Day 5 - How Long Does It Take?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:51 pm

Good afternoon. I've been prowling around this site for the past month in anticipation of my 1st night with the CPAP. I have read the amazing success stories, the stories how folks love their CPAP set-ups, etc. Last night was night 4 with the CPAP. Each night I seem to get 15 minutes more sleep before I have to take the mask off. I'm up to 1 hour 15 minutes now. How long before I can get a full nights sleep? How do I know if my setup is incorrect for me, or if it's just me trying to get used to the system?
I am using a REMstar Plus M Series with C-flex, setting 10, ramp 4 to 10 over 45 minutes. I have elected to go with the Resmed Mirage Swift II Nasal pillow as opposed to the mask. During my titration, the mask that was used blistered my nose, which left a bias against masks.

Thanks for the replies,
Sleepless in Durango

Allen

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:00 pm

Allen -

Unfortunately you have been given a dumb machine ... the Plus model is actually a minus because it offers no useful data to monitor your treatment.

If you have only had it for 5 days, take it back and tell them it is not working and that you need a machine that can provide you with efficay data. You may also need to get fitted "properly" with a mask you can sleep with all night.

Join the forum as a member and fill out your profile so other members can can help you get on the right track more quickly.

Good luck!

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:02 pm

What exactly is making you want to take it off, is the pressure? or the discomfort with the mask/ pillows? Also do you have a heated humidifier on that Plus M??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:06 pm

Took me six weeks, 8 masks, a scrip for Provigil, and the love and patience of this forum to get to 100% nightly compliance.

Keep at it. Could be the mask isn't the one for you. See if you can try another mask.

Good luck!
Babette

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:11 pm

4 is probably too low a starting pressure. By the time it gets up to 10 it's waking you up.

I'd set it for to start at 7 and ramp it for 20 minutes.

FWIW

JeffH

gorillaal · Post by **gorillaal** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:13 pm

Anonymous wrote:Took me six weeks, 8 masks, a scrip for Provigil, and the love and patience of this forum to get to 100% nightly compliance.

Keep at it. Could be the mask isn't the one for you. See if you can try another mask.

Good luck!
Babette

6 Weeks? I may go insane before that.

What makes me take it off......I wake up after a short period of sleep, then cannot get back to sleep with it on. The pillows don't really hurt me, but I do notice they are there. I do know that when I take the mask off, I can fall right asleep.

What is meant by this is a dumb machine? What data am I looking for?

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:25 pm

It's sometimes hard to sleep with something that you're not used to. Use the CPAP in the evening while watching tv, reading, etc. for as many hours as you can to get your body used to the feeling.

Smart "data capable" machines record your apnea index, hypopnea index, total AHI, leak rate... This data can be used to help diagnose any problems you are having & tell you if it is in fact bringing down your apneas to a reasonable level. Yours, (and most of them that people get) don't record that information. So, all you can get from the machine is how many hours you have used it. The doctor will then ask "do you feel any better?". You need to insist on a replacement that is data capable. The M Series Pro is an example of one that is. An auto machine is even better.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:29 pm

If you had at least the "M" Pro or better yet the "M" Auto with Aflex With the Smart Card and a card reader it would tell you how many apneas and hypotneas you still had. Also how bad your mask leaked during the night. By knowing all that you can tweak your therapy, pressure, mask, etc until it is right. Without it you are flying blind and have no wayto know why it is not working.

Jerry

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:59 pm

Allen, day 17 for me.

I have an M series Plus.
I started the process to get an M series Auto w/Aflex.
'script went to DME yesterday.

If there is one thing that I have learned from reading
this group, it is:
This therapy is your life.

I put the mask on everynight and believe that I will
be better the next day......
.....and so far, I am.

I am not sleeping hours at a time, yet.
I have not felt like a million$$, yet.
......BUT, everyday, I feel alittle better.
Little things,
my attitude toward life in general, I don't feel so hopeless,
my depression is lifting,
my ability to be more patient,
I make it through the work day,
I have energy when I get home from work,
my legs don't ache all day.....
the little things.
It is happening.

I want my life back, and if that journey is through
the mask, so be it.
It gets a little better every night.
I know that when I can get data, I will start
tweaking things, and it will only get better.

I have already found things that help,
how to fix the hose so I can manage it in the dark,
Pap-cap,
aroma therapy,
reading and learning from these wonderful people here.

This is my life. I want it back

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:52 pm

Nicely said carbonman. I feel tired today, but it is not the same tired I felt before CPAP. Before, it was that achy tired where I just did not have the energy to do anything during the day. I am much more positive because I am holding onto the days I have alot more energy and that is starting to happen.

SleepPunk · Post by **SleepPunk** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:58 pm

That is so awesome carbonman!! You really have a way with words. Test edit.

[quote="carbonman"]Allen, day 17 for me.

I have an M series Plus.
I started the process to get an M series Auto w/Aflex.
'script went to DME yesterday.

If there is one thing that I have learned from reading
this group, it is:
This therapy is your life.

I put the mask on everynight and believe that I will
be better the next day......
.....and so far, I am.

I am not sleeping hours at a time, yet.
I have not felt like a million$$, yet.
......BUT, everyday, I feel alittle better.
Little things,
my attitude toward life in general, I don't feel so hopeless,
my depression is lifting,
my ability to be more patient,
I make it through the work day,
I have energy when I get home from work,
my legs don't ache all day.....
the little things.
It is happening.

