no luck

I have been trying to sleep with a machine since last Septemeber. I now have an auto bipap (3 different machine) though even though the machine is much more user friendly still have never had much luck sleeping through the night. I have tried Swift LT and the new Resmed FX nasal pillows as well as a full face mask to no avail. Just can't get used to entire process. Have a high setting of 19. Just tried for the first time the new sleepweaver cloth mask. I am holding out hope that this might work (no pressure points on face). What if any advice does anyone have for a person like me that cannot seem to have success no matter what? I am really trying though feel as though I have "hit a wall" so to speak. Very frustrating. One other thing. Even though doctors have classified me as having "sever" apnea (44 apneas/hour) I really do not display the side affects of someone having sever apnea. Go figure? Thanks

Noluck, I'm sorry to hear you've been having trouble with your therapy. I've used the sleepweaver mask, and it is WONDERFUL because it's so light. It really doesn't feel like you're wearing a mask at all. I only have two problems with it: The leak rate is higher than I like, and it doesn't stop mouth breathing. But for someone who's experiencing difficulty adjusting, it's a great mask to use. Let us know how things go.

Well, Noluck, let's hope you don't continue to live up to you screen name. To get targeted suggestions you're going to be asked questions, probably a lot of question. Since you'll likely be around here a while sorting thru things, it might make things easier if you join the forum and indicate your equipment so others don't have to go back and read your first post every time. The first question I would have is if you are following your data and know how effective your treatment has been. Also, can you be very specific about your sleep problems? Those details could hold clues. Do you have trouble falling asleep, frequent wakeups, or early wakeups? Do you know what sensations cause the problem - sounds, difficulty breathing, discomfort of mask, etc.? One thing to consider is the possibility that unknown unrelated issues are affecting your sleep and the cpap treatment gets the blame. That was my situation for a while. Whatever is going on with you, hopefully you can get some tips to help you bust thru that wall you've hit.

Noluck wrote:I have been trying to sleep with a machine since last Septemeber. I now have an auto bipap (3 different machine) though even though the machine is much more user friendly still have never had much luck sleeping through the night. I have tried Swift LT and the new Resmed FX nasal pillows as well as a full face mask to no avail. Just can't get used to entire process. Have a high setting of 19. Just tried for the first time the new sleepweaver cloth mask. I am holding out hope that this might work (no pressure points on face). What if any advice does anyone have for a person like me that cannot seem to have success no matter what? I am really trying though feel as though I have "hit a wall" so to speak. Very frustrating. One other thing. Even though doctors have classified me as having "sever" apnea (44 apneas/hour) I really do not display the side affects of someone having sever apnea. Go figure? Thanks

Some suggestions:

1. Join and fill out your equipment profile (text not images).

Pressure of 19 is very high and can be problematic for some patients. So,

2. If you sometimes sleep on your back, find out if you have positional sleep apnea. Ask the sleep doc to review your PSG for positional sleep apnea. A much lower pressure may be effective if you avoid back sleeping and go with side or tummy sleeping.

3. Have a consultation with an ENT experienced with sleep apnea patients. He should perform a laryngospy and tell you the state of your vocal cords, tonsils, adenoids, tongue, and soft palate, and give you some estimate of what is causing the airway blockage.

4. Have a consultation with a sleep dentist and see if you are a candidate for mandibular advancement therapy.

If 3 or 4 recommend surgery or an oral device, come back and discuss the recommendations fully and do a lot of research before making a commitment.

How much do you weigh? How tall? What is your age?

Talk to the forum.

people who are fit and healthy sometimes manage to cope with the fatigue quite well, agree that 19 is high and that you will need to think positive and be patient

You might also consider a therapist who specializes in hypnotherapy to get you to adjust your mental attitude. Attitude is all - You are no "no Luck" You have the great luck not only to have been diagnosed before you fall face first into the soup but you have obviously had a decent sleep doctor and DME since you are on your third machine.

With every Apnea you die a little inside and the effects can be very subtle.

Have you tried Lunesta or Ambien at bed time? Pur-Sleep aromatherapy? A total face mask like the Respironic FitLife and Total Face masks? Chin-up Strips? A CPAP pillow? All of these things have helped me to adapt. I'm now 4 months into treatment with pressure of 18 cm H2O, AHA of 2.4. I just got a PapCap Plus, so I may try full face masks again.