Cant get used to CPAP

Pixelpusher · Post by **Pixelpusher** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:41 pm

I've had my machine for over a year now. I started using it when i got it with a full mask. I woke up a couple hours after falling asleep and felt like I couldnt breathe because the air flow pressure was so intense. I stopped using it. 9 months later I was getting sick of being tired all the time so I called my med supply company and switched from a full mask to a nasal pillow and chin strap. I tried it again with the same results. I really want this to work but not sure how to proceed.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:47 pm

Welcome to the forum!

You haven't told us what pressure you've been prescribed.....
If you're at a higher pressure, you might want to talk to your doctor to get him to have the DME lower the pressure to something that's easier to get used to and then move it up gradually.
Most of these doctors that prescribe this stuff have NO idea what it's like to breathe against pressure.
Does your equipment have either EPR or C-Flex?

Best wishes,

Den

Pixelpusher · Post by **Pixelpusher** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:53 pm

I dont know what pressure I am on. My unit has no settings I can change except the ramp. The max ramp time I can set is 20 min.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:00 pm

What's the full name of your machine? That will be on top of the machine. Tell us every word that's written or painted on the top surface. And tell us if it does, or does not, have a blue sticker on top that says "C-Flex".

It would be a good idea to call the doctor's office, or better yet, go to his office and ask them to give you a copy of your cpap prescription.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:07 pm

welcome aboard, it would help if you listed out what you have (machine, pressure, mask etc.).

Next time you go to use your machine, think about what bothers you the most and break it down.

difficulty falling asleep:
If you are having problems falling asleep with the mask then start there. Is it the discomfort of the mask? is it the noise?

waking during the night:
Once you get to sleep then what happens? do you wake up? if so do you wake gasphing for air or just wake up wide awake? Do you know what the state of the machine was when you woke up? or was it found shut off? was it blowing full tilt?

If you woke up do to pressure, noise, or discomfort these can be all indicators which can help you solve your problem. Getting used to cpap takes the average person 4-6 weeks. There are some mask interfaces that need to be in the trash and there are others that work well.

Getting used to using cpap is just a matter of resolving all the little problems one by one, pretty soon you wake up with a full night's sleep and feel better.

We need to know exactly what machine you have (Respironics Remstar Plus, Resmed, etc. and we need to know your current pressure settings), if it has Ramp enabled or not.

It is best if you can work through it yourself than running to the doctor or DME all the time, that can waste money and lots of time. If you have a copy of your last PSG and have that info, that would be great also, it should have some data on it like:

Wake
Stage1: xx%
Stage2: xx%
Stage3/4:xx%
REM: xx%

AI: count (apnea count)
HI: count (hypopnea count)
CA: count (central apnea count)
MA: count (mixed apnea count)
AHI: avg./hr (avg. obstructive events per hour).

minutes at lab: xxx
minutes sleeping: xxx

Oxygen levels or SAO2:
Wake: 96%
REM: 72%

Loud Snoring noted: yes/no
RLS/PLMD noted: yes/no

If you can get the above information from your last study we can see where you were and how to get where you want to be.