two weeks new to CPAP, just joined here

Unk · Post by **Unk** » Mon May 19, 2014 5:38 pm

Hi,
I have a Phillips Respironics REMstar Pro C-Flex+ and so far 2 nasal masks, one is nose pillows which Is a "bit" better BUT I can't fall asleep with the machine on. No Leaks. have a humidifier. Just the air - ramp 4-8 - constantly on keeps me awake.
I get up, turn off the machine, spend 5 minutes with a cigarette in the living room. Try to go back to bed thinking I don't feel sleepy (as with the machine on) and yet l, like usual (before), fall asleep within 5 minutes w/o CPAP.

Perhaps the "C-Flex +" function is better for me? OR as you all know, it just takes time for a person to adjust (somehow) and fall right asleep?

Any wisdom and advice will be much appreciated.

PS I am a mouth breather historically and as a smoker. Yrs ago had CPAP with FFM and couldn't deal and gave it back. At the sleep study, with nose pillows, I did sleep. (NO chin strap).

It's been years so I hope something helps get a revitalizing sleep experience.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:12 pm

I guess you just got yourself a mulligan!
Luckily, some of the newer machines and masks are way better than what made you miserable years ago.
Hang around, hopefully we can help you be a sleeper success this time around.
--

library lady · Post by **library lady** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:15 pm

I'm a relative newbie, 3 months in. If you are a mouth breather you will probably need a full face mask, unless you use a chin strap or you can train yourself to keep your mouth closed. What did you use at sleep study, if you had one? Noise from the machine doesn't bother me, but maybe you can find something to create pleasant "white noise" that will mask the machine noise. The most important thing is to have the right mask, and it takes a lot of trial and error for most of us to find the mask that works. Our faces are shaped differently, and the mask is "alien"to our faces so it's important to train your brain that the alien on your face is OK. Try wearing the mask with the machine on for a few hours during the day for awhile, while reading or watching TV, working a puzzle, playing scrabble with your grandkids, whatever rocks your boat. Do something that engages you while your brain adapts.

I had a rotten first week, but by week two I was able to get through the night without taking the mask off. I did sometimes get up during the night for a while, but I learned to leave the mask on, just turning off the machine and popping the hose off ... gradually I was able to sleep all night long, but a few mornings I woke up with the mask somewhere in my bed besides on my face. After about six weeks, even that behavior went away. It's a gradual process, adapting to this thing called cpap, but since mid-Easter my AHI is consistently under 3, and I am feeling great.

Welcome to the forum. This is the place to come when you have difficulty or questions. There are some wonderful, very knowledgeable people here who can answer just about any of questions and allay your fears.

Unk · Post by **Unk** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:31 pm

thanks for the welcome!

My recent sleep study (2nd half of 8 hrs) was with machine and nose pillows and I did sleep the 4 hrs of it.

But at home with machine I can't fall asleep with it .... I will persevere - unlike yrs ago when I just quit it -

sometimes, since I breathe at a rate different than the machine,sometimes my mouth will fill up and I have to exhale from mouth lol ... of course I am still awake then

acidragon · Post by **acidragon** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:36 pm

Give it time. I cant fall asleep now without my machine now. It becomes like a normal thing even more like a comfort to have it on before I sleep. Took me about two months of horrible sleep, constantly waking up and ripping off the mask at night without realizing. Also once I got my humidity level set right and stopped getting rained out it was much much better.

Ontario CPAP · Post by **Ontario CPAP** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:37 pm

I have virtually the same equipment. I started using CPAP last July and it took a few weeks to become accustomed to it. Now, it's a completely "natural" way to fall asleep for me.

In the first few weeks, I would have this overwhelming urge to take the mask off. When I was able to hang in and eventually fall asleep, the quality of the ensuing sleep was so amazing it wasn't long before the discomfort of using the CPAP was secondary to the pleasure of feeling completely rested the next day. As a result, I became more determined to make CPAP work for me.

