Connect
Can't sleep
It's 4 am and I was only able to sleep about an hour sitting in a chair. I'll have to do the same till my skinned/bruised forehead heals. I'm 79 and need lots of sleep. I quit breathing an average of 36 times an hour and can't wear my cpap mask because the strap goes over my forehead that is hurt. I fell again this afternoon and my head hit a cabinet and the pain is horrible. The firemen who came to pick me up said not to put anything on the wounded forehead, that it needed air. The pain was horrible and I stood it as long as I could, then patted some prescription Lidocaine on it. My skin is so delicate and I also have a skin disease. I have a number of bruises, but the forehead is the worse and trying to wear the cpap mask would be unbearable, would rub against the wound, and I wouldn't be able to sleep. In past I've tried to sleep w/o mask for other reasons, but I would soon awaken gasping for breathe with nose stopped up and sore throat from breathing through mouth. So I try to sleep sitting up in a chair. I do thank God I didn't hurt my back this time and I did not have to go to the hospital.
I know most of you are in much worse shape and I'm not complaining. I just needed to share with someone. My TV went out and I finished reading my devotional on internet, so I needed someone to talk to. Thank you all and God bless.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.
Connect
Hi @danavs, welcome to Connect.
That's exactly what we are here for. I do hope that you can get some sleep tonight and that you'll be able to wear your CPAP again soon. There are quite a few members who use the CPAP for apnea. You may wish to connect with them on this discussion
- Sleep apnea http://mayocl.in/2kRoBXJ
There you'll meet @dawn_giacabazi @vickiw @hosta @flor @patreats5674 @upnorthnancy @beatricefay @mollyb1968 @deyo5656 and others.
Dana, Did you get to nap during the day today? What skin condition are you dealing with?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you, Colleen, for your concern. I fell asleep in the chair again around 10 am and slept close to 2 hours. I am still out of it for lack of sleep and with my poor vision I am having difficulty reading or keeping eyes open to read. I will try but don't think I can bear the pressure the mask strap will cause and the pain will keep me awake. I am praying I'll be able to sleep enough tomorrow night for SS/church Sunday. I was also looking forward to a small ladies group starting a study on II Corinthians Sunday night.
I've already made a comment with the sleep apnea group. My apap & mask work wonderfully and I had never breathed so easily , pleasantly. and comfortably before cpap. My skin disease is Hailey-Hailey, a pretty rare hereditary disease. Even when my skin is not damaged/scraped by a fall, everything hurts my skin, clothes, bedding, etc. I pray you have a blessed weekend.
Hi @danavs, the mask I use does not touch my forehead. Sounds like it may help you a lot in your situation. It's by Phillips Respironics. http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2015/06/philips-amara-view-cpap-mask/
Hope this helps!!
Dawn
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDawn, thanks for the info. I just bought a new mask, so it's too soon to get another, but it does look interesting and I will consider it next time I can get a new mask. Does it ever leak and does it hurt you anywhere? It got good reviews, but it' is twice what my new Simplus by Fisher & Paykel costs. I sure would be interested if I could get a new one now quickly while I have the bruised forehead.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been on the CPAP and BiPAP starting last July. I have been to 3 sleep labs and still am having trouble with the masks and also the apneas are still high. Some nights as meny as 57 per hr. I am now waiting for the insurance to ok another mask. I have trouble with air leaks, hurting my nose, etc. I use the machine faithfully each night, but fiddle with it off and on all night. I am so tired during the day. I want this to work for me but am getting to the place where I am about to say the heck with it. The only thing stopping me is, my son died of sleep apnea. I am a mouth breather so need one that covers my mouth. There has to be a mask out there for me.
@hosta. I have used cpap, then apap with heated humidifier and heated tube for 15 or more years. The only problem I have had is finding a good full face mask that worked for me. I've tried many and with many problems and always with leaks and (until I used the Remzzzs and straps I mention below) painful marks on my face. I finally bought Fisher & Paykel Simplus full face cpap (and apap or bipap) mask with headgear. Once I easily got it fitted right, it is perfect for me. It doesn't leak, is light weight, fits better on the pillow (side sleeper) and gets a very high rating on the charts, is even cheaper than most ff masks. It runs a little larger, so you might need a smaller size than you now use. If your provider can't get for you, you can send doctor's prescription to CPap.com and they will mail mask to you with insurance papers you'll have to send to your insurance for reimbursement. It's worth this extra effort to get a better mask. I also use the Pad A Cheek Pads to soften the straps and also use the RemZzs padded ff cpap mask liners to soften the mask on the face so it won't hurt or leave marks on my face. These you can get from cpap.com if your provider can't get them for you. I have very delicate skin and find these two products wonderful. Hope this helps. I breath better, easier, and comfortably with apap and this mask.
The problem I have now is because I can't have the straps touch the forehead injury. I'll be very happy to get back on the apap and mask. Don't give up. Sleep apnea can cause a stroke or heart attack. The problem with using the local providers with their limited selection of masks and often times lack of mask knowledge was a major setback for me. cpap.com has ALL masks, cpaps, apaps, bipaps. and products to ease discomfort of masks, plus many reviews on each item telling the good and bad of each product. They also have a cpap talk site where users talk to each other and help each other when they have questions or want advice on what has helped others. I don't remember what that site is called. ps I don't have any affiliation with cpap.com and nothing to gain. I just know how helpful they can be.
I'll be praying for you that you'll soon find the right mask for you and won't give up this necessary treatment for sleep apnea. Without it, you can find yourself with many other health problems caused by the apnea, and even death caused by the problems created by untreated apnea. I want to encourage you. Don't give up!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@danavs, Thank you for your information and encouragement. I will talk to my supplier about getting this mask. I know about apnea causing death, as I said, my son died because of this. He was only 36 years old.
Eve I'm a mouth breather also. Used bipap & full face mask over 10 years. I solved air leaks by cleaning cushion that contacts face with wipes every 2 or 3 nights. It removes oily residue from my skin for better contact to my face. Every so often I check the elastic head straps as they stretch a small amount, tighting them a little bit helps maintain a better seal. Hope this helps you. Mark
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello @thm946,
Welcome to Connect. Thank you so much for joining in and sharing information. If I may ask, what symptoms led you to use a BIPAP machine?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI love it. I have tried many masks and not uncomfortable anywhere. I am a mouth breather and a stomach sleeper, my leaks have decreased to 1% occasionally. My events of apnea are 0!!! My other masks use to leak up to 50% with up to 61 events. I am blessed that My insurance covers all my equipment.
Prayers for easier sleeping days ahead!!
Dawn