Need Help Interpreting Sleephead

Guest wrote:I didn't have any swelling under my eyes before the CPAP therapy started. If it's a circulatory issue, does that mean the mask is on too tight or I wonder if it is because I am a side sleeper and I am smooshing the mask into my face when I sleep on it and it decreases the circulation?

Combination of side sleeping, straps being snug and the circulation not moving the edema out of the area where it wants to pool.
Sometimes I get in mainly under my right eye...big puffy fluid filled bag...ugly and it's from laying on my bed pillow on my right side too long.

You can help lessen the puffiness with padded cheek straps and sometimes you need extra padding.

Did you use the fleece wraps that came with the DreamWear?

Which mask caused less eye bags....DreamWear or Nuance

Have you looked at the mask in my equipment profile...ResMed AirFit P10...I have to use side cheek straps with it or I get lines/dents from the tiny straps. Heck...I get a scar on my face if I lay on a wrinkle in my pillow case.
Padacheek.com....she has better side strap covers than what comes with the masks except maybe the fleece that comes with the DreamWear.
We might need to get your more padding and distribution of the straps to lessen the fluid retention.

Pugsy wrote:

Guest wrote:I didn't have any swelling under my eyes before the CPAP therapy started. If it's a circulatory issue, does that mean the mask is on too tight or I wonder if it is because I am a side sleeper and I am smooshing the mask into my face when I sleep on it and it decreases the circulation?

Combination of side sleeping, straps being snug and the circulation not moving the edema out of the area where it wants to pool.
Sometimes I get in mainly under my right eye...big puffy fluid filled bag...ugly and it's from laying on my bed pillow on my right side too long.

You can help lessen the puffiness with padded cheek straps and sometimes you need extra padding.

Did you use the fleece wraps that came with the DreamWear?

Which mask caused less eye bags....DreamWear or Nuance

Have you looked at the mask in my equipment profile...ResMed AirFit P10...I have to use side cheek straps with it or I get lines/dents from the tiny straps. Heck...I get a scar on my face if I lay on a wrinkle in my pillow case.
Padacheek(dot) com....she has better side strap covers than what comes with the masks except maybe the fleece that comes with the DreamWear.
We might need to get your more padding and distribution of the straps to lessen the fluid retention.

The Nuance caused less eye bags. One morning I woke up and I only had one eye bag, lol.

Yes, I do use the fleece wraps that came with DreamWear mask.

I also get "sheet scars!"

Lahree wrote:I am new to CPAP therapy--15 nights.

You are actually doing pretty well for only two weeks of therapy. It takes some time for your body and brain to adjust to this new circumstance. Give it a bit, make some minor changes as suggested by others, but don't expect to suddenly feel better. That rarely happens, for most, it takes some time. Your first goal is to learn to sleep with the therapy. As you become more accustomed to it, you will probably start to feel better. Resist the temptation to grasp at straws and don't worry about every little glitch or graph.
As I said earlier, your AHI at 1.67 is pretty good. Probably a lot better than before treatment. Even if you don't immediately feel better, you can know that your body is benefiting from the therapy as evidenced by your reduced nocturia, but you probably do need to work on mask fit. I don't know about the water retention around your eyes.
It is possible that your grogginess is caused by actually being able to sleep without being disturbed. The chart you posted would seem to indicate you slept pretty well from about 3:30 until nearly 7:00. It could be you are not used to being able to sleep so long without being disturbed and you are waking from an different sleep stage then you are used to. If so, then again, this should pass as you become acclimated.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is to be patient. I'm sure the unicorns and rainbows are just over the hill.

See if the fleece covers from the DreamWear will fit on the straps for the Nuance...
I don't have a Nuance to try it with.

The puffiness and bags are fluid retention/pooling.
Annoying as hell for sure.
You are like me...the least little thing makes a dent/scar/bag. It's because we are so special and so delicate.
The best way to prevent them is to spread the pressure out so that the straps aren't concentrated in such a small area...
and try to wear them as loose as possible.

Or we could get you this mask.
No headgear or straps at all anywhere...and don't laugh..I actually used this mask for over a year until the P10 was released and it was a tough call to make the change. It's a nice little mask and after a couple of weeks that mouth guard totally disappeared. I would wake up in the morning and not even notice it or the pillow being on my face.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... roved.html

Jay Aitchsee wrote:

Lahree wrote:I am new to CPAP therapy--15 nights.

