10 days on VPAP Adapt (ASV) and I feel awful

[absurdlyTired]

Thanks again everyone for the input. I planned on just trying the lowered pressure for now, as I am no going to jump on meds at this point. It's not that I am completely opposed to them (I've done prozac in the past and it did wonders for me). Rather, if I'm experiencing mild anxiety once a week, I can't see getting on a daily dose of zoloft the week after receiving my first ever sleep device seems crazy. The ambien is also a bit premature (I think). One thing at a time.

Anyway, they "changed my pressure" last night remotely, yet when I turned it on, it was the same pressure. Now, I'm waiting until this evening and they're going to try it again. If it doesn't work, I'm going to have to hack this thing myself.

[4betterO2]

I've been on ASV about the same amount of time as you

please update your equipment info, what model machine do you have now?

[JeffH]

Until I started using a chin strap with my FFM I had problems with my ASV. Using a chin strap solved them.

JeffH

What problem was solved by using the chin strap, Jeff? I've heard others talk about using the chinstrap to help with leaks... why in your case do you think it helped? I, too, have been on ASV a month and my two challenges seem to be various leak challenges and the original problem- extremely fragmented sleep. thanks,

The chinstrap helped keep air out of my belly.

[archangle]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you're having such problems.

Work with your doctor to be sure you don't have some other serious health problems.

ASV machines are often problematic to new users. They can be a cast iron son of a female dog to get used to. Several people have reported that their brain/lungs fight the "rhythm" of the ASV machine for a while. After using it for some time, their body accepts it and starts working with the ASV. Not everyone has the difficult adjustment, and not everyone gets the miracle when it starts to feel good.

Is there anything in particular other than aerophagia that bothers you while using the machine?

The cause of central apnea is often a mystery. Brain damage or certain drugs can cause or exacerbate it, but many people simply have central apnea for no known reason.

Have you gotten the software and looked at your own data? It can give some clues and some reassurance. However, I will warn you to not obsess over the data. It can reassure you to see that you are breathing regularly all night long, and you can see how long and how severe your apneas are.

Do you know what your AHI was before ASV? Sometimes, even if your CPAP treatment is working correctly, your body is so used to apnea that it's out of "balance" when you stop having apnea and it takes a while to readjust to breathing all night long.

[viking67]

Wow, I can relate to your state of mind absurdlytired. I am a new person here, but I have that cumulative fatigue and fogginess where it just zombies you and the frustration and anxiety and depression gets the best of you. I also see the effects it has on my wife and kids. They have been understanding but it just makes it so important to figure this thing out. If not it erodes away at your life. I'm glad you got the ASV machine because it handles the centrals and all. Getting everything dialed in and watching your graphs and doing the research is so important but obviously you know it takes time. I am convinced the more I read here that we are our own best advocates and "doctors". The doctor/sleep lab/DME merrygoround can be daunting and so I believe in taking charge of your treatment as much as possible.

When I saw my sleep doc in early January 2013, in much the same shape as you are, he did give me Ambien. I was reluctant, but I researched it and decided to give it a try, temporarily. It definitely helps with getting to sleep. I also had been prescribed celexa 10mg several months ago, tried it for 6 weeks and just had to stop--it was making my anxiety worse. I just need good sleep, deep sleep, restorative sleep. It's what we all need. And I'm on a quest to get it and will not give up. I support you in your efforts to get yours, too. Peace.