Hello Everyone.
I am a newbie... I actually just came home with my loner CPAP. I am quite excited as I really need to get my life back on track.
I starte snoring when I was pregnant with my first child (2 years agao) and since then my blood pressure is just up and down, and my anxiety is very bad. I wake up in the morings with a racing heart.
I have been reading some post and am really motivated.
I will let everyone know how my first night goes. (even though I doubt it will go smooth - I am a very nervy person)
AM
Well Here Goes.
I say if you can use it for 1-2hrs and sleep, pat yourself on the back, but don't become frustrated if you don't, just keep trying a little each night.
It takes the average person 4-6 weeks to get used to wearing the mask where they can finally sleep all night long.
I would suggest:
If straight CPAP, don't worry so much about leaks, adjust mask for best comfort just don't let it blow into your eyes. Washing your face before bed (no creams or lotions) will remove skin oils and reduce the amount of leaking.
Get out your manual, if your Ramp feature was enabled, use it! lower pressure of ramp will make it easier to tolerate and the lower the pressure the quieter things will be. If you are not asleep after Ramp expires, hit the Ramp button again and you can hit it as many times as you wish. I would have any Ramp pressure no lower than about 6.5 cm.
It takes the average person 4-6 weeks to get used to wearing the mask where they can finally sleep all night long.
I would suggest:
If straight CPAP, don't worry so much about leaks, adjust mask for best comfort just don't let it blow into your eyes. Washing your face before bed (no creams or lotions) will remove skin oils and reduce the amount of leaking.
Get out your manual, if your Ramp feature was enabled, use it! lower pressure of ramp will make it easier to tolerate and the lower the pressure the quieter things will be. If you are not asleep after Ramp expires, hit the Ramp button again and you can hit it as many times as you wish. I would have any Ramp pressure no lower than about 6.5 cm.
someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...
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Guest
It would help if you'd fill out your profile with your equipment and pressure.
If you have a higher pressure and a machine that doesn't have exhale relief, that would account for some of the reasons. Also, if you have a nasal mask and the air is flying out your mouth.....that won't help, either.
Den
If you have a higher pressure and a machine that doesn't have exhale relief, that would account for some of the reasons. Also, if you have a nasal mask and the air is flying out your mouth.....that won't help, either.
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
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countrygent
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:00 am
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
I'm new too - I'd say I have a mix of anxieties and emotions. Embarassed and ego-bruised about the sort of "invalid" look. Worried it won't work. Uncomfortable with the mask and hose. Equally worried it won't successfully address and solve the quite profound life problems I believe years of bad sleep have caused for me.
First night last night for a thirty day APAP study to try and find a pressure. I fell asleep OK, since I'm permanently exhausted, but was uncomfortable. I half woke three or four times as the pressure seemed to have ramped way up and I was fighting to exhale. At about 2 in the morning I took off the mask - it was hurting my virgin nares and upper lip too much and I was really distracted by the discomfort.
My apnea has been slowly undermining and ruining my life undetected for years. I am in a very demanding professional career and progressively over the past four or five years I have spiralled down into chronic depression and a raft of low grade complaints - constant fatigue, bone-weary muscle and joint pain, inability to concentrate, falling behind in my work, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of the energy and the positive attitude to make necessary changes in lifestyle and at work.
It was the restless legs that finally provided me with the clue. Some research and the association with apnea got me thinking. A conversation with my wife about just exactly what did I sound like when I snored. Did I gasp? Did I seem to stop breathing? As I read a little more and then found some articles on the close association between untreated apnea and depression I felt like I was beginning to solve the puzzle.
I went to my GP, searched the internet - fibromyalgia, infection, psychological depression. The typical "you have middle aged depression" get counselling, take Paxil ... I resisted. I kept coming back to a slef-diagnosis of sleep apnea. The constant waking up at night, the chest-wall pain, the morning headaches and falling asleep while watching TV or sitting on the couch, the restless legs - it didn't add up to me, and the idea of sedating myself with uptake inhibitors or being talked out of my problems I knew would not work or would make things a more complicated mess.
I have always had mood changes through my life, a kind of "black dog" depression that could come on for a few weeks, but could bull my way through it and work out of it. I had always been a top performer who could by force of will breast the stream during the tough times. Now I lack energy and have been progressively deteriorating month by month, year by year. My old optimism of survival was being destroyed. I told my wife "I'm broken and if I can't solve what's wrong with me my whole vision of the future becomes bleak and unattainable". An income and performance crisis would soon be looming at work.