I want my life back, and if that journey is through
the mask, so be it.
It gets a little better every night.
I know that when I can get data, I will start
tweaking things, and it will only get better.

I have already found things that help,
how to fix the hose so I can manage it in the dark,
Pap-cap,
aroma therapy,
reading and learning from these wonderful people here.

This is my life. I want it back

gorillaal · Post by **gorillaal** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:49 am

CPAP machine and mask are going back today. Absolutely zero sleep last night. I can't figure out why I can't sleep! I thought this treatment was going to be my life saver.....but it's killing me......LOL
Hoping to get a different mask to try. Don't know if my humidifier is working or not. Air feels really dry coming through the machine.

Gerald · Post by **Gerald** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:04 am

Gorilla........

It's been suggested that you get yourself a M-Series with AFLEX and a heated humidifier. You also need a card reader and software that will allow you to read the smart card. I'll place my bet on "failure" if you don't have the above equipment. Do whatever you have to do...to get it.

Next, you've got to get your hands on a mask that is comfortable and effective for you. It may take as many as half-a-dozen tries before you solve that puzzle.

Finally.....a suggestion that few talk about. Your sub-conscious mind has to be in favor of this therapy. From what I can tell, it's presently believed that the sub-conscious mind takes over while you are asleep. This allows your conscous mind to rest and regenerate.....sort of like de-fragging a hard drive.

If your sub-conscious is not absolutely convinced that this therapy is going to save your life, it will see to it that you don't sleep...or pull the mask off while you are asleep.

Probably one of the best ways to prove to your sub-conscious mind that the therapy is vital...is to hook yourself up to a recording oximeter....and record your blood oxygen saturation levels....each night....for about a week.
The whole ball-game is whether or not you're holding a 93% or better O2 saturation level throughout the night....every night.

Once your sub-conscious knows that your gonna die if you don't make the therapy work, you won't have near the trouble you're having now.

You can do it.

Gerald

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:19 am

Anonymous wrote:Good afternoon. I've been prowling around this site for the past month in anticipation of my 1st night with the CPAP. I have read the amazing success stories, the stories how folks love their CPAP set-ups, etc. Last night was night 4 with the CPAP. Each night I seem to get 15 minutes more sleep before I have to take the mask off. I'm up to 1 hour 15 minutes now. How long before I can get a full nights sleep? How do I know if my setup is incorrect for me, or if it's just me trying to get used to the system?
I am using a REMstar Plus M Series with C-flex, setting 10, ramp 4 to 10 over 45 minutes. I have elected to go with the Resmed Mirage Swift II Nasal pillow as opposed to the mask. During my titration, the mask that was used blistered my nose, which left a bias against masks.

Thanks for the replies,
Sleepless in Durango

Allen

Takes the avg. person 4-6 weeks to get things sorted out where they can sleep all night, until you do that you won't feel the effects of therapy.

Use of the Ramp wil help you if you have difficulty falling asleep with the newness of the machine, however you have Ramp pressure too low at 4cm, nearly everyone starves for air at that pressure. You need to increase that up closer to 6 or 6.5 so it can flush our your exhaled CO2.

Note: if you are having the most difficulty falling asleep, use the Ramp and use it as often as you need to. Hitting the button again resets the pressure and timer so if you are not asleep hit it again. Use a supplement like Unisom, SleepMD, ExcedrinPM, melatonin etc. to help you get to sleep. Then work on staying asleep longer, you should sleep from start to finish without waking, until you do that you are going to be tired.

MurphysLaw · Post by **MurphysLaw** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:07 am

It's day 8 for me with the same CPAP you have, and day 2 for my hubby with the same machine. We both have the added humidifiers but the water chambers are of different design, even though we got them 6 days apart from the same DME.

Check your humidifier. Is the water level going down as it should? The first night, my hubby must not have pushed it in far enough, even though the door closed freely. He used nearly no water and complained of the dryness. With that fixed, we both are generally using about half of the reservoir nightly, at a setting of 2.

The first night with this machine I was ready to send it back because of the noise. People here suggested that we move it nearer or to the floor, which we did. That helps greatly, but I still need my little radio which produces rain sounds. Otherwise, each breath sounds like a car trying to get out of the snowdrift.

The morning after my titration, I felt terrific, better than in years. Couldn't wait for my home setup. I didn't have such luck at home, but after 100% compliance at home, and only a week on the machine, I'm feeling better, more rested, each day. Please give it time. It takes your body time to catch up on sleep deprivation.

I used the ramp feature one night, then quit. I did change the ramp setting up to my normal setting, just in case I accidentally hit the button and turn it on.

Have you tried the C-Flex? You may or may not like it. My husband and I both like it. He uses a Comfort-gel nasal mask and I use the OptiLife. So far, we're happy with them, being side sleepers.

Once you find that your treatment is working, you'll feel so much better and be glad that you stuck with it. Good luck to you.

Day 5 - How Long Does It Take?

Day 5 - How Long Does It Take?

It's your life.

Re: It's your life.

Zero Sleep

Re: Day 5 - How Long Does It Take?

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Additional Comments: Pressure 9-14, Medium pillows