Hi cKeith; Sorry for all that you're going through. I can't relate to most of your medical problems and I take very little medication.
But finally after 4 yrs of chronic insomnia (most of the time), and then nerve problems that started 2 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.
I was told by my sleep doctor that sleep apnea causes my insomnia, restless legs, jerking awake, etc. I started cpap in April.
Most important of all is to keep trying. I try with cpap every night but some nights I still slip back to my old habit of falling asleep in my recliner and then
getting up after an hr or so to get on the machine. I get more sleep by doing that but I'm cheating myself out of therapy every time. Progress for me has
been intermittent but it's there. I'm now feeling sleepy some evenings whereas before cpap, I was always just wired and tired from the apnea. It did help me to read on
this board and take advice to change my minimum pressure from a Fixed 7cm (most clinics start you on fixed) to 8cm with variable pressure. That was in July and since then I've gotten more nights of 5.5 hrs on the machine and for me, that's a big deal. I feel more clear headed the next day. My sleep clinic NP approved the change in pressure.
Sometimes I feel like I'm choking for air - Sometimes I feel like "I'm being blown away
If your ramp is on 4 or 5, you're probably starting out with not enough air. Try setting ramp to 7.
The ResMed AirFit P10 mask fits so good that I very seldom have air leaks, no feeling of being blown away and I know what you mean because I tried
other masks (including full face) first. I ordered my own mask and it was worth the money. They provided three nasal pillows so I could pick and choose.
Made a world of difference. Headgear is just two bands that stretch and adjust to fit your head. Very lightweight and simple, no velcro (I hate the
velcro). I wash the bands once a week in hot water and mild soap, that keeps it from stretching out too much.
It leaks when I move - I have to keep fooling around with it
I went through that too. But now I have had very little trouble since I started putting the mask on and fitting it best I can BEFORE turning on the machine.
I replace my nasal pillows every 2-3 wks because they stretch out. My insurance pays for that.
It sometimes makes a nasty sucking sound when I inhale - Like sucking ice on the bottom of a glass with a straw
My AirFit P10 has not done that. Other masks I tried made the noises, probably because they didn't fit my face right.
Any pain is Psychological one might even say irrational - NO less INTENSE - No less REAL
I can understand that. All I can say is take it one day at a time. Worry is your enemy.
Patience and hope is your friend.
No RAMP - He took that off when I complained about choking
Pressure seems permanently set at 10 - I don't think there is any range set
Again, I would try starting at 7cm as a happy medium for helping you get to sleep, certainly not 10.
" Humidity" - I'll be honest with you - 5 min. is the longest time I have been able to wear it in bed
and then I start to SEETH - I can do a bit longer sitting in a chair listening to music
Try lying down during the day for awhile on cpap, when there's no pressure with trying to sleep. And listen to music since that works.
Try to shut out any negative thoughts. My humidity is set at "3" for a desert climate.
Keep trying. Use the search box on this site for help.