I finally became convinced of OSA. I had trouble getting a referral - I am not overweight, my neck is not enlarged, I play active team sports, and my complaint had been chronic low grade unshakeable depression which was accounted for as the cause of my insomnia and thus fatigue. The very personality factors which had allowed me to cope with depression in the past now stood in my way of getting help as my downward spiral was in the context of coping and getting by.
It was extremely alienating and lonely to drive into the office tower (a little later many mornings as moving early in the day was becoming impossible) with tears of frustration and sadness coursing down my manly cheeks. I was ashamed of myself. What had happened to me? Why was I not myself? It was as if my body had been hijacked by somebody who wasn't me. The self-indulgence and self-loathing also sickened me in a profound disapproval of myself, which led to embarassment and withdrawal from colleagues and friends. I wondered if I would become an irretrievable failure in my own eyes.
Getting to see a doctor here in Canada is a nightmare. The medical system is geared towards crisis and it is inconvenient, time-consuming, and frustrating to get pro-active and diagnostic help.
My physician, who is a great doctor who I have alot of confidence in, had to be argued into a referal to the sleep doc. "Humour me", I said "Removing the possibility of apnea will move me closing to counselling and my agreement to try medication, as you know I don't want to take mood-modifying drugs unless it is a last resort." He said OK, but didn't think it was the root of my problems.
The sense of relief I had on the morning of the polysomnogram when the sleep tech said - "Oh wow, I never would have guessed you have quite severe apnia". Still had to wait a month for the respirologist and prescription ... but here I am. Brought home the diabolical contraption yesterday - not happy - sulky in fact. James Bond and those happy guys in beer commercials never used one of these. Another fantasy ego bubble burst.
But the possibility of recovery if I can make it work has really bouyed my spirit.
I managed three hours last night. I'm going to consider that a win and try to manage the same or more tonight. If I'm going to CPAP then I'll kick ass doing it.
I am grateful to all the generous people who have posted on this BB for all the moral and emotional support, and practical good advice. This is the miracle of the internet in action. Thank you all so much.
I'll check back in a few days and let you know how goes the battle.
The possibility of improved phsyical, mental and emotional health is very exciting. To say nothing of the small financial fortune I believe sleep apnea has cost me already. That will make me fight to try and comply with the treatment.
First night last night for a thirty day APAP study to try and find a pressure. I fell asleep OK, since I'm permanently exhausted, but was uncomfortable. I half woke three or four times as the pressure seemed to have ramped way up and I was fighting to exhale. At about 2 in the morning I took off the mask - it was hurting my virgin nares and upper lip too much and I was really distracted by the discomfort.
My apnea has been slowly undermining and ruining my life undetected for years. I am in a very demanding professional career and progressively over the past four or five years I have spiralled down into chronic depression and a raft of low grade complaints - constant fatigue, bone-weary muscle and joint pain, inability to concentrate, falling behind in my work, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of the energy and the positive attitude to make necessary changes in lifestyle and at work.
It was the restless legs that finally provided me with the clue. Some research and the association with apnea got me thinking. A conversation with my wife about just exactly what did I sound like when I snored. Did I gasp? Did I seem to stop breathing? As I read a little more and then found some articles on the close association between untreated apnea and depression I felt like I was beginning to solve the puzzle.
I went to my GP, searched the internet - fibromyalgia, infection, psychological depression. The typical "you have middle aged depression" get counselling, take Paxil ... I resisted. I kept coming back to a slef-diagnosis of sleep apnea. The constant waking up at night, the chest-wall pain, the morning headaches and falling asleep while watching TV or sitting on the couch, the restless legs - it didn't add up to me, and the idea of sedating myself with uptake inhibitors or being talked out of my problems I knew would not work or would make things a more complicated mess.
I have always had mood changes through my life, a kind of "black dog" depression that could come on for a few weeks, but could bull my way through it and work out of it. I had always been a top performer who could by force of will breast the stream during the tough times. Now I lack energy and have been progressively deteriorating month by month, year by year. My old optimism of survival was being destroyed. I told my wife "I'm broken and if I can't solve what's wrong with me my whole vision of the future becomes bleak and unattainable". An income and performance crisis would soon be looming at work.
