CPAP machine can gather dust...

[49er]

Not that I know of but I have noticed while sleeping in a bad on vaction at a hotel I was able to sleep all night. Sad thing is at home there are no beds for me. Small apartment.

Hi Kona,

I am so sorry you are struggling so much with this therapy.

When you slept through the night at the hotel, was that with the mask? If yes, then that might indicate that your difficulties are due to not having a bed to sleep on at your apartment.

49er

[rkuntz]

OP is unemployed, and sleeps poorly on the floor (no bed because space at home so small a bed doesn't fit) but sleeps fine in a bed while on vacation in a Motel bed?

I'm shocked absolutely shocked.

Troll!

[herefishy]

Maybe you have to sleep on the floor - but have you looked into one of those inflatable mattresses? Seems like if you have enough padding under you, you wouldn't have to be up in the air to be comfortable.

[BlackSpinner]

Maybe you have to sleep on the floor - but have you looked into one of those inflatable mattresses? Seems like if you have enough padding under you, you wouldn't have to be up in the air to be comfortable.

$14 at the hardware store - slept on one for nearly a year after the fire.

OP is not likely to become employed not using his cpap machine.

[purple]

The way I breathe does not work well with auto, or flex. My first Sleep doc told me not to use either of those. Which does reveal the true value of a properly done sleep study. After I used the machine successfully for a awhile, I did not feel I was getting good sleep and tried auto with a PR Series M machine. Which led to problems. My issues aside. I feel that the algorithm which the PR uses for auto, does not function well according to how I breathe when asleep.

To solve my problems I eventually got a bi level machine. I started using a Resmed Malibu, which is, I think an Resmed S7. That is several years old. When I went to see my sleep doc, mandated by the once a year check required by Medicare, and went through the hoops to qualify for the newest, latest Bi Level machine. My doc chose to require that I get the Resmed S9 VPAP, saying, that in his experience, those who used Resmed machines had a higher comfort level.

That being the only thing statement I want you to take out of the paragraph. "His patients who used Resmed machines, (referring, I think, to the S9 series) had a higher comfort level. However, If I were at that moment when I was having the doc choose a new machine, I would push for the PR BiPap machine, I do not use the auto algorithm with a Resmed anyway, and I have a lot of respect for PR machines.

My goal is not to frustrate you that you obviously can not buy the Resmed,or Bi Level machine, but rather to point out that, apparently, for some of us, the Algorithm used by the PR machine does not work so well. I am guessing that for a lot of people the PR algorithm works extremely well, and perhaps better than what the Resmed similar algorithm might do.

Like the fellow said, turn off the flex and auto, Ramp. Set it for a straight pressure, and see what happens. I am thinking that the typical pressure where Aerophagia raises its ugly head is about 12. If you look at your data, and see where your pressure gets up to, (no leaks, data is invalid with leaks) then maybe think of where you want to start this.

1. I wonder if your problems are really pressure.

2. Sleeping on the floor. (I was homeless for years, You would find it hard to believe some of the places I have slept, or even survived.) I did sleep well on a well cushioned couch, instead of a bed for many years. The best thing that having a bed changed is that my current bed has a headboard, and allows me to brace my pillow so I can stretch out my damaged neck. I also like my Hose hanger, (Hose Buddy) in that I less often jerk on the hose to pull the mask off my face, and the hose hanger keeps me from ever pulling my machine off the side table.

3. For some reason you can not stand the mask. There is this whole getting used to the mask by doing things like watching TV with the mask on. I think most of us reject our first mask, not so much because it is not right for us, but because after the first one, our minds have come to grips with the idea that this monster on the face is a good thing. Also because we become emotionally invested in the second mask, because we, usually, have a role in choosing it.

Have you looked at our forum sponsors site, clap.com (my only relation to it is I have bought from them) which lists masks by popularity.

Now I use what some have called the mask of the last resort, PR FitLife Total face mask, and some of us have a whole culture about how we use the mask different than is recommended. blah blah blah. But for some of us, it works.

When I first got my machine, I was told not to set it on the floor while in use, because there were all kinds of dust and stuff on the floor. I realize you do not have much choice in this. I also hear it is better not to have the machine level with or above your head. But do clean off the space where the machine pulls air. Do you have the ability to replace the filters once a month?

Based upon my own experience. I have Arthritis. I can hurt enough I can not sleep, and not know where the pain is. I can take two five hundred MG Acetaminophen, (AKA Tylenol) and after about twenty minutes, I go to sleep for about four hours and fifteen minutes, just enough for pain medication to wear off. I can either lay there mostly awake or with limited sleep for the rest of the night, or I can take another two five hundred MG Acetaminophen, and be rewarded with four hours of really deep sleep. OK, that does not sound like your problem, but it is strange what experiment gives the best result. For a long time I did not feel a minor pain killer, like Acetaminophen, would give me much pain relief at all. Plus, if the pain was not actively throbbing, why could it matter? Proof is not in what I thought, but in the many times taking Acetaminophen worked for me.

