Hi All.
I'm a new CPAPer and have gotten a lot of good information from this site. Thank you all for that!
I have a few questions though...
I have been on CPAP for 3 weeks now, but do not feel any less tired during the day. I'm starting to wonder if this is going to work for me. With the exception of maybe 3 nights during this 3 weeks, I am sleeping through the night with my mask on (Respironics Profile Lite), so having it come off is not the problem. In fact, it was surprisingly easy for me to adapt to having it on! (I had to play around with pillows for a few nights to find one that didn't push the mask off my face when sleeping on my side, but finally found a microbead pillow that works great.) I don't feel like much air is being pushed into my nose when the mask is on, but there is plenty of air coming through when the mask is off so it seems to be working okay.
So my questions are:
1 - Am I just being impatient? It seems like so many people feel a lot better after their first night with CPAP, that it's frustrating to me that I don't.
2 - Should I be concerned that I don't feel much air being pushed into my nose? My CPAP is set to 7 cm, which seems kind of low compared to others, so maybe that feeling is normal???
Any thoughts?
Thank you!!
When will I feel better?
9 posts
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To find an answer for question number two, I would suggest that you simply open your mouth to see how uncomfortable it feels when you have your mask and machine on.
Question number one is a bit more difficult. If you have always kept a diary it will make things easier and more accurate to get an answer. You need to remember a few things about how you were doing before you started treatment. Did you doze off while watching tv, or watching a movie at the theatre, or just talking with someone or working on a project at work? Could you drive you vehicle for extended periods of time without falling asleep? Could you get up in the morning at say 6-8am and then stay up until 10-11pm with out falling asleep at anytime during that period? Now ask yourself if you see any improvement to what was happening before and how you are actually functioning now.
All the best!
Question number one is a bit more difficult. If you have always kept a diary it will make things easier and more accurate to get an answer. You need to remember a few things about how you were doing before you started treatment. Did you doze off while watching tv, or watching a movie at the theatre, or just talking with someone or working on a project at work? Could you drive you vehicle for extended periods of time without falling asleep? Could you get up in the morning at say 6-8am and then stay up until 10-11pm with out falling asleep at anytime during that period? Now ask yourself if you see any improvement to what was happening before and how you are actually functioning now.
All the best!
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littlebaddow
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:21 pm
- Location: Essex, England
I don't think you should be concerned yet. Some people report an instant response, but many seem to take a while to notice the benefit and some take months rather than weeks. In my case, the change was subtle and gradual and it was around 5 or 6 weeks before I noticed that I had improved.
7cm of pressure is low compared with many, but if it's the pressure you need then don't worry about it. I was originally prescribed a setting of 11cm by the doc, but when I switched to an autopap from a fixed pressure cpap, I found that 6 or 7 cm was sufficient most of the time and the pressure only goes up to 10 or 11 very rarely, ie when it is needed. In my view, 7cm is certainly much more comfortable to tolerate than 11cm!
It's good that you are sleeping through the night with the mask, but that's only of benefit if you are set at the right pressure and not getting leaks. The effectiveness of the treatment will be reduced if you are sleeping through the leaks, either from the mask ir through your mouth as you breathe in, or if the prescribed pressure is not right for you. Do you have a machine that monitors the results? If so, it might be worth getting your doc to check on progress.
It might also be worth getting an autopap and the software to monitor for yourself, but that's a whole other discussion
7cm of pressure is low compared with many, but if it's the pressure you need then don't worry about it. I was originally prescribed a setting of 11cm by the doc, but when I switched to an autopap from a fixed pressure cpap, I found that 6 or 7 cm was sufficient most of the time and the pressure only goes up to 10 or 11 very rarely, ie when it is needed. In my view, 7cm is certainly much more comfortable to tolerate than 11cm!
It's good that you are sleeping through the night with the mask, but that's only of benefit if you are set at the right pressure and not getting leaks. The effectiveness of the treatment will be reduced if you are sleeping through the leaks, either from the mask ir through your mouth as you breathe in, or if the prescribed pressure is not right for you. Do you have a machine that monitors the results? If so, it might be worth getting your doc to check on progress.