I finally became convinced of OSA. I had trouble getting a referral - I am not overweight, my neck is not enlarged, I play active team sports, and my complaint had been chronic low grade unshakeable depression which was accounted for as the cause of my insomnia and thus fatigue. The very personality factors which had allowed me to cope with depression in the past now stood in my way of getting help as my downward spiral was in the context of coping and getting by.
It was extremely alienating and lonely to drive into the office tower (a little later many mornings as moving early in the day was becoming impossible) with tears of frustration and sadness coursing down my manly cheeks. I was ashamed of myself. What had happened to me? Why was I not myself? It was as if my body had been hijacked by somebody who wasn't me. The self-indulgence and self-loathing also sickened me in a profound disapproval of myself, which led to embarassment and withdrawal from colleagues and friends. I wondered if I would become an irretrievable failure in my own eyes.
Getting to see a doctor here in Canada is a nightmare. The medical system is geared towards crisis and it is inconvenient, time-consuming, and frustrating to get pro-active and diagnostic help.
My physician, who is a great doctor who I have alot of confidence in, had to be argued into a referal to the sleep doc. "Humour me", I said "Removing the possibility of apnea will move me closing to counselling and my agreement to try medication, as you know I don't want to take mood-modifying drugs unless it is a last resort." He said OK, but didn't think it was the root of my problems.
The sense of relief I had on the morning of the polysomnogram when the sleep tech said - "Oh wow, I never would have guessed you have quite severe apnia". Still had to wait a month for the respirologist and prescription ... but here I am. Brought home the diabolical contraption yesterday - not happy - sulky in fact. James Bond and those happy guys in beer commercials never used one of these. Another fantasy ego bubble burst.
But the possibility of recovery if I can make it work has really bouyed my spirit.
I managed three hours last night. I'm going to consider that a win and try to manage the same or more tonight. If I'm going to CPAP then I'll kick ass doing it.
I am grateful to all the generous people who have posted on this BB for all the moral and emotional support, and practical good advice. This is the miracle of the internet in action. Thank you all so much.
I'll check back in a few days and let you know how goes the battle.
The possibility of improved phsyical, mental and emotional health is very exciting. To say nothing of the small financial fortune I believe sleep apnea has cost me already. That will make me fight to try and comply with the treatment.
Welcome to the forum, Countrygent.
Also, if they set your machine pressure to the default.....4 - 20, you may be experiencing feelings of lack of air from the low end pressures.....which can also cause your mouth to fall open to get more air.
Hang in there.
Den
My guess is that you have a nasal mask and your mouth fell open. That'll cause the air to escape out that big hole under your nose and the machine will keep trying to keep up by raising the pressure.countrygent wrote:I half woke three or four times as the pressure seemed to have ramped way up and I was fighting to exhale. At about 2 in the morning I took off the mask - it was hurting my virgin nares and upper lip too much and I was really distracted by the discomfort.
Also, if they set your machine pressure to the default.....4 - 20, you may be experiencing feelings of lack of air from the low end pressures.....which can also cause your mouth to fall open to get more air.
Hang in there.
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
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FreeLancer74
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:50 am
- Location: Texas
What a good story. Thanks for sharing that. I'm 33 and just slightly overweight. I was falling asleep at work so much and crashing at home after work that I finally said "ENOUGH IS EHOUGH". I asked my doctor for a sleep study and away I went. I guess I'm one of the luckier ones. Although I had a slight struggle with the local DME, I found this site and CPAP.COM and got the equipment I wanted through them. I enjoy the mask I initially picked out, and despite waking up a few times due to the sound of the "tube" next to my ear, I have complied for my first 7 straight nights without removing it. I have even found a few slight modifications have brought down my AHI events from 4.7 to 3.9 (avg over 7 nights).
I hope you will stick with it. You may be surprised (at least I was) that there are several petite women in here that have pressures higher than mine. I'm a 9 at 225lbs and I think I saw a woman post in here that she was an 18 but only weighed 110lbs. So it's NOT a fat people only disease. And who really sees you sleep anyway except your spouse and maybe your kids.
Good luck and (pick one):
"Keep on Tubing"
"Keep on Hosing"
"Keep on Breathing"
I hope you will stick with it. You may be surprised (at least I was) that there are several petite women in here that have pressures higher than mine. I'm a 9 at 225lbs and I think I saw a woman post in here that she was an 18 but only weighed 110lbs. So it's NOT a fat people only disease. And who really sees you sleep anyway except your spouse and maybe your kids.
