Sleeping Challenges

Hi all,

Thanks so much all the insights mentioned in this forum, I've learned quite a bit!

I've started CPAP treatment since about nine months ago and I've tried about four different masks in that period. The one that has stuck best with me is the Dreamwear Gel Nasal Pillow, I find it the most comfortable. Unfortunately however, since I started, I have not been able to get longer than three hours with this machine, despite trying a whirlwind of things like changing pressure settings, ramp time, etc. I'm just not really sure at this point how to move forward. When I get (the very rare) more than four hours, I consider it a huge miracle! Then the next night... 1 hour and 20 minutes.

I've been waking up every night to take off the mask for many months now and when I wake, I just cannot sleep more with it. I don't know if it's the pressure or what, but I keep trying to falling back asleep and struggle to.

I've attached some of my statistics here (random selection of days), I'd really appreciate literally any help. I was hoping that after a few months, I'd get more comfortable with things, but I'm just not able to sleep all the way. I'm considering getting another two or three masks pillow masks and praying that I can make it through the night.

Thanks so much in advance and again, thank you for all the insights on this board, it's a gem!

Please redo your charts as outlined in the instructions in my sig.

Looks like you are making changes at random and don't really know what you are doing... Max is too low, ramp time may be too long and you may not need EPR at 3.

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:29 pm

Please redo your charts as outlined in the instructions in my sig.

I've updated as per the instructions

LSAT wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:33 pm

Looks like you are making changes at random and don't really know what you are doing... Max is too low, ramp time may be too long and you may not need EPR at 3.

This is semi-true. I think I understand the variables and what they mean (such as max pressure, etc) and the only result that I'm following is, how is my sleep that night and the subsequent nights. If it's positive, then I continue otherwise, change something. I guess I'm hoping for some suggestions on things to try that could make a larger difference in my sleep quality each night.

pookieinc wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:49 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:29 pm

Please redo your charts as outlined in the instructions in my sig.

I've updated as per the instructions

Try again.

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:52 pm

pookieinc wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:49 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:29 pm

Please redo your charts as outlined in the instructions in my sig.

I've updated as per the instructions

Try again.

Just looked through the instructions again, can you be more specific please?

pookieinc wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:54 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:52 pm

pookieinc wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:49 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:29 pm

Please redo your charts as outlined in the instructions in my sig.

I've updated as per the instructions

Try again.

Just looked through the instructions again, can you be more specific please?

Remove the pie chart
Remove the mask pressure chart
Increase the height of the other graphs

Curious if you had trouble sleeping before starting CPAP? Is poor sleep a change?

When you wake up, is the mask bugging you? Do you stay in bed or get up? If you stay in bed, can you leave the mask on and relax, or read, or whatever you do when you can't sleep?

Others will comment and give advice on your Sleepyhead charts and make suggestions. I was wondering about your sleep in general and your comfort level.

When asked to redo your Sleepyhead report, you need to repost the screenshots, that's what people need in order to help.

pookieinc wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:54 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:52 pm

pookieinc wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:49 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:29 pm

Please redo your charts as outlined in the instructions in my sig.

I've updated as per the instructions

Try again.

Just looked through the instructions again, can you be more specific please?

Specifically, make yours look like the example.

Hi welcome aboard. Zonker usually welcomes new members but he may have missed this thread. I had a hard time adjusting to wearing a mask.

One of the things I find that helps me adjust each time I try a new mask is to hook it up and wear it while I am doing something relaxing (watching tv, reading a book, doing a puzzle, crocheting) this helps me get used to it.

One poster cut up a old worn out favorite fleece jacket and made padding for her headgear and hose to make it soft an cuddly.
Another posted a cute set of barbie underwear she made for hers. Figuring out how to make the mask your friend will make sleeping with the alien thing on your face easier. If your not crafty, there are places you can buy premade stuff. Pad a check is often recommended here for mask liners and hose covers.

Good luck. It will get easier.

babydinosnoreless wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:56 pm

Hi welcome aboard. Zonker usually welcomes new members but he may have missed this thread.

excuse me, original poster, just want to jump in for a short remark or two.

baby, i don't always welcome someone. if pugsy or palerider come in before i do, then i usually pipe down. also, too, if someone posts their charts on their first post, i may not do the welcome.

and then, i may just miss them, like you said!

zonker wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:32 am

babydinosnoreless wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:56 pm

Hi welcome aboard. Zonker usually welcomes new members but he may have missed this thread.

excuse me, original poster, just want to jump in for a short remark or two.

baby, i don't always welcome someone. if pugsy or palerider come in before i do, then i usually pipe down. also, too, if someone posts their charts on their first post, i may not do the welcome.

and then, i may just miss them, like you said!

I just didn't want to step on toes there has been so much craziness lately. I almost said welcome to zonkers zoo.

babydinosnoreless wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:44 am

zonker wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:32 am

babydinosnoreless wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:56 pm

Hi welcome aboard. Zonker usually welcomes new members but he may have missed this thread.

excuse me, original poster, just want to jump in for a short remark or two.

baby, i don't always welcome someone. if pugsy or palerider come in before i do, then i usually pipe down. also, too, if someone posts their charts on their first post, i may not do the welcome.

and then, i may just miss them, like you said!

I just didn't want to step on toes there has been so much craziness lately. I almost said welcome to zonkers zoo.

I did that once.
Ever since I have been plagued by the scunci patrol. I am trying to carve out my own little niche.

Original Poster : Welcome to the family of crabby, sleep deprived, grown-older-but-never-grown-up people that hang out here to help one another through the tough times of adjusting to Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its consequences.

katestyles wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:50 am

...Welcome to the family of crabby, sleep deprived, grown-older-but-never-grown-up people that hang out here to help one another through the tough times of adjusting to Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its consequences.