I lasted about an hour and a half -- but pushing the ramp button every 20 minutes. How can I get used to the pressure?

My machine is the RemStar Pro M with heated humidifier, and my mask is the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows. Machine is set at 8 (with ramp starting at 4). Humidifier is set at 2.

I felt like I was able to fall asleep just fine, but every single time it gets to 8 I wake up, startled, from the pressure. I just couldn't take it anymore and took it off last night because I had to work today.

I'm so tired, and so frustrated. I've been tired for years and was so excited to finally figure out it's OSA (but a mild case, 10.3 events/hour). When I did the CPAP study, it was literally the WORST night sleep I've had in years. Every so often (maybe when I'm having an event?) the pressure just jarrs me awake. Oh, and I'm 29, F, 5'5", 145lbs, and I take Allegra-D for my allergies.

The mask itself, surprisingly, is not uncomfortable -- it's better than the one I used in the study because it's got smaller nostril holes, so I was really pleased by that. And the noise doesn't bother me one bit. My husband fell asleep by the time I took the mask off, so it doesn't bother him, either! :P

Tips on what I can do to make this better? Perhaps breathing techniques I can incorporate during the day? I know I don't breathe that deeply normally where my lungs completely fill up. Or, is there something with the machine/mask I should fiddle with? Or just give it time? (please don't say that's it!)

Thank you in advance!!!

Oh, I didn't really mean not to tell me to just give it time!  

I just meant that I hate the whole "sit and wait" thing and I just want to work at acheiving my goal of a good night's sleep!  

I really am near tears, I am so tired and frustrated -- but I know that it's not a miracle that happens instantly. I know that. Yet I'm still upset that I couldn't use it all night!!!

Thanks for any encouragement and tips!

You might want to wear your mask and start the machine while you're watching tv.  Let it ramp up and just try to breath with the machine.  Try not to panic and just breath.  Do you have c-flex enabled?  If not, set it on 3.  That should relieve the exhalation pressure and make it more bearable.


_________________
REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

i am still getting used to it and it is two weeks in. I was so tired at first. gradually i noticed that things got easier. just keep checking back were with questions. I set the ramp at first and read for a little, about 30 minutes so when i go to sleep it is already at full power. Eventually I needed a chin strap casue my mouth popped open. And sadly, yes, part of it is time. Just keep doing it. I took it off last night for a while. the first week I could only go 4 hours. that is not uncommon.

I do have the exhale thing set at one, the home care woman said to start low and then turn it up if I need to.

And I have the chin strap (my mouth just naturally hangs open but I'm not a mouth breather), but she said to try it without it at first.

When I wake up, my mouth is closed and filled with air, like the blast of air when it gets up to 8 just can't make it all out my nose and it fills my mouth. So my cheeks and lips are all puffed out and I wake up, open my mouth to push it all out, and then I'm all befuddled and suddenly awake.

Anyone else have this happen?!

Yeah, it happens to me occasionally.  It's lip flutter.  You can try a denture adhesive to help keep your lips sealed or you may have to resort to a full face mask or hybrid-type mask.


_________________
REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

You might want to try using it without the ramp.  For many people the ramp is more of a bother, especially with only 8 cmh2o.  Also, the ramp probably starts at 4 cmh2o which can cause a claustrophobic or suffocating feeling.  CPAP is something that takes time to get used to.

OK, I'll try without the ramp -- but the ramp makes it easy to fall asleep! Think maybe I'll try watching TV or playing online with the CPAP on before I go to sleep, to get more used to the pressure.

Thanks much for the tips!! Cross your fingers for me that tonight shows a bit of improvement! :)

I've experienced that "lip-flapping" too.  I actually have been trying to post a new thread similar to this, but for some reason the board won't let me.  Anyone know why?

I think the board was real slow to respond at times this morning.  Try posting again.  If you can reply to a post, I'm sure you can start a new one.


_________________
REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

I had a LOVE/HATE relationship with my machine for about 3 months. Then it became my best friend. I feel normal again. I was on a pressure of 15 at beginning and I could NEVER use ramp. It made me feel like I was suffocating.

And remember...baby steps. Anytime that you can use your CPAP is better than no time at all!!!


_________________
EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


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So, I turned the Cflex up to 3, and by the time the ramp went fully to 8 last night, I was still awake but not bothered by the pressure. I had in on for 2 hours last night, but didn't sleep.

Problem is, the air is still filling my mouth -- because of my bite, my lips stay together but my teeth do not. I notice when I keep my tongue on the roof of my mouth it blocks the air from coming in, but the second I fall asleep my tongue relaxes and I get a big whoosh of air in my mouth (but my lips are still closed).

I guess tonight I'll be trying the chin strap -- I hope it works better than it did in the sleep study.

I sure hope so, because I'm crabbier than all hell today!

You may have to resort to a full face if you can't prevent it.  I'm losing weight and the same thing keeps happening to me, but I have a higher pressure and it's showing up as leaks in my software to a significant degree.  I'm going to try a full face I picked up as a spare and see what happens.


_________________
REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

Congratulations and keep it up. I have an on again/off again relationship with my CPAP. I just started re-using mine last week and found that it gets easier with time. Something that I do (and that you should probably clear with your doctor first) is I take a tylenol PM or benadryl to help me get to sleep quick. Once I get comfortable with the mask, it's not too bad to fall asleep. I only had to take a pill one night and now I'm sleeping alright with it.

Hi, everyone!  I have similar problems.  My mask leaks - at least the guy at the bipap titration stated.  I had gone through the sleep study, then the cpap titration, which I failed, and when I was in the hospital the 5th time in as many months for pneumonia, my doc decided to try a bipap while there.  He sent me home with script for a bipap machine using guestimated numbers.  I got the machine, and when I went in for the bipap titration, I used my own mask.  I think my problem is two-fold.  One, I have a 'chimpmunk face' due to steroids.  I also have 3 ltr/min bleed in oxygen at night, and no dentures at night.  Not sure if this would make a fit difficult or not.  (I have major lung problems - possible COPD, probably idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a CT scan tomorrow will break the tie, although the pulmonary function tests showed a major restrictive disorder, instead of obstructive.  My guess is that that's been going on for the last few years.  My numbers on the PFT dropped percipitiously (by 1/2) and that's another reason for the IPF dx - unfortunately, the prognosis on that isn't good - they talked to me about a lung transplant already.