Problems adjusting to using CPAP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 3:56 pm

Hi All

Has anyone on here had severe problems getting to sleep whilst using CPAP?

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in january. I have had a cpap for 6 weeks now and have not once managed to fall asleep using it. I really want to gain some benefit from this machine and try to use it every night but usually lay awake until around 4am and then take it off and fall straight to sleep.

Its getting very annoying because if I have a long day planned I now dont want to use the machine so I get a better nights sleep!

Even though I am having 70+ apneas an hour I was still managing to keep a relativley normal life, since using CPAP it has gone down hill fast.

If anyone has any advice or thoughts they would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Jon

jonnyboy · Post by **jonnyboy** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 3:58 pm

Could have sworn I had logged in before posting this!

Jon

stetsongirl · Post by **stetsongirl** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 4:04 pm

Did you receive your CPAP from a DME? I would call them immediately and speak with the respiratory therapist. Ask them to come out and evaluate you on the CPAP. To be compliant you have to be comfortable. Do you have a ramp on your CPAP? What length of time is it set for? What about the unit keeps you awake? Is it the mask? Your respiratory therapist should be your partner in this venture and work with you until you are comfortable with it.

jonnyboy · Post by **jonnyboy** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 4:12 pm

Hi

Whats a DME?

I am kept awake by a mixture of discomfort, claustrophobia, feeling like I am sleeping in a draft, bloating you name it it bothers me. I do have a 20 minute ramp on the machine but it doesn't help.

I have a follow up appointment at the hospital in 5 months to see how I am doing!

Jon

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 4:54 pm

Can't fall asleep with CPAP? You must be the only 1...
Tonight will night 3 on my CPAP. (I've know about my apnea since April, just no insurance and no $$$). The 1st night was hell, and last night was no different.

It takes me an hour to fall asleep with it, and then I'll wake up wanting to pull the dang thing off. CPAP is diff for everyone, and there are truly alot of new things your body has got to get use to. The masks, the deep sleep, air in my face, uncomfortable straps... on and on.

I know these next few weeks will be difficult for me, but I'm dedicated to this therapy and know my rewards will come to me. Waking up with no black marks under my eyes, no brain-fog, and full refreshment. I may never have that all, but hopefully someday it'll come close.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 4:56 pm

DME: Medical Equipment Seller (99.99999% Evil)

As far as your 5 month apt, I would call your sleep clinic and tell them your problems. Compliance on CPAP therapy is a hard thing to stay with. After discussing your problems your having, they should def get you in sooner.

Sleep apnea is a killer. No pun intended. Stay with it and do ALL you can to get it fixed. (Ha, and that's commin from a 23 yr old college student.)

4Katie · Post by **4Katie** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:16 pm

Jon - I'm in much the same position as you. I've had my cpap for a month now, but have just started trying to use it every night. I'm NOT sleeping well at all. I'm sure it's just getting used to everything, but I'm so frustrated. Apparently I haven't had a good night's sleep in many years, and I've always known I was always tired, but it's worse now cuz I'm trying so hard to fix it and I'm so aware now of not getting a good night's sleep. Very frustrating.

I have no trouble falling asleep with the cpap on (lol - I've never had ANY trouble falling asleep ANYWHERE), but I'm waking up during the night to turn it off, then on again. One problem is nasal congestion, but my doc prescibed a steriod nasal spray, which should help. I'll also try turning on the heat for my humidifer, which I just realized today hadn't been turned on. (Oops.)

I'm determined to make this work. I want to be healthy, feel better, and look better. I'm SO tired of yawning all day. And I want my poor hubby to be able to sleep in his own bed at night. Basically I'm just tired of being tired.

I've learned SO MUCH on this board, and hearing other people's stories gives me the incentive to keep trying. I wish the same for you. Hang in there, and don't give up!

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chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 6:42 pm

Beg your doc for an autotitrating cpap. You can't believe the difference till you've tried it. You'll wonder why they bother making straight cpaps...Oh yea. I forgot . Its so the DME can sell them !

Chris

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:35 pm

Hang in there, Jon.

Try to be more specific - at least to yourself - about what it is the keeps you for falling asleep.

Do absolutely everything you can to solve technical problems - mask comfort, noise hose placement (usuall best when dangling down to your from the wall or bedboard). Ask - many of us have found solutions to the technical problems.

When you're convinced you've done everything possible to make it comfortable, tackle the mental angle: Are you conviced you need the therapy? Do you believe successful therapy is necessary for your health and quality of life? If you don't - can more info convince you? Do you accept the need to sleep with this contraption for as long as you live? Or are you fighting all those things? You won't fall asleep if you 're fighting the therapy from deep within.

You'll make it if you mind believes you've done your best to make the thearpy comfortable, and you're doing the best to ensure your healthy survival.

