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cannot get used to my CPAP- very frustrated!!
I have had it several years and have continued to try and get used to it, but can't. I think the inward pressure which makes me feel like I can't exhale is the problem. I feel like I can't breathe when I have the mask on with pressure of the inward air flow. I don't sleep well and badly need to be able to utilize this therapy. Plus my snoring is so bad I have to sleep in a separate room from my wife. It even disturbs my son in the next room. What can I do to beable to adjust to CPAP and successfully use it. Will a newer machine help me. I went back to the MD office who I went to for sleep study and spoke to the people who set up the machines. They said even though my machine was several years old, it was a good machine. They said the pressure settings were fairly low. Any help and feedback I receive will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on
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From what I've read here, surgery works for some people but not others. Depends on the surgery also. Seems that deviated septms and turbinates seem like the least likely to cause trouble after surgery, but don't do too much to help. More serious surgery has more side effects, but can help some people.
I have been using an auto pap for 2.5 months and still not liking it, especially the noise, and I have a supposedly quiet machine. I have serious insomnia and have been trying various meds to help with that. I use a nasal pillows mask and a chinstrap, and not sure if that is the best for me, but afraid to go to a full face mask after reading about all the problems with those.
How long have you been using the cpap machine? Everyone here told me it just takes time to get used to it. I think one can get used to it, but maybe just never like it.
jim flynn said:If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?
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Permalink Reply by GUY T on
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it took me a few months to work thru the fears and the comfort problems, but can't be without it. I sometimes remove the mask if it is bothering me too much, but it only reminds me when I wake in 45 to an hour why I persist with cpap. Keep at it Mary! :)
Mary Callahan said:
From what I've read here, surgery works for some people but not others. Depends on the surgery also. Seems that deviated septms and turbinates seem like the least likely to cause trouble after surgery, but don't do too much to help. More serious surgery has more side effects, but can help some people.
I have been using an auto pap for 2.5 months and still not liking it, especially the noise, and I have a supposedly quiet machine. I have serious insomnia and have been trying various meds to help with that. I use a nasal pillows mask and a chinstrap, and not sure if that is the best for me, but afraid to go to a full face mask after reading about all the problems with those.
How long have you been using the cpap machine? Everyone here told me it just takes time to get used to it. I think one can get used to it, but maybe just never like it.
jim flynn said:If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?
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Very good point Matt! I remember having the same discussion in my mind... " I must do this". It did get me over the isolated feelings (with no support) and comfort problems.
GUY T said:
it took me a few months to work thru the fears and the comfort problems, but can't be without it. I sometimes remove the mask if it is bothering me too much, but it only reminds me when I wake in 45 to an hour why I persist with cpap. Keep at it Mary! :)
Mary Callahan said:
From what I've read here, surgery works for some people but not others. Depends on the surgery also. Seems that deviated septms and turbinates seem like the least likely to cause trouble after surgery, but don't do too much to help. More serious surgery has more side effects, but can help some people.
I have been using an auto pap for 2.5 months and still not liking it, especially the noise, and I have a supposedly quiet machine. I have serious insomnia and have been trying various meds to help with that. I use a nasal pillows mask and a chinstrap, and not sure if that is the best for me, but afraid to go to a full face mask after reading about all the problems with those.
How long have you been using the cpap machine? Everyone here told me it just takes time to get used to it. I think one can get used to it, but maybe just never like it.
jim flynn said:If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?
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good luck cuz i have a bpap and i had both and its not helping me at all
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Glenn, et al,
In the interest of full disclosure I want to make clear that I work for an oral appliance company and do not want to seem self serving. Having said that, people who have not been able to achieve clinically significant improvement in the quality of thier sleep because of intolerance to CPAP should investigate the oral appliance option before resorting to an extremely invasive surgical intervention.
