FIRST NIGHT WITH CPAP MACHINE

[FINALLYGAVEIN]

Last night was the first night that I was to start using my rental CPAP machine (Respironics - REMstar Auto A-Flex). I was so scared I couldn't even bear to think how I was going to get started. I located this website, registered and entered the live chat room. I met a group of wonderful members who were very concerned with me and helped me thru my fears by sharing with me their initial experiences and also helped me to understand what to expect. My GREATEST FEAR was to wake up at night on the machine in a high ramp setting and not being able to catch my breath. Together we formalized a plan to relax gain control and while removing the mask shut off the machine or hit the ramp button. Which made me feel alot better knowing how I would consciously handle the situation lessen the fear.

Well the first night is now behind me and the night was both awful and ok. I started with the Res Med Swift FX for her nose pillow mask and as I feared it happened several times - as I began to going into sleep the machine ramped up (at one point I saw it was 16+) and I abuptly awoke and felt I could not breath. NEWS FLASH - WHEN YOU BODY SENSES YOU ARE GOING TO DIE IT KICKS INTO ACTION - I RIPPED THE MASK OFF EACH TIME. I was not sure if I was woken up by the increase pressure or if I similar awoke at that time. I was so disappointed that the machine did not ramp down or sense my change in breathing or something. SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADD THIS FEATURE TO THESE MACHINES. So at 11:30pm my 3rd or 4the near death experience (which I believed it to be) I removed the mask shut off the machine and decided I was going to sleep on my own.

At 2:30pm I awoke again to use the restroom and my conscious did not allow me to not try again, especially when the group explained all this would happen and that they made it thru so could I. So I tried my next attempt - however, this time I used a different mask I brought on my own before I received the machine (Sleepweaver cloth nasal cpap mask and headgear - second wind cpap.com). Guess what I fell asleep after awhile and I awoke at 5:45am my normal awake time finding I still had the mask on. I couldn't believe it did this really work and I slept and the machine ramped up in pressure and I didn't wake up and was able to handle it.

Well we will find out tonight- but I will try this again and I will use my sleepweaver mask and let you all know tomorrow morning. To God be all the glory God Bless you all.

STORY: Several years ago I had to undergo several surgeries one of which resulted in me going headstrong into menopause at 40. Over the years my weight increased effortlessly and my overall health in all areas began to change for the worse. Some of my changes were high blood pressure, hypotension, elevated cholesterol etc. It was not until my levels began to get out of control last year that I began medication for everything. Then last year I was sent for a sleep test infact it was two both tests were non-conclusive because I had approximately 352 episodes and 17min of total sleep time within an 8 hour period. I resisted any treatment and went on with my life until my blood tests results showed my C reactive protein level and sedimentation rates (both blood test markers for heart attack) increased to become severely out of range. I went to Pulomologist for some lung issues I was experiencing and he told me like it is 1)you will wake up one night having a heart attack 2)we can cut a whole in your throat and you can wear a track tube or 3)use a cpap machine. Hence, my log in FINALLYGAVEIN. I don't have total faith at this point that this is the answer to my health problems but I fear it may very well be, so I am placing myself in the grace of God and by his strength and the support of others on this site I moved forward and will continue to do so/url]o.

[Mary Z]

Smart to change over to the second mask. I hope things goes well with the SleepWeaver tonight. Good Efffort!

[BlackSpinner]

Great job putting the mask back on!

Yes it can take a few weeks before your mind may believe you won't die from lack of air. It could be that the first mask was leaking and the machine had to ramp up to beat the leaks and the obstruction.

[bap40]

Believe me this therapy will do more than you realize for your health. It works!

[DocWeezy]

Hang in there...it gets easier and if you persist, you will reach the point where you can't even think about sleeping without your mask and machine.

I was so claustrophobic that I had full blown panic attacks during the titration study; never had them before in my life. I couldn't even get near the mask without my heart racing and breaking out in a cold sweat. So I did the desensitization things of having the mask on without the machine while I was working or watching TV long before bed time; then I would wear the mask WITH the machine on...in the afternoons, in the evenings, whenever, but long before bed time. It took a few days, but I soon reached the point where I could put the mask on without feeling panicked and sick.

However, it took a lot longer to sleep with it on! I would wake up several times a night screaming and ripping the mask off, yelling things about suffocating or whatever (poor hubby!). But over time those dwindled, and now I've only had one ripping-off-the-mask episode in the past 2 or 3 months (I've been on this since the beginning of November).

You can get there! You will probably have a lot of nights were you wake up more than once ripping the mask off. It is normal. Just calm yourself for a few minutes, put the mask back on, and go back to sleep.

