I've always been a nose breather so I've gotten along quite well with the nasal pillows.  I, too, was taking the mask off without knowing it and would find it on my table like I'd neatly laid it there but I didn't even know I was doing it.  Weird.  I know what it's like to feel like you can't get your breath.  I just try to relax and that seems to help me but maybe a full face mask or a nose mask would be better.  My husband has a nose mask and tried my nasal pillows.  He couldn't use them either.

Some others here have suggested using medical tape to supplement the mask straps so that when you go to remove it, it might wake you up.  Other tips are to wear the mask while watching TV or reading, if you can, so that you get used to it.

I usually start the night by lying on my back and taking deep breaths, just getting used to the mask, with no pressure to sleep.  After a few minutes spent relaxing and calming, I can usually forget about the mask and start drifting to sleep.

I don't think Ken is experiencing anxiety issues like most of the other threads where people are having problems....Ken's nose just is too stuffy, he mentions having to sleep with nasal strips and has a deviated septum. You could use a whole roll of duct tape and weld the mask to his head, but if the guy can't breath through the mask it's going to come off!

I think a full face mask is the solution. Try a Quattro and it's going to be blue skies!

Neil

onewaypockets wrote:

I don't think Ken is experiencing anxiety issues like most of the other threads where people are having problems....Ken's nose just is too stuffy, he mentions having to sleep with nasal strips and has a deviated septum. You could use a whole roll of duct tape and weld the mask to his head, but if the guy can't breath through the mask it's going to come off!

I think a full face mask is the solution. Try a Quattro and it's going to be blue skies!

Neil

Neil:

I think your assessment is correct: I think it is the sinus/nose issue.  The masks theselves don't create any anxiety for me.

I'm going to order a full face mask today.

Thanks!

Ken

Hey Ken,

Just wanted to know how things were going for you???!!!

Blue skies yet???

Neil

onewaypockets wrote:

Hey Ken,

Just wanted to know how things were going for you???!!!

Blue skies yet???

Neil

Neil:

I really appreciate you following-up.  That was a cool thing to do.

Well, not exactly blue skies, but progress is being made.  While I don't feel super refreshed each morning, I'm not falling to sleep behind the wheel going to or coming from work each day.  Moreover, my partner says that I have stopped snoring, grinding my teeth and kicking my legs.  As a matter of he said that he's had to reach over and make sure that I am still in the bed sometimes!

I originally received the mask that covered my nose, but that was killing my forehead and leaking into my eye.  So, I bought one with nasal pillows.  Outstanding!!  So easy and comfortable to wear.  Only issue is that if my nasal passages fill-up during the night, I open my mouth.  I also tried a Hybrid to try and reconcile this, but the hybrid is very uncomfortable for me.  As a result, I've gone to placing a small band-aid across my lips before I go to sleep. LOL

The end of my first month is tomorrow and, by all accounts, I am making progress.  I sure hope I continue to improve.  Specifically, I hope I begin to feel well rested more often and that I'm not as foggy at work.

It sounds like you are on the road to wellsville....just some minor details. Isn't it always the details??? I used do something my wife calls "the leg drop". I'm a pretty big guy, 6'4'', and my wife is a tiny Japanese gal, barely 5' tall.  I used to raise my leg up pretty high and then drop it, it would almost throw her up in the air and out of bed...that has stopped now using CPAP. I would say in your case that not grinding, kicking, snoring, and now staying awake behind the wheel is a major improvement!!!

"Details are all there are." Maezumi Roshi (some Zen monk dude)

Glad to hear you are making forward progress and using your mask every night!

Neil

onewaypockets wrote:

It sounds like you are on the road to wellsville....just some minor details. Isn't it always the details??? I used do something my wife calls "the leg drop". I'm a pretty big guy, 6'4'', and my wife is a tiny Japanese gal, barely 5' tall.  I used to raise my leg up pretty high and then drop it, it would almost throw her up in the air and out of bed...that has stopped now using CPAP. I would say in your case that not grinding, kicking, snoring, and now staying awake behind the wheel is a major improvement!!!

"Details are all there are." Maezumi Roshi (some Zen monk dude)

Glad to hear you are making forward progress and using your mask every night!

Neil

Neil:

I like your leg story.  It's hard to believe that we actually did this stuff in our sleep.

Well, I had my one month follow-up with the doctor yesterday.  I've had a few episodes of almost falling asleep behind the wheel since my last post.  Have no idea why.  Anyway, I told my doctor that I was not feeling super refreshed and was still having driving episodes.  He told me that the effects of CPAP are not cumulative after the first two weeks.  In other words, I am feeling as good as I am going to after one month of therapy.

This seems to be in direct contrast to what I've read on this board.

Well, he prescribed me a drug called Provigil (200mg 1X/day).  I took my first dose today and it was amazing.  I haven't felt this good in years!  Clear thinking, a desire to get things done, and great concentration!  I feel like I did in my 20s and 30s.

Funny story about the legs!!  LOL  

My husband's boss also is on a CPAP machine and he claims it takes quite awhile to get the full effects of the machine...restful nights, refreshed during the day, etc.  He said it took him about a year to really be comfortable with the machine and feel 'normal' once again.  I have been on it for a couple of months now.  I'm still adjusting.  Today was a good day for me.  I had a very restful night last night, even despite my sciatica still giving me fits, and felt really rested today.  My husband will have days where he says he doesn't feel as rested as he does on other days.  I can't explain it.  

What is the drug Provigil?  Sounds like a stimulant.  Never heard of it.  What was it prescribed for?

Just curious.

dimples wrote:

Funny story about the legs!!  LOL  

My husband's boss also is on a CPAP machine and he claims it takes quite awhile to get the full effects of the machine...restful nights, refreshed during the day, etc.  He said it took him about a year to really be comfortable with the machine and feel 'normal' once again.  I have been on it for a couple of months now.  I'm still adjusting.  Today was a good day for me.  I had a very restful night last night, even despite my sciatica still giving me fits, and felt really rested today.  My husband will have days where he says he doesn't feel as rested as he does on other days.  I can't explain it.  

What is the drug Provigil?  Sounds like a stimulant.  Never heard of it.  What was it prescribed for?

Just curious.

Dimples:

The Provigil was prescribed to eradicate those very-sleepy-during-the-day periods.  It's supposed to be taken "as needed."

This drug does sound interesting. When I first started reading this Wiki article, I thought "this sounds like the drug they give to fighter pilots". Sure enough, in the article it does say it is used for that purpose worldwide. Of course navigating urban freeways is just about as challenging...I should sprinkle some in my coffee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil

And more...

"Doping agent

Modafinil has received some publicity in the past when several athletes were discovered allegedly using it as a doping agent. It is not clear how widespread this practice is. Since there are no studies pertaining to this sort of use, it is unknown whether modafinil can have any impact on an athlete's performance. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that modafinil does indeed enhance physical performance."

"Modafinil was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency "Prohibited List" in 2004 as a prohibited stimulant."

"In December 2007, professional poker player Paul Phillips claimed that the use of modafinil and other medications prescribed to him for ADHD treatment made him a much better player and helped him earn more than $2.3 million in poker. The drugs improved his concentration during high-stakes tournaments, he said, allowing him to better track all the action at his table.[21] In poker there are currently no rules prohibiting the use of stimulants."


I could have been rich! I could have been someone!

If you get a chance Ken, could you let us know how you like this drug after a time? I am sure many here would be interested.

Neil

Of course I will keep everyone updated.

Everyone here has been so nice to me, it's the least I can do!