Hang in there, read read read the forum come and ask questions - and don't wait 5 months to speak to the Dr. again!
O.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 11:07 pm

You know, I really hate to second guess the Wizzards of Wind (as someone - was that you, Ozi? - here has dubbed sleep doctors)

However....

It just might be that those of you who cannot get used to your CPAPs might do better on a BiPAP or an AutoPAP? On these machines there is a different setting for Inspirastory pressure and Expiratory pressure, which allows you to breathe in a more natural way. My BiPAP is set at 12 for IPAP but only 3 for EPAP.

Now, obviously if you are having apneas you don't want your EPAP setting to be that low, but somewhere lower than the IPAP setting might make the machine more comfortable to use?

- JB

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Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 12:26 am

You don't say what kind of mask you are using, but I'm guessing a full face. I think if you turn up the heat on your humidifier you might find that air blowing in your face a bit more comfortable too.

I also second the suggestion for an APAP if you can get one. Also try wearing your mask during the day while you are home. This might help you get more used to it and over the claustrophobic feeling without having the stress of trying to fall asleep with it on. that's what I did the very first day and found the mask didn't really bother me that much at night. At least as far as it just being THERE on my face and head.

It could also be that you are wearing your mask too tight and that is making you uncomfortable. Many masks work better if they are strapped a bit loose. Also check the instruction booklet or CD that came with the mask and many of the masks have videos on the CPAP.com website on adjustments, etc. You might be wearing the mask positioned incorrectly.

Try taking a benedryl or two when you go to bed. This ususally works great as an OTC sleeping pill.

Think about restful things when you go to bed. ANYTHING but the cpap and the mask. Try reading until you get sleepy.

Realize that insomnia is a big problem with those of us with Sleep Apnea and sometimes we need help to go to sleep. If you were falling asleep before CPAP quickly, it was probably because you were that exhausted from Real Sleep deprivation versus the 70 arousals an hour type sleep.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 6:28 am

If I can add one more thing to Janelle's list?

Keeping your face and all the mask parts that touch your face clean and free of skin oils will go a long way toward stopping leaks. If you wash your face before going to bed, the silicone seal will stick better. Amnd of course wash the seals or the mask every morning (see the thread about cleaning masks http://cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=248 ... t=cleaning)

I have also found that even if the mask leaks a bit when you put it on, once that silicone has warmed up to the temperature of your face, it makes a better seal. My F&P FlexiFit HC407 nasal mask seals so tight during the night that I wake up with my upper lip nearly sucked inside it.

Persistence, persistence, persistence.

- JB

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Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:30 am

Thought I'd add my 2 cents...

I decided to not go down the 'Evil DME' road, and bought my APAP directly from cpap.com, along with my Activa mask. Now I'm just making payments on the credit card. I submitted a claim to my insurance for reimbursement, but I'm not 'holding my breath'.

It has been just over 2 weeks and has not been too bad at all. I took melatonin about an hour before bedtime, for the first week, stopped taking it after that. I normally only get about 6hrs. a night anyway, and except for a few minutes one night of trying a couple other masks, I have kept the mask on all night. I still wake up 2 or 3 times during the night, but go right back to sleep.

I have to say, I feel the APAP with Cflex has made getting used to the treatment much, much easier. I'm still tweaking the pressures, based on the data collected. Right now I'm at 5-16. I was titrated at 13 but exceeded that a few times so left the upper limit at 16 for now. The lower limit of 5 is almost unnoticable to me. I find myself checking the exhaust port on the mask to make sure it is still on.

Hang in there Jon, and if there is anyway you can get an APAP, go for it. It is well worth it.

Boomer

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 8:54 am

unclebob wrote:Apparently I was not supposed to know what was happening and simply bow down to the wizard of wind.

O.

2listless · Post by **2listless** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:14 am

1. Go back to the doctor immediately. Do not suffer in silence. Complain loud and clear and normally they will recommend an APAP just to see if you do better and check your titration.

2. Masks are a problem for everyone. I am extremely claustrophobic and a FullFace Mask would NEVER happen with me. When it is very warm (right now it is plain HOT), I turn down my humidifier because if the air is too warm, it makes me "glisten" and then the mask moves. Humidifier has to be adjusted to suit you. Start low and work your way up - you will know when it is too high - you will get a free shower!!!! If you were mouthbreathing, they recommended the FF mask but there are other options - try a smaller nasal interface with a chin strap. You do have to try to train yourself not to mouthbreathe if you can.

This is not a quick fix. It is very frustrating. Start out slower. Wear the mask for a few hours, next day increase it by 15 minutes. Just keep doing that. You can be waking up for many reasons. Read my insomnia post - waking up every 90 minutes is normal. Good Luck!

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