Can't go in to Stage 3&4 using Cpap

[Sleepyv]

I have been trying my cpap off and on. I can on go into stage 1 and 2 sleep stage. I get discouraged and stop using after a few days because I feel worse using cpap. Wondering if anyone else has this problem? Am I giving up too soon?

[grayghost4]

During my last sleep test I never went into stage 3 ... went from 2 directly in rem. eight plus hrs. of sleep and no stage N3/4 ... 20 min of Rem.

[Sheriff Buford]

How long is off and on?

Sheriff

[Sleepyv]

I have been trying it off and on for a couple of years. But can only use if for 3 or 4 days of feeling this way then I stop using it. Wondering if I am giving up too soon?

[Wulfman...]

I have been trying my cpap off and on. I can on go into stage 1 and 2 sleep stage. I get discouraged and stop using after a few days because I feel worse using cpap. Wondering if anyone else has this problem? Am I giving up too soon?

Please fill out your profile with all the equipment and settings.
How do you "know" you're not getting into deeper sleep stages?


Den

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[JimP]

I have been trying my cpap off and on. I can on go into stage 1 and 2 sleep stage. I get discouraged and stop using after a few days because I feel worse using cpap. Wondering if anyone else has this problem? Am I giving up too soon?

How are you measuring which level of sleep you're entering?

Another way of asking this what device are you using and are you sure that it's accurately reporting sleep stage.

[Sleepyv]

That is what the sleep studies show. That I only go into stage 1 and 2. I think that is the case when I'm sleeping with cpap because of the way I feel next day after using it. Tired, spacey, jittery etc.

[Julie]

Maybe silly question, but are you sure you're not inadvertently covering the CO2 vent holes with bedding (and rebreathing CO2)? Not a great idea, and can make you feel strange.

[Wulfman...]

That is what the sleep studies show. That I only go into stage 1 and 2. I think that is the case when I'm sleeping with cpap because of the way I feel next day after using it. Tired, spacey, jittery etc.

Comparing sleep studies (one night in unusual surroundings all wired up) to sleeping in one's own bed is like comparing apples to oranges. Hardly anybody gets into deep or REM sleep in sleep studies (from what people have reported and that I've read).


Den

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[LSAT]

That is what the sleep studies show. That I only go into stage 1 and 2. I think that is the case when I'm sleeping with cpap because of the way I feel next day after using it. Tired, spacey, jittery etc.

Comparing sleep studies (one night in unusual surroundings all wired up) to sleeping in one's own bed is like comparing apples to oranges. Hardly anybody gets into deep or REM sleep in sleep studies (from what people have reported and that I've read).


Den

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I Agree

[BlackSpinner]

It can take a month of solid (8 hour a night) use before your mind will allow you to sleep that deeply with some thing on your face. Using it a few hours every once in a while is useless. It is a lot like "stopping smoking" by not having cigarette a couples of days a month and complaining it doesn't help your asthma.

[Sharrykb]

I have been trying my cpap off and on. I can on go into stage 1 and 2 sleep stage. I get discouraged and stop using after a few days because I feel worse using cpap. Wondering if anyone else has this problem? Am I giving up too soon?

Do you have software to look at your data? If not, it can be extremely helpful. Maybe there's some tweaking that needs to be done to get better results. Most of us here use SleepyHead and I'm sure someone will chime in here with instructions on how to get it.

I agree with what others have said too. I would strongly encourage you to make a commitment to give CPAP a chance. It's going to take more than a few days here and there to know if CPAP is helping you. And again, having the software to look at your data is going to be very helpful because using the machine a certain hours a day every day is just the beginning. You need to know that the set pressures are actually working for you.

There are lots of very knowledgeable folks here who can assist you with questions and problems along the way.

[borgready]

if your feeling worse from cpap, start monitoring data like your O2 levels and breathing wave forms. If your O2 stays in low to mid 90s and your breathing is stable, then its just learning to get used to the mask and breathing against pressure. I found the bipap seems easier to use and learn on than just a flat pressure. Pay close attention to if your able to breath through your nose easily. This can change as you use the machine or change positions. A stuffy nose will make cpap almost useless.

[Jay Aitchsee]

I have been trying my cpap off and on. I can on go into stage 1 and 2 sleep stage. I get discouraged and stop using after a few days because I feel worse using cpap. Wondering if anyone else has this problem? Am I giving up too soon?

Yes, I think so. I was in much the same boat several years ago until I learned that I could monitor my data and make changes which made the treatment more effective and less disturbing as well as finding mask that was comfortable (as could be) and effective.
Somehow, you must learn to tolerate the equipment for an entire night (or at least most of it). There is no easy answer as to how to do it. Some folks haven't been able to. A possibility could be Ambien (typically doesn't alter sleep architecture) for a while until your more accustomed to the treatment. Others, here, may have other suggestions.
A few things happened after I adapted to the treatment, my blood pressure went down, I felt more rested, and my deep sleep improved from 0% to about 8%, as indicated by my Zeo and confirmed by sleep studies.
So, if you can learn to tolerate the treatment, I think you will be pleased with the results.

[Vexations]

Wondering if anyone else has this problem?

I have similar problems. I can't tell what stages of sleep I reach. I know that I'm still not getting the quality and amount of sleep that I need.

Am I giving up too soon?

Yes. In 8 months I have tried three machines and countless masks. I now have a mask that is still not perfect, but at least I no longer have the headaches. My apneas are much reduced. Going by the numbers, my therapy is a success. But in stead of just looking at the numbers and deciding that CPAP therapy sucks because even though it fixes my apneas, it still ruins my sleep, I try to work on getting good sleep. That turns out to be a long and difficult process. I do get discouraged and frustrated. I have quit therapy entirely for a few weeks. I have been so frustrated that I almost smashed the machine into the wall and ripped the mask in half. I know there are people who like their machines; I HATE mine. I hate how it makes me feel, I hate how I unattractive I look. But my partner says she thinks of the mask as a bit like scuba gear and how she finds the sound soothing and it reminds her of swimming in the Great Barrier Reef and then I think; yes, I can do this.

Here's my helpful idea: start a sleep diary. My memory isn't very reliable, and I like being able to go back and look at what I felt at the time and compare that to how I remember feeling at the time. It's a way for me to track progress, even when I think I'm not making any. You can do it in the sleepyhead software, but a simple pen and notebook may be easier, especially if you want to make a note at night. Keep it simple. You could note what you did prior to going to sleep, what you ate, how much alcohol you drank, did you exercise, did you have a bath. Don't get to hung up on what data to collect; you'll discover what you want to keep track of. Maybe the room temperature is really important to you, maybe it isn't. Just start writing. After a while you may see patterns developing and you'll discover things you can do that will help you sleep better.

good luck,