Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

peelunkins · Post by **peelunkins** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:27 pm

Prescribed CPAP for 6 weeks and have not fallen asleep even once despite nightly attempts lasting from 20 min-4.5 hours.
I have tried melatonin, drinking ETOH, chamomile tea, hypnosis cd's, watching movies and CBD oil. I can easily fall asleep without it but the minute the mask or nasal pillows is on with the ramp for 45 min, I WAKE UP. Settings 10/4 Resmed 10,Expiratory Pressure Relief changes from none to 1-3 . I sleep easily and well without the machine for 8-12 hours/night and always have.
Only slept 3 hours in the sleep study due to being hooked up to all that. Never made it to REM sleep but desaturated to 83% and AHI 14.6. They never placed the CPAP on me that night or I wouldn't even have gotten the 3 hours sleep I did while there. During the home overnight oximetry(no cpap), it was 88% and lower for greater than 5 hrs/night.
I have cried and now dread going to bed because I have to try this thing and it PREVENTS me from sleeping.

I have talked to my doctor and Lincare and they both said it nothing they can help with. Lincare won't answer my calls and said I already have 3 different types of masks and I am starting to cost them money without benefit.

I cannot use the oral appliances as I have TMJ issues and wiggly teeth.
I already sleep on my side and always have. I cannot stand the straps on my face and head, the air blowing in my nose and face and the plastic feel and the pressure of exhalation. The nasal CPAP is the worst.
I live in a very rural area of less than 100 people and there is no other MD or DME company or sleep center for more than a 4 hour drive one way and even then that is in another state and wouldn't take my insurance.

medlabtech.miracle · Post by **medlabtech.miracle** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:43 pm

Have you tried actual sleep aids or dr prescribed sleeping pills? Tried quitting all caffeine, no screens at night, no naps.

I have insomnia at times. I force myself to stay up as late as I can past my bedtime, then sleep 5 hours it usually gets me tired enough to start sleeping the next night. One other trick is to set my alarm for 4 hours after I go to bed then put the mask on. I'm more likely to tolerate it then.

Does it bother you to have the mask on? Or is it trying to sleep with it on that bothers you?

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:11 pm

It might help if you fill in your profile. That way we'd know what kind of machine , humidifier, and mask you're using. Please also put you settings in the profile notes.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:28 pm

peelunkins wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:27 pm
Prescribed CPAP for 6 weeks and have not fallen asleep even once despite nightly attempts lasting from 20 min-4.5 hours.
I have tried melatonin, drinking ETOH, chamomile tea, hypnosis cd's, watching movies and CBD oil. I can easily fall asleep without it but the minute the mask or nasal pillows is on with the ramp for 45 min, I WAKE UP. Settings 10/4 Resmed 10,Expiratory Pressure Relief changes from none to 1-3 . I sleep easily and well without the machine for 8-12 hours/night and always have.
Only slept 3 hours in the sleep study due to being hooked up to all that. Never made it to REM sleep but desaturated to 83% and AHI 14.6. They never placed the CPAP on me that night or I wouldn't even have gotten the 3 hours sleep I did while there. During the home overnight oximetry(no cpap), it was 88% and lower for greater than 5 hrs/night.
I have cried and now dread going to bed because I have to try this thing and it PREVENTS me from sleeping.

I have talked to my doctor and Lincare and they both said it nothing they can help with. Lincare won't answer my calls and said I already have 3 different types of masks and I am starting to cost them money without benefit.

I cannot use the oral appliances as I have TMJ issues and wiggly teeth.
I already sleep on my side and always have. I cannot stand the straps on my face and head, the air blowing in my nose and face and the plastic feel and the pressure of exhalation. The nasal CPAP is the worst.
I live in a very rural area of less than 100 people and there is no other MD or DME company or sleep center for more than a 4 hour drive one way and even then that is in another state and wouldn't take my insurance.

So far, you've given us no meaningful information to go on to try to help you.

BUT.......... (after you fill in your equipment profile information)

Try using your equipment while sitting in a chair or recliner while watching TV.

Don't expect any helpful information/input to come from your doctor or DME. They don't know diddly squat.
The sooner you take control of your own therapy, the sooner you'll be successful.

Get Sleepyhead software to monitor your therapy with your computer.

Den

.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:48 pm

Wondering if your settings are perhaps inadequate for your brain to be able to relax and lean into the treatment. Also based on my own struggle in the early times of treatment, I'd suggest making an effort to help yourself by rephrasing your self talk, for instance, " I have not yet been able able to fall asleep" leaves room for hope. I cannot express how much it helped me to every night think tonight just might be the night I sleep. Good luck going forward. How far into that 6 week period are you?

