A Frustrated Princess and the C-Pea-P

[BB6078]

I'm on day 12 with the cpap F&P Icon. Not. going. well.

Last week I ditched it most nights after trying for an hour or so. Once I put it on at 3 a.m. and think I slept for an hour or two. But not even sure...

Have worn it during the day on 2 weekends while watching TV and Sunday, I was quite sleepy, and I tried to take a nap w/ it on w/ no luck.

I *think* I fell asleep with it for about 2 hrs last night, 10-1230. I've had such $%#$@-y sleep, high fatigue etc. over the past 3 months I don't know if/when I'm actually asleep or awake lying in bed. Does anyone else experience this? What I do know is that when I sleep w/out using Mr. Hose Monster I wake up after a dream and think that was a dream so I slept. AAAAGH. I have a mac at home and one kind soul here helped me try to get Sleepyhead loaded on my computer to no avail and I haven't had time to revisit. The data card (not a SD card, is a USB) does not have a little thingie that you can switch, which is apparently what you have to do w/ a mac).

Anyway, I have deviated septum, nonallergic rhinitis (just started Flutasione or something about a week ago and also have azetaline) hoping both will help (otherwise there's impatropium bromide or something I could get).

I have the F&P nasal eson mask and not uncomfortable at all and the machine is pretty quiet except when you exhale into the nasal mask. But covering my head up or wearing earplugs helps. My problem is that one nostril gets clogged up, depending on which side I sleep on (right side, right nostril, etc.). I can't adjust the airflow cpap yet (5 then autos up to 15 or so when I have an episode) because I have to go back in a couple weeks and maybe then I can get access to the settings. I had the humidity on 5 at first and now put it all the way up to 7.

I can't believe how hard this is - kudos to you all for helping cpap peeps!! Now I see what more than half the ppl who desperately need it don't use it.

I thought I'd slap that mask on and wake up the next morning and say, that was the best sleep of my life. Ranks up there with the hardest thing I've ever done. I do not want to give up.

Desperately seeking solutions and suggestions.

[Pugsy]

the data card (not a SD card, is a USB) does not have a little thingie that you can switch, which is apparently what you have to do w/ a mac).

The write protect switch advice is mainly for ResMed S9 users. The S9 machines won't accept a SD card with a little file from the Mac on the card. Also, not all Macs seem to put that little unwanted file on SD cards anyway.

Make sure you have the correct Mac build that includes the Patch file. The latest unstable Mac build (actually less buggy and more stable than the prior version) has the Patch file included so that's the one I would get. Normally the Patch file is mainly for 60 series Respironics users but it also helps with the Icon machine data.

Which Icon model are you using?

[BB6078]

Thanks Pugsy...when I'm home tonight I will repost the info on which machine I have, the version of sleepyhead, etc. I think I got the one with the mac patch - you had it linked in a previous message.

[lliann]

B, hang in there. Yes, its takes trial and error and I know cuz I have dodged this whole thing six ways to Sunday but I finally am closing in on it..so it's possible (and I even like my little oxygen visits at night<g.)

Look at the user notes in Sleephead for Mac. It talks about a root directory for a file that gets called NoName(for the scan disk but I think you say you are not using a scan disk?) Somewhere in there is a file called datalog I had to play around with this until something worked. (anti-Murphys Law). Kaiasgram helped me and she has a Mac help link.(how to do a print screen on a Mac to share Sleepyhead graphs.)

I also have the deviated septum and nose issues. I think the air actually helps open up a breathing airway but I really just had to get used to the nasal mask. Some are nosier than others. I have had luck with the Zest Nasal (and I see there is also a Zest Q for quiet) Tonight I am going to try the new Airfit nasal. Hopefully its as quiet as the airfit pillows.

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome to the forum, BB.

[Julie]

With all the nasal issues you have, why aren't you using a full face mask? It would make your life so much easier!

[library lady]

BB, do hang in there! When I brought my machine home on Feb. 3 and used it for the first time that night, I thought the same as you, that that's all there is to it.... boy was I wrong! None of the professionals gave me any clue that it might take weeks to adjust! I had a rotten first week with a very loud and squeaky mask... found this forum on about day 3 and finally understood that using cpap is major change that requires a lot of adjustment, both physically and mentally.

After I learned about mask liners and started using those (first nite Feb. 10) I was finally able to sleep through the night with only a few short interruptions. For the next few weeks things I found myself occasionally waking up in the morning to find that I had taken the mask off during the night. Or I would wake up thinking it was morning and time to get up, then find out that it's only 5 AM but I've already taken the mask off so I go back to bed without it.

Now, nearly 3 months in, those things rarely happen. If I get up before the alarm goes off I usually turn the machine off, pull the elbow off the mask and go into the bathroom, on the way out look at the time on the kitchen clock, and if it's really early I go back to bed - my mask is still "attached" and I can plug the elbow back in and go back to sleep; the machine will know that I'm breathing and turn on. That little habit of always pulling the elbow out with the hose still attached makes it much easier to keep from taking the mask off in the middle of the night. I realize that you have a mask that maybe doesn't have that "elbow" but as one poster said, maybe a full-face mask would help you with some of your other problems too... and then you would have the elbow connector.

