I'm 3 MONTHS on CPAP and still can't get to sleep

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:41 am

Yowza! I don't find the Sinus Rinse violent at all! But then, I'm an old lady and my grip ain't that strong. Back off it some.

Don't forget to BREATHE through your mouth while doing it. I couldn't get the hang of that at first and had problems. Now it's smooth sailing.

Cheers,
Babs

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:50 am

I'd recommend calling Neilmed's customer service. I had to call them when the original fax # didn't work, and they gave me an alternate one. I got the Sinus Rinse about a month later.

Thanks for the tip, Adam. I gave up because the would be a transatlantic + transmediterranian call for me, and my friend cum courrier would have left the states by the time the package arrived....

Babbette wrote:Yowza! I don't find the Sinus Rinse violent at all! But then, I'm an old lady and my grip ain't that strong. Back off it some.

Decrepit, and not even fifty....

O.

schleima · Post by **schleima** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:18 pm

ozij wrote:
I'd recommend calling Neilmed's customer service. I had to call them when the original fax # didn't work, and they gave me an alternate one. I got the Sinus Rinse about a month later.
Thanks for the tip, Adam. I gave up because the would be a transatlantic + transmediterranian call for me, and my friend cum courrier would have left the states by the time the package arrived....

Babbette wrote:Yowza! I don't find the Sinus Rinse violent at all! But then, I'm an old lady and my grip ain't that strong. Back off it some.
Decrepit, and not even fifty....

O.

I no longer even have a land line because http://www.skype.com will let you call almost everywhere in the world for 2 cents/minute. That includes when we call my in-laws in Taiwan. (although more frequently we do video calls for free)

Adam

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:31 pm

Everyone's nasal/sinus tissues are different. I find the neti pot fairly uncomfortable because my tissues are so sensitive. I was always one of those geek kids to had to wear a nose plug when swimming.

GoodnightHoser · Post by **GoodnightHoser** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:18 pm

I've been on cpap for four months now. I would say I average about 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night. I use a cradle cushion as I also sleep with my head smashed into the pillow. Works better than some of the other stuff I've tried. And I also "listen" to my machine. It whistles on exhalation (it's a Resmed S8 elite or something like that) and all I hear is SHSHSHSHSH-WHEEEEEEEEE!!!! all night long. Earplugs really help but then you've got to get used to listening to the inside of your head. I also keep the machine on the floor. (Actually I wish it was on the ocean floor...). I wish you luck, Adam. I wish me luck. I sit up half the night looking at cpaptak.com cause I don't want to go bed and deal with this. I just wish we could sleep....

echo · Post by **echo** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:00 am

GoodnightHoser, you've just figured out why we none of us can sleep:
cpaptalk.com causes insomnia

schleima · Post by **schleima** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:56 pm

Hi all... op here

Well I got my Swift LT a few nights ago, and with the Pur-Sleep trial that Bret so kindly sent my way. Here's how it went:

LT interface is much more comfortable, and with Pur-Sleep I was able to get a little drowsy and enter a hazy sleep, but not a deep sleep.

The thing that drives me crazy is the pressure of the silicone on the sensitive skin below my nose/above my upper lip. The more I think about it, the more it drives me crazy. I want to stop paying attention to it, but the more I try to ignore it, the more it drives me insane.

I contacted Karen at pad-a-cheek to see if this could possibly help. It seems to me that a soft cushion might work. What do you think about this?

Any other suggestions? I really want this to work. It's been such a long time since I had a great night's sleep.

Thanks all

Adam

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:42 pm

I think it's all about trying to become "desensitized" as much as possible.

When we experience new things, especially things that might be dangerous, the Central Nervous System gets really excited and sensitized. There is a process to try to calm that whole thing down but it's the sympathetic nervous system it cannot be consciously controlled.

