Waking up around the same time each night

Hello,

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea about a month ago - got the machine 3 weeks ago and it's been "ok" so far, but I have been constantly waking up around 4am each day and taking the mask off because I can't get back to sleep with it on. My usual bed time means that only allows me around 2hours of therapy per night, but after the mask is off, I sleep for the rest of the night.

I've thought of hitting the stepping button on the machine when I wake up and trying to get back to sleep, but it never occurs to me when I actually wake up. I'm not sure what the trigger is but I think I wake up when I roll over to my stomach.

Any ideas how to get around this issue? It's quite frustrating, especially when I have friends who need to use a CPAP and don't have any issues.

Thanks!

It would help us help you if you would list your equipment (text mode) in your profile.
Also let us know what your sleep study AHI was, and the current settings on your machine.
You can also download Sleepyhead software for free so you can see your current progress if you have a data capable machine.
I, too often wake at 4:30 for a bathroom break but go right back to sleep.

MoonUnit wrote:I've thought of hitting the stepping button on the machine when I wake up and trying to get back to sleep, but it never occurs to me when I actually wake up.
...
Any ideas how to get around this issue? It's quite frustrating, especially when I have friends who need to use a CPAP and don't have any issues.

If you are consciously choosing to take the mask off after you wake up, the answer is: Just don't cave into your desire to take the mask off.

Seriously: You are training yourself to wake up after two hours and take the hideous, unwelcome monster off your nose. And the only way to untrain yourself is to not give in.

If you are aware that you are awake when you turn the machine off and take the mask off, then you are awake enough to just hit the ramp button instead and then try to get back to sleep.

bwexler wrote:It would help us help you if you would list your equipment (text mode) in your profile.
Also let us know what your sleep study AHI was, and the current settings on your machine.
You can also download Sleepyhead software for free so you can see your current progress if you have a data capable machine.
I, too often wake at 4:30 for a bathroom break but go right back to sleep.

I listed it to the best of my ability. The exact model of machine wasn't listed, but I think the one I picked is similar (REMStar Pro C-Flex+ - old version if I go off cpap.com).

I've been using sleepyhead as this "sleep mapper" thing Phillips offers is a piece of garbage - I wasn't even able to get logged in to their website. The DME didn't even provide an SD card - instead they attached a modem to the machine, but I added an SD card when I found out about it, so I can track my therapy.

As far as the AHI, I have no idea, the sleep lab didn't tell me much neither did the DME the doctor refereed me to. The pressure is set to 11mmH2O with humidity set to 2 because 3 causes rain out.

robysue wrote:

MoonUnit wrote:I've thought of hitting the stepping button on the machine when I wake up and trying to get back to sleep, but it never occurs to me when I actually wake up.
...
Any ideas how to get around this issue? It's quite frustrating, especially when I have friends who need to use a CPAP and don't have any issues.

If you are consciously choosing to take the mask off after you wake up, the answer is: Just don't cave into your desire to take the mask off.

Seriously: You are training yourself to wake up after two hours and take the hideous, unwelcome monster off your nose. And the only way to untrain yourself is to not give in.

If you are aware that you are awake when you turn the machine off and take the mask off, then you are awake enough to just hit the ramp button instead and then try to get back to sleep.

Good point. I've been doing it ever since I got the machine, so I'll have to stop doing it. It's going to take some effort to do, but I'm sure I'll get it done. Thanks!

To get the actual model number, remove the humidifier tank and then look at the bottom of the machine. Its on the label in the upper left corner. If you can't find it in the drop down list. Enter it as text in the signature block.

JDS74 wrote:To get the actual model number, remove the humidifier tank and then look at the bottom of the machine. Its on the label in the upper left corner. If you can't find it in the drop down list. Enter it as text in the signature block.

Added it. Thanks. Sleepyhead recorded the model of the machine, which was nice.