Oh LOOKIE. Someone much more knowledgeable than me talks about the auto Algorithms. viewtopic/t94287/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82 ... AP#p866535

What I am saying is that you can experiment and see what works for you rather than giving up. For me, some minor things that I would have never guessed would be helpful, did help. Happy experimenting.

[Todzo]

For all I care. I'm done. I'm tired of trying to make this work. I've tried to make it work for a month now. Every night the mask gets ripped off. Every day I feel worse. I've tried 10 different masks. No go with any of them. The only style I haven't tried yet is Nasal Prong. I have tried using two different chinstraps. I have tried using heavy duty sleeping pills. Nothing works. Not sure what to do at this point.

Pursue metabolic health!! I would recommend that if CPAP worked and also if it does not.

You are in good company, many many people find CPAP unusable. Since it tends to exacerbate high respiratory control system gain, pokes at arousal threshold, and does not deal with tongue muscle issues well I do not find that suprising.

FWIW my mother lived to see 77 and my brother and I agree that there were many signs of OSA. I think that her pursuit of health through nutrition made that possible.

I was able to work with a dietitian through medicade and medicare. Sometimes personal trainers will simply help you and there are many wellness programs which provide access to the gym. And walking is great exercise, I will probably cover at least five miles today.

Pursue metabolic health.

[robysue]

kona0197,

First to make sure I have the background right: You are currently unemployed and uninsured. Or are you on Medicaid? If not, have you applied for Medicaid?

Next: Your equipment list says you're using a PR System One AUTO and you are currently using it in auto with a range of 9-13. And the mask that is currently showing is a Respironics FitLife total face mask, and you've tried 10 different masks in the last month, none of which seem to work for you.

Now some questions about your equipment:
1) How was the pressure range picked? Through a sleep study?

2) How long has the longest mask trial lasted? Have you used any of the masks for more than 2 or 3 days??

3) Are you a mouth breather? Are you unsure about whether you are a mouth breather?

4) Have you looked at your data in SleepyHead? Do you know whether the leaks are under control?


Now some questions about the difficulties you are facing with trying to make PAP work for you:
1) You say you've used "heavy duty sleeping pills". Which ones? Prescription or OTC? At what dose? And what happens during the first 30 minutes or so after you take them?

2) You say you rip the mask off every night. Are you doing this while you are asleep or when you are awake and consciously ripping the mask off?

3) Of all the masks you've tried, which one(s) were the least uncomfortable and which were the most uncomfortable? What things make the worst of the masks most uncomfortable?

4) Are you sure you are properly fitting your mask at night?

5) You say you're sleeping on the floor, but the last time you had a chance to sleep in a bed in a motel, the sleep was better. When was the last time you slept in a bed---pre-CPAP or post-CPAP?

6) Sleeping on the floor can trigger a lot of pain in many people because the floor is so hard and so unforgiving. Do you have any pain issues that are made worse by sleeping on the floor? Is there any room in the small apartment for a recliner or a couch that you could sleep on? Would it be possible to use a small camping-style air mattress to sleep on?

7) Other than "mask is uncomfortable", what are your biggest issues with PAP in terms of comfort or getting to sleep? The more specific you are, the more useful help you will get from people on this forum. If we don't know what's bugging you, all we can do is take shots in the dark about what is wrong.


Some questions about your untreated OSA and your overall health:
1) What triggered the sleep test that lead to the OSA diagnosis and CPAP? Were you experiencing symptoms of OSA? How bad were they?

2) How severe is the untreated OSA? If you don't remember the AHI on the diagnostic test, do you remember if the doc described the OSA as severe, moderate, or mild?

3) What other health issues are you dealing with? Does the treatment for any of them adversely affect your sleep?

4) Do you have a follow-up appointment with a doc to discuss how the CPAP therapy is (or rather is not) going?

[jencat824]

kona0197,

How sad you are giving up. Even though your situation is unique, lots of folks have put a lot of workable suggestions here on this post. I personally hope you decide to try some of them. If you don't try I'd like to say its sad to see someone just give up on using a CPAP, because that means they are, in essence, giving up on life.

How sad,
Jen

[JDS74]

Not that I know of but I have noticed while sleeping in a bad on vaction at a hotel I was able to sleep all night. Sad thing is at home there are no beds for me. Small apartment.

Can you get a small cot or other folding bed to use?

