Lonely, frustrated and depressed about CPAP, cannot sleep

In case no one else has already mentioned it, get some Ayer Gel (aloe) at the drug store to use on your nostrils. It will contribute to a better seal, and makes the pillows more comfortable. Good luck....and you can do it!

(previously posted as guesticle)
Sounds like you've gotten a hold of yourself -- good! If you're a clinical SW then you know what you need to do because you may be trying to teach your customers/clients/patients similar things!

And I can tell you, mid-way through my 5th week on trying to get all the gadgets and gear and flesh and bone to work together -- it does get better, albeit veeeeerrrrrry incrementally for some of us. I still wait for that "Wheee!" morning friends have described. Last night I woke up about 2 hours after going to sleep, had to whizz, and was SHOCKED that I was WIDE awake and energetic....Whaaaaa??? How come it doesn't feel like that around 7:30? I don't know yet, but I'll take it as another tiny incremental improvement. And I was human today! Able to focus noticeably more, got a little work done efficiently, (and I just realized this minute that I never had my morning tea!!) and was excited -- exCIted -- to see my new ultra Mirage FFM had come in the mail. Is that pathetic or what? Who cares! I can hardly wait to try it out tonight!

And I have had days just like you describe, as it sounds like many other folks on here have. So now that you've stamped your feet, start experimenting and use being mad to fuel your drive for that experience more desired than all (most?) others -- Good Sleep! I have to stop being on here so late, my sleep "hygiene" is poor. G'night and sweet dreams.

Well that 's terrible. There is no shame in asking your doctor for some anti depressants and maybe sleeping aids. This is a process that takes a long time to be come comfortable. I felt the same way 14,000 hours ago but you keep going and try to survive and to live a better life. Like I said though, there is no shame in talking to your doctor about your worries and getting a little help. It will get better and you'll be happy to strap it on some day.

Thank you all for your tremendous support. I did try sleeping with the Swift Nasal Pillows again last night. I think the issue was that I was putting the nasal pillows in to far instead of just letting them sit just at the nares. I actually fell asleep I think within the first 20 minutes and stayed asleep for about two to three hours on one side but then my hip started to hurt and I turned on to my other side and then could not get the mask comfortable. Felt like I was choking. Probably had the pillows again on too tight. I have decided that I am going to allow myself to sleep as long as I can with the mask and when I wake up and cannot go back to sleep easily just take it off and sleep the remainder of the night without it and hopefully it will increase more time asleep a little at a time. I think I was trying to force myself to wear it all night even if I was not sleeping. I think I have gained a little more perspective and just gradually allow myself to adjust and being okay with that. I know it will get better. Thank you for those who sent me to the pap cap site so I could look at it. Also, thanks to the person who recommended some of the aromatherapy. My husband does have pretty bad allergies is that something that would smell up the whole room or just a nice scent coming into the hose? I guess I will go back and look at the site and see. Thanks again for all your tremendous support. I am still having the problem with inhaling being fine but feeling like I cannot exhale or it is forced. I will keep working with it. Thanks again for all your support.

I have allergies too, including a raving hatred for most scents. This line of aromas is 100% natural, no synthetic scents. Wait, I think the AirCandy line has some synthetic scents. Anyway, the point being that most people who are sensitive to perfume are sensitive to SYNTHETIC chemicals in the perfumes. True perfumes may not smell GOOD to someone, but they don't give you the blinding headaches.

He has a sample program - that would be a good idea to start. Also, if you end up buying some, and don't like certain scents, alot of us swap them here on the forum.

Lastly, I don't notice it as an overwhelming scent in the house. My BF doesn't notice it in his house when I use it there on the weekends. But I do notice just a brief whiff of it when I walk into my bedroom. Probably because since CPAP my nose has cleared up considerably.

I agree with your plan to "get used to it." Many will not, but that's what I had to do.

Good luck!
Barbara

I am strongly considering the pur-sleep system of essential oils. Just have to make sure there is enough money this month to pull it off. Have to check finances. It does look like a good system. Can you describe to me where you put the diffuser pad when using a CPAP? I could not tell by the site. Thanks again to all of you for your help. You are all so wonderful and I am glad I found this site early on. Makes me feel a lot less alone.

Another vote for the Pap-Cap.

Last night was the first night I tried my Pap-Cap. It did two things, one of which I hadn't expected.

First becuase it is under my headgear it doesn't get things tangled up in my hair. It also does allow me to keep my BIG mouth shut, which is what I needed it for.

But second, the cap just latched on to my headgear and refused to allow things to slip, no matter which way I turned. I use an Opus 360 nasal pillows mask and had no adjustment issues when I rolled from side to side. Using my old method, I would occasionally have to readjust the mask during the night. Not a big thing, but something I would wake up enough to do. I think I had my best night ever from a leak point of view, everything felt solid without pulling or tugging.

I'm a newbie myself. My original feeling towards CPAP machines was "not on your life". Well my life has changed, I moved in with my girlfriend and after a few months my snoring was making her life miserable. I tried other remedies and while they worked for a while they ended up causing more problems.

I was so paranoid about snoring around her that i was losing sleep over it and becoming more and more tired and depressed. I finally went to see the doctor who ordered the sleep study for me. I tried the machine for the titration and thought this isn't that bad. My nose hurt and my sinuses were burning, but i swore i could do this. I'm claustrophobic and immediately told them of that and they set me up with something that would help.

I did this for my girlfriend more than anything else, I used her as my goal, as i couldn't accept sleeping in different rooms. Now a few weeks into this and I'm more relaxed and learning all this new stuff at sites like this. My girlfriend can see the difference in me and she is my coach in telling me if I'm doing this right. Snoring was the difference for me. It wasn't an overnight success story but i put up with it for about a 3-4 days to get accustomed to it.

I guess in the end I'm just trying to say is set a goal or target, it may just change your life if you stick with it.

I feel your pain and like others have said, we have all been there. My best advice is to try and buy a couple of masks from people on the board or on CPAPauction.com. Try something other than the pillows. I tried about 10 masks and finally ended up with the activa as the mask I always come back to. It is actually a little long for me but I can make it work and usually I can get a good seal with it.
I also toss and turn at night so I know what problems that brings. I helped that somewhat by making a makeshift hose hanger at the top of the bed so that the hose comes down from the head of the bed instead of from the side of the bed. It relieves some of the pulling. Make sure your face is very clean and dry when you go to bed and that your mask is clean and dry.
Hope this helps! Keep trying it does get better.

PUR SLEEP - you place the diffuser pad on its tray, on your table, next to the air intake port of your machine. For me, that's behind the machine and to the right of the hose.

Good luck!
B.