Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Saz RPSGT on August 8, 2009 at 5:07pm

Hello Susan,

Something that can really help with insomnia is good sleep hygiene.

Exercise early in the day, avoid exercise 4 hours prior to bedtime (some say more).
No caffeine after noon.
Go to bed and get up at the same time.
Keep your room dark and cool.
No TV in the room.
No alcohol prior to bedtime

Just 'google' sleep hygiene and you will find all kinds of tricks.

Since you're so new to CPAP though, there could be several other problems.

*Minimize mask leaks
*Eliminate mouthleaking (heated humidity and chinstrap help...Full face mask if you can tolerate it)
*Make sure that your tubing comes straight up from your machine, or goes over a headboard so that condensation doesn't collect in your tubing causing an obstruction.
*You could still be on a pressure that isn't effective.

It's only been a week. I know it can be frustrating. Some people take 2-3 months to get into the rhythm of CPAP.

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it in no time!

Jason

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 8, 2009 at 7:32pm

Jason, thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my posting. Re: the sleep hygiene issue: I'm familiar with that due to having sleep problems for so many years. I will, however, check out the Google site. There's always something else to learn. My fall-asleep problems are around trying to quiet my mind. Nothng seems to work: meditation, music, counting, etc. It actually has more to do with some level of anxiety that often (not always) happens when I try to go to sleep--has for years. Xanax has helped a lot for years--I take 1.0 mg qhs, no more. The psychiatrist who prescribed it for me said that's the optimal dose for sleep. And it has been till this apnea/CPAP stuff came up. In a week, I've had one really good night, another WAY less-good night, and then last night a weird night. I DO wonder about the machine. I remember the sleep study report said I was still having "episodes" with the setting at 7, so the Rx should be started at 9. It is, but it's never been assessed for change. It has a 45-minute ramp time which really helps 'cause I have trouble falling asleep. DME said once I'm used to the mask, he wants to lower the ramp time so I'm getting the Rx pressure sooner. But he said not to worry about it right now.

It seems to me that I slept better in the first few days with CPAP and that as the days go by, I'm sleeping worse. Don't know what to think about that. I know that I was glad to get into bed before, and now I kind of dread it. THAT'S the underlying anxiety at work, for sure. The other thing I wonder about is that I take a LOT of Rx meds for heart especially, and for thyroid, BP, hormone replacement, depression, and I wonder if any of that impacts CPAP. I just wonder about a LOT of things. If it weren't for SleepGuide, I don't know what I'd be doing but I wouldn't be sleeping at all. Everyone on here has been a Godsend in one way or another. Anyway, if you have any more thoughts about any of this, I'll be glad to hear them. If not, I sure appreciate the coaching and the encouragement. So thanks again.

-Susan McCord :-)

J. Sazama RPSGT said:

Hello Susan,

Something that can really help with insomnia is good sleep hygiene.

Exercise early in the day, avoid exercise 4 hours prior to bedtime (some say more).
No caffeine after noon.
Go to bed and get up at the same time.
Keep your room dark and cool.
No TV in the room.
No alcohol prior to bedtime

Just 'google' sleep hygiene and you will find all kinds of tricks.

Since you're so new to CPAP though, there could be several other problems.

*Minimize mask leaks
*Eliminate mouthleaking (heated humidity and chinstrap help...Full face mask if you can tolerate it)
*Make sure that your tubing comes straight up from your machine, or goes over a headboard so that condensation doesn't collect in your tubing causing an obstruction.
*You could still be on a pressure that isn't effective.

It's only been a week. I know it can be frustrating. Some people take 2-3 months to get into the rhythm of CPAP.

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it in no time!

Jason

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 9, 2009 at 8:44pm

Thanks, Cindy. I have a therapist and have for a long time. There are other things at play here, but I appreciate your support!

Susan McCord

Cindy Brown said:

Susan relax, (I know easier said than done). If you're having trouble falling asleep with your mask try wearing it during the day to get used to it. If you're having trouble staying asleep try getting up out of bed and do some quiet task in another room until you feel tired again and then return to the bed. Make your bed and room the most pleasant sleeping experience you can. It's important that you not associate the bedroom with bad things. Condition yourself that sleeping is what you do in your bed and nothing else. I think there are some good sites for cognitive behavior therapy which has some remarkable results for anxiety and insomnia. If you can maybe you could even check out a therapist and get some help that way. Some people have responded better to therapy than they have to medications. Unfortunately with medications our bodies build up a tolerance and then are not as effective.