Getting used to the equipment is a big deal, so all desensitization programs suggest wearing your mask during the day / evening just so you can get used to it. Once it becomes "normal" your brain will start ignoring the information (like the last time you got home from a long vacation and your house smelled kind of funny--but that went away in a few minutes. That's really how your house always smells; your brain just shuts off the sensory input as being safe/normal/non-threatening).

I wouldn't have believed it myself but there came a time when breathing against all that back pressure literally started to feel like breathing normal air--like my brain started to ignore the fact that the air was flying at me doing 60 mph. It's still that way. I can't feel the pressure. Keep at it and your brain will finally calm down.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:21 pm

Don't try to ignore it, Adam.
Concentrate on it. Tell yourself: It's there. It's there to stay. I need this for good therapy, and its good for me. This thing on my face is going to be part of my sleep experience from now on. That's how it feels - and its not dangerrous. Try to relax in response to the sensation, not to fight it, not to ignore. It's part of convincing your primitive brain the your more advanced part is listening to those alarm bells, taking serious stock of the situation.

And try sleepguy's suggestion.

O.

crossfit · Post by **crossfit** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:40 am

Don't try to ignore it, Adam.
Concentrate on it. Tell yourself: It's there. It's there to stay. I need this for good therapy, and its good for me. This thing on my face is going to be part of my sleep experience from now on. That's how it feels - and its not dangerrous. Try to relax in response to the sensation, not to fight it, not to ignore. It's part of convincing your primitive brain the your more advanced part is listening to those alarm bells, taking serious stock of the situation.

And try sleepguy's suggestion.

This is really a great suggestion. Back in the days I was healthy enough to work I was a psychotherapist. I used a gradual desensitization process. If you have to, start with the mask off and imagine it on AND you feel good. Then when you can do that really well, put it on and work on imagining yourself relaxed and happy and healthy. Keep this up. It will work. At least to some degree.

I don't have a mask yet (tuesdays the day) but I have already started imagining having various ones on when I sleep or nap with the hope that I can adjust faster as well as maybe think of some of the things I will want to set up so it all works well in my bed setup.

Other thing - have any of you tummy sleepers tried one of those massage therapy face cradles to sleep with? I would bet they might help a little. Or give you some ideas of how to adjust things maybe?

houltkin · Post by **houltkin** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:08 am

uncomfortable on the sensitive area below my nose

You just have to keep trying. However, don't be surprised if a mask with nasal pillows irritates your nares, since you already stated that you have a sensitive area below your nose. This is something that is really hard to deal with, and it's very common from what I've read.

schleima · Post by **schleima** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:45 am

Hi guys--

Well, I am happy to report that I have had some measure of progress.

The last two nights I managed to fall asleep wearing the Swift LT. The first night I slept 4.5 hours with it (before taking it off), and last night I slept 6.5. I am using the peppermint oil Pur-Sleep.

My leak rate was 0.04 the first night and 0.06 the second.

My AHI was 4.8 and 4.6. They were all HI.... AI on both nights was 0. So what exactly does this mean? Are the HIs the result of my partially clogged allergic sinuses? I am still a little confused as to exactly what causes HI related events.

Making progress.... thanks all!

Adam

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:49 am

Great News Adam!!!!!

Hey, after our PM conversation it occurred to me to tell you this - if you're still having difficulty with the Swift sitting on your upper lip, try buying an Nasal Aire II. I completely understand you not wanting to try a used one. Lots of people feel like you do. Can't argue with the "squick factor".

But getting a mask you can tolerate and sleep with is so important. If you buy one and can't make it work, contact me, and I'll either buy it from you, or you can sell it on cpapauction.com, or swap it here.

I really believe this mask can help alot more people than are currently giving it a chance.

But meantime, keep up with the Swift LT and keep us posted!!!!!

Cheers,
Babette

I'm 3 MONTHS on CPAP and still can't get to sleep

I can relate Adam

Follow up....

sensitive skin

Progress!

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Resmed HumidAir 11 for humidifier