So, I got my machine and mask (Remstar Plus and a Mirage Micro) yesterday and finally had my first night at home with CPAP.

I feel...  odd.  It took some time to get to sleep, partially because it was a bit difficult to get comfortable at first, and partially because I have a cold, which caused me to need to take off my mask occasionally to blow my nose or cough.  Coughing with the mask on is a really strange sensation, lol.

But in the end, I kicked the humidity up to 3, concentrated on breathing slowly and I was out like a light.  Woke up four or give hours later but still felt tired so I popped the mask back on and to sleep I went for another two.

It was a strange night, I dreamed (which I haven't done in a long time) and now that I'm awake I feel strange.  I'm sort of tingly all over and a bit drowsy, though I expect it's because I only slept six or seven hours in all.  I'm also extremely hungry.  I don't have the normal fog, but I'm not feeling quite awake yet.  Regardless, I'm feeling really positive about the experience and I'm looking forward to tonight!  (I haven't been excited about sleeping since... ever?)

Gonna hit up some oatmeal and coffee and time to start my day :D

(Oh, and of course, thanks for all the insight and help folks!)

Gonzodamus wrote:

So, I got my machine and mask (Remstar Plus and a Mirage Micro) yesterday and finally had my first night at home with CPAP.

I feel...  odd.  It took some time to get to sleep, partially because it was a bit difficult to get comfortable at first, and partially because I have a cold, which caused me to need to take off my mask occasionally to blow my nose or cough.  Coughing with the mask on is a really strange sensation, lol.

But in the end, I kicked the humidity up to 3, concentrated on breathing slowly and I was out like a light.  Woke up four or give hours later but still felt tired so I popped the mask back on and to sleep I went for another two.

It was a strange night, I dreamed (which I haven't done in a long time) and now that I'm awake I feel strange.  I'm sort of tingly all over and a bit drowsy, though I expect it's because I only slept six or seven hours in all.  I'm also extremely hungry.  I don't have the normal fog, but I'm not feeling quite awake yet.  Regardless, I'm feeling really positive about the experience and I'm looking forward to tonight!  (I haven't been excited about sleeping since... ever?)

Gonna hit up some oatmeal and coffee and time to start my day :D

(Oh, and of course, thanks for all the insight and help folks!)

Sounds like you are on the right track !  The first time I slept for six hours at one time without waking up I was hooked.  Now I can enjoy a full nights sleep on most nights.   Congratulations !



Last edited by Something new on Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:54 am; edited 1 time in total
_________________
REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska

You are on track so stay with it.

REMEMBER..Your brain does not know what to think about this strange contraption you have now strapped to it's brain holder so it will try to fight you for a few nights. It is kinda like somehow getting a walking harness on a three month old puppy and saying, let's go for a nice dignified walk".  Not Gonna Happen.

But if you stay at it somehow it all falls into place.


_________________
REMstar Auto M series with A-Flex and humidifier. Plus an O2 concentrator

America wrote:

But if you stay at it somehow it all falls into place.

I am still in the very early stages of CPAP, but I am getting the occasional full night (although still some events, including snoring), but it is getting better. I will talk to my doc next week about the continuing events. The point of this post is that xPAP has to become a habit, and habits take a while to become habits. I have heard that some are developed in a short time, like a month, whereas others take longer. Also, if you think negatively about the habit (eg, giving up smoking because someone else ordered to you) will make it seem like it is taking forever. I hope it doesn't take forever, but something in my subconscious mind must still be telling me to wake up, or take the bleep mask off, or whatever.

We have to keep going with this thing, so I wish you good luck and lots of persistence!


_________________
SleepyToo
Philadelphia Area
Newly diagnosed, Respironics M Series Pro w\ humidifier
Zest nasal mask, also have Full Life ff mask, and FlexiFit 407
(Also have a FlexiFit 405 that damaged the bridge of my nose)

Gonzodamus wrote:

So, I got my machine and mask (Remstar Plus and a Mirage Micro) yesterday and finally had my first night at home with CPAP.

I feel...  odd.  It took some time to get to sleep, partially because it was a bit difficult to get comfortable at first, and partially because I have a cold, which caused me to need to take off my mask occasionally to blow my nose or cough.  Coughing with the mask on is a really strange sensation, lol.

But in the end, I kicked the humidity up to 3, concentrated on breathing slowly and I was out like a light.  Woke up four or give hours later but still felt tired so I popped the mask back on and to sleep I went for another two.

It was a strange night, I dreamed (which I haven't done in a long time) and now that I'm awake I feel strange.  I'm sort of tingly all over and a bit drowsy, though I expect it's because I only slept six or seven hours in all.  I'm also extremely hungry.  I don't have the normal fog, but I'm not feeling quite awake yet.  Regardless, I'm feeling really positive about the experience and I'm looking forward to tonight!  (I haven't been excited about sleeping since... ever?)

