I have had trouble sleeping since February.  Even taking sleeping pills hasn't helped and I wake up during the night and usually stay awake.  Hard to keep going like that when you work full time and have a 6 year old.  I was finally diagnosed this past Thursday night.  My tech said I stopped breathing immediately after falling asleep, after one hour she said that if it wasn't due to insurance making her track for two hours first, she would put the CPAP on me.  After two hours she put it on me and I slept like a baby for the remaining six hours.  She said she started me on 2 but went up to 11 during the night.  I felt soooo gooooood the next day.  I had energy, wasn't tired, and felt great for the first time in months.  Now, I'm waiting on all the paperwork and insurance junk before I can get my machine and can't sleep at all.  What can I expect once I get my own machine home?  Will it really be as good as that first night?

Dillmom,

I am in the same situation as you. I see the doctor again on Thursday to see about getting my prescription for a CPAP. I have read alot on these boards and found lots of good information. Keep me informed on how things go with you.

Peggy

Dillmom and Peggy,

I am also recently diagnosed and have had my CPAP for two weeks.  In my experience, it is better at home because I was a bit nervous at the sleep center.

I'll be honest, it was emotional to set up the machine and get hooked up in front of my family and know that this is the way it is for the rest of my life.  However, all it took was a few nights of good sleep and I eagerly 'hose up' at night.

I would recommend getting a humidifier.  My insurance automatically pays for one; some don't.  But, it's worth getting to keep your nasal passages and lungs from hurting.

They gave me a ResMed S8 Escape CPAP, a Humidaire 3i humidifier, and Mirage Swift nasal pillow mask.  I'm happy with it all.

Best of luck to you both!!!!

I have been on CPAP for about 3 weeks.  The first couple of nights were no good.  But since then I an tell  a BIG difference in how I feel during the day.  I am still having trouble keeping the mask on all night.  It usually comes off about 3 or 4 a.m.  But all in all, so far so good.
I agree with Louise.  It was a rather emotional experience at first.  But I'll just take it one day at time!!!

Hi,

I was diagnosed in early August and have been on CPAP for two weeks.  I was not all too emotional about the equipment at first as it was a new toy.  The family seemed OK with it all and we joked about the fact that mom would be sleeping with Darth Vader.  After week one, the anxiety set in.  I now wake up every night in a panic (searching for air) about 1 hr after falling asleep.  I am told that this is fairly common and that it will take some mind control and time to get over it.  There are also times that I wake up and have to fight the impulse to remove the mask, though I have managed to keep it on and fall back to sleep.  How do I feel?  I guess somewhat better but not as good as I felt the first week.  I read somewhere that people often do not feel as rested the second week on CPAP as they did on the first but things should improve in subsequent weeks.  What I found most interesting and comforting is the fact that so many people have this condition at my place of employment.  I kind of mentioned my situation to a few people at work and the next thing I know, I received calls from several colleagues who wanted to share and compare experiences.  It's good to know that we are not alone.  I wish you well, much success and of course much sleep.

Eric    

dillmom...not being able to sleep all night was exactly what I was going through. I tried many different sleeping pills but still couldn't sleep. I complained for 20 years to my doctor that I just couldn't sleep. I started cpap just over 3 months ago. It took me a couple of months to really get used to it. Now I get much better sleep...I never lay there awake all night anymore... it has helped me so much. I used to dread going to bed knowing it would be a long night of tossing and turning. I hope you have as good luck as I have...


_________________
*** Linda ***

Eric,

Are you sure you're getting ENOUGH air from your machine?  You didn't indicate what your machine was or the settings.  On the other hand, what you're describing (wanting to rip your mask off) IS pretty common.  It's not "normal" for us to have to sleep with something attached to our faces.
Glad to hear you've got some co-workers to share the situation with.

Best wishes,

Den

Dear Wulfman,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.  I am pretty sure that I am getting enough air, in fact, I really think that this is what is waking me up.  I start off at a level of 4 and ramp up to 10 over about 30-40 minutes.  I guess my body is uncomfortable with that level of air pressure and will nonetheless need some time to become accustomed to it.  In that regard, I don't think it would be wise to request any changes to settings ets. until a reasonable amount of time has gone by so I will leave things alone for now.  

