Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Karen on February 1, 2009 at 6:02am

Just received my cpap machine last Monday, so only have 6 nights of therapy to report about. I am using Resprironics M Series Ladies Small Swift LT for Her with Small Soft Nasal Pillows at 8 cm H2O. I use the ramp button which starts me at 4 and in 45 minutes is at 8. I always fall asleep within 15 minutes or so. Also I need to use a chin strap, since once asleep my mouth falls open, (have talked in my sleep all my life).

My issues are not being able to sleep on my side without having to readjust everything, the mask, chin straps, nose pillows, etc. I was considering buying a neck pillow, would that help? Often I awaken to find my tongue trapped between my teeth as if I am biting it. Yes, my bite is off, but am I pulling the chin strap too tight? I did try the full face mask at the sleep study center and was so claustrophobic, almost to the point of having a panic attack.

I read about compliance being 8 hours of sleep, but I get at most 5-6 hours. Waking up once to use the bathroom, after about 3 or 4 hours. Previously w/o the machine I woke up hourly. Most times after the 4 hours, I shut the machine off and go back to sleep for another hour or two without it. Am I only hurting myself by doing this? That last hour or so of sleep is usually on my stomach, which was normally my favorite way to sleep.

A few more minor issues, that I am not really complaining about, but thought I would mention... once awake I have dry coughing spells, runny nose, etc. Also, my nostrils are sore, don't see any redness and the feeling goes away. Finally the smell of the nasal pillows makes me queasy, is there anything I could put perhaps on the outside of my nostrils, such as Vicks Vapo Rub, or a scented oil, that would mask the smell of the plastc?

I do apologize for such a lengthy response and I appreciate any solutions you may have. I was told I have 30 days to swap masks if I choose to, although I am not sure what other options I may have.

Thank you for all your support

Karen

Permalink Reply by Judy on February 1, 2009 at 8:42am

Welcome to the forum, Karen. And thank you for starting this discussion because I'm sure many of the newbies here have encountered one or more of the same problems. It would be a big help in our offering advice and suggestions if we knew just which Respironics M Series xPAP you are using. If you look at the cover of your CPAP's Users Manual the full model name will be there. Some know the brand and model of their CPAP and not the name of their mask. You have the name of your mask down pat!! Good on you.

Since you usually fall asleep w/in 15 you'd probably be more comfortable having your Ramp time reduced to 20 - 30 minutes. With a set pressure of 8 you will in all likelihood very soon be more comfortable w/the Ramp starting at 6 or possibly even having Ramp turned off completely. I was started at 8 cms w/a Ramp of 30 minutes and w/in 2 months I had Ramp turned off.

As far as sleeping on your side and on your tummy. It CAN be done! The tummy sleeping might take a little longer to achieving but it can be done!! Sometimes a really soft, down pillow that you can scrunch up and punch into shape allows for successful sleeping w/a mask w/o causing the mask to slip. Many have had success w/the PAPillow which allows you to sleep w/your face to the edge of the pillow and your mask over the edge making it easier to sleep on your side w/o disturbing your mask fit. Clipping your hose to your PJs will often reduce the drag on your mask as well. And w/many masks hanging your hose over your head reduces or eliminates the drag on your mask.

Finding your tongue trapped between your teeth is your way of sealing your tongue forward to the roof of your mouth so that the CPAP air is not escaping your mouth and nose. I'm sure it is because of your bite being off that your tongue is between your teeth. Most of us quickly or instinctively seal it to the roof of our mouth w/the tip against the back of our front teeth.

Why not go to http://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-products/cpap-masks/chinstraps... and look at the various chin straps there and tell us which one you have? A different style chin strap might be less inclined to push your chin backwards. I've had good luck w/the Respironics White Chin Strap (the 10th chin strap). Its PN 302175. It looks pretty chintzy when you see it for real - but - its so much more lightweight, its not made of the heavy mask headgear strap material. Because it has 4 small squares of velcro for securing it you have more ability to adjust the angle of pressure it puts on your jaw. It probably won't be quite as adjustable w/the Swift LT due to the non-neoprene on the headgear straps now that I think on the Swift LT headgear, altho it might since you have the LT for Her.

