Hyperalert-new to CPAP

[charbat]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie with a CPAP dilemma. I have had my Airsense 10 Auto Pap machine since December 2 and have yet to be able to fall asleep with it. I started out with a Mirage FX nasal mask but changed to Swift FX nasal pillows a week ago. The nasal pillows seem to be comfortable enough,I am used to the air pressure (5-12)and I turned off the ramp and the heat because the air was too stifling. When I attempt to lie down and sleep, my breathing gets very fast to the point of almost hyperventilating and I try to bring it back down by counting to 4 on intake and to 4 on breathing out. I feel hyper alert even though my body is exhausted from many years of poor sleep and I can not fall asleep at all so I lie there for hours before taking everything off. My sleep study reported mild apnea and an AHI of 22.5 per hr and central apnea index of 0. I do snore and the sleep study pointed out a low of 75% oxygen saturation.
At this point I am miserable with the only options of lying with the CPAP on and not sleeping or sleeping without it and getting substandard sleep. Any help would be appreciated.

[PoolQ]

Put it on a lot when you don't need to sleep. Watching TV, reading a book, using the computer.

[BlackSpinner]

Watch some tv with it on - lying down even. Get used to it.

Instead of just counting, remember and visualize a time when you dozed off in some really pleasant place. A beach memory is often chosen. Remember in detail what you saw, what you smelled, what you felt, what you heard - slowly and in sequence - basically put your mind back into that scene.

Do not take off the mask except to remind your self it is just a mask, then put it back on. Take some time when you don't have to get up because you do not want to reward your mind by allowing it to sleep without the mask.

In some ways it is a lot like potty training a toddler, getting angry, yelling, being severe will only set it back. Use reward and bribery to get the result you want.

[charbat]

The nasal pillows are not bothering me nor is the blowing air. I just can't seem to let myself fall asleep,maybe it is fear of smothering (yes, I know it is irrational with air blowing down my throat). I also can not find any position that is comfortable for more than 5 minutes and I spend so much time flipping around like a fish out of water. I have a CPAP buckwheat pillow but it is harder than cement, so I use it very little. I tried a wedge pillow but could not tolerate that position without my back hurting. I feel worse now than before I started, ugh!

[kteague]

Hello and welcome. Can you clarify a bit for me? Those numbers you quoted are not even diagnostic for mild apnea. Could those numbers be from during the titration while using the machine? It will be easier for people to help if go into your profile and add your equipment in the text format. Otherwise people have to keep asking of referring back to this post. There are instructions at the top of the main page for posting machine data. First step is usually to make sure treatment is optimized. Since initiation of sleep is your problem, I'd have to wonder if your starting pressure is inadequate, making it hard to relax and fall asleep. Beyond that generic observation, maybe machine data could get you more targeted help.

Have you already reviewed any meds you take for possible sleep issues as a side effect?

Some resort to temporary use of a sleep med during the adjustment phase. I personally would want to make sure my treatment was effective before going that route.

[charbat]

I have edited my first post to include correct sleep study info(brain fog) and my equipment. As for your query about medications kteague, my doctor was so adamant about not prescribing anything when I brought it up before I got my machine. Not sure if I went to another doctor they would prescribe me anything. I do feel like if i could only take the edge off I might succeed in falling asleep.

[jagzoo]

Hi charbat,
You say that your starting pressure is 5? This might not be true for you but I can't breathe easily at that little pressure and my symptoms of air hunger are a lot like what you describe. I'd suggest trying this - raise your lower pressure to at least 6 (I personally am more comfortable at 7 or 8 ). If you feel better - then the problem is solved. This is easy to test and without any harmful effects. Hope it is as simple a fix as this for you.

[BlackSpinner]

The nasal pillows are not bothering me nor is the blowing air. I just can't seem to let myself fall asleep,maybe it is fear of smothering (yes, I know it is irrational with air blowing down my throat). I also can not find any position that is comfortable for more than 5 minutes and I spend so much time flipping around like a fish out of water. I have a CPAP buckwheat pillow but it is harder than cement, so I use it very little. I tried a wedge pillow but could not tolerate that position without my back hurting. I feel worse now than before I started, ugh!

Not consciously bothering you, but you deep down body mind is bothered. You have to teach it it is safe and normal - do this by watching some good movies while wearing it. For a long time that deep part has worked hard to keep you alive while you sleep. It doesn't trust this thing, it doesn't believe it is safe to sleep with. Teach it you can spend hours wearing this safely. Reward it for cooperating. Tell your self you will have some sort of very special treat if you sleep the night. Be very clear about the treat to yourself - remember the toddler? Bribery - it works.

[charbat]

Thanks everyone for your input. lol @ Blackspinner, I do like your take on this subject, I guess you battled yourself at one time and won! I will try wearing the blasted thing while I watch tv and on the computer (what a logistical nightmare). Now can I bribe myself with food if I fall asleep?

[chunkyfrog]

Acceptance is more easily said than done; but it is so powerful.
I imagined myself embarking on an adventure (in my case, a sci-fi yoyage beyond the stars,
The count down commencing when my head hits the pillow.)

[grayghost4]

Quote : I will try wearing the blasted

As Yoda said "don't try ... do" and it is NOT a blasted thing!

Put the mask on and go to sleep .... or take it off and get up .... but never sleep without it!

[BlackSpinner]

I will try wearing the blasted thing while I watch tv and on the computer (what a logistical nightmare). Now can I bribe myself with food if I fall asleep?

See! That is why you need to access your deep mind. Words are thoughts that become reality. Words are powerful. "I am wearing this wonderful device that lets me sleep in safety" Do not give that toddler any ammunition!