Why do some people tolerate or acclimate better to therapy? It's all a matter of personality and psyche. If you're one prone to anxiety about new things then it's going to take longer if you're pretty laid back and nothing really bothers you then it will certainly be easier.

Best thing that you can do for yourself is to minimize your anxiety about sleeping however that works for you.

Good luck and good sleep
Cindy

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Permalink Reply by amott1973 on August 9, 2009 at 10:34pm

Hi Susan! Glad to hear you have an appt set up with a sleep specialist. Hopefully that will help. I like the idea above to wear the mask during the day. I like to wear it doing something really boring so I can kind of zone out. (like play solitare or freecell on the computer). I did a lot of that when I first started cpap.

Also, I noticed you said you turned down your humidity and slept better. You know, it's not mandatory to use any humidity at all. My mom seems to do better without it. I only really use it if my nasal passages are feeling really dry or the air is really cold. Otherwise i just go without usually. You could try going without (during the day while you're wearing it, maybe not when you're trying to sleep) just to see if that is more comfortable for you during this time. My mom and I live in FL though, so it's pretty hot and humid here. if you're somewhere not so humid, maybe keeping the humidifier on will be best. Don't be afraid to play with it though.

You also mentioned the pressure setting. If you were dx at 9 and they started you at 7, is it still at 7? Maybe you're feeling like you're not getting enough air then. I was moved down to an 8 after being at 10 and I felt like I couldn't get enough air. That'll definitely keep you up! Maybe you can get the DME or someone to reset your machine so it maxes at 9 before your sept appt?

I can't think of much more. My husband is the one with insomnia. The only battle I had with it was when I had a lot of anxiety. I went to my doc expecting to go to a therapist but he put me on zoloft. I was on it only for a few months, not even a year, but it really helped me get out of that anxiety cycle. Maybe ask about other kinds of meds if you're open to that. I don't know enough about the different ones, maybe xanax is similar.

Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on August 9, 2009 at 10:57pm

Thanks for your response. Actually the mask doesn't bother me anymore. It did the first few days but now I'm ok with it. My cardiologist's NP told me to use the humidification, even if I kept it on 1, so I'll continue to do that. Last night I had a pretty decent night. Slept 5 hours which isn't enough for me, but it must have been BETTER sleep 'cause I haven't been as wiped out as I normally would be on 5 hours sleep. That must be what people say that are settled into CPAP treatment. Re: the pump setting--they said I was "still having episodes at 7 so to start with 9. No one has said a word to me about changing that setting. The first I ever heard that was on here. It makes total sense to me--I do wonder why I had to go to SleepGuide to find out what seems to be a basic tool in beginning treatment.....I feel like I'm getting enough air when I'm awake. If I'm not when I'm asleep, I agree with you, I can see how that could happen given what's happening in the throat. If I'm not, that may wake me up. I'm gonna call tomorrow and find out if there's a range on the prescription. I never heard or read anything about a range, but maybe I missed something. I sure do appreciate your encouragement. I'm clearly doing better today. All that sinus craziness that's been driving me nuts just went away today. I got up this a.m. and it was gone!!! THAT was a real trial for over a week. Again no warning--I thought I had a cold. It was clearly a physical reaction to CPAP that has now adjusted itself. Suddenly!! Isn't that weird??!! But I'm just glad that piece seems to be over. I'm kind of curious to see what tonight and tomorrow brings, now that I feel physically better. I'm sure I'll look back at this down the road and say "Well, that was quite an adventure!". I'm not quite there yet, but I AM doing a little better.
Thanks again! :-)


amott1973 said:

Hi Susan! Glad to hear you have an appt set up with a sleep specialist. Hopefully that will help. I like the idea above to wear the mask during the day. I like to wear it doing something really boring so I can kind of zone out. (like play solitare or freecell on the computer). I did a lot of that when I first started cpap.

