I'm unconvinced

[Fats Drywaller]

I wasn't particularly bothered before getting on this crazy ride; the only "symptom" was snoring (which was a problem for others, not me). So all I'm experiencing now is the considerable hassle. I don't even know what the benefits are supposed to be.

It sounds to me like you're lucky to have had sleep apnea diagnosed and treated early.  I know that a lot of folks here can testify that they'd had bad symptoms for years before finding out what was going on and getting a CPAP machine.

Here's a wiki article about "Dangers of untreated sleep apnea".  That's just a bare-bones statement of some of the hazards, and there's much more Out There if you search.  For most people, one of the main practical things day to day is that you could easily fall asleep while driving ... not much fun, and best prevented.  There are various news items about that all over the place, because it's an everyday occurrence somewhere or other: undiagnosed sleep apnea, may or may not be aware of a serious problem, but have to drive anyway because have no choice, fall asleep, crash & burn, the end.

The discomforts of using the CPAP machine at first are quite minor in the larger scheme of things, and they go away pretty soon as you get used to breathing through the mask.  Of course, it could take some tuning of pressures and so on.

I'm tempted to post a poll thread, but on second thought it's kind of a silly idea.  The yes-or-no question would be:  To anyone who has been using CPAP for at least six months [or a year, or whatever] and who had a difficult time getting accustomed to it during the first few weeks:  In retrospect, knowing what you know now, was it really all that bad?  I can almost predict the percentages of Yes and No responses.

[Gideon]

Welcome to the forum, We can and will help you, that is if you let us.  

We work best with data, otherwise, while we know generalities, it is mostly guesswork, alright educated guesswork.  The data we prefer to use is that from SleepyHead nightly charts which can go down to a breath by breath view if needed.  Your Autoset is one of the best Auto CPAPs.  So please download Sleepyhead, organize your charts and attach them here.  The organization is very important because guess what, not all charts are as important as others.

One other piece of data we like to see are your Sleep Study(s), so please post them, sanitized of personal data of course.  Your original Sleep Study will tell us what was going on, what type of Apneas and how much of them you have before CPAP and give us confidence that the AutoSet is the correct machine for you.  You have the right to your medical record and you should have a physical copy of your Sleep Studies in your medical files, a full copy not just the summary. The Prescription from your doctor is another document you should have.

[Lynnbreathing]

<One other piece of data we like to see are your Sleep Study(s), so please post them, sanitized of personal data of course.  Your original Sleep Study will tell us what was going on, what type of Apneas and how much of them you have before CPAP and give us confidence that the AutoSet is the correct machine for you.>

The "sleep study" was conducted at home, and I only had that contraption on for a couple of hours beforeb removing while asleep. I didn't meey with a doctor before or after the study. I guess those factors contribute to my skepticism about the apnea diagnosis and treatment. I hope you can read the attached—now that I look at the numbers I see that they don't look too terrific. Ah, denial!

I won't be able to get to the software end of things until early next week. In the meantime, it sounds like I should adjust the pressure to a tighter range than the 8-20. When I've checked it in the night the numbers seem to range from 8-11. I have not been bothered by (don't sctually notice) the air pressure. I do notice the sound of the air, but I think it's the venting that I hear.

Again, thank you all for your patient assistance. This is a difficult ride, and I appreciate the company.

[terriergal]

Later in '17, I talked with the nurse in office at the pulmonary doc's office to discuss why BPAP was not for me and why ASV was. Another sleep study and another machine, called the ASV, was then in the works.

I'm pretty new to this also - so forgive my ignorance but what is ASV?

[terriergal]

..But once you get past that adjustment it becomes very natural to go to sleep with the machine. In fact you'll get to the point where you won't want to sleep without it.

I am frustrated with my machine but I'm already feeling like not wanting to sleep WITHOUT it, and also not wanting to sleep WITH it.    