You are actually doing pretty well for only two weeks of therapy. It takes some time for your body and brain to adjust to this new circumstance. Give it a bit, make some minor changes as suggested by others, but don't expect to suddenly feel better. That rarely happens, for most, it takes some time. Your first goal is to learn to sleep with the therapy. As you become more accustomed to it, you will probably start to feel better. Resist the temptation to grasp at straws and don't worry about every little glitch or graph.
As I said earlier, your AHI at 1.67 is pretty good. Probably a lot better than before treatment. Even if you don't immediately feel better, you can know that your body is benefiting from the therapy as evidenced by your reduced nocturia, but you probably do need to work on mask fit. I don't know about the water retention around your eyes.
It is possible that your grogginess is caused by actually being able to sleep without being disturbed. The chart you posted would seem to indicate you slept pretty well from about 3:30 until nearly 7:00. It could be you are not used to being able to sleep so long without being disturbed and you are waking from an different sleep stage then you are used to. If so, then again, this should pass as you become acclimated.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is to be patient. I'm sure the unicorns and rainbows are just over the hill.

I can TOTALLY appreciate all that you are saying! The way my doctor talked about how this CPAP was going to change my life, I got the impression from what she was saying that I would feel the benefits immediately. I am an impatient person by nature, so I will have to dial back my immediate expectations.

And yes, my AHI is fantabulous compared to my sleep study! I had 62 apnea events PER HOUR!

Pugsy wrote:See if the fleece covers from the DreamWear will fit on the straps for the Nuance...
I don't have a Nuance to try it with.

The puffiness and bags are fluid retention/pooling.
Annoying as hell for sure.
You are like me...the least little thing makes a dent/scar/bag. It's because we are so special and so delicate.
The best way to prevent them is to spread the pressure out so that the straps aren't concentrated in such a small area...
and try to wear them as loose as possible.

Or we could get you this mask.
No headgear or straps at all anywhere...and don't laugh..I actually used this mask for over a year until the P10 was released and it was a tough call to make the change. It's a nice little mask and after a couple of weeks that mouth guard totally disappeared. I would wake up in the morning and not even notice it or the pillow being on my face.
https: tap-pap

Yes, I am a delicate flower, lol. I have the headgear really loose. Hmmm....I ordered a pillow on Amazon a few minutes ago that is for CPAP side-sleepers. Maybe that will help as well. I will certainly try more padding on the straps.

OK--that Tap Pap scares me! LOL! I am always afraid I am going to choke on a mouth guard!

Update following all the suggestions I received.

Last night I switched back to the Nuance mask; I put the soft fleece straps from my DreamWear mask onto the Nuance mask; I loosened the straps and I slept like a baby. I woke up REFRESHED! First time, Folks, first time! I had no strap marks at all. I had only the tiniest bit of edema under my eyes and after splashing my eyes with cold water and gently applying Mary Kay eye gel to the area, the bags completely disappeared!

IT'S A MIRACLE! LOL! Finally my unicorns and rainbows!

Thanks so much for all who took their time to help me! I can't adequately express how much it has meant to me and obviously helped me!

Lahree wrote:Update following all the suggestions I received.

Last night I switched back to the Nuance mask; I put the soft fleece straps from my DreamWear mask onto the Nuance mask; I loosened the straps and I slept like a baby. I woke up REFRESHED! First time, Folks, first time! I had no strap marks at all. I had only the tiniest bit of edema under my eyes and after splashing my eyes with cold water and gently applying Mary Kay eye gel to the area, the bags completely disappeared!

IT'S A MIRACLE! LOL! Finally my unicorns and rainbows!

Thanks so much for all who took their time to help me! I can't adequately express how much it has meant to me and obviously helped me!

Ahhhh, the sweet taste of victory and success....and with fairly simple changes.

I woke up with a few dents on my face this morning...right side again..sigh...but they will fade shortly. I may play with adding another layer of padding if it seems like I am going to be staying on my side more.
Long story about my tossing and turning but it looks like my reasons for tossing and turning a lot may be reduced a bit.
That's okay....I will take the dents over the back pain causing the tossing and turning any day of the week.

Lahree wrote:Update following all the suggestions I received.

Last night I switched back to the Nuance mask; I put the soft fleece straps from my DreamWear mask onto the Nuance mask; I loosened the straps and I slept like a baby. I woke up REFRESHED! First time, Folks, first time! I had no strap marks at all. I had only the tiniest bit of edema under my eyes and after splashing my eyes with cold water and gently applying Mary Kay eye gel to the area, the bags completely disappeared!

IT'S A MIRACLE! LOL! Finally my unicorns and rainbows!

Thanks so much for all who took their time to help me! I can't adequately express how much it has meant to me and obviously helped me!

congrats, lahree! and thanks for coming in to report the good news. i'm so used to reading all the troubles people have with xpap, that it's really refreshing to hear from someone doing well!