Light at the end of the Tunnel!!

[leswaller]

Hi Amanda
It seems that the secret might be to ensure that you dont wake up so easily in the middle of the night. Have you tried a cup of something like ovaltine before you go to bed, or even something stronger! You could also ask your GP for a mild sedative until you get into the swing of things. Your doctor should be sympathetic to this if he/she knows anything about OSA

[Liz hutton]

Hi Amanda,
I've been on my cpap, for about 12wks now. And like you, still waiting for a positive experiance. I too, got one night of a full 8hrs(something I haven't had in many years).Although I am still experiancing problems, like you have,....difficulty in keeping mask on through the night and waking after only4hrs kip. I intend to persevere, til I get that allusive 8hrs again. That's my New Year Resolution - forget the diet, and I gave up smoking a year ago... I'm aiming for a good nights sleep.
So come on Amanda, lets persevere together.
I try to be positive about the whole situation, I know It's hard, but, I believe that it is worth the effort. To feel much better in yourself (eventually) to be able to keep my driving licence(a must, as I live out in the sticks)
Keep us informed on how your getting on.
It really has been helpful to me, using this forum.
I have had help and support with a few problems, that others have already experianced.
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR AND NEW YOU.
Best wishes
Liz

[HENRI HIGHGATE]

hi amanda,

i do sympathise with you and i sometimes feel very frustrated with the whole thing.

all i can say as far as the chlostrophobia is concerned, that does tend to go away the more you persever with it, but i do know what your saying.

if your on a high pressure it can feel like a hurricane coming into your face. i started off on a cpap machine (constant pressure/flow) that was a baptism of fire!!!

about 2 years ago, they changed me to the apap machine (pressure set but automatically seems to breath with you instead of against you) - found this much more pleasant but still struggled on the high pressure.

as i have said in my other post, found it hard to get the right mask. had heard and previously tried nasal pillows but found the headgear obtrusive and made the nasal pillows (sit in your nostrils) move out of place and lots of air leakage.

i have been on this new nasal pillows system " opus 360" by fisher & paykel (look it up in google) - and whilst im not advocating this for you, if you are a nose breather, i can say it has been brill for me for the last 3 weeks.

i dont think any system is perfect but in my experience of whats on offer - fisher & paykel masks have the quietest air defusser vents (lots of little holes) and a swivel pipe and this new "opus 360" system is so light on your head.

i do hope you perservere with your system but do try some other types of systems/headgear, etc - its finding the right one for you, which suits you and im afraid in most cases its trial and error (can get expensive but badger your sleep clinic to try other system/mask/pillows).

good luck and happy breathing in 2009.

henri xxx

[AmandaT]

I have tried something to help me sleep but still woke up!! I don't get it!! But only tried something for one night so mayb have to give it a few nights, will try and get to GP, my doc is ace!!! I'm very lucky!!!

Thanks for the advice!! I'll let you know how it goes! I will try anything at this moment in time! xxxx

[leswaller]

Hi Amanda
The other thing to check is that the straps are adjusted just tight enough to hold the mask in place but not too tight so that they dig into your face and wake you up

[James @ Intus]

Just a thought, but ...... When you go to your appointment on 13th Jan, ask them if you can try an APAP for a while. I wonder if your mask freaking you out is about a sense of suffocation. If it is, it could be about breathing out against your full CPAP pressure. An APAP relieves the exhale pressure so the mask ceases to be a problem - till it starts to leak, anyway.

Quick not on this suggestion, not all APAPs offer exhalation relief. Respironics machines offer "C-Flex" and "A-Flex" indicating this lowering of pressure upon breathing out. ResMed machines call it EPR. If a machine doesn't mention it (like SleepCubes) they won't have it.

[OLIVERABBIE16]

Hi Amanda I am a 'new user' also and finding things hard, I have had varying success but reading your experience and replies from other members has given me a new perspective.

Merely the fact that I wake up now shows that I am less tired!, As one of your repondants put it, I am more aware of what is going on around me whilst asleep so need to be more relaxed to get a decent length of sleep.