It is discouraging to have that conflict in your mind before you turn in at night.  A love hate relationship with this stupid thing. Why is it so complicated to do something that is supposed to be natural?? I hate being dependent on a machine for this.  And yet until there's a better solution the idea of sleeping without it isn't really appealing anymore to me either.

[terriergal]

<One other piece of data we like to see are your Sleep Study(s), so please post them, sanitized of personal data of course.  Your original Sleep Study will tell us what was going on, what type of Apneas and how much of them you have before CPAP and give us confidence that the AutoSet is the correct machine for you.>

The "sleep study" was conducted at home, and I only had that contraption on for a couple of hours beforeb removing while asleep. I didn't meey with a doctor before or after the study. I guess those factors contribute to my skepticism about the apnea diagnosis and treatment. I hope you can read the attached—now that I look at the numbers I see that they don't look too terrific. Ah, denial!

I won't be able to get to the software end of things until early next week. In the meantime, it sounds like I should adjust the pressure to a tighter range than the 8-20. When I've checked it in the night the numbers seem to range from 8-11. I have not been bothered by (don't sctually notice) the air pressure. I do notice the sound of the air, but I think it's the venting that I hear.

Again, thank you all for your patient assistance. This is a difficult ride, and I appreciate the company.

 
It does seem like your doctors are allowing you to kinda fend for yourself, which to me is not cool. But you can try asking them to suggest a sleep specialist because this isn't working for you, they would certainly be more helpful.  Otherwise call your insurance and ask them what the procedure is for getting into a sleep specialist.  You might just be able to call one up and make an appointment, no referral or precertification necessary.

I was told by a friend of mine to find a lung and sleep doctor and she had a great experience with hers - it took ten years to sort out all her issues.  Incidentally she sleeps on her back with her machine, something I very much need to be able to do, and something my GP and two ENT's now have blown me off and tell me is normal NOT to be able to do.  Except I also can't sleep on my side and have the CPAP help me exhale, which is the position where the CPAP is typically supposed to work.

Also, after being on this for several weeks this summer when i started, i tried to sleep without it, only to wake up with the inside of my nasal cavity and adenoids aching from the snoring. I'm starting to realize just how much my own snoring affects my ability to sleep comfortably.

[Gideon]

Later in '17, I talked with the nurse in office at the pulmonary doc's office to discuss why BPAP was not for me and why ASV was. Another sleep study and another machine, called the ASV, was then in the works.

I'm pretty new to this also - so forgive my ignorance but what is ASV?

ASV refers to an advanced and expensive type of CPAP machines which is used to treat central apneas, 

ASV / ADAPTIVE SERVO-VENTILATOR

A bilevel device for central breathing disorders such as Cheyne-Stokes respiration, central sleep apnea, or obstructive events.

[terriergal]

thanks for the definition!

[ardenum]

I've been trying to use the CPAP for just under 2 weeks now, and I am not at all convinced that it's worth the effort. I believe I have a good (auto) machine. So far, I've been using it for 2-5 hours a night, but have been removing the mask during the night so I can get some rest. The mask is tolerable, but my awareness of the machine, the straps, the seal, and my sleeping position are interfering with my getting a decent night's sleep. I feel so much *less* well-rested than I did before I started this routine! 

Is it typical to feel so much worse with this thing?? I feel like I'm just going to stick with it for a month to satisfy my insurance company and then put it away forever. I used to look forward to sleeping at night, and I hope to enjoy sleeping again some day. This is torture!

Wait till you get a stroke, then you'll be convinced, that's if your still lucid.

[Lolagirl]

I’m struggling and have been using mine for about 2 weeks. I told myself that it would require time and a lot of patience. It has been not pleasant. Mostly because I’m a lifelong stomach sleeper and I find the whole set up uncomfortable. Emotionally it’s a difficult thing to accept. Add feeling exhausted because you can’t sleep with this thing and it’s a triple whammy.  I’m going to persevere to see if it will help and for my health.