It might also be worth getting an autopap and the software to monitor for yourself, but that's a whole other discussion
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| Machine | Mask | |
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Airsense 10 & Airfit N20
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OldSeaRock
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:48 pm
- Location: Earth
Hang in there, Sleepy!
Talk to the R/T at the DME where you got the machine. He or she may be able to help with the settings/pressure question.
I'm one of the lucky ones but it's still getting better all the time... so indeed, the improvement is gradual.
Talk to the R/T at the DME where you got the machine. He or she may be able to help with the settings/pressure question.
I'm one of the lucky ones but it's still getting better all the time... so indeed, the improvement is gradual.
People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.
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rested gal
- Posts: 12880
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Excellent suggestion by Capt. about keeping a diary and noting even the smallest improvements over time. Changes for the better can add up so gradually and subtly that it's easy to not notice them.
During the first days, weeks, and even months of effective cpap treatment, it's very possible that "cortical arousals" - little wakeups that you are not even aware of -- micro wakeups -- can be happening while you are getting more and more accustomed to this new way of trying to sleep. The cortical arousals during sleep can be due to any number of things other than the out-and-out apneas/hypopneas you used to have before getting on cpap treatment.
A nudge from a mask, air hitting the face from a leak, an annoying strap, noise from a leak, a mouth air leak, a bit of rainout, un-hung hose tugging at the mask when we turn, uncomfortable sleep position as we try to not dislodge a mask...these things and more can disturb sleep without our even realizing it. Rousing a person repeatedly out of a deeper stage of sleep even if we didn't wake up fully enough to notice, and we felt that we slept sufficiently.
It can take time to get truly refreshing sleep. This is not a normal way to go to bed - with a mask on and a machine blowing air at us. The good thing is that the treatment is preventing further damage even if it leaves us still feeling just as tired, or more worn out while we're in the process of getting used to it. Getting used to it not only on an "awake" level but on a "cortical arousals" level.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything littlebaddow wrote. His last point was especially important, imho:
During the first days, weeks, and even months of effective cpap treatment, it's very possible that "cortical arousals" - little wakeups that you are not even aware of -- micro wakeups -- can be happening while you are getting more and more accustomed to this new way of trying to sleep. The cortical arousals during sleep can be due to any number of things other than the out-and-out apneas/hypopneas you used to have before getting on cpap treatment.
A nudge from a mask, air hitting the face from a leak, an annoying strap, noise from a leak, a mouth air leak, a bit of rainout, un-hung hose tugging at the mask when we turn, uncomfortable sleep position as we try to not dislodge a mask...these things and more can disturb sleep without our even realizing it. Rousing a person repeatedly out of a deeper stage of sleep even if we didn't wake up fully enough to notice, and we felt that we slept sufficiently.
It can take time to get truly refreshing sleep. This is not a normal way to go to bed - with a mask on and a machine blowing air at us. The good thing is that the treatment is preventing further damage even if it leaves us still feeling just as tired, or more worn out while we're in the process of getting used to it. Getting used to it not only on an "awake" level but on a "cortical arousals" level.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything littlebaddow wrote. His last point was especially important, imho:
It might also be worth getting an autopap and the software to monitor for yourself, but that's a whole other discussion
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Still_Sleepy
Thank you all so much! I'm feeling much better about not feeling quick results with my CPAP...I'm just so jealous of those who do get quick relief!
I have a basic Remstar Plus that my DEM gave me. Unfortunately I didn't do any research before getting my CPAP, but now that I'm much more informed I am going to demand one with a data monitor (I'm thinking the GoodKnight 420e would be good for me so I can get the auto feature as well as a smaller machine I can take with me on my frequent travels). I know I'll feel much more comfortable that the therapy is working when I can see the data from the machine.
And I really like the idea of a diary. In the past it has been so easy for me to fall asleep any time anywhere, even when I don't want to, so maybe I actually have made some progress there. I know I still want to fall asleep in afternoon meetings, but that could very well be due to the content of the meetings rather than my lack of sleep!
