On my third night.

Rockside · Post by **Rockside** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:03 pm

I am on my third night of using my REMStar Pro with C-Flex and humidifier. I am still trying to get used to the mask and the setting of 14. It is helpful when I use the ramp feature to give me some comfort. I have a mirage ultra full face mask. It is going to take some getting use too. I know that some people feel the effects of using their CPAP right away, but I have not yet. I almost feel asleep driving back from Cincy to columbus today.

I am still optimistic. I think last night was a rough night. The first night was OK.

bigcat · Post by **bigcat** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:13 pm

My excellent sleep doctor told me to give it 4 weeks. Don't worry about the discomfort of the mask, you will get used to it. Just be sure you find a mask that doesn't leak in your favorite sleep positions.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:01 am

bigcat wrote:My excellent sleep doctor told me to give it 4 weeks. Don't worry about the discomfort of the mask, you will get used to it. Just be sure you find a mask that doesn't leak in your favorite sleep positions.

I disagree!! You don't get used to discomfort. You might try adjusting the mask.

Not leaking is as important as comfort.

Also, if you are having that much trouble exhaling, talk to your doctor about either the Remstar Auto with Cflex,

Cflex gives relief on exhalation and makes it much easier to breathe. The Auto will automatically adjust the pressure based on what you need for treatment.

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:23 am

Rockside wrote:I am still optimistic. I think last night was a rough night. The first night was OK.

There's the key Rockside. You've made a good start and if you can keep positive and persevere, then that's half the battle. It will take time to get used to the eqiupment and you will need to adjust things until you find the combination that works best for you, so being able to deal with the setbacks is a critical aspect.
Good suggestions from mikesus about the machines - either would help you deal with the pressure better, especially the auto, so worth checking with your doc if things don't improve quickly for you.
Good luck

hockeydad · Post by **hockeydad** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:54 am

I've got the exact same set-up as you Rockside, RemStar Pro w/ CFLEX and the Ultra Mirage FF mask, although I just started using the FF mask last week, had a nasal mask before and hated it. So far I'm at least able to sleep through the night with it on (as opposed to my old mask, which usually got ripped off and thown across the room about 2:00 in the morning).

I've just started to feel a slight differance in the way I feel, not significant yet, but a step in the right direction. Give it some time, you've got a lot of past sleep deprivation to make up for. Listen to the folks on this forum, they are definitly more expirienced than I am, and I'm sure Mikesus is right about the machine helping.

But the most important thing right now is to stay with it, don't get discouraged and give up. I did, my old mask hurt and I set it aside for months instead of doing something about it. Thanks to the folks on this forum, I found a solution that seems to work for me, and have begun using it again. Stick with it, listen to the advice of the forum regulars, and find what works best for you.

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:44 am

It is important for you to get a prescription for something to keep you alert when you drive for more than 15-30 minutes (this is the minimum time you can drive with Sleep Apnea before getting drowsy.) It is likely to take several months before you will be able to drive more than that without getting drowsy. It did for me. But I had a very bad sleep debt to pay back. I take a product for ADD called Focalin. Took Provigil for a while but it gave me a very bad case of dry mouth (not one of the listed side effects, but it is one of the lesser ones).

meister · Post by **meister** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:04 pm

So let's see now. I definitely need a prescription to go to sleep, and now
one to stay awake. Ambien is getting me to sleep, but what should
I request for keeping me awake? I see my Sleep Doctor next week and
would like to know what to request? What about those folks with no
insurance like Rested Gal? Does she go up to the corner and ask for
some speed, bennies, black beauties, uppers, Cank, Meth, or Crystal?
I guess some of us drink gallons of tea or coffee or colas. I would
really like to get off the drug treadmill with this horrid illness.

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:20 pm

I gave names of two frequently prescribed drugs for alertness in Sleep Apnea

FOCALIN
PROVIGIL

You don't need to take them all the time, only when you will be driving more than 15 minutes or so. If you still need to take naps in the afternoon, you will probably need them. If not you will just have to see how you are feeling. It takes about 30 minutes for them to take effect, so safer is better off than sorry and dead from a wreck.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 10:27 pm

Hi Rockside,

You might want to check to see if the C-Flex on your Remstar Pro is set for "3", to give you the greatest relief possible during exhalation. It's very possible that the guy or gal who set your machine up for you put the C-Flex on just "1" or "2". I use my Remstar Auto with C-Flex on "3".

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:49 am

You should see an icon on the display that says CFLEX.

If you don't, then it wasn't turned on.

Rockside · Post by **Rockside** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:21 pm

Thanks everyone for the replies. Before reading your replies I did switch the setting to three and actually bumped my humidifier up to a 4. I do take provigil, but depending on the day I can still fall asleep. Funny how a drug that acts like a stimulant does not give you all the extra energy like some other people.

I have slept some. But I still wake up in the middle of the night because the mask leaks. Probably by moving around. I am very moody right now. Has anyone else felt this way?

Thanks again

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:25 pm

Rockside,

Moody?
Are you kidding? I've felt moody for months!!
Emotions, all over the map.
Yes, moody, gosh darn it.

Linda

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:28 pm

Rockside,

I was chatting with a couple of other friends who have this. They also say that after starting treatment, emotions seemed to be more intense and sometimes out of control. But I think it's from months and months of suppressing them during depression from the exhaustion. Some call it brain fog. Did you feel like that?

And now, I can get so moody, from all the flood of emotions, or from problems with the bipap.

Linda

Rockside · Post by **Rockside** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:36 pm

I am not sure how you would describe it but I get really angry right now as if I am not getting enough sleep.

jashmir3 · Post by **jashmir3** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:37 pm

I know what you all mean about moody. I was just a couple months ago given Zoloft to help control P.M.S. Not helping cuz guess what, my symptoms were sleep deprivation causing worse mood swings at "that time of the month" Which I couldn't figure out until now, but the P.M.S. lasts all month!!!!!! Hmmmmmmmm????? Char

On my third night.

On my third night.

Re: On my third night.

getting a prescription to stay awake

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