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Impressions after three days on CPAP
It’s very strange. It feels very insistent when I first put it on – as if I can’t keep up with the level it wants me to breath. I thought that the "ramp" would help, but I find when I hit the ramp, it’s not ENOUGH air and I have to mouth breath. It takes getting used to for sure. My husband says I seem very comfortable and peaceful with it on while I’m sleeping. I have some difficulty getting the mask to sit comfortably on my nose, but once I do I can go to sleep.
I always wake up with it off. I seem to take it off after about 6-7 hours. The data on the machine says I’ve worn it 19 hours over the three nights.
I don't feel more rested, I just feel less tired. But still pretty tired.
Anne
I always wake up with it off. I seem to take it off after about 6-7 hours. The data on the machine says I’ve worn it 19 hours over the three nights.
I don't feel more rested, I just feel less tired. But still pretty tired.
Anne
Views: 303
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anne Pf on
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Mike,
I can't imagine how many people are out there with untreated sleep apnea. I bet there are more people who HAVE sleep apnea than don't. It's sort of like my other diagnosis -- low vitamin D -- studies show that many people in New England, where I live, have too little Vitamin D in their blood at this time of the year because we just don't get the sunshine on our skin over the winter, and even if we did, the rays are too weak to cause our skin to produce the vitamin. I want to go around saying to people, "Have you had your D level checked? Have you had a sleep study done?" (Vit D level should be over 30, and mine was around 8. Low vitamin D causes fibromyalgia symptoms, which I have. So does sleep apnea.)
But even if we all have sleep apnea, every person on the planet, it can't mean that sleep apnea is good for you. Just because something is normal doesn't mean it's good. Aging causes all sorts of bad things, and it's perfectly normal.
Was it you who posted that even one episode of apnea can kill you?
Scary stuff indeeed.
I'll hang in there. It's just hard right now.
Anne
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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I personally don't hold the belief that one episode of apnea can kill you, but i did post about a doctor who held that view. the bottom line is this: Breathing is Important. If we stop breathing, we die. The more difficult it is for us to breathe for whatever reason, including an obstruction in the airway (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), the closer we put ourselves to death. Sure it might be gradual, or it could be sudden. But either way, it's unnecessary wear and tear on your system. And it will ultimately lead to a heart attack, or some such. You're right that many things that are normal aren't good for us. Death itself is perfectly normal and happens all the time. Doesn't mean you shouldn't live your life to its fullest.
Anne Pf said:Mike,
I can't imagine how many people are out there with untreated sleep apnea. I bet there are more people who HAVE sleep apnea than don't. It's sort of like my other diagnosis -- low vitamin D -- studies show that many people in New England, where I live, have too little Vitamin D in their blood at this time of the year because we just don't get the sunshine on our skin over the winter, and even if we did, the rays are too weak to cause our skin to produce the vitamin. I want to go around saying to people, "Have you had your D level checked? Have you had a sleep study done?" (Vit D level should be over 30, and mine was around 8. Low vitamin D causes fibromyalgia symptoms, which I have. So does sleep apnea.)
But even if we all have sleep apnea, every person on the planet, it can't mean that sleep apnea is good for you. Just because something is normal doesn't mean it's good. Aging causes all sorts of bad things, and it's perfectly normal.
Was it you who posted that even one episode of apnea can kill you?
Scary stuff indeeed.
I'll hang in there. It's just hard right now.
Anne
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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Donaldson on
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I had a similar reaction when I first started. It felt like I was being inflated and breathing out was hard. It won't last. After a while, your body and diapham will get used to having to breathe out against pressure. I would wake up in the morning and find my mask off too. That will stop as well after a while. Your mask will "break in" and will be more comfortable on your nose. That happens to me when I get a new mask, but after a couple of weeks it will be fine.
Pretty soon, you will feel better and better. It sounds like you are doing fairly well so far. Better than most.
Good luck.
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Mike,
Of *course* one episode of apnea could kill you -- it depends on how long an episode it is! I heard about a woman who got drunk (very, very drunk) and died because she slumped over and the position she was in occluded her airway. She didn't die of alcohol intoxication or poisoning; she really died because her airway was blocked.
Now, I don't think this is at all likely to happen to someone who is not drunk and has ordinary OSA. But could it? Of course.
Anne
Mike said:I personally don't hold the belief that one episode of apnea can kill you, but i did post about a doctor who held that view. the bottom line is this: Breathing is Important. If we stop breathing, we die.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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I would NOT put Vicks in the humidifier or on the mask seal. Vicks is petroleum based and is not good for the silicone seal and will cause it to degrade and replaced sooner. Vicks in your humidifier might cause machine damage and is not recommended. What I have done in the past is put some Vicks on a cotton ball and place it near the intake -- usually on the back of the machine. It doesn't touch the machine at all but sets a little ways away. You will get the benefit from it but no damage to your machine or mask. Same with putting it under your nose -- if you wear a nasal mask or pillows it probably isn't good and will cause the same problems for your seal as above.
I purchased some aromatherapy oils (I use pur-sleep, which can be purchased from our sponsoring store) and use those when I am stuffy. The oil is put on a pad and placed near the intake and creates a soothing calming atmosphere.
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Permalink Reply by Ann f on
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I've been at it for 4-5 nights.
I wake up, and sometimes I just take it off so that I can turn over. I refuse to feel guilty about this; sleep's important and it wakes me at times. For some reason, it seems to set off restless leg syndrome as well.
I have trouble getting enough air, but when I consciously stay slow breathing, it seems to be enough. I always hit the ramp button first.
