2 weeks and still tired

Well, it's been 2 weeks and I'm still tired a lot. I think I have had one night that I woke up feeling halfway good. Then again I'd get that even before I started this. I'm still waking up 1-2 times every night. Have a hard time getting to sleep just like always before therapy. I have 2 masks. The Swift LT which I use at night since I just can't seem to get use to the full face mask. The other is a Respironics full life mask that was the only mask I could half way handle without ripping it off in 2 minutes at the sleep study. I take afternoon naps of about 45-60 minutes and try to use the full face mask then but can't sleep. I can get my nap in if I don't wear the mask. Somehow I just don't see or feel any improvements over what I had before the therapy.

I know I need to get into this. This is not easy!!!! Central and obstructive Apnea with 62 times/hour stopping breathing isn't something I want to live with! Reading this forum has really been my only outlet/support since I am 61 and live alone. After reading other posts, I realize everyone is different and some may get used to it in 1 day and some may take several months! I have a feeling I'm the latter! I have a follow-up appointment with the doctor the end of this month. Any questions you think I should ask him? Really frustrated and discouraged.

Hi there, Im sure someone who knows more than I do will be along presently..
Im pretty new too..

Im so sorry you are having such a struggle.. your experience sounds just like mine, and I have been doing much better in my
fourth month.. hang in there, it should get better
I have the full life face mask, nose pillows, and a fitlife total face mask.

I had a ton of trouble with leaks into my eyes with the fulllife, however if I used sports tape on the top of the edge there, I could
get the leaks to stop blowing in my eyes..

I love my f and p nose pillows and my opus 360 headgear. I put "strap softies" (ebay) on them, and it makes it seem like Im not even
wearing anything.. Have you tried soft straps on your head gear, it really helps, even stop leaks sometimes..

(Padacheek has soft straps, and so does cpap.com)

What is happening when you wake up? is the pressure bothering you, or just the whole "stuff on your face" thing..

Do you still wake up and have to make bathroom visits?

you could be mouth breathing, and not be getting the benefits of thereapy..
As you know, a lot of tape our mouths with nose pillows or nasal masks..
I think trying to take naps is a good idea, but is very hard to fall asleep during the day with all that stuff going on.. but at least you can
play around and tweek it without being exhausted..

I was miserable for the first few weeks, and actually more tired because I wasnt getting hardly any sleep.. it took a few weeks to get used
to the pressure.. and geez, youve got a big event index there with centrals, so you really want to make this work..

I think its really hard to get used a full face mask, it takes a lot of practice.. Do you feel like you are suffocating while you are wearing it
because sometimes that can be a problem if the pressure isnt set up high enough to begin with..

Hello Rick,

Welcome! You are quite right when you say some people feel better right away and for others, it can take some time. You will hear from folks who are far better informed than myself, but for starters, I wonder what pressure your machine is set at. Also, could you be more specific about what exactly bothers you about the mask? Is it physical discomfort, a feeling of claustrophobia, or what? Many times, getting the "right" mask solves problems for lots of us.

You stated that your difficulty in getting to sleep is not new. Does your doctor know about this? I hate to suggest medication, but it might (and I emphasize MIGHT) be helpful in getting past this hurdle. Of course, only you and your doctor can make that decision and carefully so in light of any other medications you might be taking.

Once again, I am sure you will hear from others who have great suggestions for questions to take to your doctor. This is a very supportive community and you are in the right place for the support you need.

Best of luck,
Jeanette

My machine is set at 9-5. The mask issue is more of a claustrophobic issue than anything else. That's why I use the nasal pillows at night and the mask during the day to try to get used to it. The nasal pillows took awhile to get used to too. I wake up in the middle of the night for bathroom breaks. I guess I should say they are bipap breaks too.... As far as getting to sleep, I sometimes take an hour or several to fall asleep. I have had that issue for many years. I was thinking of asking him for a prescription to help sleep because the equipment sure doesn't help . They had to give me a mild sleeping aid at the sleep center to help me get to sleep during the sleep study. I don't have any leakage problems with the mask, just getting used to it.

Why bother with the Fit Life mask if you are comfortable with the Swift and able to use that at night??? Use it for naps, too.

I started out with a FF mask, went to nasal maks, and was terribly uncomfortable but made it about 40 nights with those. I had a sore nose, a lot of discomfort and claustrophobia. Then I got a Swift LT and it was like heaven. A few times when the Swift has been finicky I try to wear one of the old masks and I CANNOT!

This may backfire on me if I ever have a bad URI and nasal congestion, but I simply cannot stand those masks for even a few minutes now. I don't see any need to even try.

"My machine is set at 9-5. The mask issue is more of a claustrophobic issue than anything else. That's why I use the nasal pillows at night and the mask during the day to try to get used to it. The nasal pillows took awhile to get used to too. I wake up in the middle of the night for bathroom breaks. I guess I should say they are bipap breaks too.... As far as getting to sleep, I sometimes take an hour or several to fall asleep. I have had that issue for many years. I was thinking of asking him for a prescription to help sleep because the equipment sure doesn't help . They had to give me a mild sleeping aid at the sleep center to help me get to sleep during the sleep study. I don't have any leakage problems with the mask, just getting used to it. "

HI Rick!
I understand the claustraphic thing, your pressure isnt over the moon, so thats lucky for you.
I think you will find that you are going to not even feel those nose pillows resting against your nose in a few more weeks.. I would stick with them,
and try taping your mouth.. there are tons of threads on which tape you can choose.. some folks like pap caps or chin straps, but the tape is
so easy..
Those bathroom breaks should be a thing of the past very soon, if you are getting therapy, say tootles to those... If youre not, they are going to
be the same..
Now, I know you are having a heck of a time trying to get to sleep, so did I, it took hours.. but now I get to sleep in twenty minutes..
Have you tried to change your bedtime and practice good sleep hygiene? I tried that, what a disaster.. I laid in bed for hours, thinking I was such
a putz for not sleeping with this friggen alien attached to my face..
I got some really good advice here.. if you were a night owl before, or whatever your regular bed time was, just stick to your old routine.. change
nothing, accept adding the machine..
I sort of think you might be mouth breathing with your little nose pillows. DRAT!
However, thats okay, dont be too hard on yourself for not getting fantastic results right away.. things usually get worse before they get better for
some of us "ring of fire" folks.. yep, gotta pass that first till you see that flash light waving at the end of the tunnel..

My advice would be, get so used to those nose pillows that you feel like youre an aadvark, and thats just your nose hanging down there..
Then I would try taping my mouth, dont do this when you are congested.. (another disaster) wear your fulllife when you are stuffy or coughing if you can.
Everyone here has tried all sorts of things, so dont be afraid to be creative..
I just got some silly putty in the mail to see if that would help with my fitlife temple leaks! (cant stand the smell of the silicone nose plugs a lot of people
use for leaks) so... Ill see how that goes, plus I could probably stick some in my ears when hubby ramps up the snoring!
HANG IN THERE BUDDY! Youll be back here bragging in a couple months... but till then, hope for the best and keep reading and asking questions!