It sounds as though the VA is doing this backwards.
The first thing you should have is a sleep test. This is where you go to an office set up specifically for this disorder and spend the night. They wire you up and record everything that you do all night long. Then the lab sends this information to your doctor and he determines how much pressure you need to keep your airway open.
Next, you should have a chat with a respiratory therapist who will set your machine to the right pressure and show you how to use it. This includes how to use the mask and a humidifier if the machine comes with one. I'd be surprised if it didn't.
I've used one for 8 years and went to sleep on the first night with it and I've never looked back. It sounds like you are fighting the machine. Don't. Just let it do its thing, after it is set up specifically for you. Once you do you'll wonder how you got along without it.
I don't remember having much trouble with my masks, but that was almost 20 years ago when I got my first CPAP. Now that I've lost 35 lbs. I don't need it anymore, although I really think I do as my wife wakes me and tells me to roll over as I'm snoring again. My insurance won't cover much of the sleep test and new CPAP so I've been holding off going back in. The other thing is that the cheapest place to get the sleep test requires me to buy my CPAP from them (don't know if that's legal however), so they get it all back. I refuse to play that game.
Deen - Vancouver, WA
'02 Dutch Star 4090 (41+', triple slide)
435/1200 ISC Cummins/Banks PowerPak
'08 Honda Civic/dolly
'05 Honda Odyssey/dolly
NRA Benefactor Life Member
FMCA f47302s, Life Member: Good Sam, Newmar DP Owners Group
51st yr of RV'ing
Rick, and others who wonder if CPAP, BiPAP, etc. are worth it, read this. It is true. It is a posting I made on another forum, but it fits this thread:
It started when I was a baby. I slept on my mother's stomach the first year and half I was alive. No one knew what was wrong, but I would quit breathing while asleep. This was August 1945. I got better, then, after a severe car wreck in 2001, I got worse again.
Fast forward to me jumping out of bed at night gasping for air. I was told to get a sleep study, but couldn't be bothered. A few months later I went. I got better on the Respironics BiPap Auto. Then I got worse.
I had Vocal Cord Dysfunction. I got better after they provided Heliox.
My Pulse Ox dropped. In the dr. office I would hit around 90. They said nothing wrong there. I bought my own SPO 5500 pulse ox and took notes. We discovered my pulse ox was dropping into the mid to low 80s. I took all the tests, but I was "normal". We can't give up.
At the National Jewish Hospital in Denver, my week of testing lasted over four weeks and they found a hole/tear in my heart. They put an implant in and my pulse ox problem was mostly cured.
During a Bronchoscopy and at NJC they found that when I quit breathing, I would not start up again without help. My brain did not seem to know I was running low on air. I just found out they ran my pulse ox down to 18 and I did not know it. We can not give up.
I was put on the Respironics BiPap Auto SV. But it still did not make sense. I was better, but something was still wrong with me. Don't give up.
Mainly with the help of a retired RN who worked in Neurology and is brilliant, I found out I have CCHS. I have been to three Neurologists and none caught it. Gotta love a good nurse.
"CCHS, or Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome, is a disorder of the central nervous system where, most dramatically, the automatic control of breathing is absent or impaired." No cure. I still haven't given up.
I had never heard of any of these things when I took my first sleep test. So if YOU have problems that don't make sense, stick around. We have some gifted, intelligent people who are generous with their time and are willing to make suggestions. Don't ever give up.
I have hit 30cmH2o many times, even stayed at 30 for a few minutes at a time. I sort of accepted this as normal, at least for my world. At the Pulmonologist's office a new male nurse was going over my print outs when he looked up with a puzzled expression. Finally, almost quietly, he asked, "Doesn't 30 hurt?" I told him no. I sleep through it and when I see it the next day I am grateful I have a machine that can blast through my problems. My mom used to tell me, "The difference between a winner and a loser is that the winner gets up one more time..." -- and I don't want to disappoint my mom. She fought hard to keep me alive and I don't see how I can do less.
I've been using one for over 12 years and wouldn't be without one. The difference of how I feel and the quality in how I feel is un measurable.
Sure it takes some getting used to, but, it beats dying from not using it.
Sheep Dog
1. If you have sinus or nasal issues, see an ENT Dr. and get them under control.
2. Whatever the delivery device, mask, nasal pillows etc, etc...it's all about proper fit and comfort. When it comes to equipment, don't settle for good enough... see your equipment provider and get what works for you.
3. If your unit has a "ramp up" feature, use it and you will fall asleep before the full amount of pressure is applied. In just a few weeks you will be use to the pressure.
I have been a CPAP for about 8 years and I was fortunate enough to have a friend who helped me through these issues. It only took me about a week to get used to the CPAP.
Good luck, it's worth the effort.
2002 Winnebago Journey DL - 39QD
330 Cat with 6 Speed Allison
Toad: 2006 Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 Hemi
Been using a CPAP now for 5 years and get a better nights sleep with it than without it. If I am tired enough I can fall asleep with or without it but if I am not so tired it helps me get to sleep faster. I don't snore anymore 7 my DW thanks me for it. I wake up more refreshed after using it but I have not lost any weight from using it as some may have. I do have sinus problems & find it hard to sleep sometimes with the mask on but also find that it sometimes clears my sinuses & I breathe a little better. I also have a humidifier that helps me when my sinuses are acting up. It only took me a week to get used to using it & not being able to roll over on my stomach doesn't bother me much anymore.
Mike, Kathy, Tracy(3)Travis(7m)Zeus & Hailey(boxers)
07' Coachmen SOA 31DSB
04' Ford F-250 SuperDuty Supercab 5.4
I read all the posts to date. Wonderful advice from lots of helpful people. Whatever you do, don't give up! After many years of using a Cpap, I now use a BiPap - much easier to get used to and mimics the natural inhalation and exhalation somewhat. Ask you Doctor about it. I know your frustration. My wife says I still snore and still quit breathing on some occasions although I have been to the Doctor and CPAP/BiPap vendor many times for adjustment to higher pressures and different masks. Try various masks until you find one that is acceptable, or one that works fairly well. Studies have shown that lack of good sleep can contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Although for many people a sleep maching won't completely provide a good night's sleep, it is better than nothing. One more thing that people have commented on - make sure you are inhaling heated moisture, as it helps to keep the throat and nasel passeges from drying out.
Still hate the whole darn sleep apnea/CPAP/BIPap thing, but I wear it, even while camping. (I have a twelve volt CPAP machine I use when dry camping.)
Phil
Nash 27 T pulled by a 2008 EC LB GMC 3500HD SLT 4x4 DMAX and Allison.
i have had my unit going on more than 10 years. I fought the mask for a few months. I did alot of research and I found that they had a headgear with nasal pillows. It is heaven!! However I then had problems with my mouth falling open while sleeping. Wife had a stretch head band which i turned into a chin strap and have slept like a baby ever since. PM me if you have any questions
Take care ... god bless
BIGGS
BTW... I also use the humidifer
if once you dont suuuceedd
If once you deont succeed
If once you dont succeed try tryyyy
If once you dont' succedd
Ok if once you dont succeed just freaking DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
i have been sleeping with my mask about 3 years now .i had the same problem,i would slober with the mask on also .my dr convinced me that i was on my way out.so i tried different things. i would try sleeping for short periods in the afternoon, but i found that if i sleep on my back it helped. you are going to have to reprogram your way of sleeping,it is not easy but i did it and you can too, just be patient
now days i have to wear the mask to sleep so i did what i had to do to able to stay on this earth for now
hope this helps it like losing weight it takes YOU TO DO IT
LATER
CHARLIE
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