There are a number of studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of oral appliances, particularly mandibular advancement devices. One study in Europe put forth the null hypothesis that mandibular adjustment oral appliance therapy was not inferior to CPAP. Based on the results of the study that hypothesis was not rejected.
Hoekema A, Stegenga B, De Bont LG. Efficacy and co-morbidity of oral appliances in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea: a systematic review. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 2004;15(3):137-155.
Again, I would simply encourage OSA suffers to explore this option before they elect surgery.
Jackie
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yeah, my oral appliance gets me to 70 % of normal, which is a good improvement. I am going for the surgery to get closer to 100%.
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My sleep apnea was really sever, I've had 5 different procedures done for my sleep apnea..the first 4 helped for a few years, but now my snoring has come back. I've had a recent study done and the results were once again sever. I've had a machine for over 6 years now but have rarely ever used it..I had tried when I had first gotten it, but just couldnt tolorate it..it was like having a blow drier in my face..I have a hard time falling asleep as it is..after reading the post in here I think I'll talk with the doctors and see if there is another mask or machine that might work for me..I know your frustration..I wish u much luck..
jim flynn said:If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?
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I've had 5 procedures done since diagnosed with sever sleep apnea, I did well for a few years, I was recently sent for a sleep study and it has come out sever once again..
Could you please email more information regarding oral appliances, or direct me as to where I can find more information on them. luv2merge@yahoo.com.'Jackie James said:
Glenn, et al,
In the interest of full disclosure I want to make clear that I work for an oral appliance company and do not want to seem self serving. Having said that, people who have not been able to achieve clinically significant improvement in the quality of thier sleep because of intolerance to CPAP should investigate the oral appliance option before resorting to an extremely invasive surgical intervention.
There are a number of studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of oral appliances, particularly mandibular advancement devices. One study in Europe put forth the null hypothesis that mandibular adjustment oral appliance therapy was not inferior to CPAP. Based on the results of the study that hypothesis was not rejected.
Hoekema A, Stegenga B, De Bont LG. Efficacy and co-morbidity of oral appliances in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea: a systematic review. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 2004;15(3):137-155.
Again, I would simply encourage OSA suffers to explore this option before they elect surgery.
Jackie
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you may want to try a mandibular advancement appliance with the nasal pillow- the appliance should improve the lip seal and eliminate a signifcant portion of the snoring- most major medical carriers including medicare will cover this procedure
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Permalink Reply by Ricardo Lopez on
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I have been using my CPAP religiously for over a year now and am ready to give up. I have tried 6 different masks and no matter what I try they still leak at the pressure that I need. Lowering the pressure reduces the leaks but does not work therapy-wise (and I snore quite a bit with the mask on). Very frustrating!
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Permalink Reply by Donna Medin on
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I would suggest you try a full face mask. I've attached a sample. I'm a mouth breather and a full face mask works for a snorer that breathes through their mouth. You might like it better than a nasal mask. It also would muffle your snoring and not be so loud. What pressure is your machine set at? I just went in to my sleep doctor and they reduced my machine down to 15 from 17. I also have been frustrated with my machine. The download from my machine showed I was having a difficult time at 17.
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Mirage Quattro Mask.jpg, 12 KB
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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O/T: Claude, post your mask in the swap and trade group. Good luck on selling it. Or try cpapauction if it's not a ResMed.
Claude said:
I too, thought I would never get used to the CPAP, but here I am 7 years later, and now can't sleep without it. I am a stubborn person, and kept on trying until I found the right mask and pillow to get a good nights sleep.
I just recently had a brainstorm too: I wonder if the nasal pillows would work for me. So I bought a Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows, and guess what--nope, I can't stand it. I feel claustrophobic with it on, and yet, I love my resmed full face mask which covers just about everything. lol. So if anybody would like to buy a hybrid at a good price, I have one :).
Hang in there, try some different masks, and make those Dr's and DME people help you out. That was my mistake up front, I didn't get good counseling and follow up on things like I should have.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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