Also, I noticed you said you turned down your humidity and slept better. You know, it's not mandatory to use any humidity at all. My mom seems to do better without it. I only really use it if my nasal passages are feeling really dry or the air is really cold. Otherwise i just go without usually. You could try going without (during the day while you're wearing it, maybe not when you're trying to sleep) just to see if that is more comfortable for you during this time. My mom and I live in FL though, so it's pretty hot and humid here. if you're somewhere not so humid, maybe keeping the humidifier on will be best. Don't be afraid to play with it though.

You also mentioned the pressure setting. If you were dx at 9 and they started you at 7, is it still at 7? Maybe you're feeling like you're not getting enough air then. I was moved down to an 8 after being at 10 and I felt like I couldn't get enough air. That'll definitely keep you up! Maybe you can get the DME or someone to reset your machine so it maxes at 9 before your sept appt?

I can't think of much more. My husband is the one with insomnia. The only battle I had with it was when I had a lot of anxiety. I went to my doc expecting to go to a therapist but he put me on zoloft. I was on it only for a few months, not even a year, but it really helped me get out of that anxiety cycle. Maybe ask about other kinds of meds if you're open to that. I don't know enough about the different ones, maybe xanax is similar.

Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on August 10, 2009 at 7:48am

Susan did they monitor your co2 levels when they titrated you?

susan mccord said:

Thanks for your response. Actually the mask doesn't bother me anymore. It did the first few days but now I'm ok with it. My cardiologist's NP told me to use the humidification, even if I kept it on 1, so I'll continue to do that. Last night I had a pretty decent night. Slept 5 hours which isn't enough for me, but it must have been BETTER sleep 'cause I haven't been as wiped out as I normally would be on 5 hours sleep. That must be what people say that are settled into CPAP treatment. Re: the pump setting--they said I was "still having episodes at 7 so to start with 9. No one has said a word to me about changing that setting. The first I ever heard that was on here. It makes total sense to me--I do wonder why I had to go to SleepGuide to find out what seems to be a basic tool in beginning treatment.....I feel like I'm getting enough air when I'm awake. If I'm not when I'm asleep, I agree with you, I can see how that could happen given what's happening in the throat. If I'm not, that may wake me up. I'm gonna call tomorrow and find out if there's a range on the prescription. I never heard or read anything about a range, but maybe I missed something. I sure do appreciate your encouragement. I'm clearly doing better today. All that sinus craziness that's been driving me nuts just went away today. I got up this a.m. and it was gone!!! THAT was a real trial for over a week. Again no warning--I thought I had a cold. It was clearly a physical reaction to CPAP that has now adjusted itself. Suddenly!! Isn't that weird??!! But I'm just glad that piece seems to be over. I'm kind of curious to see what tonight and tomorrow brings, now that I feel physically better. I'm sure I'll look back at this down the road and say "Well, that was quite an adventure!". I'm not quite there yet, but I AM doing a little better.
Thanks again! :-)


amott1973 said:

Hi Susan! Glad to hear you have an appt set up with a sleep specialist. Hopefully that will help. I like the idea above to wear the mask during the day. I like to wear it doing something really boring so I can kind of zone out. (like play solitare or freecell on the computer). I did a lot of that when I first started cpap.

Also, I noticed you said you turned down your humidity and slept better. You know, it's not mandatory to use any humidity at all. My mom seems to do better without it. I only really use it if my nasal passages are feeling really dry or the air is really cold. Otherwise i just go without usually. You could try going without (during the day while you're wearing it, maybe not when you're trying to sleep) just to see if that is more comfortable for you during this time. My mom and I live in FL though, so it's pretty hot and humid here. if you're somewhere not so humid, maybe keeping the humidifier on will be best. Don't be afraid to play with it though.

You also mentioned the pressure setting. If you were dx at 9 and they started you at 7, is it still at 7? Maybe you're feeling like you're not getting enough air then. I was moved down to an 8 after being at 10 and I felt like I couldn't get enough air. That'll definitely keep you up! Maybe you can get the DME or someone to reset your machine so it maxes at 9 before your sept appt?

I can't think of much more. My husband is the one with insomnia. The only battle I had with it was when I had a lot of anxiety. I went to my doc expecting to go to a therapist but he put me on zoloft. I was on it only for a few months, not even a year, but it really helped me get out of that anxiety cycle. Maybe ask about other kinds of meds if you're open to that. I don't know enough about the different ones, maybe xanax is similar.

Best of luck!

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