Struggling

[JennySawyer]

I've been using a CPAP machine for nearly 2 months & I can't get used to it. After over 30 years ie since I was a teenager of complaining to doctors about being tired all the time & having nightmares when I sleep (although the former have gotten progressively worse over the years) I finally got to have a polysomnography earlier this year, I was surprised at the results as I thought that my sleep problems were all mental rather than physical (I've been on anti-depressants since I was a teenager, I have got Aspergers, I'm very anxious, I believe I have PTSD) but it turns out that I do not breathe properly whilst asleep due to the shape of my jaw (I have long been aware of my jawline & I don't like it due to its appearance - but I had no idea it had health ramifications); unfortunately the CPAP machine has made me more not less tired, the actual feel of the mask on my skin was awful at first (I've got sensitive skin) but I'm getting used to it & even find the feel of it quite comforting when I first lie down in bed, however the dry mouth is a problem (I do have the humidity on a high setting but I wake up several times & need to drink & then that leads to more trips to the toilet to wee) & when the pressure goes high it disturbs me especially when I can feel air puffing out my cheeks, I do find that my nightmares are less severe on CPAP but they still take place 99% of the time that I sleep. I want it to work but am wondering if it's worth continuing with.

[Sheriff Buford]

Jenny: heck yea!! Keep it up. We need to know what your equipment is.... so fill out your profile. Also... get the sleepy head program/software and start posting your data. You can get the software from a member here name Pugsy. Your machine should have a data card so you can download the numbers each night in sleepy head. If it doesn't, get a cheap one and put it in the machine. Also, Pugsy's profile will show you how to post your numbers for a night. That way we can see what going on with you.
You can use Padacheek liners (.com) to help with the mask on your skin.
If your dry mouth cannot be tolerated, use a dry mouth spray before you go to bed. I am also a mouth breather, but I can tolerated the dry mouth. Some folks can't.

Sheriff

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Please see this thread
viewtopic/t172378/Sticky--Newbies-PLEAS ... STING.html

and if you have trouble figuring out exactly which machine you are using see this
wiki/index.php/CPAP_models
It's important to know which model machine because not all machines have data that the software can help us out with.

You aren't having any issues that others haven't had but to help you we need more information from you. Specifics.....

[katestyles]

Hey and welcome.

Dry mouth is a problem I am fighting just now, and is fairly common among CPAPpers who breathe through their mouths when asleep.

What kind of a mask are you using?

[JennySawyer]

Thanks for your replies, I will get back to you with the information that you requested.

[JennySawyer]

It's a ResMed 10 machine with an AirFit F20 mask.

[Julie]

There are many Resmed 10 machines... the model matters... is it an autoset? A plain Cpap? Does it give any data? What are all the words on top/front of it?

[Pugsy]

Look on the face of the machine lower right corner.
What does it say there???

AirSense 10 CPAP
AirSense 10 Elite
AirSense 10 AutoSet
AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her

It's important to know exactly which model because the features vary with the models.

[JennySawyer]

Look on the face of the machine lower right corner.
What does it say there???

AirSense 10 CPAP
AirSense 10 Elite
AirSense 10 AutoSet
AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her

It's important to know exactly which model because the features vary with the models.

This one.

[katestyles]

That is a good machine and a good mask! I have the same machine.

Now let’s see if we can start to fix some of your big issues.

[katestyles]

Dry mouth is usually caused by you breathing through your mouth. You also say your cheeks puff out- it sounds like your body can’t decide if it should mouth breathe or not. Lol.

I made a decision not to mouth breathe, and I’m working on it.

[palerider]

Look on the face of the machine lower right corner.
What does it say there???

AirSense 10 CPAP
AirSense 10 Elite
AirSense 10 AutoSet
AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her

It's important to know exactly which model because the features vary with the models.

This one.

Then fill out your equipment profile so people will quit asking.

[JennySawyer]

I forgot to mention itching on the facial area especially around the nose, obviously I have to remove the mask to scratch & this needs being awake to do - I assume that without the mask I would do it automatically in my sleep, I am quite an itchy person & do scratch a lot.

[JennySawyer]

I have made an appointment with the doctor about excessive weeing, I assume this has nothing to do with CPAP but it is severely affecting my sleep at the moment, last night I went to bed at midnight & had gone for a wee right before getting in to bed, then I had to go to the toilet at 1am & again at 2:40am, I went again another time (around 4ish) before getting up at 7:50am.

[JennySawyer]

Dry mouth is usually caused by you breathing through your mouth. You also say your cheeks puff out- it sounds like your body can’t decide if it should mouth breathe or not. Lol.

I made a decision not to mouth breathe, and I’m working on it.

I always thought that everyone breathed in through the nose & out through the mouth.