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My present sleep problem is that for some reason when I fall asleep I wake back up after 1 and 1/2 or 2 hours consistently. It seems to me it is Cpap related. I just can't sleep for more than these short bursts. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks!!! Jim

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Replies to This Discussion

Jim,

I think this is fairly common --- the brain has to get used to CPAP, and is probably sending alarm bells to your body to wake up because the forced air is something foreign at first. It gets easier, and if it doesn't that probably means the machine's settings aren't right. Others may have better explanations...

Mike
I am not sure that is the case with me Mike. I have used a Cpap for over 14 years. I wonder if it is my sinuses building up during sleep. I wonder also if I have some sort of insomnia. Maybe my humidifier is set too low. I'm just not sure. Thanks for replying Mike.
That 1 1/2 to 2 hours sounds like your first sleep cycle of the night. Which means you are still encountering some sleep disturbance. Too high a leak rate; too high or too low a pressure setting; mask fit too uncomfortable; remaining in one position too long. There's no reason why you can't adjust your humidifier from night to night even if necessary. You set it for your comfort as needed.

When is the last time you had a sleep study/titration? You may well be due for a new titration at the very least and if it has been a long time since your last evaluation, both sleep evaluation AND titration may well be in order. Our needs do change from time to time.
I echo what Judy said.

If you have been on cpap for a long time when was the last time you had a new machine?

When did you change your mask last?

How long has the problem been present? From the start or just start recently?
Jim, the same thing used to happen to me--I never made it past 2am during my first year on cpap. Not once. You're not alone.

The brain is set to trigger when it senses danger or becomes aroused for some reason. Equipment desensitization is a longer term struggle for many people.

After spending a lot of time investigaging the question you have raised my best explanation is that chemosensory irritation from plasticizers in cpap equipment may be playing a role in causing your panic / arousals. Even at levels that are below conscious detection limits, volatiles like styrene and vinyl chloride (the "new car" or shower curtain smell) are irritating to the central nervous system. I believe that even at very low levels these can play a role in cpap compliance (who wants to sleep in a new car all night?). But I'm just a dumb lawyer so take that theory for what it's worth.

I was able to solve that problem for myself and have been able to sleep all night with my equipment for several years now (more details on my story are on my profile page). Long story short, my experience led me to develop a desensitization product line that has been discussed a bit on this forum (and a lot more elsewhere). I really hope this doesn't sound spammy because I'm not on here for marketing purposes (SleepyCarol actually invited me). As I have done freely on other forums like this, I would be very happy to send you some free samples to see if it doesn't help solve your problem (it's done the trick for many people in your situation). All I need is a mailing address.

Anyway, I'm happy to be here on SleepGuide and I hope to be a resource and problem-solver for as many people as possible. CPAP therapy is a real challenge but the consequences of not figuring it out are almost unmeasurable (as in, death, diabetes, heart disease, GERD, stroke, and, my favorite. Utter Lunacy). I had to give up my long planned medical career after my first year of college (I can't add worth a darn) and ended up in law school. So I find a great deal of gratification in helping people solve their medical problems, being just a simple minded lawyer and all.

My biggest piece of advice is to stay positive, don't let yourself get discouraged, convince yourself that your CPAP is your Best Friend, and keep at it till you've figured out how to make the thing work for you. Untreated apnea is a KILLER.

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