[nanwilson]

For all I care. I'm done. I'm tired of trying to make this work. I've tried to make it work for a month now. Every night the mask gets ripped off. Every day I feel worse. I've tried 10 different masks. No go with any of them. The only style I haven't tried yet is Nasal Prong. I have tried using two different chinstraps. I have tried using heavy duty sleeping pills. Nothing works. Not sure what to do at this point.

You say you've been at this a month but..... your profile says you've been registered since 2007.. that is 7 years??????? I am VERY confused.

[kona0197]

When you slept through the night at the hotel, was that with the mask? If yes, then that might indicate that your difficulties are due to not having a bed to sleep on at your apartment.

Yes. I was using two different masks both nights. I would wake up and switch them out because one or the other felt uncomfortable. The two masks were the F&P Eson mask and the GoLife for Men mask. Having a bed or not has nothing to do with it, I have sleep on the floor for years by choice. I think it was because driving such a long distance and then doing all of the things those days we wanted to do for vacation mad me more tired then I usually am anytime at home. I choose to sleep on the floor. It is true, our apartment is a small two bedroom, the girlfriend has her room and the daughter has a room. My room is the front room. An air mattress would not work. I prefer the floor, with 3 or 4 blankets below me.

I'm shocked absolutely shocked.

Troll!

I'm NOT a troll. I suggest you go look up what a troll is in the internet dictionary.

but have you looked into one of those inflatable mattresses? Seems like if you have enough padding under you, you wouldn't have to be up in the air to be comfortable.

I have looked into those, and they never work for me. I'm almost 300 pounds. Having 3 or 4 blankets under me is the best way, and I sleep just fine that way.

Like the fellow said, turn off the flex and auto, Ramp. Set it for a straight pressure, and see what happens.

I did that last night. I managed to get in 6 hours of sleep using my Eson mask.

For some reason you can not stand the mask. There is this whole getting used to the mask by doing things like watching TV with the mask on.

I sit in front of the TV with my mask on for at least 2 hours every night. It's not helping.

Have you looked at our forum sponsors site, clap.com (my only relation to it is I have bought from them) which lists masks by popularity.

No, I have not. Mainly because I can't order from them.

Now I use what some have called the mask of the last resort, PR FitLife Total face mask

I got that mask yesterday and I have many issues using it. It fogs up too easy and it has too many leaks. I'm going to look into SleepWeaver masks.

Do you have the ability to replace the filters once a month?

Yes I do.

First to make sure I have the background right: You are currently unemployed and uninsured.

Wrong on one count. I am unemployed, but I have health insurance through Oregon Health Plan. I have full coverage.

How was the pressure range picked? Through a sleep study?

Yes. They gave me the machine the next morning after the sleep study along with the pressure setting of 9 to 11.

How long has the longest mask trial lasted? Have you used any of the masks for more than 2 or 3 days??

Not sure how to answer that as I am still experimenting with many masks. My DME lets me keep the masks because due to laws they can't take them back. I'm having good results with the F&P Eson, GoLife for Men, and F&P Pilairo. Problem is I still end up ripping each off my face in my sleep or right before I go to sleep. The Pilairo seems to make my nose real cold and damp, even with the humidifier set to maximum and heated tubing set to on. I would use the total face mask I just got if it would quit having so many leaks and fogging up.

Are you a mouth breather? Are you unsure about whether you are a mouth breather?

Not that I know of.

Have you looked at your data in SleepyHead? Do you know whether the leaks are under control?

Yes I have. In fact I do everyday. It does say I have many leaks. However the data confuses me because Respronics has their own data program and it says different.

You say you've used "heavy duty sleeping pills". Which ones? Prescription or OTC? At what dose? And what happens during the first 30 minutes or so after you take them?

I was prescribed Ambien, 10MG tabs. They don't seem to make me sleepy, but I am out after 40 minutes or so, with a mask on. I also use melatonin, 6MG tablets.

You say you rip the mask off every night. Are you doing this while you are asleep or when you are awake and consciously ripping the mask off?

I will wake up, take it off, and fall back to sleep. Happens all the time. Or I will get up to use the bathroom, and go back to sleep without putting the mask back on, so I wake to a machine running but no mask on.

Of all the masks you've tried, which one(s) were the least uncomfortable and which were the most uncomfortable? What things make the worst of the masks most uncomfortable?

The most comfortable are the F&P Eson, F&P Pilairo (when it's not making my nose clammy and cold), and to a point the GoLife for men (when the straps are not digging into my cheek even with the headgear loose). The ones that are uncomfortable are the Full Face mask, Wisp, Nuance Pro, and a couple of FFM that I can't recall the names of.

