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Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - Printable Version

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Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - Harlon - 06-15-2018

Howdy. I haven't posted in a while. I have been using CPA for about 5 years or so. For the last few years I've been using a Dreamstation (auto) with Airfit F20 mast the last year or so. I'm a die-hard user. Every night. I have my settings down pretty well. But it seems the longer I use it, the harder it becomes. I've gotten to where I dread going to sleep. I take Sonata to help me sleep, and literally fight it until I can't keep my eyes open anymore. Then I finally turn the mask on and go to sleep. I wake up 4 or 5 times every night for various reasons. Sometimes because of mask leakage blowing on my eye or something (I roll around a lot). Or the air from the mask will blow on my arm, or something stupid like that. More times than not it's because I'll get a little itch on my nose or cheek (yes I use the humidifier). And while I know I'm getting good treatment, I still wake exhausted and take Modafinil to help me wake up and get to work. The snoring used to bother my wife, but honestly the CPAP bothers her almost as much. So now i usually sleep in another room. I don't know what to do at this point. I can't stop using it. I can't rest with it. I've looked online for other alternatives but no one has any firm advice one way or the other. I do need to make another apt with my doctor, but she'll advise I stick with it or try a new mask. (FYI - I've tried a dozen masks of all types. In fact, this F20 is my favorite so far). So what else is there at this point? Is the Inspire therapy worth looking into? SnoreRX type devices? I have moderate apnea, by the way (23). 

Thanks. Sorry to rant and whine. I'm just frustrated and hoping for some advice. I'm sure many here have similar stories.

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - ardenum - 06-16-2018

Try going the Inspire2 route. Also from what you're describing, you're far from good treatment. Theres more to sleep then just AHI.

Taking Modafinil and not getting good sleep is a vicious cycle. Do you really need it?

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - Coffee Man - 06-16-2018

OP, do you have any Sleepyhead graphs? If you’re exhausted despite using your PAP, then maybe settings need to be changed. Why don’t you upload some Sleepyhead data?

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - SarcasticDave94 - 06-16-2018

I'll ditto Coffee Man, let's see the data via Sleepyhead. Setting gurus will enter stage right and suggest pressure edits to try and get this therapy optimized to YOU. I can't see therapy becoming worse doing this. IMO it's worth a shot to make it better. It may not be enough though in your case, as we each are different in our therapy needs.

Any other medical reasons that that you'd have could contribute to your negative results with your CPAP therapy BTW.

As for other pathways for conquering your issues, I cannot comment, as I just am not familiar enough with those techniques or results to offer anything useful.

Best wishes to gain some victory over this situation. And keep us posted on how it's going. Coffee

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - tedvpap - 06-16-2018

Lets see some charts.
Have you tried a nasal pillow mask? I have been successful for 8 years.

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - Harlon - 06-16-2018

Here's my screen from last night. I see a spike in pressure just before I got up. Interesting because at that point it had already woken me and I was tossing and turning trying to go back to sleep, until I finally just turned it off and got up. As for the Modafinil, yes it is a must for me these days. I also am a shift worker (5-5 am or pm). Although I used to not need it, my doctor told me to try it a year or so ago and it's made a huge difference in my daily performance. I can skip it, but when i do I am noticeable sluggish throughout the day. 

Any settings suggestions based on the graph? 

Thank y'all, by the way! I refuse to just give up treatment. Dealing with the CPAP sucks, but I'm well aware of how it turns out by NOT using it. So I'm open to changing settings, if needed. I am still going to look into alternative treatments. But in the meantime I will not be turning my CPAP off.

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - Harlon - 06-16-2018

(06-16-2018, 08:31 AM)tedvpap Wrote: Lets see some charts.
Have you tried a nasal pillow mask?  I have been successful for 8 years.

I did (twice, actually) and I just couldn't keep from opening my mouth during sleep. My wife said it sounded like a 747 laying next to her. Lol.

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - JesseLee - 06-16-2018

Have you tried a higher pressure before?

If you want to go to min 8 for a few days and see how you feel after a couple of days, it won't hurt you. Your 95% and your max pressure and max setting are at 12. So, according to your statistics, you are at your max setting 95% of the time. If you don't have a history of central apnea at higher pressure, and you can tolerate higher pressure without leaks, bump max pressure to 13 for a few days. If you decide to bump pressure, id like to see another chart of the first night while using higher pressure to be assured that central apnea is not pressure induced.

Best wishes Smile

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - tedvpap - 06-16-2018

(06-16-2018, 10:41 AM)Harlon Wrote:
(06-16-2018, 08:31 AM)tedvpap Wrote: Lets see some charts.
Have you tried a nasal pillow mask?  I have been successful for 8 years.

I did (twice, actually) and I just couldn't keep from opening my mouth during sleep. My wife said it sounded like a 747 laying next to her. Lol.
That is why I use the Ultimate Chin Strap. I love using pillow masks.

Regarding your treatment, I suggest increasing your minimum pressure.  Keeping the pressure closer to where the need is seems to help most people.

RE: Ok, growing so tired of CPAP! Advice?? - Walla Walla - 06-16-2018

You might want to reduce your maximum pressure to 10cm and see if that helps you stay asleep. It looks like you have flow limitations that are causing pressures to run away. A sudden increase in pressure like that will wake up most anyone.