Please do hang in there; you will eventually get into it full-time and reap the benefits. I have a friend who recently tried cpap and quit after 2 weeks because she didn't feel better yet, and even my very intelligent cousin who is an RN did not stay with it - the straps bothered her and she wasn't proactive enough to figure out a way to get around that. This was before I knew she had even tried it and I think she's a little ashamed of herself after seeing what I've been able to learn. She does still have her machine, so I'm hoping she'll give it another go in a year or two. I told her about this forum, mask liners, even Karen's Pad-a-
Cheek site where she can get strap covers.

[BB6078]

With all the nasal issues you have, why aren't you using a full face mask? It would make your life so much easier!

Thanks Julie, was wondering if that may be the ticket... I'll ask the pulmo…
But I think I'm not a mouth breather…but could be wrong. Maybe that doesn't matter. I dunno.

[BB6078]

Which Icon model are you using?

F&P Icon +

This is the Sleepyhead ver I downloaded.

SleepyHead-unstable-Mac-20140410.dmg

I have OS 10.7.5

It seems that Sleepyhead doesn't recognize the F&P "InfoUSB 2"

My mac does see it in the devices area of the finder.

Many many thanks for any help you can provide.

[BB6078]

[quote="library lady"]BB, do hang in there!
Thank you LL for the encouragement. It's good to hear from other and their experiences for better or worse.
I have two good friends/book clubbers who are the "library ladies" where I live.

[Pugsy]

Which F & P Icon +....there's more to it...Auto, Premo, Novo???
http://www.fphcare.com/sleep-apnea/cpap ... /f-p-icon/
The + is the "latest" Icon model series but I don't know if it works with Sleepyhead or not. SleepyHead for F & P was done prior to the release of the + Series models.

You may need InfoSmart from F & P...but there is no Mac version. You would have to use a Windows PC or put some sort of virtual Windows on your Mac.

Can someone who uses a Mac explain the import/download process for SleepyHead...navigating to where the medium is?
I don't know anything about Macs.
I am not sure if SleepyHead just isn't compatible or if SleepyHead just can't find the medium in this situation.

[BB6078]

Which F & P Icon +....there's more to it...Auto, Premo, Novo???
http://www.fphcare.com/sleep-apnea/cpap ... /f-p-icon/
The + is the "latest" Icon model series but I don't know if it works with Sleepyhead or not. SleepyHead for F & P was done prior to the release of the + Series models.

-Thanks Pugsy, I think it's an Icon + Auto based on what the description is - nothing in the manual says Auto tho.

-I am using simple mode, the advanced mode is restricted thus far by the provider. They told me I would have to call a number to get it switched to the advanced mode

"You may need InfoSmart from F & P...but there is no Mac version. You would have to use a Windows PC or put some sort of virtual Windows on your Mac."

-We have a Microsoft Surface that uses Windows RT - will that work?

Can someone who uses a Mac explain the import/download process for SleepyHead...navigating to where the medium is?
I don't know anything about Macs.
I am not sure if SleepyHead just isn't compatible or if SleepyHead just can't find the medium in this situation.

-Thanks again Pugsy!!

[Pugsy]

Check your Private message box please.

I have no idea about Windows RT and/or if it will work with InfoSmart. I have never used that software as I have never owned a F & P machine.

The ResMed S9 and the Respironics PR System One machines I know about and their software.

[BB6078]

Thanks everyone for the tips and pointers and even a phone call. Drumroll, please, I am on my third consecutive night using the cpap, HOORAY, and hoping to clock in number 4 tonight.

It took since mid April, and I was getting really frustrated, but everyone here said don't give up! Since the "insomnia" falling asleep part got better with a little wt loss, I was kind of afraid to use it for fear of not getting any sleep. And it was extremely hard to fall asleep w/ it on. I think I had two partial nights. I even got a nasal pillow mask, and decided I liked the original nasal cup deal better (since I'd worn it enough). I will try the pillow later...

Anyway, I just decided if it took months of weekend naps to get acclimated, then so be it. One Saturday morning I was particularly tired, put it on, and went out like a light. Another weekend nap success: my hub and son were cutting trees with chainsaws in the yard (and actually felled one) and I didn't hear a thing!

So I built up "tolerance" that way, over essentially eight weeks. This past Friday (the first full night of sleep w/ it) I was up late and tired, Melatonin and sleep aid, and that seem to do the trick. Saturday went ok, and Sunday I had a great nap with it before going to a late concert. We got back at 1130 and I dropped right off w/ it on.

Just from the few times I used it at first, I really felt a difference in relief from my typical back and joint pain. So I kept thinking I won't have anymore back pain when I get used to it and that kept me going. Now that I'm using it I think my body is craving the good sleep and I seem to be tired, but in a different way, not fatigue and ass-dragging, but rather that I could fall asleep where-ever and whenever (which is a huge deal to me, having the insomnia from UARS/OSA.)

MANY THANKS!

[Nick Danger]

Congratulations! Perseverance is hard work, but it pays off. I've gotten to the point after a year that I have a hard time falling asleep if I'm not wearing the mask!!