NEED HELP! I AM HATING THIS!

Your mask keeps coming off. Get another mask. That should be simple. You can also try different pillows if they're putting pressure on the mask. No need to use drugs. They're not part of the solution.

You said your pressure is 3, but I think what you meant (whether or not you realize it) is that your prescribed pressure is 10, which is standard, but the ramp feature has been set to start at the bottom (default) pressure of 4 (99% of machines default at 4 and 20 for the top), however after about the first week of using Cpap, the vast majority of us stop using the ramp feature (do you know how to turn it off?) and just go straight to the scripted one (i.e. 10) because we find that spending so much time on waiting for that to kick in, as opposed to trying to breathe for 10-15 mins. at 4 and 5 and 6 etc. is awful (no one can breathe at those levels!!) and completely UNnecessary. It's one thing to have a prescribed pressure of e.g. 15, in which case a little lead time might be desirable for someone (though for a shorter time than you're set at) but no one - obviously - explained to you the point of using the 'ramp', or told you that you didn't 'have' to use it at all, so left you struggling to breathe all this time when you need to just fall asleep!! What a lousy thing.

For help stabilizing the mask so it doesn't move and leak during the night, see this link to find what other members have done:
Links to Lab Rat Awards: viewtopic.php?t=15104

Scroll down to the bottom of the first post, there you will find fixes for the Swift.

Pantyhose are a common mask-stabilizing tool

Sorry to frustrate you with so many questions. Without a clear picture everything is just speculation. There are different ResMed auto machines that function a bit differently. Please give the full and exact name on your machine. What you are describing about your settings sounds like it is set to cpap mode at a fixed pressure of 10, using a ramp feature for gradual increase, with exhalation relief of 1,2,or 3. You should be able to see on the screen your machine data (before noon) for how that couple hours you slept went as far as having events and checking your leaks. I'll have to let someone else address that, as it's been so long that I used a ResMed Auto that my memory isn't clear on it.

I don't want to spend too much time on maybes, but just a bit...

I haven't had a nasal pillows mask yet that I could use out-of-the-box. I've always needed to add another strap to stabilize the mask, either from the leg of a pair of tights or a strip of old t-shirt. If you do that, just be very sure it cannot slip and obstruct the exhaust vent.

If you are using a ramp feature, what is the ramp pressure? It may be too low and take too long to get to up to your therapeutic pressure. If you do happen to be in auto mode, what is the lower end of your pressure range? An ineffective setup can cause trouble staying asleep. If you do have an exhalation relief feature and are using it on 3, it may make your exhalation pressure drop too low to be effective splinting your airway. Again, can you get specifics so you can get more targeted help?

reddeerscott wrote:I sleep on my back mostly because with nasal pillows i find it hard to sleep on my side without it causing it to leak against the pillow.

That is a problem. I believe you need to find either a way to sleep on your side with that mask, or find a different mask that will allow you to sleep on your side. It isn't practical or restful to have to sleep like that.

Another thing that I would recommend to you is that you start actively learning about your machine and about sleep disordered breathing. Become an expert on those topics. Right now you are asking for help....imagine yourself one day being the one answering the questions! What would you have to know in order to help others? That's the kind of knowledge you should start acquiring.

I slept on my back last night and was able to get 6 hours! What a relief! Laying on your back is fine when using cpap. I had a good sleep and I used a sleeping pill.

Scott, it is NOT fine to sleep that way. It's great that you got some sleep, but that was because of the pill, a bad idea (except for catching up on one night) because it depresses your system and will have added apneas to your sleep. If you had software and could look at what occurred overnight you'd see that you probably had a lot MORE apneas than usual. If you keep taking the pills and sleeping on your back (both are bad) you could really end up in trouble (once the catch-up effect of the one night wears off). You need to learn how to deal with the problems, not make them hide by knocking yourself into oblivion. I'm so sorry this sounds like a big lecture, but you're scaring me (for you) with how you're not taking care of yourself.

