New and tired :(

[lauramarie24]

Hello there,
Well i picked my CPAP machine up on 15th Sept after a year of sleep studies and other tests and trials. I have a nose mask and I have tried every night to wear it.

The first night was awful I was awake about 7 times during the night and eventually took it off after a very long 4 hours.....
So the 2nd night i tried again only managing 2 hours feeling that i needed the sleep due to having work the next day.
I tried again the 3rd night and was able to manage 3 hours waking only 4 times!
Saturday night I just about made 4 hours and woke about 3 times. and last night was the first night I manged 6 hours only waking twice.

However when I wake I feel that I cannot breathe and i start to panic a little until i wake up enough to realise I can turn it off.....

My other problem was that when I relaxed I managed to open my mouth and the air going into my nose then comes out of my mouth and wakes me!

So today I rung the hospital for a bit of advice really. The lady I spoke to asked me if I had a chin strap and once she had explained what this was I knew instantly i would freak out if i wore it.

She then told me that my consultant was not in until Thursday so I would need to wait until then. She also said that I would have to persevere with this and then i asked how long I should persevere for (As I would rather sleeo without it and be less tired than sleeping with it!) Her answer..... how long is a piece of string.........
So I am waiting for my consultant to ring back but in the meantime wondered if anyone has any advice...... please?

Thank you if you read my long winded post

Laura

[Berneta]

First week is the worst.

Hi Laura. I wear a nose mask too. Some people get on with the mask and CPAP right of the bat--but it takes longer than that for others. Remember --you are not used to sleeping with your face covered this way, or with the air blowing a gale up your nose. It does take some time to get used to it, if you have a Ramp button you might want to try that. It will decrease the air pressure right at the first and you might fall asleep easier. I never felt the need for it--because when it ramped up I just woke up, Some of us are just sensitive to the stages of the ramping. Sounds like your time alseep with the mask on is increasing. And that is a good thing. If you hang in there you will get used to it. Try wearing it in the daytime or evening while not sleeping. Don't fight it--it will be your best friend eventually--provided they gave you the type of mask you need. The most important thing is getting the straps tightened just right, Experiment . The straps and fit mean everything! Too loose and your mask might slip around and wake you up a lot--too tight and your nose will hurt and you may open your mouth to ease pressure off your nose. All I can tell you is persevere. One morning you will wake up thinking that you have taken it off--but it will be right on your face and you will not feel yourself breathing through it, Just take the time to get used to it when you are not sleeping--and that will make the sleepinng easier. As far as a chin strap is concerned--some people need it and others don't. I have had the open mouth experience a couple times too--but I found out that bunching my pillow up a bit under my chin will keep my mouth shut. Try that if you can't stand the chin strap, Just hang in there and keep at it. It will get better as you get used to it. Good Luck, Berneta

[lauramarie24]

Thank you

So how long was it before you started to feel any benifits from it? I managed to sleep right through till 5 this morning with it on from about 11 last night so I think I am getting there.... Might have to play around with the straps and stuff as i am starting to get a bruise on my nose lol

Is the ramp where you ajust the time of low pressure before it gets higher??? As if it is then at the moment I have it set to low for 20 mins to allow me to fall asleep. Then it adjusts itself accordingly...

Thank you so much

Laura

[Berneta]

Ramp

Hi Laura, yes the ramp button is where you adjust the air pressure before you go to sleep. I learned the first night that I can't use my ramp button--- it would creep up as I went to sleep--- then deliver a blast of air that would wake me up. I just went right to the full pressure right off the bat. I just sat on the edge of the bed taking deep breaths til I felt comfortable, then I laid down and adjusted the straps. That took me a couple of nights to get used to--but after that is was ok, It took me about a week of really working at it to get it right. My main problem wasn't the air pressure. It was getting the right tension on the straps. Too tight and my nose felt sore and bruised. Too loose and the mask leaked. You just have to find the right tension. It sounds like you are doing good--and your sleep time will gradually increase. It takes time to "catch up" on lost sleep. So that really good feeling and burst of energy in the morning may not happen for awhile. Your body has been sleep deprived a long time--it takes time for it to recover. Think of it like an operation. If you had one, you wouldn't just bounce out of bed the next morning feeling great and clear headed. Expect it to take time. Hang in there its worth it. I have had my CPAP about 4 months now-- and now I sleep well 8 or 9 hours a night without waking. One night I slept 12 hours and scared my hubby to death, He was about to check on me when I got up! LOL. Berneta

