Frustrated above and beyond right now!!!

[modistee]

I posted a message under *How long did it take you to get used to it* and Pugsy told me to start my own thread. I am soooo frustrated right now. Have been on Cpap for two and a half weeks and am having problems. Wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I am suffocating. Take it off and go to bathroom then come back and stare at it for awhile then put it on again and go back to sleep til it happens again. I have tried calling the place I got it from twice now and no one sees fit to return my calls. I am tempted to pack it up and haul it back down there and say here ya go. I started all this with a really positive attitude because I figured if I could sleep well with this machine then I would feel much better and I really WANT to feel better. Soooo tired of being tired and sleepy all the time. Am finding out a lot of stuff that I am not liking such as the machine I got it not very user friendly as far as info etc. *sigh* Wish this would all just go away. Guess its not going to. Can I take the machine back and request another one??? Or am I stuck with it??? What is a good type of mask to have that I might not feel like I am suffocating with it on or is it the settings on the machine which I have no idea how to check. I am sorry I have so many questions and am so tired right now I can't remember most of them. Thanks Pugsy for your help...

[jules]

it might help if you post your mask machine and pressure ------

and indicate what is your biggest frustration - sounds like suffocation

do you use ramp? what is it set for?

[Pugsy]

Welcome again.
Can you take the time to check exactly which machine you have and which mask you are using, then add them to profile? This will help others help you if we know what you are using. Go to the user account control in the upper left corner and then go to the equipment tab and add your equipment. Please use text so we can read easily and quickly. The icons are so small we can't see the brands. Brands do make a difference.

Tell us what you do know. Do you know the pressure that the machine is set at? Do you use the ramp feature? Do you know what the ramp is?

I already mentioned firing that DME. It can be done... You have insurance? What kind? Did your DME do a rent to purchase on the machine or will they bill the whole amount.

Don't give up. You have hit a bump in the road and I know it seems like a huge bump but it can be overcome.

Others will ask questions and offer suggestions. Answer the best you can. For right now we need to know how much you know about your own therapy.

[PST]

Yes, please let us know what equipment you're using.

If you feel like you're suffocating when you start up, I agree with Pugsy that too low a ramp pressure may be too blame. (The ramp is the easy starting pressure that builds up gradually.) If you feel like you're on the edge of suffocating even after the machine is going full tilt, it might be the style of mask. I started with a nose mask, and I felt that way. Even though I breathe through my nose most of the time, my nasal passages seem barely big enough to draw all the air I need. If I exert myself a little, I need to get a little extra air through my mouth. So in the nasal mask, with orders to keep my mouth shut, I felt anxiety about getting enough air. If that's how you feel, maybe you need a full face mask or a hybrid of mouth and nasal pillows. Just a thought.

[Muse-Inc]

Don't give up! We can help you with some of the barriers to making this therapy work! Pugsy's right --post the info about your equipment...it's important so you can get the best suggestions. Ramp is a feature that allows you to start at a lower pressure while the machine gradually increases to the regular pressure -- some of us need it, some don't; your ramp pressure might be too low (mine was at 4, I needed 8 at the time). Mask fit is essential to sleeping well. Do you like your mask, is it comfortable? What isn't working with the mask? Suffocating meaning not enough air? (Some say suffocating when it blows too much air.) What parts of your face does the mask cover (nose, mouth, forehead, whole face) or is it a pillow mask (fat thingees...like that technical term? ...that sit just inside the end of your nose)? Getting the right equipment leads to better sleep and better sleep...well, we all know how sought-after, how priceless, how important that is. Welcome, you've come to the right place. Restful sleeping means less nightime peeing..something to look forward to. My first night I only slept during the 45 min ramp sessions, every time it went to full pressure I woke up...did that the first 4 nights and then 5th night I slept 9 hrs straight. I wish you faster progress!

[GaryG]

modistee, welcome and consider yourself fortunate to have found this place. Help is on the way, if you let folks help you. Many here have experienced frustrations. This isn't easy even when you have a cooperative DME. Takes time, make take many masks, and everyone is different, and what works for one, doesn't work for another. But there are so many people here, someone will be able to assist.

[dreamchick]

Wanted to welcome you and let you know that you are not alone in your frustration. We have all had our own frustrations especially in the very early stages of CPAP therapy. I agree the feeling of not getting enough air is most likely a low ramp setting which can be corrected. As others have mentioned, it takes some time to get accustomed to using the equipment and to find the right mask. Hang in and let us know what equipment you are using so we can offer better suggestions.

[LoQ]

Frustration is common with this adventure, but as others have encouraged you, try to hang in there.

It's hard to give you much help without some information about your machine, mask, and settings. If you feel like you are suffocating, one problem might be that you are not getting enough air. Don't use the ramp. If you post your machine type, someone will tell you how to turn off the ramp. If the problem continues, you might just plain ol' need more pressure. I have one mask that tends to press on my nose in such a way that I feel like I am suffocating, and when I use that mask, I turn the pressure up a notch.

