CPAP Not Helping Advice Needed

[lorri214]

I have had my CPAP since 3/12/2010. I am so disappointed. I don't feel any better. I think I am getting less sleep. I also have Restless Leg Syndrome which accounts for some of the time, but not every night! I have tried to use the CPAP every night. One week I had a cold, So I did not use it every night. A couple of times when my RLS was acting up, I had to take the CPAP off since I could not get comfortable in bed. I started this with a very positive attitude and I was very excited about getting a good night's sleep. But so far nothing! I called Allcare who supplied the machine to find out if they can help. I am waiting for a call back. Is it possible the CPAP won't work for me. Here are the readings from the machine:
Compliance VIC >4
Phone in: Therapy 236.3, Blower Hrs 239.9, Days >4 30
Therapy Hrs: 7 day avg. 4.54, 30 day avg. 4.30
Day >4: 7 days: 5, 30 days:18
Large Leak: 0%
AHI: 7 day avg: 1.8, 30 days: 1.7
Periodic Breathing: 7 day avg: 0%, 30 day avg: 1%

That is all Greek to me, except the AHI, and I think that looks good. BUT I KEEP WAKING UP AT NIGHT - maybe 5 times... I thought once you had the CPAP your sleeping would be better. What is the point of my using it if I am still exhausted during the day?? I didn't expect a miracle where it would work the first couple of nights, but after a month I was hoping to feel somewhat better rested. I have gone from being excited to being discouraged. Can someone give me some advice. Is it possible CPAP is not for me. I have invested a lot of money with the sleep studies and equipment. (Over $2,000.00) I would like some results.

[kteague]

Getting used to using CPAP can take a while, and sleep often seems worse early on. That may be what you are experiencing. One can have very successful CPAP therapy and still experience poor sleep quality if other factors are involved. In those cases, one has to trust that when the data looks good, their body and brain are being spared the ravages of OSA even when their sleep issues aren't resolved. It is still fairly early in your treatment to think that unfamiliarity wouldn't still play a role in your broken sleep. But you could start trying to rule out other factors. Some meds are known to disrupt sleep. I think thyroid dysfunction can too. What did your diagnostic and titration reports each say about limb movements, as to total count, index and number of related arousals?

Yes, it is disappointing when we've placed so much hope in CPAP treatment being the feelgood answer and it doesn't turn out that way. Try to not let that rob you of the satisfaction of knowing that you ARE being helped by CPAP, just not completely as you expected. Hang in there.

[echo]

What are your settings?
Are you using it in pure CPAP mode? What pressure?
Or are you using the APAP mode? What pressure range?

[lorri214]

This is the only info I have: CPAP: 9 H2O Pressure BiLevel 1 That is all that is on my paperwork. As far as anything else, I have no idea.

[echo]

Something doesn't add up, if you have a Bilevel then the machine in your signature is not correct, and neither is the single "9cm" either.

What does your machine say on it? The full name...

[lorri214]

My machine says Remstar Auto A-Flex
Philips Respironics
I would appreciate any advice you can give me as this is all new to me. Thank you.