Good luck and (pick one):
"Keep on Tubing"
"Keep on Hosing"
"Keep on Breathing"
Thank You,
FreeL
"He hates these cans. STAY AWAY FROM THE CANS!"
"DIE GAS PUMPER!"
FreeL
"He hates these cans. STAY AWAY FROM THE CANS!"
"DIE GAS PUMPER!"
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countrygent
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:00 am
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Thanks for the encouragement.
Yup I have a nasal pillow mask - the bigger masks gave me claustrophobia so I'm hoping it will work. I've read about taping the mouth shut as an idea. May be I rolled onto my back and my mouth fell open to snore, and whoosh. But it was the discomfort of the mask pressing on my face that made me take it off. We'll give it another go tonight. Too much to lose by not making it a success.
The stories and hints from here are VERY encouraging. Reminds me quite alot of the adult athletics community, the first responders, the helping professions, the counsellors out there, the coaches, teachers, all the good people who make our communities great, where the vast majority of people want to encourage and share enthusiams. Lots of hope for somebody who is stumbling a little like me.
And I give my payback as best I can in my work too - that's they way it goes around I figure.
Thanks.
PS I tried to list my equipment and will try again to set up my profile.
Yup I have a nasal pillow mask - the bigger masks gave me claustrophobia so I'm hoping it will work. I've read about taping the mouth shut as an idea. May be I rolled onto my back and my mouth fell open to snore, and whoosh. But it was the discomfort of the mask pressing on my face that made me take it off. We'll give it another go tonight. Too much to lose by not making it a success.
The stories and hints from here are VERY encouraging. Reminds me quite alot of the adult athletics community, the first responders, the helping professions, the counsellors out there, the coaches, teachers, all the good people who make our communities great, where the vast majority of people want to encourage and share enthusiams. Lots of hope for somebody who is stumbling a little like me.
And I give my payback as best I can in my work too - that's they way it goes around I figure.
Thanks.
PS I tried to list my equipment and will try again to set up my profile.
Runt08 - looks like a bit of a hi-jack on your original post. But I don't think it necessarily is your mind if you found it hard to breathe with out the mask. The extra pressure makes breathing so much easier IMO. As soon as my mask and machine are on in about 4 or 5 breaths I feel relieved, like I am breathing so much better even when compared to regular day time breathing. I do have some Central Apnea (which is not obstructed), it is almost like your brain forgot to tell you to inhale. They happened during my first sleep study and I know they happen during the day. So with the BiPAP at night my Central Apneas went to 0.Ok.... My first night didn't go so well.
I kept the mask on for about 20 min (twice) and just knew I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. So I took it off.
But.... I found that it was hard for me to breath when I took it off. Is this normal or just my mind. (as my husband is telling me)?
I don't even use my ramp anymore and my pressure is huge BiPAP 14/11. The 11 on the exhale does make the exhale much easier.
HOpe you have had better luck on subseqent nights. Just don't give up.
Keep Breathing
Suzanne[/quote]
I agree with Suz-E-Q. Maybe once a month I awaken in the early morning hours, can't go back to sleep, and remove my mask for the last hour or so in bed. Breathing is definitely harder for me without the cpap. It feels almost like my nose is stuffy. It's one of those things I don't understand, but it provides me more incentive to do all I can to use the cpap all night, every night.Anonymous wrote:Ok.... My first night didn't go so well.
I kept the mask on for about 20 min (twice) and just knew I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. So I took it off.
But.... I found that it was hard for me to breath when I took it off. Is this normal or just my mind. (as my husband is telling me)?
Welcome to the forum. Please hang in there and keep trying. There are lots of things you can do to make it more likely you will be able to fall asleep with your mask. For example, wearing the mask for awhile before you go to bed (while watching TV, etc.) to get more used to the feel. Determine if the mask is comfortable, if it fits well, if you can use it without leaks. If not, work with your DME to try other masks to find a better fit. Do only relaxing things 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Research over the counter products that help some people with sleep (e.g., melatonin). Talk to your doctor. You may need temporary assistance to help you over this hump by taking a prescription sleep medication.
Let us know how you are doing. Keep coming back and asking questions.
Janna
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goose
- Posts: 1382
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:59 pm
- Location: The left coast - CA... If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
Welcome to both runt08 and Countrygent -- you have found a great place for information and help.