[ohcrob]

So how long was it before you started to feel any benifits from it? I managed to sleep right through till 5 this morning with it on from about 11 last night so I think I am getting there.... Might have to play around with the straps and stuff as i am starting to get a bruise on my nose lol

Is the ramp where you ajust the time of low pressure before it gets higher??? As if it is then at the moment I have it set to low for 20 mins to allow me to fall asleep. Then it adjusts itself accordingly...

Thank you so much

Laura

in some cases (me) u don't ever feel any benefit from it. sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the truth is better.

[Berneta]

Not for Everyone

Hi Pussycat, I expect there will always be some who can't get any real benefits from CPAP. Maybe because it is just to much for them to deal with --or they may have other health or environmental issues that make it difficult or impossible. CPAP isn't a cure all--wish it was. But it probably does more good than harm. I wish you were among those for whom it is beneficial. Like Angel says--we are here if you need to complain, groan, moan, and roar, Just wish I could put you to sleep! And I don't mean euthanasia. Berneta x

[ohcrob]

oh don't mind me, i'm ok. i've forgotten what proper sleep is but i'm quite used to it. staggered throughout the day/night works for me.
(u don't wanna euthanize me yet but given time!!)

[shuckie]

Hi Laura!

Hello and welcome to the forums!

I can understand why the thought of a chin strap may freak you out, however my understanding is that it provides some tension to help keep your mouth closed but won't completely prevent you from opening your mouth as that probably wouldn't be safe. It should be enough to stop your mouth falling open while you're asleep, and given that they only cost around £10 why not give one a try and see how it goes? If it doesn't work for you then you won't have spent too much money, and if it does work then the sleep you'll get in return will be priceless!

Hopefully you'll become accustomed to sleeping with your current nose mask with or without a chin strap, but if not don't worry. There are other models of nose mask out there, one of which may be more comfortable that the current one. You may even want to bite the bullet and buy a SleepWeaver mask as I hear that they're very light and quite comfortable, although I don't think they're available on the NHS at the moment. You might also consider a full face mask if you can't find a nose mask (or nose mask plus chin strap) that you're comfortable with.

Is 20 minutes the maximum ramp time you can set on your machine? If so you may want to consider asking your sleep technician to increase the maximum time limit to 30 or 45 minutes in case you need longer to fall asleep before the machine starts ramping up. The technician may also need to adjust your pressure settings in case the "can't breathe" feeling is caused by the pressure being too low (or high).

How have you been getting on since your last post?


Kind regards

shuckie

[lauramarie24]

Hello

Well since my last post it has been trial and error really.
I am having difficulties with being comfy at night time. It normally takes me around 4 attempts at fiddling with the straps and things before I am eventually ready to try and get to sleep..... but I am getting there! I just need to find that happy medium!

As for sleeping whilst I am wearing it Saturday just gone I managed 7 hours with it on before I woke up and had to take it off.

I do find that in the mornings if I wake up before my alarm I cannot get to sleep with the mask on so I end up getting up!

I am still a little tired in the mornings and as the day goes on I am lasting into the evening a little later each passing day! I am however still waiting for that little burst of energy no matter how small I will take what I can get lol!

I have had a little trouble with my airline (as I go away in November!) I think we finally have it sorted though! I am going tonight to speak to them about final details. The airline wanted to sit me at the front of the plane which I wouldnt have an issue with normally but this time I have booked premium cabin seats so I dont necessarily wish to sit at the front having paid the extra money to sit where we are sitting! Oh well I shall find out tonight!!! Wish me luck!

I am able to adjust the ramp time myself and originally had it set at 35 minutes but have reduced it to 25 currently! I am finding that generally I am asleep before the pressure goes up! The pressure increase doesnt normally wake me!

Thank you all so much for your advice!! You have been re-assuring when I needed it the most......


Laura

Thank you all so much for your advice I have found this to be a lifeline when I am stuck with what o do and how to do it!