Gonna hit up some oatmeal and coffee and time to start my day :D

(Oh, and of course, thanks for all the insight and help folks!)

I have been through 5 nights so far.  I  started dreamning also on my first night and my morinng fog is gone also.  that amazes me.  However I can only seem to sleep 3-4 hours at a stretch.  But what I am doing is getting three hours, sit up for 10-30 min with the maks off giving the face a rest and putting the mask back on for the rest of the night.  I am doing my best to ONLY sleep with the CPAP on.

I am hoping that I will get used to it soon and the sleep be uninterrupted.  But I have to say even like it is I feel better than I have had in years.

SleepyToo wrote:

America wrote:

But if you stay at it somehow it all falls into place.

I am still in the very early stages of CPAP, but I am getting the occasional full night (although still some events, including snoring), but it is getting better. I will talk to my doc next week about the continuing events. The point of this post is that xPAP has to become a habit, and habits take a while to become habits. I have heard that some are developed in a short time, like a month, whereas others take longer. Also, if you think negatively about the habit (eg, giving up smoking because someone else ordered to you) will make it seem like it is taking forever. I hope it doesn't take forever, but something in my subconscious mind must still be telling me to wake up, or take the bleep mask off, or whatever.

We have to keep going with this thing, so I wish you good luck and lots of persistence!

This is so true.  It will be a year in December that I started C-pap and as easy as it has become to use it, I still have some nights I tell myself I have to do this.  Esp on the night I am extremely tired, as I don't want to take the time to put on my mask.  I just want to roll over and go to sleep.  Doing so I would only wake myself up with the snoring anyway !  


_________________
REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska

Curses!  I woke up this morning feeling good, but I was woken a little early because we had a guy coming over to measure the windows and I needed to be, well, not sleeping in the room while he was doing so.  Understandable.  I got to work (I work from home, huzzah) and had a very productive couple of hours before I took a break.  Laid down in front of the TV and bam, asleep.  Ended up taking a 3 hour non CPAPed nap and it left me feeling miserable.  What a shame!  Not as bad as a full night without the mask mind you, but still a downer.

I'm definitely noticing a difference, and getting to sleep last night was easier.  I think that as long as I get into a routine I'll be okay.  I like the way you put it Sleepy, 'it has to become a habit'.  I'll get there I'm sure.

I'm excited for the weekend.  With no actual responsibilities and no plans I'm just going to let myself sleep as long as my body wants to. None of this 5-6 hour garbage :)

I remember the first night I got some really good sleep was actually AT the sleep center for my titration.  The tech had asked me the night before if I had to be up at any certain time and I said no that I would LOVE to sleep in but that never happens, we laughed and he said at my AHI he wasn't surprised, he teased me that he would let me sleep all day if I wanted.  Well they DID, the next day they let me sleep in until about 10:30.  I didn't even know I COULD sleep that long.  I can't imagine my life now with out my beloved bipap!


_________________
~ElleMarie~ One day at a time......are you kidding me?.....sometimes it's just one minute at a time.

Jun 2007 AHI 100.7 started cpap at 9** Oct 2007-11** April 2009 Bipap-15/10
Respironics auto M w/ Optilife nasal pillows

I love weekends :)

Went to bed around 1:00 and just let myself sleep until I needed to wake up.  No alarms or anything.  10 hours later I'm up and I feel really good.  I feel really fortunate that I've been able to get used to the CPAP fairly quickly.  Only took me 20-25 minutes to fall asleep last night, a bit improvement over the first night!

Had a bit of condensation in the tube and mask this morning, but I see a few threads on that, so....   I'll look at those :)

Thanks as always for the info and encouragement guys!

Gonzodamus wrote:

I love weekends :)

Went to bed around 1:00 and just let myself sleep until I needed to wake up.  No alarms or anything.  10 hours later I'm up and I feel really good.  I feel really fortunate that I've been able to get used to the CPAP fairly quickly.  Only took me 20-25 minutes to fall asleep last night, a bit improvement over the first night!

Had a bit of condensation in the tube and mask this morning, but I see a few threads on that, so....   I'll look at those :)

Thanks as always for the info and encouragement guys!

Sounds like you are adjusting just fine.  Amazing isn't it how much of a profound difference  c-pap can make !   Congrats on your success!


_________________
REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska

Started with my full face mask and CPAP a week and a half ago. I find I am awaken with air blowing out the sides of the mask. Go to bed with it secure and no leaks. I end up becoming frustrated, panicky as if a feeling of claustrophobia when this occurs and just take the mask off for the rest of the night. I do not have a clock to see what time it is, thus do not know how much effective treatment I am getting.

