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Cpap and getting better sleep: What's your experience?
I was in the hospital for pneumonia and while I was getting a nebulizer treatment the therapist asked if I use a Cpap at home, at the time I didn't have one. Now mind you I was only sleeping for 2 hrs a night during my pneumonia bout (2 weeks) and the therapist asked if I were open to using a BPAP (what they call it in a hospital) it was a large machine and I said of course. Upon using it I still only slept for 2 hours but it was a very restful 2 hours of sleep and was welcomed. I told my Pulmonologist and got set up for a sleep study, and it is all history. I sleep more restful (have much less visits to the bathroom at night) and use it religiously. Medicare covered my testing and machine. After my test my doc told me I stopped breathing x amount of times a minute, and was restless (tossed and turned) an ungodly amount of time during my test. On the follow up test (with the Cpap) the number decreased significantly. My sister snores like a constant thunder storm and she went for a test and got her Cpap, and now she doesn't snore at all and tells me she sleeps much better.
There are two ways to use the machine, with a nostril mask (so to speak) and a full mask (you usually see on TV movies). The latter is what I use, I couldn't get use to the nostril application, and if you were to catch a cold, I don't know how well it would work, but I use the mask never the less. Hope this helps, and do read the instructions about your machine.
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@cece55 here are some tips on getting used to CPAP. A few of them helped me when I started using a CPAP machine last year.
CPAP machines: Tips for avoiding 10 common problems
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/in-depth/cpap/art-20044164
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1 Reaction@cece55- Glad you found us and you will find several members that I'm sure will chime in on your post.
I have used C-pap therapy for over 20 years and you will notice on many of my previous posts on this subject that I believe that finding the right mask for you is the most important part of this therapy. It would be rare to find anyone that early in their use of C-pap would not find it fustrating and many of masks have been ripped off in the middle of the night!
I would definetly work with your sleep therapist on securing the right mask for you. It took me over 6 different masks before I found the right one for me. Because I am a mouth breather I tried several full face masks initially, but I seem to have what my therapist referred to as a "tweener" sized face which means that it seemed I was in between sizes and consequently had leakage all the time. I also didn't like the clostrophobic aspects of the full face mask. I swithed to the Fisher Paykel Zest nasal mask with a chin strap. This works great for me although my grandsons are scared when they come to wake grandpa up! Lol! Jim @thankful
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2 ReactionsThank you to everyone above for all the quick responses. It is comforting to know there is a group who understands. I just got back from my respiratory therapist and have a new mask and reassurance that the noise my machine is making is perfectly normal. I am someone who has trouble listening to snoring so this is a new sound I am just going to have to get used to. The therapist told me to ignore the ramp feature as it doesn't give me enough air and starts my panic. I will just begin at my prescribed rate of air pressure and read a book to keep my mind off of everything. My prescribed rate is 4 to 14.
On a good note, during the two hours I slept last night, my events of 30 per hour were at 8. I need to hold that thought when I get frustrated and realize all the positive CPAP is doing for me! Blessings to everyone who jumped in to help me!
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4 Reactions@cece55 Sometimes you can turn your CPAP machine around or sideways and maybe it will change or lessen the sound. Also, maybe a rubber matt under the machine would help if it's vibrating a little. Happy Zzzz's with the new mask!
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3 Reactionscece55- I think you received good advice from your sleep therapist and the fellow Connect friends on this issue.
I remember having somewhat the same issues as you state with the added noise and most sleep therapists would say what I did is a no no, but it has worked for me. I have a TV in my bedroom (I know....) Anyway, I set the timer for 15 minutes after watching some show and getting slightly sleepy. I then put my mask & chinstap on and 90% of the time I'm asleep before the TV times out.
I keep it on very low volume the whole time and it seems to provide enough sound to block the sound from the mask. That works for me. I wish you all the best and of course Happy Zzzz's Jim @thankful
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3 ReactionsHello to everyone! I actually had a very good night, falling asleep within ten minutes and sleeping for five hours. I do believe the right mask is the main part of the key to this. My therapist changed me to Resmed Swift FX For Her Nasal Pillows and the fit was great! I have a narrow face and small nostrils and this mask is so light, I did not even feel like I had anything on...well, maybe a little bit! 🙂 I am curious, though...I woke up with a headache, facial and ear pressure plus very fuzzy and tired. I thought I would wake up full of energy and feeling great! Does it take time to feel this way? I went for a walk and breathed in the great cool air and the pressure is diminishing. I am looking forward to another good night.
Thank you again to everyone...can't wait to feel like my old self again.
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2 ReactionsThe stuffiness may be from the humidifier in the machine. Is your machine setting the humidity? As for feeling tired, it can take many months for your body to catch up on the sleep you did not get before you started treatment. Consistent use of your machine will eventually lead to waking up feeling rested.
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2 Reactionscece55- You are headed in the right direction! Just like so many things in life I believe in using a C-pap and getting the full benefit one needs to practice or develop the good habit of using it regularly. This will come for you over time and most likely sooner rather than later.
When you think about it C-pap is a bit awkward and very different than sleeping like when we were 20. The most important thing we need to understand is that continuing on the path we were all on prior leads to many long term and serious health problems. C-pap gets us back on the path of good sleep and virtually eliminates the risks we were enduring with the apnea's that were interupting our sleep and health. Cece, I wish you continued success and great Zzzz's! Jim @thankful
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3 ReactionsI can set the humidity and heated tube from 1-5. Right now the heat is at 2 and the humidity is at 3. I will try going up a notch on both and see what happens. Thank you for your feedback!
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1 ReactionThank you Thankful for all your support. Everyone is so kind and helpful. I wish a restful, healthy sleep to all tonight!
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