So I've had the c-pap machine now for a week and cannot get used to it.  I posted this in another forum on this board but thought maybe this was the place to post.  I have had almost dream-like episodes for the few nights I've worn it.  I get to sleep (but it takes awhile) okay and since I have my machine ramp from 4-10 over 20 minutes I really don't have that pressure right from the beginning.  The thinking is that this will allow me to settle a little before I have the full pressure of 10.  I wake up and feel like I'm suffocating.  Last night I woke up every hour from 11:30 until 2:30 and finally just took it off and slept like a baby until the alarm went off at 5:30.  Needless to say, I'm a zombie at work today.  Any thoughts out there?  I feel like maybe my pressure is too high.  My hubby got a machine about a month before me and loves it.  He won't sleep without it and can't understand why I'm not sleeping well.  His apnea numbers were much worse than mine and his setting is 10 as well.

Sure you can. They just didn't get as good a titration during your study as they did during his study. OR he got a better fitting mask from the get-go and you've got some mask fit or style problems. You've seen what CPAP can do for your hubby. It can do the same for you. Its just a matter of patience, perseverence and sense of humor and not being afraid to let your RT and/or your sleep doctor know you are having problems.

A week isn't much time for adjusting to both CPAP and mask. Usually it is the mask that causes the most problems, but it "could" be they didn't get as accurate a titration for you.

What CPAP machine do you have? Brand and model? I assume you have an integrated humidifier? What style and mask name are you using? We can often help w/fitting and w/minor "fixes" to get it working for you.

Severity of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) has absolutely NOTHING to do w/the pressure needed to keep your throat airway open.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

If anxiety is an issue...and we often try to dismiss that as an issue...but it happens, gotta face it....  A trick to get through it is too use your xPAP while watching TV or doing an idle project that will keep your mind occupied.  This will get you comfortable in using it.  This trick is not meant to do while you are settling into bed for the night.  Do it during the day...in another room such as the livingroom.  keep it on everyday for a few hours each time, until you can sleep the night with it.

Another thing that may be happening is that like myself...the ramp may not be needed. Ramping up may be causing a hinderence.  I do NOT ramp...I go for the full pressure.

Give us any and all information as Crohnie asked..it will help us help you.


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

The machine is a REMstar Pro "M" series with a humidifier on it.  The humidifier is set on 2 and the pressure is at 10.  The mask is a nasal pillow is a Respironics Optilife nasal interface.  Don't know what other info you need.  I do not feel that it is a problem with the mask but rather the pressure.  The nasal pillows are actually not that uncomfortable.  The headpiece seems to stay put too.  I did visit with the RT this afternoon who told me that if there is a problem it is usually a the mask or the pressure.  She is going to talk to my doctor about lowering the pressure to an 8 and see if that helps.  I will not be wearing it again until then.  Last night was the first night that I had a problem with my nose.  I felt a 'stinging' feeling in my nose.  The RT told me that is just probably a sensitivity to the air/pressure and maybe to turn up the humidifier a bit just to see if that helps.  I don't really feel that I am anxious although I do notice that I absolutely DREAD going to bed now.  It's just become a huge problem now.  I just want good sleep.  Sigh.....Any advice from you all is greatly appreciated.

dimples,
A week is not very long when adjusting to sleeping with a mask, hose and machine attached to you!  I am not sure what the difference is between anxiety and dreading bedtime, but hopefully you can get past that before long. I do hope you won't give up.  I think Mrs. RVW's suggestion of using the machine during the day when you are not so tired is a good one.  When I started on CPAP I really wanted it to work but I went through periods of hating it and dreading bedtime so I think I know what you are going through.  It might help to set a goal each night to increase the time you will keep the mask on.  At any rate, don't let your husband pressure you. We are all different and react differently to the treatment.  Some people take to it like a duck to water. Some of us struggle a lot longer.  It's the pits having to look forward to going to bed with a mask and machine, but it sure beats the alternative.
 
Ramping is a matter of preference. Some like it on, some like it off, some like a short period.  I started with the 20 minute ramp because that way I was well off to dream land by the time full pressure hit (I am at 10, also).  After I got more comfortable with having plastic over my face and manipulating that hose every time I wanted to roll over, I realized that I was wanting more pressure sooner than 20 minutes so I gradually reduced it and now I prefer the full blast right from the start.  I use a full face mask, though, so maybe you feel the increase more since it's going right in your nose.  
 
I have read posts from others in the forum saying they feel more claustrophobic with a nasal than with a full face mask.  Trying different masks might help you find something that makes the breathing more comfortable.  If they do reduce your pressure, you want to be sure that it's still doing the job.  
 
Keep in touch.  I hope things get better for you soon!
Grandma


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ResMed Quattro Full Face Mask
ResMed S8 Escape with heated humidifier
Pressure set at 11

dimples    Sometimes it is hard not to get discouraged, I know the feeling well about "Dreading to go to bed" but patience and perseverance is the key, it will get better. You might have to bug your RT over and over again, to help you get the right mask and fit and even pressures. But that is OK, that is what they are there for.   When I walk into my DME they all know me by name and say what is going on now! You just have to be persistent and determined that you are going to make it work! And IT WILL! It might take some time but it will work! I am sure everyone in this forum is rooting for you, Be patient with yourself, you'll get it right and will be just as happy and content as your husband is with his. Good Luck to you.

