Having problems wearing CPAP gear

[GregLH57]

I am a disabled veteran diagnosed with a mild obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and subsequently the VA recommended CPAP therapy. After many years of day-time sleepiness, headaches, snoring and memory issues I was really looking forward to a full night of restful sleep and feeling rejuvenated for a change.

I went though an indoctrination on sleep apnea, what causes it, how CPAP works, how to maintain the machine and the benefits of CAPA therapy. This was all very good information but it didn't prepare me for actually using one other than saying "it' takes time to get use it". I have only had the machine for 5 days now. I have a Philips Respironics System One with a Wisp nasal cap mask. The pressure is set to 5-12 and the ramp is set to 4. The mask itself is comfortable enough to wear however I have not been able to keep it on for more than 3 hours and I am unable to sleep with it on. It was day 3 when I was able to have it on for 3 hours and I got a hint of what the benefits could be...I slept all night! I didn't wake up or get up even once. The air to me feels too warm and I am having trouble learning to breath though my nose with this contraption on, I feel claustrophobic. I have adjusted the humidifier settings, so far 3 seems to be the best. I did try putting it on and watching TV, that was tolerable but I was in a sitting position. Laying flat on my back is another story...I am use to sleeping on my side and any shifting seems to affect the feel of the nasal mask. I think fi the air felt cooler it would be easier to get use to? I guess it will be a matter of will power and training to make this work. I know that many sleep apnea patients go through this adjustment period and now have used their CPAP for many years...sure would appreciate knowing how you did it?

Greg

[robysue]

Greg,

Welcome to the forum.

I have only had the machine for 5 days now. I have a Philips Respironics System One with a Wisp nasal cap mask. The pressure is set to 5-12 and the ramp is set to 4. The mask itself is comfortable enough to wear however I have not been able to keep it on for more than 3 hours and I am unable to sleep with it on. It was day 3 when I was able to have it on for 3 hours and I got a hint of what the benefits could be...I slept all night! I didn't wake up or get up even once.

The last two statements directly contradict each other: So which is it? Have you managed one night of sleep with the mask on all night long without waking up even once? Or are you unable to sleep with it?

Here's the thing: It does take time to learn how to sleep with a six foot hose attached to your nose. But once you start figuring it out, it does become easier. If you managed to sleep all night on Night 3, then you will (eventually) be able to sleep all night, every night. As long as you don't just give up.

I'd suggest that you keep some kind of a log to keep track of the GOOD nights so that you don't lose sight of the fact that you ARE having some real success with this crazy therapy.

The air to me feels too warm

If you are using a heated hose, turn the temp down. If you are using a heated humidifier, turn the humidifier down.

and I am having trouble learning to breath though my nose with this contraption on, I feel claustrophobic.

If you are by nature a mouth breather, it may be easier to adjust to a FFM even though they can seem like they'd cause more claustrophobia. Or, if you are mainly a nose breather who is just having problems, you might find switching mask styles might help: If you are using a nasal mask, try some nasal pillows; if you are using nasal pillows, try a nasal mask.

I have adjusted the humidifier settings, so far 3 seems to be the best. I did try putting it on and watching TV, that was tolerable but I was in a sitting position. Laying flat on my back is another story...I am use to sleeping on my side and any shifting seems to affect the feel of the nasal mask.

Fit the mask when you are lying down on your side in your preferred sleeping position. Almost any mask can be made to work in almost any sleep position if you are just patient enough. Make sure the straps are appropriately tight rather than too tight. For side sleeping you might find it easier to sleep using a special CPAP pillow with cutouts for the mask to hang into. And if moving around in bed affects the mask, it's not the end of the world. A lot of the time you can gently tug the mask a tiny bit away from your face and then let it settle back down to get the mask back where you want it to be.

I think fi the air felt cooler it would be easier to get use to?

Maybe, maybe not. Again, if you have a heated hose, turn the temp down. You might also see if the nose can tolerate a lower humidity setting. Since air temperature is a problem, you might even want to consider turning the humidifier OFF and seeing if the nose can tolerate little or no humidity. Some people prefer little or no humidity, in part because it does mean the air is not so warm.

I guess it will be a matter of will power and training to make this work. I know that many sleep apnea patients go through this adjustment period and now have used their CPAP for many years...sure would appreciate knowing how you did it?

Patience, perseverance, will power, and stubbornness in my case.

You can read the full story of my exceptionally difficult adjustment period in the sticky thread Newbie would like to hear success stories, please. If you spend some time reading posts on that thread, you get a lot of stories about how people managed to make this crazy therapy work.

[GregLH]

robysue, yes reading it myself it does seem contradictive, what I was trying to convey was when I had 3 hours on the machine even after I removed it after that period I slept the rest of the night soundly. So I assumed that it was due to the 3 hours of use. Thank for the welcome and beneficial suggestions. Initially the thought of the nasal pillows weren't very appealing however now that I have minimal experience with the nasal cap the nasal pillows sound more appealing. I am thinking the nasal pillows will allow for freedom of movement and reduce or negate the claustrophobic sensation. I really want to make this work.

[jaye8898]

Welcome, Greg.

I hope you get a chance to try the nasal pillow type mask. I am very claustrophobic and have not been able to keep a nasal cushion mask on although I am now trying with a full face mask in case I get sick. To be honest, so far it's not going very well. I highly recommend the Airfit P10 mask. Some people don't like it because the headgear is not adjustable but it's so light you feel like it's not even on. If that does not work there are lots of different ones and you are sure to find one that is right for you.

Best of luck....I know it's tough to get used to CPap but there are wonderful people to help you succeed here and hopefully, you can look forward to feeling so much better.

