First night : awful!

[davidbondy]

I am not sure what I expected - perhaps the clinic led me to think it would all be marvellous but last night was my first night with my machine and it was awful!

I collected a brand new Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex machine with a Respironics EasyLife nasal mask yesterday. I found the mask much, much more comfortable than the other ones on offer.

I seemed to get off to sleep OK (I always do because I am so knackered all the time!) but soon woke up feeling claustrophobic and as if I couldn't breathe. I seemed to be fighting to exhale. My nose was congested and I just had to take the mask off. I tried again later in the night with similar results.

Is there anything I can do to help keep my nasal passages clear (I really don't fancy squirting saline up my nose!)? How long is it likely to take me to get used to the noise, the smell, fighting the machine.

It is only 6.15am. I've been up for ages and feel SO disappointed!!!

David

[Fredxx]

Sorry to hear you have struggled. The claustrophobic feeling is more common than you would think when starting CPAP therapy. Stick with it, it does tend to get better pretty quickly.

When I'm having a problem with a blocked nose I use Otravine; works great for me. If you do try it do be aware that overusing it can cause problems too; only use it for a few days at a time. If you carry on having a problem with it, talk to your doctor.

[Tony Blair]

Clastrophobia

Hi David,

Sorry to hear you are battling.
With regards the clastrophobia, it is one of the reasons why some people do not use their machines to their full potential. Keep trying but do not give up, if the situation continues a trip to a qualified hypnotherapist in your area will help you to overcome this very common problem.

[pavarottiman]

Trouble exhaling

I have been on CPAP for about 8yrs, and find that due to my narrow nasal passage having the mask too tight causes the pressure under my nose and accross the bridge of my nose.
I start off the sleep session ok, but as my head sinks into the pillow or if I should move the resulting change in pressure between mask and face causes me to have problems exhaling.
I am lucky I suppose because I am able to sleep ok holding the mask to my face with my hand using the straps as a guide to keep it near the right place.
I seem to sense the problem and adjust the mask with my hand without really waking up.
Mask fit is a real problem and only trial and error will find the best for you I just point out that along with extenal contours of your face there are also internal issues with your nasal passages.
The pressures that are set on your machine initially are what the clinicians have recognised as ensuring you do not experience apneas, however fine tuning is needed so that the machine is not blasting away disturbing your sleep, the automatic process of these machines can only work if it can sense an apnea coming on, and adjusting automatically to prevent it recurring.
There is also the processor that maps the trends of you sleep which should recognise the level of sleep that you are at when asleep.
So there are a lot of different things that you need to think about when settling yourself into a long term relationship with your machine and mask.
Please keep trying, it will come together at some stage.
Best of luck.
Alex.

[Berneta]

Rough Night

Hi David, sorry the night went bad--the first ones usually aren't a picnic. If its not one thing its another thats wrong, and it just doesn't "feel" right. It takes time and a lot of effort on your part to make it work. So-- if you feel the need to take the mask off now and then, do it. Calm yourself down remembering that almost everyone has gone through what you are--and when you feel ready put it back on, You will only get used to wearing it --if you wear it. And isn't it better to get a short time of good sleep than none at all? The feeling of suffocation is normal--put anything over your face and try to breathe and you will fight it---its a natural instinct. But it is one that most people can learn to deal with. We all think I can do this--its a cinch--mind over matter. Then we find out that nature has given us a strong sense of survival by breathing without assistance, But most of us can and do teach our brain that using the CPAP is survival. It takes time, and a lot of effort. You can do it---just stick with it. Try short naps in the daytime using the CPAP too. If all else fails--ask about enlarging the holes in the mask for extra exhaleation. Good Luck. Berneta

[davidbondy]

Thanks to all who took the trouble to reply. I have Olbas near the machine inlet and it seems to help the congestion.

I WILL stick with it - if only for my dear long-suffering partner's sake. I think she is a saint!

I'll keep you posted on progress!

David

[petemcarthur]

I started having similar problems to yourself, although not quite as severe. I think the biggest problem for me was the nasal mask, it was comfortable to wear, however not being able to breathe through my mouth when my nose clogged up was frightening. I ended up with a humidifier, full face mask and yes, squirting seawater up my nose. For me I think the most important change was the move to the full face mask. Should my nose block, which it still does occasionally, I can breathe through my mouth without problems. This was my normal pattern before cpap, the difference is now I don't snore!

Take your time and it should come good in the end, I sleep a full 8 hours now, I don't notice all the gear (except when I end up with the hose wrapped round my neck!). It took a couple of months but it's worth it in the end.

Good Luck, Pete

[dravidio]

The first night can promise so much and deliver so little. Some people do cope straight away - but I think most have to persevere and work at it. It may be that a full face mask is more suitable for you than a nasal mask. It is not a natural thing to have air blown up your nostrils and to wear a constricting piece of apparatus around your head at night. You can get used to it, and many testify to the benefits of the therapy when you do. Be patient and don't expect instant results - think about getting used to dentures and then multiply that a bit....

[ohcrob]

Don't worry it gets MUCH worse before it gets better! you'll get used to it.

[davidbondy]

Well I decided to buy the humidifier for my machine (£150) and last night put the whole lot together for the first time with a little pad soaked with Olbas oil near to the air intake - this is because I suffer from severe nasal congestion at night.

Managed to get almost five hours of sleep for the first time in YEARS! I had a very dry throat when I woke so I may need to turn the humidifier up a bit (from 3),

It is still uncomfortable and I may well try a full face mask rather than the nasal one but I am so relieved.

I think this will make me persevere!

David

[Grumpy]

nasal congestion

check out the sinupulse thread on the accessories forum

[taylor27]

yes it hard at 1st i have the same machine it probably one of the best machines out there it will get better trust me

[DumfriesDik]

i am new to this as well. just like you, david, i was assured this would be the holy grail for a good nights sleep. well, a few months down the road and i am still struggling. i press on with it because i do get 3 to 4 hours sleep with the mask on and i do feel better for it the next day.

without the mask i can fall asleep in seconds - with it, it takes hours.

i will keep at it - but i have a constant blocked nose - use a decongestant for that every night.

the humidifier made things worse for me - almost woke drowning every time!

best of luck

[Stewart]

I'm sure this won't sound right, but I'm glad to hear of other's issues!

Last night was my first time on CPAP and though I did manage to sleep - even through the alarm clock! - the nasal mask has left the skin under my nose and over my cheek bones pretty sore.

I was hoping for a miracle, but my wife said I didn't snore and while I'm still tired it's a different sort of tired, so I think that's enough positives to keep going.

Stewart

[Tigers Fan]

Help is at hand

Hi DumfriesDik

Check out heated hoses, a HoseLift and hose sheaths. Make sure you have your ramp enabled and settingds to suit you.

Hi Stewart

Check out full face masks.

There is no point in suffering in silence or going it in macho solitude when there is more expertise than you can shake a stick at right here in the forum.

TF