It's not going so good here right now...

I am 5 nights on the machine now, had 2 pretty good experiences (2nd day and after the 4th night I had a very clear mind in the morning), but still only a couple of good hours and my body now feels even more crappy than before the treatment. I still keep waking up within the first couple of hours of the night with those horrible symptoms (racing heartbeat, achy muscles, sweating) Last night was probably the worst, since I felt not rested at all and I had to go on a trip today. The drive was only 1 1/2 hours to get there, but I was on the verge of falling asleep which seldom ever happened before. The way back in the afternoon was at least as bad if not worse (I'm so happy I made it and I will not drive anymore until I can figure this out). I was so exhausted that I decided to take a nap right away (with the machine) and I think I got almost 2 hours, but still feel extremely crappy. Again, achy muscles, high anxiety and racing heartbeat upon wake up.

One thing I realized is that the machine seems to work really hard before such an event and I looked around on the board and wonder if this could be related to central apnea rather than real obstruction. This feels worse than the events I had before the treatment.

Unfortunately I don't have all the neat tools available (like the card reader and the software that some of you use) and I don't think I can reach my provider on a Saturday night (have not tried yet though).

Man, this is scary...

It's definately good to have the software and card reader... helps to figure out what's going on.

For what it's worth, until I was a real xpap veteran, I woke up sweaty and with racy heartbeat with the F&P 431 mask. I found the chin piece claustrophobic and sweat-inducing. A UMFF or Comfort Full 2 is a less restrictive full-face mask. It doesn't sound like that's the whole reason for your problems, but the F&P 431 has a distinctive style that's not easy for everyone to get used to.

Caroline

ps--I still don't use my F&P 431 often for those reasons,but I seem to tolerate it a little better now.

Of course, on the weekend I can't talk to my provider or doctor.

The question now is, do I continue the next 2 nights or should I try without until I can talk to them? I have a feeling if this is not getting better I might end up in the emergency room...

It could very well be though that this is all anxiety related (though central apeas can also be caused by psychological problems I read somewhere), but at this point I rather take my chances to go back to my former routine and skip the next 2 nights with the machine...

I need advice.

As far as I remember, my sleep study suggested only a mild sleep apnea and I had already way more CSAs and hypopneas on my chart than clear OSAs. Nevertheless the doc felt a prescription was warranted even though I felt that night was not representative.

I got hold of a doc from the sleep center who is on call and he will call me back shortly to discuss this... good to know...

musiccomposer1968 wrote:Of course, on the weekend I can't talk to my provider or doctor.

The question now is, do I continue the next 2 nights or should I try without until I can talk to them? I have a feeling if this is not getting better I might end up in the emergency room...

If you think you might be better off without CPAP for the next couple days, perhaps under the circumstances it would be the lesser of two evils you're dealing with.
Anxiety sure isn't fun, and I understand some of what you're going through.

If you aren't taking an anxiety med, it might be a good idea to talk to your primary care Doctor about it. There are mild ones such as Lorazepam, that may be helpful as a temporary remedy in dealing with this. Initially I used that myself for a couple weeks until I got used to the whole *mask thing*.
My doc said those are commonly prescribed for people in instances such as this. Of course she CAUTIONED that you can't stay on them permanently, because of obvious addiction potential if abused.

Tonight, you've just got to really try and talk yourself through this.
Don't let this spiral out of control, YOU CAN DO THIS! --- It may not be easy, but you got to tell yourself, that you WILL BE FINE.
I wish I could could be of more help.

Good luck!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

what's all the anxiety about? not prying, but if it's cpap-related, you need to learn to manage it. i don't know about a bi-pap, but a cpap can have the effect of relaxing your body if you let it because it regulates your breathing.

i think i would continue with cpap, and maybe you need some good self-talk to help with the anxiety. do you have any anxiety-reducing meds? cpap is a process and it often takes a while both to get used to it and get the right set-up. from where you're sitting, it seems as if everything was better without cpap, but you're going to need to get used to xpap, so why not now? meaning, going back to your old ways may just postpone the adjustment before you experience an "up" side. it may be that you have the wrong mask and life would be better with software, but at least for me, these would not be impossible obstacles. my experience is that even bad cpap is better than no cpap at all. (personally, i just stopped my cpap for two nites after seven months of total compliance for other medical reasons, and it not only didn't help my other medical symptoms, but my pre-cpap marathon daytime sleepiness returned today.)

so given that you suggest that much of this may have to do with your anxiety, i'd suggest that you continue your cpap and try to manage your anxiety the next couple of nights. i've never heard of anyone having to go to the emergency room because of cpap. i think the emergency room reference is your anxiety talking.

many of us have atypical nights in sleep labs, but for most, they're not so atypical that it means you don't need xpap. it's certainly possible. but you need to give it a better try before reaching that conclusion.

probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's what i think.

good luck.

Caroline

you have a doctor on call at a sleep lab who will call you to discuss on a saturday nite? that's a diamond. please let us know what happens, since you've gotten us involved.

Caroline

I absolutely agree that the poor sleep performance could be the result of anxiety, but what if it's the other way around (darn catch 22 for us anxiety patients). I have developed pretty good coping skills for my anxiety episodes (had them for years) by now and I sure could shrug it off and continue. But the problems during my drive today where definitely not anxiety induced (in fact, when I'm anxious I usually am 'very' awake due to the massive adrenaline surge). At least I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow...

Still waiting for the doc to call back.

Btw: I observed when I wake with those symptoms the machine is blowing at 11 to 12 (of course I don't know what my max values are)

Ok... I talked to the doc and he said I should probably sleep without it until monday and make an appointment... he thinks since I slept for so long without the machine since my original diagnosis I probably don't make things worse by skipping a couple of nights. I may need a revised treatment...

it's great that the doctor called you back, and i agree that two nights will not break you. i hope you and they get this dealt with.

Caroline

Please let us know how you progress and what the doc does in your case.
Thanks,

Curtcurt46

I have to say... last night was great (without the machine), almost slept through for 8 hours straight, had deep dreams, feel rested today... I don't know what's going on... maybe this is all in my head