its 3am whose here

[Isaacrn]

Sadly, it is 3 am and I am wide awake. Went to bed at 11pm and woke up at 2am. I cant seem to sleep at all. One week into therapy, and im not seeing these dramatic effects on rest. Im still tired during the day, and could lay down and nap without issue. I know it is still early in the therapy, but im just venting.

[Slinky]

Its 6:15 AM here. But I've been up since 4 AM and awake since 3 AM after going to bed at midnight. *sigh* And this after 4 1/2 years on PAP. *sigh* Usually I do much better than this. Tonight isn't the norm. But it happens more than I like. *sigh*

I would so like to be able to go to bed at midnight and sleep until waking up refreshed at 8:30 AM. Is that too much to ask??

[Isaacrn]

My uncle is on CPAP. I knew him to fall asleep while driving as a child. He would nap constantly. He started CPAP and had 6+ hrs of constant sleep. When i told him i was going to CPAP all he could tell me was the immediate relief. Well...nuts to that. Like i said, this is more of a venting, but it hasnt happened yet for me.

GOD BLESS PUGSY!! she told me to loosen the top strap by one click on the FX and most of my nare troubles have gone.

Im still peeling on the skin from my Blue Gel Mask fiasco...haha

[Pugsy]

GOD BLESS PUGSY!! she told me to loosen the top strap by one click on the FX and most of my nare troubles have gone.

Most common problem is trying so hard to get a good leak proof seal that people have the headgear way too tight. Too tight was the only time I have ever had any discomfort with any of the nasal pillows I tried. It shouldn't displace the end of the nose at all. It should not be so tight as to give "piggy" nose. Seems like DME techs don't understand this and their solution is always to crank down masks to the point of pain and not allow any movement of the pillows.

My headgear is so loose I easily can put several fingers under the straps and even put the mask on with my now only good one hand. I still have mainly zero leak nights.

Glad at least this hurdle is past. The others may take more time. If you continually can't get to sleep then time to revisit things and/or add a little help if you want to.

[JointPain]

Well, last night was good for me, but the night before was terrible.

I was well on my way to falling asleep (probably even in stage 1) when the wife came in and woke me to discuss something she thought was going to happen yesterday, but will actually happen a week from yesterday. So I'm wide awake again and when going back to sleep start thinking about an upsetting issue at work. Bad mistake. Eventually, I realize I need to break that cycle, so I get up and read a bit. But when I try sleeping again I start obsessing over some other issue. I guess my brain was just a bit wired.

I must have eventually gotten some "sleep" because the machine bumped up my pressure a bit and it doesn't do that when I know I'm awake, but it sure didn't feel like I'd gotten any seriously effective sleep.

So, bad nights will happen and initially CPAP might even be the "excuse" the brain fixates on for some/most of them. Eventually though, you should get physical aspects of CPAP adjusted to work for you, and then the brain will eventually get comfortable with it and accept it too, and then you should start to feel better.

[busylady]

My 8th night was horrid. (Have done 13 nights) Then I started taping my mouth (blue painter's tape) and things got better, since I was exhaling through my lips. Don't see how a chin strap would help that. Hoping to retrain myself so I don't need a full mask.

Thanks Pugsy for your comment on loosening the straps. I actually tightened them last night and the nares and septum hurt. So, now I know to loosen instead. I was given a S instead of XS, which should be arriving in the mail today. I'll see how that helps.

Did notice today that I have rosacea bumps where the gear straps go across cheeks. At least I've had sort of normal (for what was normal) sleep the last couple nights, and can move from back to each side without problems. Hubby says he hasn't heard a lot of leaks. Oh, I called the Dr. and DME yesterday asking for info on the numbers on my machine -- got a solid "the doctor will discuss those with you when you come in in 3+ weeks. Are you sleeping OK? Do you have air leaks around the eyes?" So, I'll continue to search on internet for info on my machine. I do like the machine. Small, no noise at all. Seems to self adjust a lot which should help in the long run. I like control of my health and monitor my BP and glucose, so why not the CPAP. Sort of like going on a trip, but don't have a map and not sure if I should turn right or left, or maybe I'm going in circles.

[Pugsy]

Did notice today that I have rosacea bumps where the gear straps go across cheeks.

Did you not get the little thin fleece side strap covers?
If not or the thin strip not enough protection you can make your own out of whatever material doesn't aggravate the rosacea.
Padacheeks makes some nice thicker fleece ones for those that don't like to make their own. (that would be me )
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_SwiftFX.html

If fleece aggravates things perhaps outside layer of some other material with inside layer of fleece for added softness.

[busylady]

Just sent pugsy a PM because I logged off, then back on and a message was in my email..... Still learning how this site works with replys, quotes, etc. I've been reading a lot, but not posting a lot, and really appreciate all the good info we users have to share. My hubby commented that it was good I liked elephants...... I have about 200; a collection started when I was about 4. Maybe my nickname should have been elephantnose or elephantlady.

I did get the pink covers, but will make fleece ones if needed. I'll be curious how the change from S to XS pillows makes a difference, if any.

[Pugsy]

I'll be curious how the change from S to XS pillows makes a difference, if any.

I found out I can use either S or XS pillow with no difference in how it feels or data. The Medium is not comfortable though.

BTW Should you get the Swift FX for her again from your DME it comes with 3 sizes. XS, S and medium. They should have given those to you. They must have removed the other sizes.... they should not have.

[codinqueen]

I was also awake around 3 AM but it was a terrible lightening storm and I couldn't get on-line.

You are asking for miracles, please relax....the sleep deprivation does not go away immediately. The first month or so of CPAP therapy is basically to get your body used to the mask, etc, and i think within 2 to 3 months you will feel more energy, & rested on arising from sleep in the morning at a normal time, etc. Your sleep deprivation built up over some time, and it takes time to overcome it. If you keep using your CPAP you WILL feel better. I started CPAP in mid-Feb this year, and by April, I was used to it and already waking up with boundless energy!

If you are having mask issues, you might need to address them with your DME. Also, a gentle OTC sleep aid line Melatonin might help you to "get over the hump" of getting used to the treatment, and if not, see if your Dr would order a mild sleeping pill for a short while. Also, use your mask while sitting up before going to bed, to get "used" to it.
Above all, keep on pluggin! CPAP will save your life!!!

[Terrah]

This forum needed sahikng up and you’ve just done that. Great post!