Post more information so we can help you.

[millich]

Hi and Welcome Modistee!

Yes, post your equipment and details so that the experts here will know how to help you. I'm guessing that you are on APAP and the pressure swings are waking you up.

[modistee]

Thanks so much guys. I sometimes get really cranky and upset with being so tired and just needed to vent. I did the equipment profile and tonight when I get home from work will try to put in other info that I do know. This is all very confusing. Thanks again.

Modistee

[modistee]

Ok I am back again. I am sitting here at 12:30AM because I can not stand that mask. The really silly thing is last night I went to bed really early, dozed off and on and had the problem of feeling like I am not getting enough air. Then about midnight fell asleep and didnt have a bit of problem and slept til 8:10 in the morning. It was like either I didn't fight the machine anymore or it didn't fight me. I posted my machines. I am not sure about the ramp. Thought the lady I got it from said something about starting at 4 and working up to the higher setting which I don't know what that is, thinking she said 8 but not sure. Hardly seems worth all this for only 8. I don't think its the ramp feature causing this cuz it starts after the ramp is all done. The mask is one that fits over the nose. I don't know what else to mention here. It feels sometimes like there is more air coming through the hose than at other times. Probably just my imagination. but when it feels that way I don't feel like there is no air.... Sorry to keep pestering you guys. I will try to check to see the settings if I can figure it out tomorrow. Tired, almost one in the morning, and gonna try it again. *sigh* Wishing you all a good nights sleep

Modistee

[fsmitty]

Ok I am back again. I am sitting here at 12:30AM because I can not stand that mask. The really silly thing is last night I went to bed really early, dozed off and on and had the problem of feeling like I am not getting enough air. Then about midnight fell asleep and didnt have a bit of problem and slept til 8:10 in the morning. It was like either I didn't fight the machine anymore or it didn't fight me. I posted my machines. I am not sure about the ramp. Thought the lady I got it from said something about starting at 4 and working up to the higher setting which I don't know what that is, thinking she said 8 but not sure. Hardly seems worth all this for only 8. I don't think its the ramp feature causing this cuz it starts after the ramp is all done. The mask is one that fits over the nose. I don't know what else to mention here. It feels sometimes like there is more air coming through the hose than at other times. Probably just my imagination. but when it feels that way I don't feel like there is no air.... Sorry to keep pestering you guys. I will try to check to see the settings if I can figure it out tomorrow. Tired, almost one in the morning, and gonna try it again. *sigh* Wishing you all a good nights sleep

Modistee

Sounds like you are fighting the machine like me. I have only been using CPAP since Thursday and have had mixed results. My biggest problem is like you waking up early. They gave me a full face mask which is taking me time to get adjusted too. It appears to work better when on my back but that it not how I sleep. When on my side the mask digs into my nose bridge causing it to be sore and red in the morning. This is a pain when you have to wear glasses. To help with the nose bridge, I have purchased some 3M waterproof hospital tape from Walmart for $4. This helped my bridge survive last night however I was still waking up constantly adjusting the straps and head guard on my mask to stop leaks. I feel your pain as it is hard to get adjusted to CPAP. My doctor told me to hit the ramp button on my machine to help me get to sleep. It starts with a pressure of 2 and after 30 minutes goes to a max of 9. Like you I feel with a pressure of 2 that it is hard to breath. I am preferring to set the machine to full pressure for better breathing from the start. Tonight, I am going to try to sleep with two pillow to see if that helps me sleep on my side. I guess it is going to be a lot of trial and error to get used to this thing. Just hang in there as newbies are all experiencing similar issues. At least this forum helps us not feel alone with dealing with CPAP.

[cntrygrl]

i have had my equipment for nearly a month now - on mask #2. i had the same issues you do with the 'suffocating' feeling. i switched to nasal pillows and viola! i have slept finally. it is taking a bit of getting used to them as well but nothing like going through wanting to rip them off every night like i did the mask. the folks here are great....i am also a newbie. hang in there.

[Muse-Inc]

Modistee, try a larger pillow. I had to have my ramp pressure increased to 8 (from 4) and increase pillow size to eliminate that not enough air sensation. When I did that, I fell asleep much faster. Most of us cannot tolerate an initial pressure of just 4. A pressure of 8 is not inconsequential, esp if it stents open your airway so you are not slowly suffocating at night; some need more pressure, some less...pressure does NOT correlate to degree of apnea, it reflects one's airway anatomy.

[tonycog]

Sorry to keep pestering you guys.

Go ahead and keep pestering. It's not pestering at all. It's the whole purpose of this site. There are lots of experts here who can help you with practical suggestions. The rest of us will simply try to encourage you. Don't give up. You will adjust to this new and necessary therapy that you are getting. There is nothing natural about sleeping with a mask on your face, attached to a hose blowing air. But you will get used to it. And you need it.

I'm just starting month #5. For me, it's not "great" yet, but when I think back to my first week and month, it's much better than it was. I got NO help from my DME provider. I did get lots of help right here.

Best wishes,
Tony