One strategy that worked in those early weeks was to use the CFLEX+ feature on it max setting (3) without ramp (my pressure Rx is 9 cmH2O -- not very high) and let the machine "back off" on each exhale. I would take slow, deliberate breaths, trying as much as possible to stay still. With the CFLEX+ turned on, the machine cycled its pressure to match each breath in and out, not unlike a slow metronome. I would "relieve" the pressure from time to time by letting air out of my mouth. I eventually learned how to close the back of my throat with my tongue such that I could open my mouth while maintaining pressure.

At first, it would take 20 to 30 minutes of this (plus sheer boredom) to fall asleep, but after a while I was able to put on the nose pillows, fire up the machine, and be asleep in 5 to 10 minutes. Now, as mentioned above, I'm used to it to the point that it's "natural" to use the CPAP.

In other words, resist the urge to take of the mask, and relax. Breathe slowly and deliberately with CFLEX+ at its maximum setting. The first few weeks will be the most difficult, but sticking with it is worth the effort in the long run.

Unk · Post by **Unk** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:42 pm

Thanks so much !!! I was thinking of using the C flex!!

another thought was to lengthen the ramp time from 10 minutes to ????

You sharing your experience makes me think more that it is possible

Ontario CPAP · Post by **Ontario CPAP** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:55 pm

Early on, when I used ramp feature I had it set to 30 minutes. I don't use it any more.

Unk · Post by **Unk** » Mon May 19, 2014 7:00 pm

uh oh, C-Flex on my machine is "disabled"

anyone know how to enable it?

Ontario CPAP · Post by **Ontario CPAP** » Mon May 19, 2014 7:16 pm

You may want to check out the clinician's menu (with "setup" highlighted, press and hold the knob and ramp buttons together for a few seconds.) I believe you can check the CFLEX+ settings there. It is not recommended you not change anything unless you know what the change will do.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon May 19, 2014 7:31 pm

Unk wrote:uh oh, C-Flex on my machine is "disabled"

anyone know how to enable it?

See this video for how to get into the clinical setup menu to turn on (enable) CFlex
Scroll down to the bottom to see the PR S1
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/machines.html

I suggest that you try all settings to see which one feels the best to you regardless of the number.

Unk · Post by **Unk** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:06 am

Thanks! The clinician came last wednesday and set up CFlex (to 3) and still, frustratingly, with nose pillows or with nose mask, I can't fall asleep and give up after 1 1/2 hrs. Since I smoke and am a mouth breather without the machine, I put the nose pillows in my mouth for an hr but still couldn't fall asleep.

Gosh, tonight I felt dead on my feet, put on the nose pillows, though of them as a friend to give me good deep sleep, BUT .... perhaps there is tension in keeping my mouth closed???? I dunno anymore. The pillows comfortably in my mouth did not help either .....

I guess I ask for a full face mask yet I am not very hopeful ....

Off goes the mask these days and soon as I calm down, go back to bed, I fall right asleep with my apneas UGH!

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:20 am

Get with your doctor and explain the issues.

Unk wrote:soon as I calm down, go back to bed, I fall right asleep with my apneas UGH!

You may need some help to calm down prior to removing the mask.

Oh...sticking the nasal mask in your mouth is no good. If you can't keep your mouth shut...get a full face mask and be done with it.

Oh...smoking...you know it's bad so I won't go there but it's worse to have one right before you mask up. Contrary to popular belief...it won't "calm" you down in a manner to help you get to sleep.

Sounds like you need some serious help falling asleep with the mask..that means addressing the anxiety and the need to mouth breathe. If you can't keep your mouth shut..you gotta get a full face mask.
Look at the Innomed/Respcare Hybrid. It might not be so scary looking.

Unk · Post by **Unk** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:11 am

Thank you Pugsy!!!! That mask looks ideal for me. I went ahead and ordered it with my own money (not insurance) - $117 mask and head gear. However, they ask for a prescription so now I have to talk a doctor into emailing them a scrip.

Sheriff Buford · Post by **Sheriff Buford** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:24 am

Be sure to get your own copy of the prescription.

Sheriff

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