09-16-2016, 12:22 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-16-2016, 12:24 PM by bernerbits.)
RE: CPAP nightmare
(09-16-2016, 12:18 PM)BadGoodDeb Wrote: 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 
Well, Ambien was involved, but I think my thought was: "I don't think I can get back to sleep with this thing on. Am I at compliance? Ah, 4.2 hours. Off you go."
I just had a thought. Last week I changed my mask setting from x1 to x2 like it said on the mask, although I don't really know what this does. Maybe this could have done it? See my new thread below.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...eamstation
09-16-2016, 01:02 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-16-2016, 01:03 PM by BadGoodDeb.)
RE: CPAP nightmare
Unwanted analysis: Ahhh, pre-supposing about "can't sleep with the mask on". Negative attitude! Scold, scold. 
If you actually felt suffocated or something, we would bombard you with suggestions. I suppose there may be "attitude" suggestions too, but I can't personally think of good ones.
I just read a note in another thread, saying she used Ambien for a week, and then no longer felt in fear of the mask, so she was okay without the Ambien from then on. Could be worth a try .....
RE: CPAP nightmare
I do feel suffocated. As soon as I start to fall asleep I have a sensation of not breathing and I wake up to take a breath. Hence my not thinking I can get back to sleep without Ambien - I spent 2 long, sleepless nights trying to do it and feeling suffocated each time I started to fall asleep.
RE: CPAP nightmare
While you are still awake, (and breathing, of course), do you get enough air then? If you feel oxygen starved after 20-30 minutes, maybe try a bigger nasal pillow, to let more air flow.
Do you find that, while trying to fall asleep, you are noticing every breath? Those are my clues that I'm too clogged up, and need to use an antihistamine (but that's my specific issue). I find I am noticing every breath. So, even though I *think* I'm breathing ok, I'll take the mask off and see how clogged up I am. I need to be pretty open, for my sleep-shallow breaths to work. When I'm not partially clogged, I don't even notice my breathing; I just notice conscious relaxation steps to fall asleep. That's different.
If you aren't clogged, and you can breathe okay while awake and wearing the mask (after 20 minutes or so, you don't at the end feel starved for oxygen) .... then, other people? Maybe he needs some machine settings changed. Like, less ramp or less exhale relief. Somebody know specifics of his DreamStation type machine?
09-16-2016, 02:20 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-16-2016, 02:31 PM by bernerbits.)
RE: CPAP nightmare
Like I've said before, for the first 4 days I was able to fall asleep with relaxation techniques, a bit of melatonin and an occasional Benadryl. I'd wake up a few times throughout the night but still get about 4-5 hours of sleep on the CPAP. Then something changed on Saturday night and I've been feeling suffocated whenever I start to fall asleep. I do find that I'm breathing consciously while I'm awake, but I don't feel oxygen starved until my unconscious breathing takes over.
I'm allergic to the dog dander in the carpet that the previous owners left behind, and so I get congested. But the humidifier seems to be helping clear my passages, or at least it seems clearer than normal when I breathe.
I'm already using the largest pillows.
I've gone to the psychiatrist to get back on anti-anxiety meds in case this is caused by anxiety. (Ironically this causes some anxiety while my body adjusts to the new medication.)
I'm seeing a sleep therapist in case it's actual insomnia.
I've tried minimum pressures at 7 and 8 with the same effect.
Ramp starts at 5 and is 45 minutes long. I've had the problem with and without ramp. I have not tried reducing the FLEX.
Perhaps a full face mask would help.
RE: CPAP nightmare
Maybe skip the ramp completely. At starting pressures around 7-8, there's really no need. You might be falling asleep when the pressures are still low enough that your inhalations are needing higher pressures and the ramp is still limiting itself to a low pressure.
09-16-2016, 02:35 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-16-2016, 02:44 PM by bernerbits.)
RE: CPAP nightmare
(09-16-2016, 02:28 PM)KSMatthew Wrote: Maybe skip the ramp completely. At starting pressures around 7-8, there's really no need. You might be falling asleep when the pressures are still low enough that your inhalations are needing higher pressures and the ramp is still limiting itself to a low pressure.
As I've said, I've had the problem with and without ramp. If setting back to X2 doesn't work I'll try 9.
RE: CPAP nightmare
I've read other people claiming that this air-hunger feeling is just part of adjusting to the new CPAP and goes away on its own.
RE: CPAP nightmare
(09-16-2016, 02:35 PM)bernerbits Wrote: (09-16-2016, 02:28 PM)KSMatthew Wrote: Maybe skip the ramp completely. At starting pressures around 7-8, there's really no need. You might be falling asleep when the pressures are still low enough that your inhalations are needing higher pressures and the ramp is still limiting itself to a low pressure.
As I've said, I've had the problem with and without ramp. If setting back to X2 doesn't work I'll try 9. I'm out of ideas.
I hope you find the right combination soon.
RE: CPAP nightmare
I'm gonna try X2 and 9 cmH2O this weekend, giving myself 2 hours to fall asleep before I remove it. My neurologist also recommended extended release melatonin. If those don't work I'll give the DME a call to change to a FFM.
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