So night before last I refused to use it and felt like I slept like a baby.  I was EXHAUSTED yesterday.  Last night I decided to try a couple different things...turned up the humidifier a notch and loosened the headgear a bit.  I went to bed around 11:00 and must have fallen asleep fairly soon.  I woke up though and felt that suffocating feeling again.....the electricity had gone off!!!!!  Oh my.  That gave new meaning to 'suffocation'.  LOL  I guess ya gotta laugh.  I woke my husband up as I knew he would be sucking for air too and he was.  We both laughed about it and went back to sleep sans our machines.  The electricity didn't come on for another 3 hours so we slept the rest of the night without the machines.  Strangely enough though I'm more rested today with 2 hours of that machine than I was yesterday without it.  It must be working.  That gives me hope.

dimples:

A week is nothing, really. When I started, I heard people say it takes 1,000 hours "on the hose"* to get used to it  and I think that was pretty close to true for me.

* You could sing that to the tune of Humble Pie's "30 Days in the Hole," if you like!  

Ha Ha!  Thanks for the laugh.  I think 1000 might just be right.  My hubby has been on his now going on 3 weeks and says he feels so much better so is encouraging me to just give it a good try so I'm doing it for him (and the bags under my eyes).  I love the support I receive here.  Thanks so much!!

dimples   I think this forum helps us all! It is somewhat comforting to know your not alone in your struggles with XPAP, at least that is how I feel about it! As they say "misery loves company" And what better company than to talk with people that understand and have experienced or are experiencing the same things you are? So just keep at it, if your husband can do it so can you!

It just takes time.  I was like you, I hated it and took the mask off a lot at night.

But slowly I got used to it and now look forward to a good night's sleep every night.  

I now dread sleeping without my CPAP (power failure for example).

I've learned to use it and like it.  I can sleep on either side or my back.  Marks on face rub out and are gone before I get to work in the morning.  

Just give it time and don't give up.


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RemStar Pro M-Series with C-Flex jamming 10 cm H20 down my piehole And finally getting a good night's sleep...every night!!!! I'm a 45 year old FMAWG...and proud of it.

Hi Dimples - I too have a 10 setting & use the 2 for my humidifier.  I got my C-flex last December so just about have 6 mos of experience.  Hang in there.  It gets easier!  Although I adjusted to using it pretty well from the start, I really hated having to have something on my face at night.  I wear glasses so I was feeling like my face never gets a break of not having something on it so in the beginning, I'd start the night wearing the nasal pillows but when I'd wake up for the 6am bathroom break, I'd "treat" myself by sleeping without my mask for the next 1.5 hours - only to wake up with a dull headache.  So now even if I wake up, I put it back on - sometimes using the ramp & sometimes not.  I do not wake up with dull headaches anymore, let alone the horrible migraines I used to wake up with on a daily basis PRE-CPAP days.  Try to be patient and give it time.  Eventually I think you will notice the payoff.  Good Luck!

Hey Dimples,
Sitting here in the basement in Lincoln NE, Tornado Sirens going off... ... so I thought I would catch up on the mask forum posts.  I have been on CPAP for just over a year now, and I also have a setting of 10 with a humidifier.  I think I experienced similar episodes of "suffocation" or feeling like its hard to breath.  I think mine was due to allergies, so that might be something to think about when you go to bed.  Before I started on CPCP, I had my deviated septum fixed because of the narrowing in my nasel passages, my EENT doc and I discussed whether or not I needed the UPPP surgery to fix the apnea or just go with the septum surgery to open my nose up to make breathing a little easier when using the CPAP.  Any amount that ones nose is blocked for whatever reason in my experience will make dealing with CPAP just that much harder, take into account that you have only been using it for a short time, I dont blame you for being frustated.  We went as far as getting two air purifers for the house to keep the allergens down to a minimum.  If you feel like you are a bit stuffed up when going to bed, maybe try some afrin spray to open up those nasel passages to see if that makes sleeping or that feeling of suffocation any better.  You mentioned you loosened your head gear to see if that helped, I have learned that the machines are designed to compensate for leaks and still give you enough air to keep those air passages open. When I started...I think I worried too much about masks leaks and had my head straps so tight trying to get that perfect air tight seal around my nose that I was having problems with my nose being rubbed raw, so I have learned to keep it comfortable and it has worked out great for me.

Dont assume that the nasel mask you are using is the only and or best one for you, I think I went thru 4 or 5 masks before I found the one that been the best for me, I recommend the Mirage Swift II or the new Swift LT nasel pillow systems, they are both light, quiet and have a reputation for a great seal.  Maybe check with your sleep center and see if they have any other nasel masks you can try out.  Good luck!! I'm headed upstairs, the Tornado's have passed...no excitement for us here.

Greg in Lincoln  

Great suggestion about Afrin cornhusker!  I had forgotten about being stopped up last winter about a week & thought about not using the machine until it cleared up - my doctor said NO NO NO!   He gave me prescription FloNase and that helped alot.  Using the humidifier up a notch with the nasal spray seemed to cut down on the amount of time I had my anuual winter cold.  

So if you have allergies, Dimples, maybe your dr could prescribe a nose spray & if not, go with the Afrin or if that seems too strong, try distilled water mist.

dimples wrote:

Any thoughts out there?  I feel like maybe my pressure is too high.

Your pressure wasn't chosen at random, it is the minimum pressure you need to keep your airway open.  It is a cooincicdence that you are your husband have the same pressure.

Lowering your pressure would only put you back in the same "apnea boat" you were in before.

Give it time and keep trying.  You WILL get used to the pressure.