I would not dismiss sleeping on one's back--but to be sure, you need to know if your therapy corresponds with the required pressure while on your back, which may be higher than in other positions. Good luck, and sleep tight.

With the ramp feature on, your machine is probably starting at a pressure of 4 and goes up to 10 over that 25 minute period. That is probably causing some of the problems with your mask--if you adjust it for the pressure of 4 when you turn your machine on, you may have leakage when it gets to 10. If you adjust it for 10, it should be fine at 4.

I also question whether your mask is fit for your face properly. Can you go to the DME where you bought it and see if they can check the fit at full pressure (10, not 4)? Or you might want to try another mask, though that's a very good one.

The Swift LT is actually a great mask for side sleeping, but you have to do some tweaks. First, when you lie on your side, you want to sort of "hang" the mask off the edge of the pillow so it doesn't get dislodged. Sleep at the very edge of the pillow with your nose hanging over. Second, lie down on your side and THEN adjust the straps (with the machine on, preferably at full pressure). I find that I have to make the straps a little loser on the side of my head that's on the pillow (the down side) and tighter on the up side so that the mask doesn't shift from the pressure of the bed pillow. Another trick is to sew or staple some velcro hook tape inside the back strap so that it doesn't slide around when you move your head on the pillow. There's a good fitting video here: http://www.resmed.com/us/products/swift ... s&sec=true

When you can sleep comfortably in your normal position, you may not need those medications.

reddeerscott,
First let me commend you for coming here to cpaptalk and asking questions it is a step in the right direction.
I would like to reiterate how important it is to educate your self about Sleep apnea and the machine you are using. Also I think you need to learn what Sleep apnea can do untreated, for me that was a deciding factor for me to be diligent in my treatment.
I wish the best of luck to you.

reddeerscott wrote:I slept on my back last night and was able to get 6 hours! What a relief! Laying on your back is fine when using cpap. I had a good sleep and I used a sleeping pill.

Hi there,
Well, Im glad you got six hours of sleep, thats a good start.. NOW, that you have done that, its time to put all the energy you have experienced
in your frustrations in research.. Its time for you to take control of your therapy, learn everything you possibly can about your machine, your masks,
your therapy.... You have gone a very long time suffering, probably needlessly.. Now you have an opportunity to teach yourself how to conquer
all the issues that can arise from cpap/apap therapy.

For many people this is not a therapy you can just guess your way through. You are obviously one of them. So start reading, and I mean you need
to know this stuff backwards and forwards.. Read the cpap wiki information at the top of the forum, read all the terminology.

You are going to have to help yourself through this. You should be able to figure out each and every single problem you stated on this thread
yourself, and also be able to sleep thru the night without a sleeping pill......that being said, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do..
However, shortcuts are not always the best solutions, especially when you are dealing with your health.

I think your most important issue which has caused most all of your problems is lack of information. You can find all of that here, it just takes
a little time and effort.. So priorty number one: EDUCATE YOURSELF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE..

Janknitz wrote:The Swift LT is actually a great mask for side sleeping, but you have to do some tweaks. First, when you lie on your side, you want to sort of "hang" the mask off the edge of the pillow so it doesn't get dislodged. Sleep at the very edge of the pillow with your nose hanging over. Second, lie down on your side and THEN adjust the straps (with the machine on, preferably at full pressure). I find that I have to make the straps a little loser on the side of my head that's on the pillow (the down side) and tighter on the up side so that the mask doesn't shift from the pressure of the bed pillow. Another trick is to sew or staple some velcro hook tape inside the back strap so that it doesn't slide around when you move your head on the pillow.

I don't use that mask but boy, those were some really excellent tips. Thank you for taking the time to write that. I wonder if there is a wiki page for the Swift LT, and if that information might be added to that page? I think it is hard to retrieve this kind of information the next time someone needs help with this mask.

I wonder what Rested Gal's secret is for having such ready access to all of those great tips.....