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 9:14 pm

Try Benadryl OTC

Sluggish · Post by **Sluggish** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:48 pm

The exhaust vents on the front of most masks was enough to keep me awake all night.
Then I found the Resmed P10 with the diffused vents. It makes all the difference.
Catch up on "sleep" for a few days without a mask if you have to. Then try the P10 for a couple of nights.
Get masks from cpap.com where you can return them within 30 days. Forget your provider if they aren't helping you.

zoocrewphoto · Post by **zoocrewphoto** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 2:49 am

We can't offer much advice without knowing your machine, settings, and mask.

As somebody recommended, wear it while watching tv, reading, etc. This will help you get used to it when you are not stressed about trying to sleep.

Also, a lot of people have trouble sleeping with the machine set at 4. If you are using ramp, it probably starts at 4, and that may be why you are struggling to fall asleep. It will probably be easier for you if it starts at 6 or 7.

peelunkins · Post by **peelunkins** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:25 pm

medlabtech.miracle wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:43 pm
Have you tried actual sleep aids or dr prescribed sleeping pills? Tried quitting all caffeine, no screens at night, no naps.

I have insomnia at times. I force myself to stay up as late as I can past my bedtime, then sleep 5 hours it usually gets me tired enough to start sleeping the next night. One other trick is to set my alarm for 4 hours after I go to bed then put the mask on. I'm more likely to tolerate it then.

Does it bother you to have the mask on? Or is it trying to sleep with it on that bothers you?

I don't use caffeine at all and don't take naps. The MD said he would not prescribe anything for sleep.Melatonin is a sleep aid.The masks do bother me even without being hooked up to the machine. Trying to sleep with any of the ones I have is impossible for 6 weeks despite laying there for 1.5-4 hours.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:29 pm

Benadryl is OTC...It's cheap and it works.

peelunkins · Post by **peelunkins** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:05 pm

kteague wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:48 pm
Wondering if your settings are perhaps inadequate for your brain to be able to relax and lean into the treatment. Also based on my own struggle in the early times of treatment, I'd suggest making an effort to help yourself by rephrasing your self talk, for instance, " I have not yet been able able to fall asleep" leaves room for hope. I cannot express how much it helped me to every night think tonight just might be the night I sleep. Good luck going forward. How far into that 6 week period are you?

Going into the 7th week and if I cannot ever fall asleep due to claustrophobia, my machine has to be returned to the DME company.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:21 pm

Why not try to neutralize the claustrophobia? Most psychologists/therapists use CBT these days and from the sound of things, you could be successful in a very short time.

peelunkins · Post by **peelunkins** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:47 pm

Julie wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:21 pm
Why not try to neutralize the claustrophobia? Most psychologists/therapists use CBT these days and from the sound of things, you could be successful in a very short time.

I live in a very rural place with less than 100 people. There are no therapists here. They don't even deliver mail here, no dentist or grocery store.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:54 pm

https://www.google.ca/search?ei=NMw3XM2 ... SRkWBYi_T8

Seriously... definitely worth a look and hopefully some tries!

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:57 pm

peelunkins wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:05 pm

kteague wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:48 pm
Wondering if your settings are perhaps inadequate for your brain to be able to relax and lean into the treatment. Also based on my own struggle in the early times of treatment, I'd suggest making an effort to help yourself by rephrasing your self talk, for instance, " I have not yet been able able to fall asleep" leaves room for hope. I cannot express how much it helped me to every night think tonight just might be the night I sleep. Good luck going forward. How far into that 6 week period are you?
Going into the 7th week and if I cannot ever fall asleep due to claustrophobia, my machine has to be returned to the DME company.

That's discouraging for sure, even though not an indicator of your ability to eventually master this. I once had to ask my doctor to extend my trial period due to similar issues. Since it was on his order, the insurance company did not contest it. It would be helpful to you to find out for sure if your settings are actually therapeutic. If they are sub par you will not be comfortable and you will stay on high alert due to sensing impending trouble breathing. You need to know for sure if your problems are pure claustrophobia or if it is complicated by inadequate treatment. There are instructions for downloading free software called Sleepyhead in the info for new users. Do you generally have heightened sensitivities? That can make things a bit more challenging but not impossible. Couple things to consider - do you take any meds known to disrupt sleep? Do you have any issues with RLS or limb movements during sleep?

Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

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Re: Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

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Re: Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

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Re: Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

Re: Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

Re: Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

Re: Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

Re: Absolutely cannot fall asleep with CPAP

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Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max