This isn't easy for many of us, but with persistence and determination, we adjust. It takes time, dedication, and effort, but I wouldn't go back to sleeping "naked" again for anything. I still may not always sleep very well (I have other insomnia/sleep issues), but when I do sleep, I know that I'm getting better sleep than I've had for decades. It DOES make a difference!

Weezy

[Tip10]

Kudos for the second try and the success with it.
It takes great courage to go through something like this and then consciously TRY again a second time and then on top of that actually manage to fall asleep after knowingly putting the mask back on after, as you put it, 3 or 4 "near death" experiences. You did wonderfully -- many simply give up or wait to try it again another time.

The fact that you were willing to try and were successful with the second try bears testimony to your desire to have it work, and that is probably the most important factor in actually having it work.

The road will likely be a bit rocky but you are over the biggest hump -- you now KNOW for certain it can help.

Good Luck and God Bless

[Emilia]

I am so happy the Sleepweaver is working for you! It is a wonderfully comfortable mask, but many have leak issues with it. I used it at first before moving on to the Swift LT pillow mask. When I used the Sleepweaver, I did have a leak at the bridge of my nose, but I was able to correct this with a cushy 'blister' bandaid at that spot.

I hope your night tonight will bring you good sleep and sweet dreams... best of luck!

[Madalot]

Hi FINALLYGAVEIN!!

Thanks for posting about your first night. We were all concerned about you. As we expected, it didn't go great at first, but I am so proud of you for trying another mask and giving it another try! You absolutely rock and I am positive you will make this therapy work for you.

Please keep us updated and post or pop into chat anytime to talk or if you need some help.

[msradar65]

I'm glad it went well for you. It does get easier over time.

[westgl]

hello,

It is great that you tried again, I can tell you that it or anything that is an unknown is different at first, the body adapts, just like it adapted to me and my sleep apnea, it take 21 day to form a new habit.

My first week, Since I was not used to my mask/machine I had taken the mask off about 2:00 in the morning, about the second to third week i got used to it really well. I no longer wanted to sleep during the day, or sleep while driving, like i used to.

Now i cannot imagine sleeping without it. I wake up with A LOT more energy.

All I can say keep at it, you will be glad you did.

Westgl

[needzzzzs]

I'm sorry your first night was so scary, but glad you are willing to try again. Almost everybody has trouble at first getting used to therapy, and different pressure settings and masks may compound the problem.

Keeping fingers, toes, and paws (two collies and a cat!) crossed that you have a much better night tonight, and every night thereafter.

Debbie

[FINALLYGAVEIN]

I want you all to know that I read all of your responses in tears that I have been blessed for the Lord to have me cross your paths and for you all to help me through this most difficult time in my life. All your kind words, encouragement, love and suggestions mean so very much to me God bless you all...... OR shall I say God Blessed me with all of you. Thank you everyone.....

[Pugsy]

My first night I was shaking something awful and I bet I slept 3 hours and woke up 20 times during those short hours.

It will get better and it will get easier. I promise. Will there be times when you have some bumps in the road? Sure. We all have them. Even those of us that have been doing this for a long time. Don't beat yourself up over it. It takes some time to get used to sleeping with all this stuff on our face. Every minute you sleep with the mask on is a minute that your body is not being stressed out from events. This is what I told myself early in my therapy and it did help me get past the desire to "just take it off for a few minutes so I can get some real sleep." I knew deep down that it wasn't "real" sleep in the sense that it actually helping me. Without the mask I was harming me. The mind is a powerful drug. Use it to help with the stress and panic. You are not alone and lots of people here have gone through the same thing. Come here and vent all you need to. We listen well and sometimes have some good ideas to try to help from our own experiences.

Welcome to the forum. Please let us know how things are going. We all have had various issues from time to time and do understand that this is not always so easy for a lot of people.

Are you going to be wanting the software so you can actually monitor your therapy more closely than the averages you will get on the LED screen? I strongly advise that you do consider it because it can hold a wealth of information either for help with problems or simply reassurance and validation.

[Janknitz]

I had a terrible time with panic at first, but I'll let you in on a little secret: the panic is an APNEA SYMPTOM. Your body is bathed in adrenalin all night trying to get you to breathe, and that adrenalin is still in your system when you put the mask on at first.

Once you have a few nights of good sleep without apnea, the panic begins to abate. Instead of waking with my heart pounding, ready to fight or run, I wake up peaceful and calm. An no more panic attacks, with or without the mask.

It's hard at first because the panic seems to be related to fear of not being able to breathe in the mask, but I did some very effective breathing relaxation techniques whenever I could stop myself from ripping the mask off. And within a week or so, the adrenalin levels started to come down, so the panic did too.

Just stick with it, try to breath slowly in and out to a count of five to stop yourself from ripping the mask on and it WILL get better, I promise.