Another mask you might want to consider is the new Respironics OptiLife. It can come w/nasal pillows or w/a nasal cradle cushion. Like the LT for Her it is very lightweight. And there is more room and more choice in where to place the velcro squares for the 302175 chin strap. You put your mask on, then put your chin strap on and until yuo find exactly where you want your velcro squares placed on the mask headgear straps have someone help you. Find the most comfortable angle and place a velcro square there on the mask headgear strap, then press your chin strap against that velcro square and it will be held securely, finish running the chin strap above your head and seal the ends together w/the other two velcro squares. This way the chin strap helps to stabilze your mask as well. This 302175 has a really comfortable silky type cradle for the chin which is another thing I really like about it. (And it is one of the cheapest chin straps too boot).

You are doing well getting 5-6 hours of sleep at night already after only 6 nights. My first 30 nights on CPAP and mask were the WORST sleep of my life! Well, except for my titration nights. The reduced bathroom trips show you are already enjoying one of the benefits of CPAP therapy so its working for you! Get caught up on your "sleep debt" a little more if you like then like, but sleep w/o your CPAP is therapy lost and ideally to get the most benefit from your CPAP therapy you will use your CPAP EVERY time you sleep.

As for the dry coughing spells and runny nose:; try adjusting your humidifier choices up or down, a little more or a little less humidity will quite likely do the trick. The humidity in our house and outside isn't necessarily the same every day so feel free to adjust the temperature of your integrated humidifier as needed.

Buy some Ayr Saline Nasal Gel or Spray at your local pharmacy. NEVER use a petroleum based product in or close to your nose! The saline gel w/soothe and toughen up the upper lip and bottom of the nose area. The saline spray will help to soothe and toughen up the interior nasal passages.

Wash your mask and hose w/baby shampoo and then rinse well w/a vinegar and water mixture. Vinegar is a pretty effective deoderizer as is baking soda and neither will harm your mask or hose. Hang your hose to dry it.

Another mask you might like to try is the old Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion. It is also small, lightweight, and is designed to fit below the bridge of the nose and thus covers less of the nose and face. The headgear is ideal for using the PN 302175 chin strap. The only problem I found w/the Simplicity headgear was that the center strap was way too long. WAY TOO LONG! But that is easily remedied w/the women's duct tape, good ole velcro!!! Just put a fold in the center of that center strap so it fits your head well. Hold the fold in place w/a strip of velcro. When you have the fold adjusted just right, you can cut the fold out, put the two cut ends back together w/a velcro strip and it holds forever - or at least for 8-9 months. The simple cushion fitting below the bridge of the nose I've found reduces the sinus drip that I get from pressure at the bridge, even my glasses will often cause nasal drip.

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on February 1, 2009 at 9:24pm

I agree with Judy.

I was fortunate and took to therapy fairly easily. I didn't really struggle too much adapting to sleeping with the mask and machine.

For many users it take time and dedication on their part to become totally compliant.

To help with the sore nares, apply some Ayr Gel and in a few days the nares should be toughened up enough that they won't be sore.

I am glad that you are adapting so well Karen.

Permalink Reply by Karen on February 8, 2009 at 4:57am

sleepycarol said:

I agree with Judy.

I was fortunate and took to therapy fairly easily. I didn't really struggle too much adapting to sleeping with the mask and machine.

For many users it take time and dedication on their part to become totally compliant.

To help with the sore nares, apply some Ayr Gel and in a few days the nares should be toughened up enough that they won't be sore.

I am glad that you are adapting so well Karen.

As it turns out, I have switched to a full face mask after spending most nights trying to adjust the nose pillows and chin strap. By the second night I have become accustomed to the new mask and no longer use the ramp, simply start it at 8 cm and I drift off to sleep. Still, I am sleeping around 6 hours, waking up once after 3 hours sleep to use the bathroom, but I immediately drift off to sleep again. Some days I feel the need to take a nap, but that too is becoming rare.

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on February 8, 2009 at 10:28pm

I hope you have continued success with the full face mask. I know I started on a full face mask and used it for a few months before converting over to the Headrest. I think it helped me adjust to treatment and am glad that I was given a full face mask initially. Many users do not realize that they mouth breathe and when they do it is like getting no therapy at all.

Glad to see you sleeping better!!

Permalink Reply by Sleepguy on February 11, 2009 at 11:28pm

Keeping myself from destroying my cpap with a sledge hammer at 2 am almost every night for the first year.

