CPAP nightmare

[bernerbits]

I've gone up to large nasal pillows from medium. I get better airflow but it doesn't stop me from forgetting to breathe as I fall asleep. I also get leakage issues with the large.

Last night I gave it 2 hours and had to take it off. I'm going to increase an hour each week until I am falling asleep with it on. I reviewed my data and the problem started when my pressure went up to 8. I'm dialing it down to 7 and sending my doctor a note as well so the resp tech doesn't get angry.

[bernerbits]

Well the half pill of Ambien kind of helped. I got an hour of sleep on the CPAP, and 4 hours off. Small victories. Need to take a couple days off the Ambien then I'll try a full pill. Making things worse right now is the Zoloft that I just got back on, which increases my anxiety during the adjustment period.

[holden4th]

To go back to the soft cervical collar. They are indeed the ones your doctor gets you to wear when you have a bit of a neck problem and they are cheap.

As well as helping you to keep your mouth closed while you sleep they also do something no chinstrap can do which is to stop your chin drooping towards your chest (and further closing your airway).

[bernerbits]

I tried the cervical collar last night but couldn't fall asleep with it on. Had no problem falling asleep after I took it off... I'll keep trying.

[bernerbits]

A whole Ambien pill got me to sleep fast, but I woke up at 12:45 and had to take the mask off, then slept until 3:30-4ish. At least I got my compliance in last night.

[Sleepster]

A whole Ambien pill got me to sleep fast, but I woke up at 12:45 and had to take the mask off, then slept until 3:30-4ish. At least I got my compliance in last night.

Ambien works like that for me, too.

Why did you have to take the mask off? There are other choices.

[KSMatthew]

I haven't followed the whole thread: You've been working with nasal pillows. Have you tried a different type of mask? I've been using pillows for a while now, and in certain conditions I think they can shift and pinch closed or become constricted and make you feel air-starved. Maybe a different mask? Full face?

[bernerbits]

Why did you have to take the mask off? There are other choices.

To get some sleep. I'm still getting used to the thing and I've decided to take it off if I'm feeling any anxiety rather than try to stick it out. With the goal of increasing the amount of time sleeping with it as I become more and more comfortable.

I have some anxiety that's preventing me from getting through the night on the CPAP, as well as breathing issues right when I start to fall asleep which are keeping me up without a sleep aid. I'm told that these are normal (sleep onset centrals) and go away with time. I'm getting back on Zoloft to control my anxiety, but the first couple weeks actually INCREASE anxiety, so I'm trying not to make it worse by forcing myself to sleep with it on.

[bernerbits]

I haven't followed the whole thread: You've been working with nasal pillows. Have you tried a different type of mask? I've been using pillows for a while now, and in certain conditions I think they can shift and pinch closed or become constricted and make you feel air-starved. Maybe a different mask? Full face?

I'm concerned that a full face mask will be even harder to fall asleep on. I'm going to wait until I feel the Zoloft has acclimated in my system (it increases my anxiety at first) before making further changes.

[BadGoodDeb]

I haven't followed the whole thread: You've been working with nasal pillows. Have you tried a different type of mask? I've been using pillows for a while now, and in certain conditions I think they can shift and pinch closed or become constricted and make you feel air-starved. Maybe a different mask? Full face?

If they shift or pinch, just wake up and re-adjust them. Make sure you are using the biggest size that you can (to get more air through).

What were your actual reasons for taking it off last night? What were you feeling? Analyze, please, so we can give you more unwanted suggestions

(PS You must go to bed earlier than I do, if 12:45 got you your compliance! 12:45 would be only 15 minutes sleep, for me! )