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[CPAP] Cannot sleep
#1
Sad 
Cannot sleep
Hi again,

I wanted to let you know that some of you who replied to my previous two posts about my struggles with CPAP, especially how hyper-sensitive I am with my mask. Your replies are very helpful to me.

Update: I was able to sleep at least 90 minutes with my mask on, and I have been trying to relax. Somehow, my mind kept fighting from getting into deep sleep. Whenever I feel I was 'drifting' to sleep, I kept fighting to sleep lightly. This is driving me nuts.

I am going to call my doctor to ask for different kinds of masks. The whole experience is making me so frustrated and upset. Perturbed

Is this normal? I am so worried about my health. I will look into different types of sleep aids.

Thanks.lots-o-coffee

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#2
RE: Cannot sleep
Are you physically tired when you go to bed at night? What do you do right before getting in bed? Did you follow Paula's suggestions (from your previous thread)? Can you find something else to concentrate on instead of the mask? I go to sleep listening to classical music, set to turn off after 25 minutes.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. 
ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.
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#3
RE: Cannot sleep
(09-30-2013, 04:19 AM)abcohende Wrote: Hi again,

I wanted to let you know that some of you who replied to my previous two posts about my struggles with CPAP, especially how hyper-sensitive I am with my mask. Your replies are very helpful to me.

Update: I was able to sleep at least 90 minutes with my mask on, and I have been trying to relax. Somehow, my mind kept fighting from getting into deep sleep. Whenever I feel I was 'drifting' to sleep, I kept fighting to sleep lightly. This is driving me nuts.

I am going to call my doctor to ask for different kinds of masks. The whole experience is making me so frustrated and upset. Perturbed

Is this normal? I am so worried about my health. I will look into different types of sleep aids.

Thanks.lots-o-coffee

Sorry you are having so much trouble. I don't know where you live but, if you are in the US, you can get a natural sleep aid called somnapure over the counter. Hope this helps and things get better for you soon. If you are fighting sleep, I am not sure the mask is the problem. Hopefully your DME can help you.
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#4
RE: Cannot sleep
I haven't seen your other posts, so am sorry if I am posting duplicate info...

I firmly believe that (A) our minds believe everything we think to be the truth; and (B) we can brain-wash (for lack of a better word) ourselves whenever we wish to do so.

Meaning that I did the following when I first got my CPAP.
I did not put it on til I had been in bed relaxing for at least 10 minutes.
I never put the mask on until I was ready to close my eyes and sleep.
Due to having a severely blocked nose, I had my ramp turned *off*, so I was at full pressure right off the bat (some folks like having a ramp, not me).
I then focused on *not* mouth breathing, telling myself I would die, breathe poison air, drown, etc if I failed to breathe *only* through my mask.
I kept telling myself that I needed this, that it was good for me, that I would sleep well when using it, that I must always sleep with my "dream machine" or I would die...

It honestly took me bout two weeks to become used to my mask.

I would not take it off, no matter what~! The longer you are willing to go to sleep with it off, the longer it will take you to get used to it.

And yes, finding a mask that is right for you can be very rough~! Personally, I could never, ever use anything but a 'nasal mask' or a full-face mask (when sick).

During this time, I would politely suggest not taking any naps, purposely shortening your sleeping time by an hour or two, and look to create a few "going to sleep now" patterns - creating these will help teach your mind that it's bed-time, sleep-time, etc...

Samples of patterns could be:
Brushing hair for 5-10 minutes
Reading a book for 30 minutes
Listening to a certain type of music only at bedtime
Or, be like me - Walk around the house, make sure everything is turned off, all the doors and windows are locked, dogs have just been let out and back in, fresh water in the dogs' water bowl, brush my teeth, take my night-time meds, add water to my water chamber for my BI-PAP, lay in bed petting my dogs for 10-15 minutes - then if sleepy, lights out, BI-PAP on. If not sleepy, turn on my reading light, sit up in bed, and read for 30-90 minutes, then lights out, mask on.

I am rather an OCD type of guy. I *like* patterns, and they help me feel more comfortable to create and follow them.

A few points that I've either read or heard?
The bed and bedroom is for sleeping - do not do other stuff in there but sleeping.
Wearing certain sleeping garments can help - they are only to be worn when going to sleep.
*I* am not a DOCTOR or any type of Health Care Professional.  My thoughts/suggestions/ideas are strictly only my opinions.

"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your Soul, the other for your Freedom."
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#5
update
Hi CPAP'ers...

Thanks For all of your advice. First of all, I am Deaf and I cannot hear music or use any music to help me sleep. But that's okay. Been born that way.

I went to see my CPAP specialist/DME specialist, and complained about ResMed Swift FX Nano, and it was very frustrating for me to put it on, and try to sleep, it just slips, moves, and it didn't hold well.

My specialist suggested a full face mask, and I gave it a try while lying down big comfy recliner and it feels like having a hurricane blowing in my face. Nah.

Then she suggested to try Phillips Wisp. Wow. Same as Swift Nano, but much better. It has better design and has a good 'harness' It seems to hold well. I am going to give this a try tonight because I took this with me.

Also I asked for chin strap, and I brought it home. Tried it on for few minutes, and my face becomes so hot! Do you have any better suggestions for chin strap?

I hope my relationship with Phillips Wisp is a good one.

Thanks!
Sleep-on-pillow
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#6
RE: update
Hi abcohende,
I hope you do well with the new mask. I'm not sure what to tell you about chinstraps but hang in there for suggestions.
Sleep well.!
trish6hundred
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#7
RE: update
I've tried three different chin straps. The first was too small, so I ordered the next size up which was too large. The third I got from the DME and it didn't work at all.

I decided to try a Tap Pap mask and the chinstrap that goes with it. The reviews for the strap aren't particularly good, but I guess it could work. I'll see what happens when it gets here.

Anyway, with all the stuff I'm collecting for my new "hobby" I could open an apnea museum in a few years to display all of it.
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#8
RE: update
(09-30-2013, 08:02 PM)mdh235 Wrote: I've tried three different chin straps. The first was too small, so I ordered the next size up which was too large. The third I got from the DME and it didn't work at all.

I decided to try a Tap Pap mask and the chinstrap that goes with it. The reviews for the strap aren't particularly good, but I guess it could work. I'll see what happens when it gets here.

Anyway, with all the stuff I'm collecting for my new "hobby" I could open an apnea museum in a few years to display all of it.
Hi mdh235,
I know what you mean about chinstraps. I tried several of them and they either wouldn't stay on my head, or they would slip down and get near my eyes and I felt like i was in a headlock by the damned thing and I usually don't panic, but this started to cause me to do just that, so I have just been trying to train myself to do without them. I'm fairly successful at it. Of course this may not happen to the OP, (Original Poster.)
I hope the chinstrap with your new mask works better than the other ones.
I know what you mean about opening an apne museum, I have several machines, one of which was my mom's and the rest are mine so I could do that really well, too.
trish6hundred
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#9
RE: Cannot sleep
Hi Peter_C,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Thank you for your very helpful and informative post above.
trish6hundred
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#10
RE: Cannot sleep
abcohende, I merged two of your threads together as it seems they were discussing the same thing. This enables folks to keep track of your progress.

PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




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