New cpap user, it is getting tougher not easier to use it

[macjazzy]

I was diagnosed with OSA in august and through my sleep doctor and insurance got a RemstarPro c-flex+ machine and both a Pilairo and a Swift FX masks. I always use the Pilairo, is is noisy and that bothers me, but the Swift FX is tough to keep in position sleeping on my side.

My problem is it is getting tougher and tougher to fall asleep and stay asleep all night. When I first got everything there was an adjustment period, but it went fairly smoothly. But now it has gotten impossible to fall asleep, and I always wake up after 5 or so hours of sleep and can not fall back asleep. I lay there for an hour or more til I just get out of bed. My numbers are good according to the doctor, I use it every night. But I cant get used to the noise of the machine and the Darth Vader breathing sounds I make.

I thought my machine was bad, as it seemed to be noisier than when I first got it. So I took it to the supplier, and they exchanged it. But the new one makes the same noise. It is tough to describe a noise but I guess I would describe it as sounding like a faint whooting noise. Like an Owl. when I inhale. I think because the noise is timed with my breathing it makes me so much more aware of it. It is driving me crazy.

Why is this getting tougher for me rather than easier? I have moved the machine to the floor, and cover it with a heavy towel, but it does not help at all.

[hyperlexis]

So what is keeping you up? The machine noise or something else? All machines make some noise. I was shocked how quiet the PR60 actually was. I was expecting a white noise or something, but the machine, to me, is virtually silent. There is a slight sound on exhaling, but its almost nothing. It certainly is no louder than the noises of the wind blowing or other noises from outside. The loudest noise I hear from my cpap is the air blowing out the vent or leaking around the mask edges. That is what wakes me up on occasion. That can be fixed with a better mask or fit adjustment.

What to do? Try another brand of machine? The S9 is supposed to be louder on exhale so that may not work.

Otherwise possibly trying a tranquilizer to sleep, or earplugs, until you get used to the cpap system. Or try sleeping with the tv on with the sleep timer, or the radio. Or use a fan or white noise machine to mask the cpap noises.

Absolutely no machine is 100% silent. You may have a more significant sleep disorder if you keep waking up for non-apnea-related reasons. Hopefully you will find a good solution soon.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Hmmmm....I could have my sister come and visit and stay with you for awhile - she leaves the TV on 24 hours a day - you won't even notice the sound of your cpap machine or mask - and after awhile you'll have memorized the dialog to every episode of "law and order"

[Pugsy]

If you stick your fingers in your ears....can you still hear the Darth Vader sounds?

[chunkyfrog]

Throwing a heavy towel over the machine will make it work harder, and put out less air.
BAD IDEA. Maybe you are not getting enough air fighting the sound of the machine.

[DoriC]

If you're using Cflex, you might try lowering the setting .

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

If you're using Cflex, you might try lowering the setting .

I actually did something similar to what DoriC is suggesting to you and turned of the exhale relief altogether (for me though it was A-Flex not C-flex). I was having some insomnia issues a while back and while trying to get back to sleep each night the sound of the PAP machine would be bothering me. It would change sounds from inhale to exhale, almost like a musical note that drops one step. Once I turned off the A-flex (exhale relief) it seemed to keep the sound more consistent to my ears. I also found with this little change that my body had adapted to my PAP pressure enough to where I did not need to use A-flex anymore.

John

[ughwhatname]

I was diagnosed with OSA in august and through my sleep doctor and insurance got a RemstarPro c-flex+ machine and both a Pilairo and a Swift FX masks. I always use the Pilairo, is is noisy and that bothers me, but the Swift FX is tough to keep in position sleeping on my side.

Why is this getting tougher for me rather than easier? I have moved the machine to the floor, and cover it with a heavy towel, but it does not help at all.

Two suggestions: First, I use the Swift FX as well, and I try to sleep on my side since its better for my apnea. I was using a memory foam pillow which is very stiff. I had trouble keeping the FX in position with that pillow. Once I switched to a squishy pillow, I had no more trouble. Second, if you could reframe your thinking about the sounds from your breathing and the machine to something positive, something that is helping you to be healthy, maybe it won't bother you so much.

[SethW]

I used to sleep with a fan on. Now I mostly go to sleep listening to a dexbaby Sound Sleeper sound generator. You could get one and return it if it doesn't help I guess. My favorite sound is ocean with the buoy sound added. I can't really say I am bothered much by noise but . . . when I was having trouble falling asleep, part of that was an awareness of my breathing, and I think the extra noise helped take my mind off of that. Maybe having something else to pay attention to other than just the machine will help. I also have a recording of a summer night with a bunch of cicadas that I downloaded somewhere off of the internet and some other recordings I made that I can loop through the media player on my laptop.

An out-of-the box thought would be to get hypnotized with the CPAP machine and have some sort of suggestion planted that the sound of the machine would make you sleepy!

[ddk]

Yeah, I'm the same.

Although I think the primary difference for me has been the weather transitioning from winter to summer (I start to become uncomfortable once temperatures go much above 20C and I've found that using fans blocks my nose), I also believe that the effect was so profound for me in the first month of use that my body and brain were screaming, "YIPPEEE!"

Now that the rush of that initial feeling has faded I'm finding that it's sometimes quite difficult to get to sleep and can even spend several hours trying and failing. The only advice I can offer is to keep at it and try different things until you find the best methods that work for you.

[cosmo]

[herefishy]

I have my machine on the floor with a longer than normal hose, and can't hear it.

[cherylann]

I know what you are saying about the "darth vader" noisees. My machine itself is quiet, but the massive "whooshing" of air blowing in from the mask makes it nearly impossible to get to sleep and stay asleep. I find I put off going to bed until I am just about dead tired because I dread it so much.....along with the constant adjustments I have to make to the mask throughout the night whenever I turn over or have an itch or the sweating gets unbearable. Not to mention just constantly feeling suffocated. I dont' know what the answer is. I've been at this for a year and a half - for several months I didn't use the machine at all. Found a new doctor who was very encouraging and she says numbers and leakage are good, but I don't really feel any better than I did when I wasn't using it.

[JamesW6175]

You might check the ResMed line of equipment, I can barely hear this machine & it is on my bedside table. Check my equipment at the bottom of this posting.

[xenablue]

If you keep your machine on the floor, it might be wise to keep a close check on your filters. It's not recommended you keep your machine on the floor as the air intake picks up all the dust.

Regarding the noise - we use a box fan every night - this mutes pretty much any low-level noises. If you don't like the air circulating, point it towards the ceiling or use a noise machine.

Cheers,
xena