal

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:04 pm

Snooze_Blues,
Thanks for your help. I'm going to a mask fitting clinic soon and hopefully they can solve my problem.

TiredTex · Post by **TiredTex** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:54 am

Thanks for all the great responses

I am doing better. Going to the Dr. today. I am having to many mask problems. I will ask for a difrent mask.

Will any mask work with any Machine????

hades161 · Post by **hades161** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:19 am

The masks work universally for the most part. Not on people but they do on the Xpaps anyway.

Good Luck on the great Mask Hunt.