Finally, Sleep Success

I have received a lot of support from reading the trials and successes from others in this forum so though I would add mine.

I was placed on CPAP in March of this year with an 18 pressure setting. Of course I began CPAP feeling lousy and it quickly got worse; couldn’t sleep, tossed and turned, leak issues, mouth breathing and air in stomach. Tried everything I would read in this forum to attempt to get just one night’s sleep without success for two months. The sleep deprivation being experienced practically disabled me. Felt light headed and weak, lack of energy and could not mentally focus; really felt like the flu. The only thing that kept me going was a mental attitude that I would NOT give up and the success stories that I would read in this forum.

After about two months I begin to acclimate to the CPAP and Responics OptiLife mask. For me, I had to add a Papcap and Polident strips to keep the mouth closed to finally begin to get some sleep. However, I still had insomnia. My doctor prescribed Trazodone for the insomnia and finally got a full night’s sleep. At the same time, blood test found that I had very low testosterone level. For this I underwent testosterone implant a week ago.

All in all, I feel better that have in years. I now fully expect the therapy to continue to improve my health. My mental sharpness is returning and I have more energy. I resumed my workout routine and am finally able to lose weight. I still have a way to go but am really encouraged by my progress of late.

For all of you still struggling, I believe that you must not give up. Keep reading and trying the fixes found herein. Force your Doctor to pay attention to your issues and if he will not, get another Doctor.

Again thanks for this forum and all of the posters for the helpful hints.

talladega,

Just an "amen to that". I too started CPAP this March. I have gone through many of the same things (although I don't think I had as many problems as you did TG!).

Since I started, I have lost 35 lbs, feel great! Sugar levels are under good control (I have type 2 diabetes), have started working out again and , in general, have a much more positive outlook on life!

Yes, it was an effort! Was it worth it? Yeah! Baby!

The only problem that I have now is that since I have lost so much weight, my mask no longer fits! (leaks) But I'm working on it! (An easy problem to solve )

Oh yes, one more thing, THANK YOU FELLOW FORUM MEMBERS I couldn't have done it without you

Cheers,

Dave

It is great reading success stories. I would guess 50% of the people I have known to have sleep apnea do not use their CPAP machines. Like your stories, I had a very rough start but I was determined to make it work.

Congrats to you both for sticking with it and for getting your treatment working.

GTOJim wrote:It is great reading success stories. I would guess 50% of the people I have known to have sleep apnea do not use their CPAP machines. Like your stories, I had a very rough start but I was determined to make it work.

Congrats to you both for sticking with it and for getting your treatment working.

Congrats to both of you.

When I first started C-Pap Therapy I was always pulling my mask off. "She Who Must be Obeyed" was really on top of that. The machine I had back then didn't have the auto shut off feature like the new machines do. So bassically my wife got me over the hump. I have been on C-Pap for 5 years now.

Tall, Good news! Do you have access to your data? How is your AHI?, Leaks? You have a rather high pressure, is it set to an auto range or just one pressure, do you use the ramp of flex features? What is your humidifier setting? Hope I'm not confusing you with so many questions but all this info helps us help you.

Dave, great weight loss! Poor baby, now you may need a smaller mask!

Thanks so much for sharing your success stories! Your words will help others who are going through their own challenges and encourage them to keep trying! It can take some time (and experimenting) to achieve optimal therapy, but once you do it is SO worth it!

I slept 10 hours last night, waking up three times, and went through three masks. I slept 9 hours Friday night, and again went though three masks. Both nights I stayed up until midnight, whereas my usual bed time is 9:30 or 10 pm. This is the longest I have slept since going on the hose. It's taken me 3 1/2 months to reach the point where I get at least 6-7 hours sleep.

I haven't ripped off a mask in my sleep since the first month. I've gotten used to mask straps, the pressure (18cm), CPAP machine noise, and even the exhaust noise, but leaky mask noise is the kiss of death.

Sleep logistics: I use 3mg Lunesta at bedtime. I always wear foam ear plugs. Switching masks when I wake up during the night is the quickest way for me to get back to sleep. I've started using chin straps or Chin-Up tape http://www.chinupstrip.com/. I use a soft hose cover and Pad-a-Cheek covers on the mask straps. A HozeBoss hose management hookup keeps the hose out of my way.

I've eliminated nasal masks, nasal pillow and prongs because I found I was leaking from my mouth. I had noisy leaks from almost all of the full face masks I tried, and finally settled on two total face masks as the most comfortable, least noisy, least leaking, least claustrophobic: Respironics Total Face and Respironics FitLife. The Respironics ComfortFull full face mask and the Inomed Hybrid are tolerable (although the nasal pillows move out of place at times). The SleepWeaver is the most comfortable; I use it for naps.

While the CPAP has eliminated my night-time and morning headaches, I am not awakening refreshed from sleep and am still fatigued (not sleepy) during the day. This may be due to my fibromyagia and chronic fatigue syndome, for which I take 150mg Savella. I've started taking 75mg of Nuvigil; it's given me a lot more energy and staying-power. I don't know if it's the Savella or the CPAP, but my depression is much improved. I'm also in less pain.

Gosh, that is wonderful news!

It really shows you were not about to throw in the towel, good for you!

Perseverance pays off, you are proof of that!

Sure is nice to read these success stories, I hope to have one in the future too!

elena88 wrote:Sure is nice to read these success stories, I hope to have one in the future too!

You've come a long way already, Elena! I remember when you were on the verge of giving up.

DoriC,

The LED screen is all currently have for the data; however, it indicates my AHI average around 4 and the leak rate is zero. The setting is straight CPAP with a ramp beginning at 10 and increases for 30 min; humidifier is set at 3. The CPAP was originally set without C-Flex. I discovered that I could enter the setup and changed the setting to C-Flex+ with a setting of three. I find that much more confortable.

I began the night at full pressure till I insure that the pillow is seated and then activate the ramp. BTW, I was told would never be able to use the OptiLife at my pressure but I find it seals better than the other mask. In addition, I have lower AHI with the OptiLife.

I will likely buy the software as I have learned through the forum and now from personal experience that no Doctor will take the time and interest in my health as I do.