Thanks again to all. I just joined the forum officially as CA_Dreaming, so future posts from me will be under that name.
Elan
I have a basic Remstar Plus that my DEM gave me. Unfortunately I didn't do any research before getting my CPAP, but now that I'm much more informed I am going to demand one with a data monitor (I'm thinking the GoodKnight 420e would be good for me so I can get the auto feature as well as a smaller machine I can take with me on my frequent travels). I know I'll feel much more comfortable that the therapy is working when I can see the data from the machine.
And I really like the idea of a diary. In the past it has been so easy for me to fall asleep any time anywhere, even when I don't want to, so maybe I actually have made some progress there. I know I still want to fall asleep in afternoon meetings, but that could very well be due to the content of the meetings rather than my lack of sleep!
Thanks again to all. I just joined the forum officially as CA_Dreaming, so future posts from me will be under that name.
Elan
I hope no one ever looks at my postings (instant overnight relief from day 1 that just keeps on getting better) and becomes discouraged. I know I'm the unusual and very fortunate person.
My doctor said I'm the poster child for both OSA and xPAP therapy. Before I knew anything about this I listed in detail to him every one of the textbook symptoms and side effects. Then I took to xPAP like a duck to water.
I thank God every night as I put on my mask.
My doctor said I'm the poster child for both OSA and xPAP therapy. Before I knew anything about this I listed in detail to him every one of the textbook symptoms and side effects. Then I took to xPAP like a duck to water.
I thank God every night as I put on my mask.
The CPAPer formerly known as WAFlowers
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Guest
Still_Sleepy wrote:Thank you all so much! I'm feeling much better about not feeling quick results with my CPAP...I'm just so jealous of those who do get quick relief!
I have a basic Remstar Plus that my DEM gave me. Unfortunately I didn't do any research before getting my CPAP, but now that I'm much more informed I am going to demand one with a data monitor (I'm thinking the GoodKnight 420e would be good for me so I can get the auto feature as well as a smaller machine I can take with me on my frequent travels). I know I'll feel much more comfortable that the therapy is working when I can see the data from the machine.
And I really like the idea of a diary. In the past it has been so easy for me to fall asleep any time anywhere, even when I don't want to, so maybe I actually have made some progress there. I know I still want to fall asleep in afternoon meetings, but that could very well be due to the content of the meetings rather than my lack of sleep!
Thanks again to all. I just joined the forum officially as CA_Dreaming, so future posts from me will be under that name.
Elan
_________________
I agree with all of the suggestions everyone has offered but one thing that maybe happening also is depression. I've been using cpap therapy for 3 years now, but like you I didn't get that get up and go you read about. Finally after 3 months my PCP urged me to see a Psychiatrist to r/o the possibility of depression. I was diagnosed with depression. Because OSA and depression and hypothyroidism can all have the same symptons (excessive daytime sleepiness) it is good to keep track of when and how often you experience your sleepiness. Also in addition to an antidepressant my Doctor prescribed Provigil. Now I feel like a million bucks. Provigil has been approved for individuals with excessive daytime sleepiness and also for shift workers. It helps to rid the sleepiness but no side effects. Ask your PCP or sleep doctor about r/o other diseases that could keep you feeling sleepy during the day if after a few more months of cpap usage. Good Luck sleepy!
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): 420E, CPAP, auto
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Guest
Hmmm
Welcome
So you are on 7cms - well ramp it up to 14 and I am sure you will feel different next day
Joking
But on the serious side, perhaps 8 or even 9 might help you better determine if you are on an adequate pressure. I do find that dropping below my titration level reduces the benefits next day.
Are you able to experiment with your cpap machine ?
Cheers
DSM
(a convicted lab rat )
So you are on 7cms - well ramp it up to 14 and I am sure you will feel different next day
Joking
But on the serious side, perhaps 8 or even 9 might help you better determine if you are on an adequate pressure. I do find that dropping below my titration level reduces the benefits next day.
Are you able to experiment with your cpap machine ?
Cheers
DSM
(a convicted lab rat )
9 posts
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