Yeah -- it was kind of a hi-jack, but the same subject, so......we can deal with it!!!
The most important thing is that you keep at it. We all have/had similar experiences when we started, so you are not alone!!!!
Keep us up on how you're doing and we'll do our best to help you along the path.....
Welcome to the legion of hoseheads -- just remember, if it were easy, anyone could do it!!!!
cheers
goose
Yeah -- it was kind of a hi-jack, but the same subject, so......we can deal with it!!!
The most important thing is that you keep at it. We all have/had similar experiences when we started, so you are not alone!!!!
Keep us up on how you're doing and we'll do our best to help you along the path.....
Welcome to the legion of hoseheads -- just remember, if it were easy, anyone could do it!!!!
cheers
goose
_________________
| Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand |
| Additional Comments: Also Use ComfortGel (s); Headrest (XL) and a PAP-Cap. |
Wars arise from a failure to understand one another's humanness. Instead of summit meetings, why not have families meet for a picnic and get to know each other while the children play together?
-the Dalai Lama
-the Dalai Lama
Countrygent,
I too am at a similar stage. One thing I have found is that I changed from Swift 2 pillows to F&P Opus pillows (the latest ones) and it's been much better. I still only am managing UP to 3-4 hours per night. However the new pillows have resulted in me being able to sleep on my side with less leaks than the swift. The hose is also out of the way over my head as I put a sling on the wall to hold the hose.
Cheers from Australia
Michael
I too am at a similar stage. One thing I have found is that I changed from Swift 2 pillows to F&P Opus pillows (the latest ones) and it's been much better. I still only am managing UP to 3-4 hours per night. However the new pillows have resulted in me being able to sleep on my side with less leaks than the swift. The hose is also out of the way over my head as I put a sling on the wall to hold the hose.
Cheers from Australia
Michael
Michael
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Welcome to the board, runt08 and countrygent.
Will be very interested to hear how it goes for both of you as you continue working at getting all the pieces of the treatment puzzle in place.
You've both got the right attitude.
Will be very interested to hear how it goes for both of you as you continue working at getting all the pieces of the treatment puzzle in place.
You've both got the right attitude.
runt08 wrote:I am quite excited as I really need to get my life back on track.
----
I have been reading some post and am really motivated.
High Fives to you both!!countrygent wrote: the possibility of recovery if I can make it work has really bouyed my spirit.
I managed three hours last night. I'm going to consider that a win and try to manage the same or more tonight. If I'm going to CPAP then I'll kick ass doing it.
-----
The possibility of improved phsyical, mental and emotional health is very exciting. To say nothing of the small financial fortune I believe sleep apnea has cost me already. That will make me fight to try and comply with the treatment.
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Runt08,
sorry about contributing to the hijack.
I have found that I cannot get a breath if I use the ramp feature, so I now just turn on the pressure (11 or 12) and lie down and try to relax sort of yoga style. Actively think of something rather than your breathing (never knew I breathed so much!) - listen to some quiet music.
M
sorry about contributing to the hijack.
I have found that I cannot get a breath if I use the ramp feature, so I now just turn on the pressure (11 or 12) and lie down and try to relax sort of yoga style. Actively think of something rather than your breathing (never knew I breathed so much!) - listen to some quiet music.
M
Michael
Thanks All for the inputs.
I have updated my profile.
My brother in law has been using a CPAP for years (totally forgot) so I spoke to him for a bit, which was helpful as well.
Second night. I was able to keep it on a bit longer and am getting comfortable, but still am not able to fall asleep.
I use the nasal pillow which to me feels good, and I don't haven any leaks, but am wondering if it makes it even harder to exhale? (would anyone say that?) I am thinking of trying a nase mask and see.
BTW I am using a 30 day loaner so I don't know much of what I have and much of the different machines. The did briefly go over them with me but I guess they will go in more detail when I am ready to order my own.
I have updated my profile.
My brother in law has been using a CPAP for years (totally forgot) so I spoke to him for a bit, which was helpful as well.
Second night. I was able to keep it on a bit longer and am getting comfortable, but still am not able to fall asleep.
I use the nasal pillow which to me feels good, and I don't haven any leaks, but am wondering if it makes it even harder to exhale? (would anyone say that?) I am thinking of trying a nase mask and see.
BTW I am using a 30 day loaner so I don't know much of what I have and much of the different machines. The did briefly go over them with me but I guess they will go in more detail when I am ready to order my own.