SleepMeds with CPAP

[kb1]

I have only had my CPAP 1 week - (ResMed S9 - H5i humidifier - Swift FX for her with headgear)
I have had one miserable week ... I hurt all over at night and can not get comfortable - I do not have a problem with fit or leaks - but with the air hitting thhe covers or pillow - anything that the air hits .. I am completly comforatble wearing it ..
after i tossed the chin strap the DME wanted me to wear with it ..
I am wondering .. is it ok to take sleep meds to help me adjust??
I am taking naps in the day because i cannot make it thru the day without it .. I use the machine and it is ok then ..
it is at night ..i cannot make it thru. Any ideas?

[kb1]

I just bought a new bed lol .. could be that too ... My muscles at night hurt all over not sure why but every night is like that for me. . The mask is comfortable .. it does seem that the air gets too cold .. i make it 4 and a half hours a night according to the data .. but i have never woke up with it yet.

[angela6]

I can't speak to the pain issue, but I have used sleep meds to get adjusted to using cpap. According to my sleep doctor, it is okay to use sleep meds. For most people trying to adjust to wearing a mask and breathing with a cpap is stressful both physically and emotionally. If a sleep aid can help, use it. Now, sleep aids in the class of benzodiazapines (old style sleeping pills) are not good for people on cpap. The newer class of sleep meds like Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata are much safer. I am not dispensing medical advice, and I know that there are people who don't believe in sleeping pills, but these meds do exist and can help.

[Guest]

At first I also had a tough time, like most folks, getting used to the CPAP and positioning my head. I thought that I would never get a good night's sleep again. I found that using two soft pillows help me position my head so I don't get leaks and the air doesn't hit my arms. I used Unisom (over-the-counter) to help me go to sleep and stay a sleep when I first started using the CPAP. Unisom is available in private lable brands and I've been told that it is just a strong antihistamine and safe to use. At first, I was only keeping the mask on for a few hours and like others, I would take it off in the middle of the night sometimes without realizing it! I now keep it on all night long and am sleeping better than ever. I'm even remembering my dreams again. So hang in there an keep trying.

[lakejumper]

Sorry for the double post. I realized that I wasn't logged in and you couldn't see my signature or equipment. At first I also had a tough time, like most folks, getting used to the CPAP and positioning my head. I thought that I would never get a good night's sleep again. I found that using two soft pillows help me position my head so I don't get leaks and the air doesn't hit my arms. I used Unisom (over-the-counter) to help me go to sleep and stay a sleep when I first started using the CPAP. Unisom is available in private lable brands and I've been told that it is just a strong antihistamine and safe to use. I just take 1/2 of a pill. At first, I was only keeping the mask on for a few hours and like others, I would take it off in the middle of the night sometimes without realizing it! I now keep it on all night long and am sleeping better than ever. I'm even remembering my dreams again. So hang in there and keep trying.

[kb1]

I think a sleep med would help me relax and go to sleep .. i am not big on medicine but at this point i would welcome a all night sleep.
i am not going to stop using my machine .. i have to find a way to make it work for me.
i wonder if my pressure is right .. it is at 10 now.
i do have an appointment in a couple of weeks ..with the RT. .maybe she will help me.
i do not have my first appointment (since i recieved my cpap) until November.
i just want to sleep.
Thanks for all your replies

[robysue]

To the OP:

Is the problem getting to sleep because you can't get comfortable?

Or is the problem staying asleep because you wake up because you're not comfortable?

Or is it a bit of both?

And re gvz' comment:

Also, kind of wondering what that means. How can you be "hurting all over and can not get comfortable", yet "completely comfortable wearing it" (the mask) ... ?

I understand this quite well since the "can't get comfortable" yet "comfortable wearing mask" applies to me. It means that the mask is not what's bothering you; the mask fits well and the seal is tight so leaks aren't a problem. And when you're sitting up with the CPAP running, the air blowing into your nose isn't a bother. But as soon as you lie down, a whole bunch of things start up that really bug you: The air coming out of the mask's exhaust vent hits the pillows or bed covers or whatever and that flow of air is bothersome. Or the hose interfers with turning over in bed easily and naturally. Or you're tossing and turning because of physical pain in the back or side or what not. Or your tossing and turning because of air in your tummy from the CPAP machine.

[Slartybartfast]

If you can manage it, get some exercise during the day. I've started walking again, and it makes a big difference in the amount of time I spend lying there listening to my breathing before sleeping. I have experimented with different breathing techniques while trying to get to sleep. Most recently, I intentionally took deep slow breaths. It was a hypnotic pattern that I had no problem keeping up until I evidently went to sleep. But next morning, ResScan reported a veritable plethora of apneic events shortly after I dropped off to sleep. Totally ruined my low AHI score to date. So the next few nights I took the other tack and intentionally took shallower, slower breaths, though it felt insufficient at first. And that seemed to be the ticket for me. Airflow trace showed a rather rapid onset of sawtooth pattern to my breaths. Obstructive apneas and hypopneas were markedly reduced that night.

[Slartybartfast]

[snip]

BTW, awesome other post about your work life. I am humbled.. that stuff is intense. (to me). Chemical bonds and valence electrons and stuff like that. I have vague memories from high school.

Aw shucks.

[Guest]

I must use a sleep med or I am awakened by a apnea, because mine spikes. So I am on Lunesta which I even have to split. Ambein was too long lasting for me. Dr. says that they are safe to use.

[jonquiljo]

Well, personally - whatever you need to take to sleep with your machine on is probably better than sleeping without it. That's a decision between you and your Dr. If a med makes your apnea worse, but CPAP improves your sleep quality greatly (but you need meds to use the CPAP) - then it seems logical that taking meds are better than not using CPAP.

Nothing in life is perfect. Good luck.

[JohnBFisher]

As others have noted, it's generally fine to have and use a sleep med to help you fall asleep. Sonata (available in generic), Lunesta and Ambien are often used. These are generally used to help you FALL asleep. As another posted noted, Ambien often lasts too long in the system. If your problem is staying asleep (and not being sleepy enough), Remeron (also available in generic form) is an antidepressant, which has the side effect of increasing sleepiness. This can be used to help you STAY asleep.

Essentially the use of Remeron for sleep is an off-label use, where doctors prescribe it to help promote sleep. Of course a caution, some insurance plans would then decide your use of an antidepressant means you have depression issues. Be certain your doctor prescribes it before sleep to help encourage sleep. Then the prescription and your doctors notes will be in synch, should you need to "defend" yourself.

But I also agree with others, the less you use, generally the better it is for you. However, if you have problems initially, this can make it easier to adjust. And there is NO DOUBT that using a mask initially is very unnatural. It takes some time to adjust to using an xPAP unit.

[kb1]

Thanks for your thoughts
i was prescribed roverem for sleep - sure hope it works .. ready for a refreshing sleep.