HELP... NEW ON CPAP...NOT FEELING GOOD IN MORNING ?

bluetocker · Post by **bluetocker** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:50 pm

Hello my name is Gary, I am a 43 yr old male... I have been on an auto cpap machine for 5 nights as of 2/16/07 still waking up ? My pressure in the sleep study was 14cm, doctor said in sleep study report that at this pressure I was sleep apnea free ? My question is relating to how I feel in the morning... I feel very groggy through out the day sense being on cpap ? Am I just adjusting after years of poor sleep ?
I feel like I have had a sleeping pill the next morning ? My machine is a res-med vantage auto, res-med full face, mirage mask. Please advise... How long does it take body to adjust fully to cpap therapy ?
Thanks...
Gary

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:03 pm

Gary, OSA isn't just about poor sleep. Your body has been living with chronic oxygen deprivation all night on top of NO sleep in any sense of the word. So your body has had to make all kinds of acommodations over the years and I think it's common for your body to make the adjustment back to getting real sleep and not being subject to chronic oxygen deprivation.

So hang in there! This is normal. Don't be discouraged--you're doing far, far better than many people during their first week.

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:19 pm

Hi Gary,

First of all the good news is that you're now being treated for your OSA so your life expectancy just went way up. Your quality of life will improve too as you fine tune your therapy. You've got an excellent machine. What are your figures (AHI AI & HI) during the last five nights? Do you know how to check them? I would recommend you buy the software (Autoscan 5.7) & card reader because they will help you work out how your treatment is going while you're sleeping. There are several reasons why you can feel like you're in a coma the next day, but you'll need to give us your figures so we can help you.

Or it could be like Bret said and you're just adjusting to cpap.

Cheers

Peter

Rapunzel111 · Post by **Rapunzel111** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:18 am

Hi Gary!
You are probably still adjusting to your treatment.When I first started CPAP last march(2006)I would tear my mask off in my sleep or have problems getting comfortablesleeping on my back as I was always a stomach sleeper.I now tie my mask on using old pantyhose looped thru the straps of my nasal pillows mask and this allows me to keep my mask on and also to sleep on my side comfortably.
You also might be snoring through your mouth which makes CPAP not work at all.Mouth breathing causes the beneficial air pressure to shoot out through your mouth so you still have apnea and hypopnea episodes.
I solved this by taping my mouth shut with 2-3 strips of clear tape.
And oh yeah, I bought several chin straps that didn't work well before resorting to taping my mouth shut.
You can read more on this forum about mouth taping, which really works.
Good for you for getting tested in the first place.You are making the right decisions so you can improve your health and start feeling better.
Just hang in there and know it is a process with some trial and error mixed in.God Bless!
-Rapunzel111

SleepTech · Post by **SleepTech** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:59 am

Hi Gary,

I'm in agreement with most everything here. First off, before you look for anything too drastic in change (although being able to track your progress with the software is a good thing to be able to do). Give your body a chance to adjust to that pressure...14 cm H2O of pressure is no joke. It takes time, be patient. Utilize this board for support, and if your still feeling fatigue in a few months then possibly a few things can be adjusted to help. Be patient though, it'll come, stick with it!

Also:

Rapunzel111 wrote: You also might be snoring through your mouth which makes CPAP not work at all.Mouth breathing causes the beneficial air pressure to shoot out through your mouth so you still have apnea and hypopnea episodes.

You don't have to worry about mouth breathing Gary. you have a full-face mask which allows you to breath through your mouth or nose. So don't worry about taping your mouth shut or anything, that's the big pro for you getting a FF mask!!

You do want to eliminate mask leaks though. If your feeling air leaking up by your eyes or by your chin and/or cheeks, make small adjustments with the straps or with the forehead brace to correct them. If you feel you can't diminish the leak throughout the night, you may have an inncorect size, or frankly that particular mask just might not fit your face correctly (every face is different).....thats why there's so many different masks out there. There's one for you.....you may already have it.

Also, if your not already you may want to add the heated humidity with your CPAP machine (not pass-over humidity). Its of great advantage to have this. One of the three primary functions of the respiratory system while air is being inspired is to humidify the air prior to the lungs....with 14 cm of pressure being forced in your mouth or nose you can imagine how that would dry you out. If that air is already humidified...kinda makes it a lil easier dont ya think?

Utilize the tools, they'll work for you!!

Be patient!!

Chris

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onecoknower · Post by **onecoknower** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:40 am

Gary,
I have a few tips, but I primarily want to share my experience to date. I have been on cpap therapy for just over a month. I'm also 43. I have been a snorer since high school and it has progressively worsened. My sleep study showed AHI of about 30 per hour. Moderate sleep apnea was my dx.

So, I found the forum, got my titration study, got my machine and a swift mask.

The first week I was EXHAUSTED. And it was a different tiredness than I had experienced before. Pre-cpap, I was always tired. Could fall asleep in less than 5 minutes any place where I was sitting and quiet. The first week on cpap I felt like I was hit by a bus. My whole body was heavy, I yawned all the time and look like I hadn't slept for a year. But I was sleeping better - more soundly, longer, less tossing and turning. My nares were also pretty sore the first days.

Over the course of the last month, I:
- am waking up more alert most days
- have only felt like I needed a nap a few times. One of my favorite weekend activities is a nice short (1 hour) afternoon nap, but during the week I'm just too busy.
- I'm getting used to the noise of the machine, having to take care of the equipment.

My tips:
-get a comfort sleeve for the hose. Not only does it prevent rainout, but it makes the hose look and feel less sterile.
-use a heated humidifier. I've been playing with the heat levels and like the ability to make it more humid if I want.
- read this forum - there are so many wise and experienced people here.
- use Ayr nasal gel, chapstick and artificial tears - all help the orifices from drying out, all are safe and can be used as much as needed.
-I also take advil before bed every night - I move so much less than before and find that my hips and back are sore in the morning from being still all night. That was an interesting side affect from therapy.

Good luck to you!
Donna

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:32 am

You need to list your equiptment correctly in your profile,(top of page) you need to list the pressuresyour machine is set for. At a CPAP of 14, I'd probably want to set it at 11 to 15 cm. Jim

Having software to check progress is a good idea.

Mask