Any suggestions?  I am bound and determined to have this work since I have been suffering from chronic fatigue for so long and just recently diagnosed with sleep apnea.  No problems falling asleep at least.

Thanks



Last edited by Ms_ZZZZ on Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

Ms_ZZZZ wrote:

Started with my full face mask and CPAP a week and a half ago. I find I am awaken with air blowing out the sides of the mask. Go to bed with it secure and no leaks. I end up becoming frustrated, panicky as if a feeling of claustrophobia when this occurs and just take the mask off for the rest of the night. I do not have a clock to see what time it is, thus do not know how much effective treatment I am getting.

Any suggestions?  I am bound and determined to have this work since I have been suffering from chronic fatigue for so long and just recently diagnosed with sleep apnea.  No problems falling asleep at least.

Thanks

Ms ZZZZ, I wish there was a perfect fit mask.  But keep working with it.  If you suspect it isn't a good fit ask your DME to take a look at it to see if a larger or smaller mask might be a better fit.  When I first started I had to use an over the counter aid to help me to relax so I could just begin to "trust" this new thing strapped to my head !   Someone suggested I watch tv with it on in the evening just to get used to it.  That did help, but it all just took time.  
Next time you have an air leak try lifting your mask off of your face and sitting it back down again.  I think I almost do that in my sleep now.  The first time I slept for six hours straight I felt so good and thought to myself, " I think I can do this."    Keep working with it, I promise it is well worth having that well rested feeling again.  Best of luck.


_________________
REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska

For the advice.  So air leaks may occur despite having the mask on tightly? Again, I  check and cross check for leaks before turning off the light.
 Course, like many of you, I feel like an astronaut preparing to lift off!!  
And trust me, I WILL keep on trucking. I must be getting SOME benefit as already feeling a tish more energetic!  

Ms_ZZZZ, you don't say whether you are a side, a back, or a stomach sleeper. I prefer to sleep on my side. However, I set up the mask while lying on my back. Result is, when I turn on my side the mask leaks like crazy, so I try and make sure that I check it by turning on my side. I have found that using a chin strap to hold everything in place does seem to help with leak rates. Of course, having a chin strap over the headgear straps does make it harder to adjust them.

I am also thinking I may need to get a Breeze mask, particularly with my facial hair - I like the fact that there are no straps on the side of the face... For a full face mask, I think I might need a FitLife - WhiteBeard recommends them very highly! I have a FullLife, but again, turning on my side distorts the mask, which makes for more leaks. Tightening the head gear does make for a sore nose, though! The other thing I am finding really helpful at the moment is to use the headgear from the FullLife on the Zest mask I have - the strap over the top of the head keeps the forehead strap from sliding down over my ears.

There is a lot to learn! But, as they say, we are all in this mess together!

Good luck, and happy dreams.


_________________
SleepyToo
Philadelphia Area
Newly diagnosed, Respironics M Series Pro w\ humidifier
Zest nasal mask, also have Full Life ff mask, and FlexiFit 407
(Also have a FlexiFit 405 that damaged the bridge of my nose)

SleepyToo wrote:

Ms_ZZZZ, you don't say whether you are a side, a back, or a stomach sleeper. I prefer to sleep on my side. However, I set up the mask while lying on my back. Result is, when I turn on my side the mask leaks like crazy, so I try and make sure that I check it by turning on my side. I have found that using a chin strap to hold everything in place does seem to help with leak rates. Of course, having a chin strap over the headgear straps does make it harder to adjust them.

I am also thinking I may need to get a Breeze mask, particularly with my facial hair - I like the fact that there are no straps on the side of the face... For a full face mask, I think I might need a FitLife - WhiteBeard recommends them very highly! I have a FullLife, but again, turning on my side distorts the mask, which makes for more leaks. Tightening the head gear does make for a sore nose, though! The other thing I am finding really helpful at the moment is to use the headgear from the FullLife on the Zest mask I have - the strap over the top of the head keeps the forehead strap from sliding down over my ears.

There is a lot to learn! But, as they say, we are all in this mess together!

Good luck, and happy dreams.

I also have a hybrid mask.  It has the nasl pillows with the enclosed mouth piece.  I thought after awhile I could tolerate the nasal pillows, but still find that the air blowing up my nose just is not comfortable to me and although I keep trying thinking I will get used to it, I tend to go back to my full face mask.  Did you go through an adjustment period with the nasal pillows or did it come naturally to you.   I remember the first time I tried the nasal at one of the sleep studies it felt like a jet engine (as I put it) was blowing up my nose.  I suppose, like everthing else it just takes time and practive.


_________________
REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska