1st night went bad - need help!

I used a Remstar Plus with cflex at 14 ramped from 4 with cflex on at 3. I was hopeful but I got bloat after 1 hour of trying to sleep once it hit 14. For some reason maybe because of the titration in the sleep lab I felt better from this test. So now I try it again and I sleep for 3.5 hours on it. But I didn't feel better I felt worse. I kept with the mask for the next 2 hours and probably didn't reach deep sleep but an hour at most. My body is completely exhausted. I called in work and finally told them I have a this medical condition. They were compassionate. Now I'm hopeful changing to the Remstar Auto will help with the flexibility of being on 14. On my side I couldn't take it last night, too much power for me. And ramping again, would have taken 45 minutes. So I don't know. I feel my mouth was opening to much thus I probably didn't stop the apnea events. I thinking of a full face mask to get my sleeping together. I'm doing everything right, I've lost weight, I just don't reach stage 3 or 4 sleep and now my body is exhausted. I'm forced to take remeron or some pitutary supplement to reach deep sleep.

I'm so at bottom today. I could use any feedback to tell me i'm not alone here. Going to fullface can work and when can I expect to sleep 7 hours straight with one wake up as I've lived before.

Thanks.

Hi,
Yes, the first nights can be tough. Actually, you did better than a lot of people - you kept the mask on for several hours. There are people who couldn't keep the mask on for 15 minutes the first night.
It does take time. 14 is a pretty high pressure, and an auto might help with that. Also, see if you can try different masks. Everybody is different, and what works for one person might drive someone else absolutely crazy. Some people prefer masks, some people prefer the nasal pillow systems - different things work for different people.
Many people have the bloating too, especially at first. Sometimes an over-the-counter remedy like Gas-X will help.
It does take time. Don't be afraid to start gradually. For instance, if you can stand it for 1 hour, and don't get the bloating and all in that time, then wear it for 1 hour for a couple of nights. Then try for 2 hours, and so on. Increase the time when your body has adjusted and can take the increased time.
Yes, there are people who put the mask on, turn on the machine, and sleep for 8 hours the first night. But that's VERY rare. Most people take time to adjust to this.
Keep trying, you're actually off to a good start.
Debbie

Hi there, need help. First and foremost, welcome to the "club".

I use a full face mask (the Mirage Ultra) and love it.......but it took a while not only to get it adjusted properly (not too tight, not too loose, but juuuussttt right.....kinda like Goldilocks. Ha) but also it took a few nights to get used to having this thing hanging offa my face and blowing at me! I'm one of the lucky ones, though. I got used to my APAP pretty fast. The first 2 nights, I had a straight CPAP, but got on the phone to my RT at the DME and got it traded in. Last Thursday, my humidifier arrived and (after I figured out you have to turn it on for it to really work.....DOH!) that helped also. I've been doing this for 3 weeks now and am finally starting to feel better.

Hang in there! This Therapy WORKS!!

There is a lot of wise folks here, friendly, too, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

I guess I am rare (first night 9 hours!!) Here is what I attribute it to.

1) RESEARCHED MACHINES. - Found out what worked well for most people and bought that machine (Respironics Remstar Auto with Cflex.

2) RESEARCHED MASKS - Found what worked well for most people (who needed a full face mask) and bought that mask. (Resmed Ultra Mirage FF Mask)

IF you are a mouth breather, you can either a) try to keep your mouth shut. or b) use a full face mask

(as you can tell from my posts, I never keep my mouth shut so I opted for the Full Face Mask)

don't fret, we all have nights, and the first night is one to just forget. It's that bad for most of us, (I can't speak for everyone else, but seems like from quotes). The people who strap it on, go to bed, sleep 8 hours, feel REFRESHED, bounce around with energy, are very lucky. It's been 5+ wks for me. I had more energy the 3-4th wks, but now am just as tired as before. I have difficulties even now. Hang in there.

Have you considered maybe nasal pillows with a chin strap. None of these items are designed for sleeping in great comfort, I don't care what anyone says. It is NOT natural to have this THING pasted to your face/head for hours on end

I am one who cannot stand the claustrophobic nature of FF masks or even nasal masks, anything touching the face is a big NG in my book. I use the swift nasal pillows/chin strap. Is it perfect? No, does it leak sometimes--yes (esp. if you turn on the side). Is this about the least obtrusive, I think so.........

You may have to try several masks/interface styles to find one that works the best, and is the least uncomfortable for you.

I bought the Breeze, but frankly the hard plastic piece I find uncomfortable on my head, so I'm sticking with the Mirage Swift for now.

If we can land a man on the moon, maybe the mftrs will get together, read this msg board and start coming out with improved interface systems. It is a difficult road, do not think you are alone. Great part of cpaptalk, is we're all here for ea. other. Don't worry..it'll improve. Takes a lot of time.

I thought the same thing, that after night 1, it'd be all sugar candy from there, but it isn't. Take ea. day as it comes.

My comfort comes from having the software, so I can SEE that it's working.
And I am improving.

So hang in there, ok?

Good luck

needhelp wrote:I used a Remstar Plus with cflex at 14 ramped from 4 with cflex on at 3. I was hopeful but I got bloat after 1 hour of trying to sleep once it hit 14. For some reason maybe because of the titration in the sleep lab I felt better from this test. So now I try it again and I sleep for 3.5 hours on it. But I didn't feel better I felt worse. I kept with the mask for the next 2 hours and probably didn't reach deep sleep but an hour at most. My body is completely exhausted. I called in work and finally told them I have a this medical condition. They were compassionate. Now I'm hopeful changing to the Remstar Auto will help with the flexibility of being on 14. On my side I couldn't take it last night, too much power for me. And ramping again, would have taken 45 minutes. So I don't know. I feel my mouth was opening to much thus I probably didn't stop the apnea events. I thinking of a full face mask to get my sleeping together. I'm doing everything right, I've lost weight, I just don't reach stage 3 or 4 sleep and now my body is exhausted. I'm forced to take remeron or some pitutary supplement to reach deep sleep.

I'm so at bottom today. I could use any feedback to tell me i'm not alone here. Going to fullface can work and when can I expect to sleep 7 hours straight with one wake up as I've lived before.

Thanks.

I am so sorry that you had such a rough time your first night with your CPAP. I have no help to offer you, just sincere compassion.

I was one of those luck ones. Your pressure does sound high to me, but I'm not that familiar with what other people have. I have just recently joined this site and I'm very glad to hear about the things others deal with.

Best of luck to you. Don't give up, hang in there. You will be amazed how much better you feel once you get this thing going for you.

Best wishes for a good night's sleep.

Helen

Hang in there!

If the discomfort continues go back to your Pulmonologist. 14 is high for CPAP and you may do much better on BIPAP set at 14/10. 14CM is very difficult to exhale against!

If you are a mouth breather the Resmed Ultra Mirage is the gold standard in full face masks. Lots of folks on here love their APAP.....I have never used one, so I cannot comment. You will want to discuss these options with your doctor. Also a heated humidifier is a must with a Full Face Mask!

I have fought with my equiptment on some level for 5 years....Have tried 6 differnt masks, 2 differnt machines, 3 differnt chin straps. Needless to say...you have to be willing to demand appropriate treatment, and be willing to experiment.

5 years ago...they rented you a machine, after two months the DME asked if you felt better...If so you bought the thing and you were off to the races. It was only reccomended you see your Pulmonologist if you were having problems.

MY OSA was so bad that even partial titration was an improvement. You can get appropriate tratment and rest...if you are persistant!

Sorry to hear about your tough night. Hang in. It took me a while to get quality sleep on CPAP. Now, I can't imagine sleeping without it. It does make a difference. Joe A has a good thought regarding the bipap. If you require high pressure to make your treatment effective an autopap could be helpful. Also, the full face mask might be ok, if you can find a comfortable one. You didn't mention if you are using humidification or not, but if I were you I would go to heated humidification. It makes the process much more comfortable. Good luck, and with a little time to adjust you will sleep well and feel better.

I have the same CPAP (with humidification) that you have with a ComfortFull Full Face Mask. I had a little trouble the first 3 nights. I started with a very positive attitude. Then the second night I just wanted to cry and quit.

I am at 10cm and quickly realized you HAVE to keep your mouth shut and retrain yourself to breathe out of your nose. I was a mouth breather, so I asked specifically for a FF mask.

I had the "bloat" thing going on, and day 4 & day 5 (today) I am pretty tired. I figure that my body needs time to adjust to "quality" sleep. Our bodies have been trying to compensate for the lack of rest for so long that it is bound to take a while to feel "better" and more energetic.

This group is awesome and everyone is so supportive. You can do this! We're all in this together!

Truly,
Danielle

It took me a few weeks to get used to it. I'd fall asleep and wake up gasping for air. Mine is set at 14. But I noticed results immediately. I was falling asleep behind the wheel, nodding off all the time, short term memory loss (Not good for an aircraft mechanic) and was waking up at least 3-4 times nightly going to the bathroom. The memory thing has gotten better, and I might wake 1 time to go wee wee, and no more naps after, or during work!! Hang in there, it gets better.