New to CPAP. Immediate breathing issues, pausing after exhale
Hi, I'm new to using a CPAP machine. I've known I've had some form of sleep apean (obstructive or perhaps mixed) for a number of years, but I finally got in for a sleep study, and it was confirmed that I do indeed have sleep apnea. I was told its not severe but (at least for that night) it was enough to warrant a prescription for a CPAP.
I've had the machine (Resmed Airsense 10) for just over 1 week, and it has been pretty miserable to try to get used to. I was already sleep-deprived, but this week has been hell. There are a number of issues, but I think the worst issue is that almost every time I start to doze off to sleep, I half-consciously notice that I pause breathing after exhale, and my brain jolts me awake to inhale. This makes it pretty impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep. During the course of the night, this happens over and over, and the auto-feature on my CPAP (I'm set to auto between 5 and 20 to start out) start cranking up the pressure to 11 or 12. By the time I reach that point, I've been awakened over and over many times and now the pressure is so high that I can't fall back to sleep. I shut the machine off, turn it back on, and the whole cycle repeats. Most nights, I hang it up after a few hours and try again in an hour or two. Its pretty bad. I feel like I'm starting to get sick and have a hard time focuing my vision. I have talked to my doctor a few times, and nothing he's suggested has helped. He's now on vacation for the week, and I'm ready to throw this thing out the window.
Anyone else have this issue? Did it resolve? How? Does this sound like central sleep apnea or what I've read is called "Treatment Emergent Central Sleep Apnea"? I am otherwise relatively healthy (sleep-deprived but healthy).
Thanks, everyone. I was really gung ho about diving into using the CPAP, because I am desperate to feel better, but every night is still a total battle.
I've had the machine (Resmed Airsense 10) for just over 1 week, and it has been pretty miserable to try to get used to. I was already sleep-deprived, but this week has been hell. There are a number of issues, but I think the worst issue is that almost every time I start to doze off to sleep, I half-consciously notice that I pause breathing after exhale, and my brain jolts me awake to inhale. This makes it pretty impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep. During the course of the night, this happens over and over, and the auto-feature on my CPAP (I'm set to auto between 5 and 20 to start out) start cranking up the pressure to 11 or 12. By the time I reach that point, I've been awakened over and over many times and now the pressure is so high that I can't fall back to sleep. I shut the machine off, turn it back on, and the whole cycle repeats. Most nights, I hang it up after a few hours and try again in an hour or two. Its pretty bad. I feel like I'm starting to get sick and have a hard time focuing my vision. I have talked to my doctor a few times, and nothing he's suggested has helped. He's now on vacation for the week, and I'm ready to throw this thing out the window.
Anyone else have this issue? Did it resolve? How? Does this sound like central sleep apnea or what I've read is called "Treatment Emergent Central Sleep Apnea"? I am otherwise relatively healthy (sleep-deprived but healthy).
Thanks, everyone. I was really gung ho about diving into using the CPAP, because I am desperate to feel better, but every night is still a total battle.
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