Yes it is good to have co-workers around to co-miserate as well as share successes with.  Knowing that the things you are feeling are in fact normal and hearing it from your peers is very comforting.

Best Regards,

Eric

Eric,

A setting of 4 is pretty low and the ramp time of 30-40 minutes seems to be quite awhile and may be what's giving you a feeling of not getting enough air.  I would suggest trying a setting of 6 or 7 and a ramp time of about 10 to 15 minutes.  I gather you must have a Respironics machine?  Does it have an "auto on" feature where you can start it by either blowing into the mask or inhaling a few times?  This will start the machine at the set pressure.  Or just push the start button without using the RAMP feature.  Does your machine have C-FLEX?  

Den

Hey Eric......I agree with Wulfman...I had almost the same setting as you for ramp and found I had a hard time breathing when I first put the mask on...I changed it myself and am doing better now. Now I start at 7 and finish at 10...30 minutes later.


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*** Linda ***

I received my CPAP machine yesterday and attempted to use it last night. Although my doctor told me I would get a choice of many mask options. I was given the Alta Mirage mask. It felt as claustrophobic as the mask they used during my sleep study. The medical equpmt. rep also left a Swift Nasal Pillows mask which worked a bit better. However, I was still unable to fall asleep with that thing on -- it pressed into my nose - after a while it really hurt, and I loosened the straps but then I am not sure I was getting a real benefit from that. I didn't wake up feeling all that different and my sleep was even more disjointed than usual.Has anyone else had that problem? Also, has anyone noticed a burning sensation in their nose from using this kind of mask? My machine does have a water humidifier attached but I am not sure it really helped.

I felt so frustrated with the mask, and the feeling that it will suffocate you if you deviate from your breathing - inadvertently open your mouth to breathe, that I began to feel more and more tense about using the machine. At the moment, I feel discouraged by the process. I can't believe how cumbersome this process is -- including the care the equipment needs. I am only in my mid-thirties and this experience feels emotionally trying. It was helpful to read that others here have overcome some of these issues over time.

I definitely see that you need to be your own best advocate - I have already read about another mask that may be less invasive that I am going to request that the med. equipment co. and my insurance make available to me.

I don't know anyone personally who is using CPAP, except me, and would appreciate any feedback on others' adjustment to this device.
Thanks!
Gigi

Boy, I'm struck by these wonderful descriptions of what all of you are going through.
Most of you are new to it.  I've been on mine since last November.

I don't have much to add, except maybe one or two things.

Sounds like most of you are doing reasonably well early on.  But if for any reason you struggle and are tempted to just skip many nights of it altogether, I ask you to reconsider.   Personally, I feel it's much better to use it every night, even if only an hour or so.  My reasoning is that if the machine and mask are working fine for you yet you somehow have difficulty getting used to it, then it's important to try every night.

It may take adjustment, some getting used to.  Skipping nights only delays the process.  But if you at least attempt it every night, each time can get a little bit better.  I have a most high prescribed pressure and my doctor warned me it could take months for me to adjust to it.  Darn it, he was right.  I still have to ramp, but I'm now able to sleep longer with it and get the benefits.  I too kept ripping the mask off of my face at night, in my sleep!  I would wake wondering how that happened.  Yes, it's your brain fighting this new intrusion on your body, so it takes time for your brain to accept it.  I chuckle remembering the first time when I was semi-awake, noticing that I was starting to take off my mask.  I yelled at myself, "Don't you dare!  Put that thing back on!"  You know?  Darn if that didn't work, and it stayed on much more after that!  So funny.

Good luck to you all.

Linda

If you will continue to use your CPAP at home (do not skip nights) you will notice a significant improvement in energy levels.  The key is regular use.  Also, it is important that you get re-titrated every year in a sleep center.  You could lose or gain weight, which will greatly affect your bodies CPAP needs.  As you gain weight, the pressure required to allow you to breathe will increase and vice versa.  I am currently a Certified Respiratory Therapist and have been working in sleep studies for 5 months.  
Thanks,
Reid