Sometimes I'm more comfortable than others ... and I think this relates to how well I've adjusted the mask.
I'm also a bit cramped in the mask; feel isolated, cut off from my spouse.
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Hello. I'm Mitch from Hanover Pa.
Well, I've been on my cpap for about a month. Finally, this week I'm seeing a difference.
I was so mad because I was sleeping with the cpap ok, but still very very tired during the day at work.
I have the nasal pillow type cpap machine.
I do get up like 1 to 3 times a night to hit the head.
I had 3 days in a row that I was not fighting sleepiness at work, though driving on the way home from work at 3:30 in the afternoon was a bit different.
If I could lose about 30 to 50 pounds, I'm sure that would help even more.
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Last night was the first night i actually got through an entire night. I went to bed at 10:30 and got up at 7. I feel good, not tired, but then I didn't have a lot of fatigue before. I was very surprised with my diagnosis because I don't have the classic symptoms of sleep apnea. However I do have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and my body aches are much improved.
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You are doing great. Hang in there....I have found this is yet another journey....It takes time, patience. I have been on CPAP nearly three months and am still trying out different arrangements and masks, as well as getting off of Ambien. When I take a sleeping pill I seem to take my mask off unbeknowest to me in the middle of the night and then put it back on about 5 or 6. I am surprised to find it on the floor. When I am not taking Ambien...I am more consciously aware of putting it on and off. I am learning to use a nose cup now...though started with a mask. I didn't like the confined feeling of the cup at first and had some sealing issues...but now I realize that I find ways to adjust and work with it. I have moderate/severe apnea and was very run down and tired when this was diagnosed. I am gradually feeling better and better. I am also more aware of my breathing during the day and notice when I emotionally hold my breath. Meditation helps. My sleep doctor says that I will gradually feel better and better and that my cognitive abilities will contiue to improve. The mask is really quite a comfort....bizarre as that my sound at first blush. Hang in there. Melba
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Thanks, Melba. I am thankful to say that I'm doing ok with the mask. I have a nasal pillow (Swift LT for Her, if that means anything to you.) I was able to get advice from this group before getting my equipment; I chose my own DME company and they gave me exactly what I wanted. I spend some time every evening getting the mask comfortable and then somewhere in the middle of the night some condensation will come down into my nose and I'll have to take it off and shake it out. I've ordered a hose cosie which might help with that. Also, I was told I to wash the equipment weekly but I have to wash the pillows everyday or I just can't use it.
Three months isn't very long at all -- sounds like you're doing great. I hope I can say the same after 3 months time.
Anne
Melba Cooper said:You are doing great. Hang in there....I have found this is yet another journey....It takes time, patience. I have been on CPAP nearly three months and am still trying out different arrangements and masks, as well as getting off of Ambien. When I take a sleeping pill I seem to take my mask off unbeknowest to me in the middle of the night and then put it back on about 5 or 6. I am surprised to find it on the floor. When I am not taking Ambien...I am more consciously aware of putting it on and off. I am learning to use a nose cup now...though started with a mask. I didn't like the confined feeling of the cup at first and had some sealing issues...but now I realize that I find ways to adjust and work with it. I have moderate/severe apnea and was very run down and tired when this was diagnosed. I am gradually feeling better and better. I am also more aware of my breathing during the day and notice when I emotionally hold my breath. Meditation helps. My sleep doctor says that I will gradually feel better and better and that my cognitive abilities will contiue to improve. The mask is really quite a comfort....bizarre as that my sound at first blush. Hang in there. Melba
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I would wash the pillows every day too. The oils from your face can degrade the material and also make the parts dirty otherwise.
Anne Pf said:Thanks, Melba. I am thankful to say that I'm doing ok with the mask. I have a nasal pillow (Swift LT for Her, if that means anything to you.) I was able to get advice from this group before getting my equipment; I chose my own DME company and they gave me exactly what I wanted. I spend some time every evening getting the mask comfortable and then somewhere in the middle of the night some condensation will come down into my nose and I'll have to take it off and shake it out. I've ordered a hose cosie which might help with that. Also, I was told I to wash the equipment weekly but I have to wash the pillows everyday or I just can't use it.
Three months isn't very long at all -- sounds like you're doing great. I hope I can say the same after 3 months time.
Anne
Melba Cooper said:You are doing great. Hang in there....I have found this is yet another journey....It takes time, patience. I have been on CPAP nearly three months and am still trying out different arrangements and masks, as well as getting off of Ambien. When I take a sleeping pill I seem to take my mask off unbeknowest to me in the middle of the night and then put it back on about 5 or 6. I am surprised to find it on the floor. When I am not taking Ambien...I am more consciously aware of putting it on and off. I am learning to use a nose cup now...though started with a mask. I didn't like the confined feeling of the cup at first and had some sealing issues...but now I realize that I find ways to adjust and work with it. I have moderate/severe apnea and was very run down and tired when this was diagnosed. I am gradually feeling better and better. I am also more aware of my breathing during the day and notice when I emotionally hold my breath. Meditation helps. My sleep doctor says that I will gradually feel better and better and that my cognitive abilities will contiue to improve. The mask is really quite a comfort....bizarre as that my sound at first blush. Hang in there. Melba
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Permalink Reply by Duane McDade on
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Hello Anne, If your CPAP "pressure" makes you feel as if you can't exhale....Then maybe you would be better off with Bi-Level. This can make all the difference in the world for patients who are not able to breathe freely with CPAP.
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