OH TO FALL ASLEEP!

snoremonger · Post by **snoremonger** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:43 pm

OK. Been thru 1 week of cpap (9 cm), 4 masks and the only night I got any sleep at all was last saturday after I had a few cold ones. I finally found an interface that is somewhat comfortable but I just lay there and fight the exhalation. I have been doing that for about 4 hours and then slinging that sucker clear across the room(not really, the hose is only 6 feet or so ) at about 2am. By then I am so exhausted that I can't seem to get to sleep the rest of the night .

My question is, what can I do to get to sleep. I never seem to get there either because I subconsiously am gritting my teeth to keep mouth shut or the noise from the mask. Today I ordered an auto with c-flex to see if this helps with fighting the exhalation. I know 9 cm isn't high but when I start to fall asleep I inhale and my brain isn't exhaling and I sort of stop breathing (kinda like central apnea but because of the pressure).

Do I need sleeping pills or will I not exhale after I fall asleep, therefore waking me up. Since the only time I have actually gotten to sleep was after a few beers, I was wondering what Vodka or Tequila would do in the humidifier. lol

Thanks, I have learned soooo much from you guys in the past week.

Born Tired · Post by **Born Tired** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:41 pm

You will definitely feel a world of difference with your new machine. I don't have an auto yet but I do have Cflex. Takes the work out of exhaling! Much more relaxing--you don't have to "think" about breathing with Cflex, and Auto has got to be a great plus. Just got my RX for an Auto.
Hang in there.
Esther

stunned1 · Post by **stunned1** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:57 pm

snoremonger

I had the same feeling as you when I started CPAP but I did have the cflex option, just didn't know how to work it properly at first.

You will find a very big difference when you get your auto with cflex. Your exhale will feel much more relaxed instead of trying to force the air out. If you're awake all night anyway it might be better to see if someone can let you know how to turn your pressure down a bit to get used to it until your auto gets delivered.

I was also titrated at 9 but found it impossible to breath out and had many sleepless nights. Hopefully your auto comes to you very soon, you will get used to it. You also might benefit for a while by taking something to help you initially get to sleep. I know this helped me.

Good Luck

Lisa

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:17 am

Snoremonger,

Doesn't your current machine have a ramp that you can use to fall asleep with? That would lower your pressure for 20 mins. or so and give you time to get to sleep. Also, if you find you're not asleep yet and the pressure is starting to get to a point where it is starting to cause you problems exhaling, then re-ramp it again, and again, untill you've finally fallen asleep. If you haven't tried that, do!

CFlex does work for many people. Also, the machine you ordered is an auto which means you may never go up or over your titrated pressure of 9. But remember you've only been at this one week. It takes some people longer than others to get used to everything. Don't worry, you will. I hope your insurance is paying for the new machine because it would be a shame if you bought two in one week out-of-pocket. You must have a lot of money to burn...can I be your friend???

snoremonger · Post by **snoremonger** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:41 am

Sleepless,

The machine I have now I have just had for a week and is a rental. My insurance co. is doing a 10 month lease purchase. But, I have a 3500 deductible that is met but starts over in January. This means that I will be out of pocket about $1500 by the end of lease. I decided to buy a better machine with no insurance for $760 from cpap.com and take the rental back. I actually have to burn $$$$$ wheather I want to or not so might as well try the better machine for less $$$$$$$$.

I think the whole DME insurance fraud is crap! JMO

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:26 am

[quote="snoremonger"]Sleepless,

The machine I have now I have just had for a week and is a rental. My insurance co. is doing a 10 month lease purchase. But, I have a 3500 deductible that is met but starts over in January. This means that I will be out of pocket about $1500 by the end of lease. I decided to buy a better machine with no insurance for $760 from cpap.com and take the rental back. I actually have to burn $$$$$ wheather I want to or not so might as well try the better machine for less $$$$$$$$.

I think the whole DME insurance fraud is crap! JMO

snoremonger · Post by **snoremonger** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:05 am

Well, the little man with the brown monkey suit just dropped off my new auto with c-flex. Can't wait to doze off tonight and give it a try.

Does the software provide enough vital info that I should order it soon or should I wait awhile and get over the pain of paying for the machine?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:45 am

SM,

Yes, if you are using the Remstar Auto with CFlex. It gives you more than just compliance, but your AI (apnea index), HI (hypopnea index), flow limitiations, snore index, leak rate info, and you can use it in conjunction with Derek's My Encore which gives you so much more, too. I would go for it if you want to see how you're doing on your therapy. Good luck tonight. I'm very happy for you that you got your machine.

JimmyKSenior · Post by **JimmyKSenior** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:24 pm

snoremonger,

Looks like we both had our first night on the REMstar Auto C-flex on Friday night. I think we kept Bonnie busy. I'd be interested in your results as you have more experience than I do. I posted my results, in another post this morning "First, Second and Third Night Results". I'm pretty satisfied but we had different masks and that might be the bigger difference rather than the machine itself. I would really like to know the pressures applied within my range but assume I'll have to get the software to learn that.

I'd be interested in your results.

BTW, I was born in Henryetta, my mother in Enid.

JimK

Jan in Colo. · Post by **Jan in Colo.** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:17 pm

Snoremonger....I just noticed where you are from! I was raised in Enid, moved there at 3 mos old. My mom was there in the same house for almost 40 something years...I moved her to Colorado 5 years ago. Small world, huh?

Jan in Colo.

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