Harder to fall asleep

[Linus]

I am on CPAP now and I get a good night's sleep. I feel rested now. I have been using an Auto Bi-pap since Dec 16th 2008. I have used it 100% of the time. The one thing that I have noticed with this machine and during the titration period is that I have to spend 45-60 minutes to go to sleep. Before CPAP, the time needed to fall asleep was less than 15 minutes. I like the quality of sleep so this does not bother me too much, but I am inclined to ask. Does this sound familiar to anyone else? Any suggestions on falling to sleep faster?

One other item is that I have a Sleep Tracker Watch. This is a watch that detects movement and assists the sleeper in wake up. One of the aspects of this device is that it measures all night. My average time between movements has increased a lot. I know that less movement means that my body is not waking me to gasp for air! CPAP does work.

- Linus

[Julie]

Have you considered that you just may need fewer hours of sleep now that you're getting the good stuff vs previously when you could fall asleep at the drop of a hat because you were always tired? I find that now (after 5 yrs), but also have found that I'll nap more easily maybe once a day if given the opportunity, even if I otherwise feel good.

[Linus]

Good point. Quality over Quantity. I do wake up earlier now.

[andy88488]

I definitely found it harder to fall asleep, when I started CPAP. Think about it: you're strapping a mask to your face and forcing (cold) air into your lungs.

I did get more used to it over time. l also found that using exhalation relief (C-flex) helped.

[alexcue]

Yup, it's a bit harder to fall asleep, but I'd been so tired for so long that I just make sure I'm real tired (for the day) and pretty much fall right to sleep. I try not to concentrate to much on my breathing and just relax. If i worry about how I'm breathing I'm up for quite a while.

The big thing for me is i don't wake up anymore to go to the bathroom more than once. I was going to the bathroom maybe 3-5 times a night. Now i just sleep pretty much all night long and I'm resting so well i've had nights of not getting up once!

[Linus]

At first I was SO aware of each breath I was taking. That kept me awake for a while. In the morning I am hesitant on taking off the mask because I love the filtered high pressure air.

I have taken to the mask pretty quickly.

[Hazy]

Being new to using CPAP equipment, when I started last November I had some trouble the first several nights. The machine noise and the feel of the mask were so new that it took me a while longer than usual to fall asleep.

Later that first week, I went to the local big box store and bought a couple of CDs of relaxation music that they all sell. It's worked really well for me. Put the portable CD player on the floor beside the bed, on goes the mask, off goes the light, push play.... and let the night's selection take me away. I don't think I've ever made it past the third track on one of the CD before dropping off.

[SeaPappy]

Don't worry, Linus. After you become used to the mask, it becomes your cue to fall asleep. Pavlovian response, I guess, but if I want to watch a TV show to the end, I can't mask up because the mask goes on and I go out.

James

[cpapsue]

I just saw my doctor today and complained about 'working to fall asleep'. I've only done 6 nights with my machine and feel like it takes 1 to 1.5 hrs to fall asleep, then I'm awake about every two hrs. He suggested that I not use the ramp of 45 minutes and just start with the needed pressure to see if I breathe better that way.

He also recommended Sonata (I think that's what he said) as a short acting prescription sleep aid. It might help me relax initially and let me go to sleep rather than thinking about my breathing. I'll let you know if it helps although I'd rather not use it.