Other than that it has been a Piece of Cake.

Permalink Reply by Gerald Allen on February 16, 2009 at 6:42pm

Isn't spelled newbabs. Well for me it is just me. I know I need a Cpap and it needs me. We are great friends. I went to ER the 13th and spent 3 night in the hospital. The frist night I didn't have my C-pap. The hospital had a C-pap, well it not call the same. It kept me a wake 1/2 the night. When I got my C-pap, I can't write here what I said... Nurses was great too. They took time to get my Oyg. going.
I had moving and justing to my mask for couple of months. Hope others don't take that long. The mask is part of me now. and I look forward to sleeping. I don't get much yet. But what I do is great. G

Permalink Reply by Kelly on April 8, 2009 at 2:59pm

I began CPAP therapy last Thursday, so it's only been 6 days, but they have been terrible days! I was so looking forward to starting the therapy, I had a great night's sleep at the sleep center the night I was fitted for my mask, but these past few nights have been almost torture. I hope someone can offer some suggestion or acknowledge that what I'm exeriencing is normal adjustment to therapy.

I began with the ResMed Swift LT for Her small nasal pillows. I don't use ramping as my pressure is only 7. There is no discomfort with the mask. I feel like I am having to work to breathe, and that my breath rate is not normal when I have the mask on. I don't remember having this feeling at all at the sleep center. The first two nights of therapy I slept through the night with the CPAP, but was absolutely wiped out during the days and had a feeling of physical weakness.

I returned to my equipment supplier on Monday and he exchanged the small pillows for large, thinking they might allow more air flow. I have noticed the slightest relief in terms of the breathing although I still would not call it normal. I am not having restful sleep and my legs are aching all through the night - which is a sure sign of exhaustion for me.

The equipment supplier mentioned that the next step may be to increase the pressure.

I will be returning to my supplier because something has to change, but any additional input would be greatly appreciated! What I was expecting to be a sure fix to chronic exhaustion and sleep apnea has turned out to be something else entirely!

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on April 10, 2009 at 4:52pm

Kelly,

It takes time for your body to adjust to therapy. It won't happen overnight, or even after several nights for many.

What you are feeling is common. It isn't normal to sleep with something strapped to your face. Add the air pressure blowing at you on top of it and mask leaks, various noises the machine makes, etc. can contribute to having to adjust to therapy.

Give yourself some time. Finding the right mask is the key to good therapy. Many of us have had to try multiple masks to get one that feels comfortable and doesn't leak like a sieve. For me, I probably tried a dozen or so masks before I settled on my current one. If you are using a nasal pillow mask -- you have to take care of any leaks that might occur during the night when the mouth drops open. Even slightly parted lips may cause your therapy to end up escaping. You many not even be aware of the leaking.

What machine do you have? Does it record useful data (not compliance data). If you give us the full name of your machine we can probably help with some suggestions that you can try.

Permalink Reply by Judy on April 10, 2009 at 5:23pm

I beg to differ w/SleepyCarol on this one. If you feel like you can't breathe w/your CPAP its time to go back to your local DME supplier or sleep doctor and tell them so.

The DME could have misread the script and set your pressure wrong .... who knows what the cause is? They are the professionals, let them figure iti out. Mask problems, etc. are one thing, but the feeling of not being able to get enough air is not one I will tolerate. For what it is worth I also will not tolerate masks leaking air into my eyes. The rest I will work at ...but not insufficient air and not air in my eyes.

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Donaldson on April 14, 2009 at 4:17pm

Well, it was some time ago, but I do remember that the feeling of the air rushing in making it feel like I was being inflated and having to exhale into pressure was my greatest problem. Fortunately, my machine had a ramp function on it which I used for a while. I eventually adjusted to that and don't hardly notice the change when I mask up with the machine on it's normal pressure now.

Permalink Reply by Sandra Bozard on April 14, 2009 at 11:02pm

I got my machine today and hav tried it tonight.....it is the full face and my pressure goes uo to 15. When it hits 15 it seems like it over wells me and I panic. I feel as if someone is smottering me. It seems everthing is wrapped around my head so tight. I tried a nose one, but my mouth came open......it felt better...is the re a way ti use one like that and then use a chin strap? It starts at 4 the 30 minutes hits you with the air at 15 and its like it takes my break away,

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