Are you sure you are properly fitting your mask at night?

Yep. Right by the directions. Straps as loose as I can have them while getting a good seal. No overtightening.

You say you're sleeping on the floor, but the last time you had a chance to sleep in a bed in a motel, the sleep was better. When was the last time you slept in a bed---pre-CPAP or post-CPAP?

Pre-CPAP. But I sleep on the floor by choice. I like to sleep alone, not with a girlfriend in bed. I like to also keep my room nice and cold, and my better half keeps her room to warm for me. Anything too warm gives me headaches, dizzy spells, and nose bleeds. So I sleep in the front room.

Sleeping on the floor can trigger a lot of pain in many people because the floor is so hard and so unforgiving. Do you have any pain issues that are made worse by sleeping on the floor? Is there any room in the small apartment for a recliner or a couch that you could sleep on? Would it be possible to use a small camping-style air mattress to sleep on?

I have NO pain when I get up in the morning or throughout the day. We have a couch, but I don't like to sleep on it, I feel claustrophobic when I do. Air mattress do not work for me due to my weight. Near 300 pounds.

Other than "mask is uncomfortable", what are your biggest issues with PAP in terms of comfort or getting to sleep? The more specific you are, the more useful help you will get from people on this forum. If we don't know what's bugging you, all we can do is take shots in the dark about what is wrong

It has to be something in my sub-conscious. Has to be. I have no issues falling asleep with the mask. I admit I struggle sometimes, but it happens. Using the chinstrap sometimes bugs me, feels like I am choking. Waking in the middle of the night is still a mystery. You guess is as good as mine.

What triggered the sleep test that lead to the OSA diagnosis and CPAP? Were you experiencing symptoms of OSA? How bad were they?

Back in early January I was hospitalized with pneumonia and the flu. During that stay I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It was at night the nurses saw me quit breathing so they did a test where they but this meter on your finger. My oxygen level dropped into the 70s. So when I went to see my follow up Doctor after the hospital, a sleep study was ordered. I was pretty bad.

How severe is the untreated OSA? If you don't remember the AHI on the diagnostic test, do you remember if the doc described the OSA as severe, moderate, or mild?

Severe. Really bad.

What other health issues are you dealing with? Does the treatment for any of them adversely affect your sleep?

Diabetes type 2. I take insulin. None of that effects my sleep.

Do you have a follow-up appointment with a doc to discuss how the CPAP therapy is (or rather is not) going?

That happened last week. They upped my pressure a bit from 9-11 to 9-13. Looks like I am getting 4 to 6 hours a night on the machine or while sitting in front of the TV. I have meet my compliance requirements so the machine is mine. The Doctor said I need to keep looking for the right mask.

[jencat824]

For all I care. I'm done. I'm tired of trying to make this work. I've tried to make it work for a month now. Every night the mask gets ripped off. Every day I feel worse. I've tried 10 different masks. No go with any of them. The only style I haven't tried yet is Nasal Prong. I have tried using two different chinstraps. I have tried using heavy duty sleeping pills. Nothing works. Not sure what to do at this point.

You say you've been at this a month but..... your profile says you've been registered since 2007.. that is 7 years??????? I am VERY confused.

Since Nan pinpointed the date you joined, now I'm confused. Were you previously on CPAP & gave up then, or what is going on. I'm confused too!!!!!!

[chunkyfrog]

@kona, dozens of people give up on cpap every day, or never start. It is a tragedy that is made a mockery if you are
using this forum to impersonate one of them for your own amusement. If your problems are due to a mental disorder,
then you need to consult professionals in mental health--not strangers in an online self-help forum.
I am now going to pack; my brother's cancer has advanced to the final few days, and I must go on a long road trip,
because airfare is enough to make you puke.

[kona0197]

Since Nan pinpointed the date you joined, now I'm confused. Were you previously on CPAP & gave up then, or what is going on. I'm confused too!!!!!!

My Mom gave me a CPAP machine back in 2007. I only used it 3 or 4 times in all of those years. These last few months have been my first real go at CPAP therapy, with a sleep Docotor and a DME. Hope that clears it up.

@kona, dozens of people give up on cpap every day, or never start. It is a tragedy that is made a mockery if you are
using this forum to impersonate one of them for your own amusement. If your problems are due to a mental disorder,
then you need to consult professionals in mental health--not strangers in an online self-help forum.
I am now going to pack; my brother's cancer has advanced to the final few days, and I must go on a long road trip,
because airfare is enough to make you puke.

I have no idea what you are talking about. I was going to give up, but not now, after the help I got. I am not making a mockery of anything. I don't appreciate you saying that I am.

[chunkyfrog]

Then I take back what I said--as long as you keep trying.