Thank you for your service.

[ems]

Welcome, Greg.

I highly recommend the Airfit P10 mask. Some people don't like it because the headgear is not adjustable but it's so light you feel like it's not even on.

+1

The Airfit P10 is a great little mask. Many of us have been where you are... some of us longer than others.

[Wulfman...]

I am a disabled veteran diagnosed with a mild obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and subsequently the VA recommended CPAP therapy. After many years of day-time sleepiness, headaches, snoring and memory issues I was really looking forward to a full night of restful sleep and feeling rejuvenated for a change.

I went though an indoctrination on sleep apnea, what causes it, how CPAP works, how to maintain the machine and the benefits of CAPA therapy. This was all very good information but it didn't prepare me for actually using one other than saying "it' takes time to get use it". I have only had the machine for 5 days now. I have a Philips Respironics System One with a Wisp nasal cap mask. The pressure is set to 5-12 and the ramp is set to 4. The mask itself is comfortable enough to wear however I have not been able to keep it on for more than 3 hours and I am unable to sleep with it on. It was day 3 when I was able to have it on for 3 hours and I got a hint of what the benefits could be...I slept all night! I didn't wake up or get up even once. The air to me feels too warm and I am having trouble learning to breath though my nose with this contraption on, I feel claustrophobic. I have adjusted the humidifier settings, so far 3 seems to be the best. I did try putting it on and watching TV, that was tolerable but I was in a sitting position. Laying flat on my back is another story...I am use to sleeping on my side and any shifting seems to affect the feel of the nasal mask. I think fi the air felt cooler it would be easier to get use to? I guess it will be a matter of will power and training to make this work. I know that many sleep apnea patients go through this adjustment period and now have used their CPAP for many years...sure would appreciate knowing how you did it?

Greg

You may need a different bed pillow or different mask......or both.
I'm a dedicated side-sleeper and I wear a full face mask. Been on this therapy for about nine years. But, years before I started this therapy, I was using a "Chiroflow" water-based pillow and it worked out very well with this therapy.
"Standard" fiberfill pillows can push the mask out of alignment when side-sleeping because the head sinks into it. There have been a number of pillows that have been designed for this therapy and some that work well with it. It's been discussed at considerable length on the forum. You might go up to the Search line and put in "bed pillow" and start reading.
But, basically you need a pillow that your head won't sink into to be able to side-sleep.

Hang in there. We've all been through the learning curve.


Den

.

[Wulfman...]

I also think your minimum pressure is a bit too low, especially with a Ramp starting pressure of 4. You must be starving for air.


Den

.

[Scootergirl]

I'm very new to CPAP as well - I've had mine for a week. I totally understand how you feel and reading this forum is such a great comfort to me - everyone here is so helpful and supportive. I've learned a little bit this week - one is I cannot wear a Full face mask - too claustrophobic. I did try the mask you have, the whisper and really liked it - but It made an immediate red mark on my nose, and they were worried about my skin breaking down, since my skin is very thin on that part of my nose. It seemed like a really good mask though and my first choice before we found the Airfit P10. The one thing I have learned, since I'm a side sleeper too, is that you need to not be afraid to adjust your mask. Sometimes you might roll over and not need to, but if it feels funny, just fiddle with it till your comfortable. I don't know about you, but I was acting like I couldn't move, couldn't adjust anything for fear and now that I've realized that, I'm more comfortable. Also, from what I've read here - it can take some time to adjust to this new thing of CPAP - don't expect to be completely comfortable and allow yourself the adjustment period you need. I know changing your pillow, sleeping more towards the edge of your pillow can help with the positioning of your mask, too. There are so many experienced CPAPers here, I know you're going to get a ton of good advice. I'm just chiming in from a newbie standpoint - good luck!

[PartlyCloudy]

Welcome, Greg. I was wearing the same mask as you are now and had to switch to a Fisher & Paykel Eson mask due to claustrophobia. Each night I'd struggle with an hour of anxiety attacks before I finally passed out from exhaustion. My claustrophobia problem wasn't the mask on my face so much as the feeling of having to heave upon exhalation due to the inflow of air pressure (my pressure is only 6). I don't have that feeling at all with the F&P Eson. I found the nasal pillows even more claustrophobic for the same reason even though I loved how tiny they were.

Anyway, I'm only on my 9th night of cpap therapy (finally felt significantly better after my 8th night) so just wanted to welcome you as I don't have much experience to share and say hang in there.

[apw5746]

The air to me feels too warm and I am having trouble learning to breath though my nose with this contraption on, I feel claustrophobic. I have adjusted the humidifier settings, so far 3 seems to be the best. I did try putting it on and watching TV, that was tolerable but I was in a sitting position. Laying flat on my back is another story...I am use to sleeping on my side and any shifting seems to affect the feel of the nasal mask. I think fi the air felt cooler it would be easier to get use to? I guess it will be a matter of will power and training to make this work. I know that many sleep apnea patients go through this adjustment period and now have used their CPAP for many years...sure would appreciate knowing how you did it?

Greg

Greg,

I am Super Claustrophobic. I got the Wisp a couple of days ago, and the first night I bailed after 45 minutes. Headgear wasn't as comfortable as my Swift FX. Air was too warm, which was exhaled breath 'cause I don't use a humidifier.

The hose issue was solved by using a home/travel hose buddy. http://www.amazon.com/Hose-Buddy-CPAP-M ... B007D26Q2Y

Read this thread. viewtopic/t95549/PR-Wisp-nasal-mask.html. You can see some of my remarks on the second page.

PM me if you have any question.

Pat