Backwards

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Rebamom
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:22 pm

Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Fri Mar 30, 2018 4:02 am

I've been using my Cpap for about 15 days and thought I was adjusting normally. Prior to using this device, I did not have the complaints that so many due - I had plenty of energy to get through a day and driving was never a problem. I did have chest pains on a regular basis, some days consistently all day which I attributed to stress. I am happy to say that since Day 1 there has only been one very brief period of chest pain. That is the positive.

The negative is that my energy is gone - my body does not feel rested, although my mind does to a degree. Now I am having trouble staying awake and long drives are becoming a struggle. I just feel tired all the time. I'm telling myself that for now it has to be my mind, maybe a form of depression over this.

The first 14 days using the device, I am averaging 5 1/2 to 6 hours a night use with minimal episodes. Last night is the main exception - I just couldn't take it and removed it after 2 1/2 hours (really didn't realize it until I checked my stats this morning.) But backwards as I've always been, I've accomplished more this morning that I have in the last two weeks.

What am I doing wrong?
Last edited by Rebamom on Fri Mar 30, 2018 6:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Julie
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Re: Backwards

Post by Julie » Fri Mar 30, 2018 4:07 am

Can you please show us some Sleepyhead ''nights'? It's hard to guess without something to go on.

Rebamom
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Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Fri Mar 30, 2018 5:45 am

Julie, do you mean reports? Not sure what a sleepyhead night is? Sorry

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Julie
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Re: Backwards

Post by Julie » Fri Mar 30, 2018 5:52 am

Yes, reports, graphs, etc. Have you never posted any before? Do you need help?

Rebamom
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Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Fri Mar 30, 2018 6:00 am

Never posted reports before - so was working on figuring that out now.

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Barbee
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Re: Backwards

Post by Barbee » Fri Mar 30, 2018 6:03 am

Rebamom wrote:
Fri Mar 30, 2018 4:02 am

The first 14 days using the device, I am averaging 5 1/2 to 6 hours a night use with minimal episodes. Last night is the main exception - I just couldn't take it and removed it after 2 1/2 hours (really didn't realize it until I checked my stats this morning.) But backwards as I've always been, I've accomplished more this morning that I have in the last two weeks.

What am I doing wrong?
What do you mean by “just couldnt take it” Does wearing it not feel comfortable? Struggling to breathe or does the mask hurt?
You have been using it 5-6 hours a night. Are you taking it off each night? Or is that how long you are sleeping total?

Rebamom
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Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:22 pm

Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Fri Mar 30, 2018 6:25 am

I do use it every night and I sleep basically six hours per night. I used to fall asleep as soon as I hit the pillow, but now it takes 30 to 45 minutes to get to sleep. I usually take it off about 15 minutes before getting up, alarm goes off, mask goes off and snooze goes on for 15 minutes. (Think that's just the rebellious side of me saying I still have control, lol).

I just couldn't handle the flow of air last night and no nothing about this is comfortable, but my mindset is it must be done, so I do. I've been congested and breathing was hard enough without the air flow. Normally I wake up a few times in the night so I can move around and find a comfy position and no problems, last night nothing was comfortable with the mask. I realized it was off around 3:00 this morning, tried to put it back on using the ramp setting - still couldn't breathe, so took it off.

I will continue using it every night, and thinking I'll try my sinus medicine tonight so I can keep the 5 1/2 hours consistent, although I seriously worry about not feeling rested. Long drive tomorrow.

What type of files can be attached? Or maybe I'm doing it wrong.

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Julie
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Re: Backwards

Post by Julie » Fri Mar 30, 2018 6:46 am

If you use the humidifier, try a lower setting (if any at all) because it can congest you, block noses etc. if ambient humidity's high enough so that you don't need it (I never use it at all).

https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize
https://sleep.tnet.com/reference/tips/imgur

Rebamom
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Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Fri Mar 30, 2018 6:58 am

Thanks Julie - and I will check humidity. I also have serious sinus problems, had them since I was a child, so taking something is not unusual for me.

Think I attached these right now.
Last edited by Rebamom on Fri Mar 30, 2018 2:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Julie
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Re: Backwards

Post by Julie » Fri Mar 30, 2018 8:03 am

Those are not Sleepyhead... no idea what they are.

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Pugsy
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Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Backwards

Post by Pugsy » Fri Mar 30, 2018 8:24 am

Julie those are what DreamMapper shows on its website for summary usage reports.
It's very limited data obviously and why I don't bother with it.

But it does show us that there isn't any issue with large leak because mask fit shows 100% (goes down with large leak).
It also shows low total event count so the AHI is low.

What is also low is hours slept using the mask and machine. 6 hours or less isn't enough sleep for most people.

Some questions for Rebamom
Do you take any medications of any king and if you do what?
Is your 6 ish hours of sleep using cpap fragmented with many wake ups?
Any other physical or mental health issues going on?
Is your nasal congestion worse than usual since starting cpap?
What setting are you using on the humidifier.

For SleepyHead
https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment
and some examples of what you can see
viewtopic/t158560/How-to-post-images-for-review.html

and how to install and use SleepyHead
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph ... SleepyHead

Maybe there is something that shows up on the detailed software report that isn't part of the AHI. Let's take a look.

_________________
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Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

Rebamom
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Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Fri Mar 30, 2018 8:44 am

Julie, those are the reports from the program they told me to use. I joined the Sleepyhead, but will have to wait until I get home to download. Thank you.

Rebamom
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Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:22 pm

Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Fri Mar 30, 2018 2:32 pm

Here is sleepyhead from 27th and 28th
Attachments
sleepyhead032818.jpg
sleepyhead032818.jpg (271.15 KiB) Viewed 5085 times
sleepyhead032718.png
sleepyhead032718.png (90.68 KiB) Viewed 5085 times

Rebamom
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Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:22 pm

Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:22 am

So I tried something a bit different last night. I had forgotten to take a pain pill night before, so I did resume with that, but more importantly, I got into bed about 10 minutes sooner than normal and just watched TV until my heart quit racing, then put on the Cpap mask and turned on machine. Was asleep about 10 minutes later. I feel much better this morning, although not the energy I'm used to but better.

I noticed by doing it in this fashion after putting on the Cpap, I didn't spend 30 minutes of heart racing and calming down, which has a lot to do with why I delay going to bed - it's a very uncomfortable feeling and the main reason I dread going to bed. Will repeat the same for a couple nights and see if I get the same reaction, wouldn't it be wonderful to think that I was simply doing it all wrong - hopping into bed with this device and trying to get a good night's sleep!

Rebamom
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:22 pm

Re: Backwards

Post by Rebamom » Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:08 pm

Some questions for Rebamom
Do you take any medications of any king and if you do what?
Is your 6 ish hours of sleep using cpap fragmented with many wake ups?
Any other physical or mental health issues going on?
Is your nasal congestion worse than usual since starting cpap?
What setting are you using on the humidifier.
Thank you Pugsy - so to answer your questions

1. I do take thyroid medication - Synthroid and Lipitor - My thyroid is currently on a rampage so we have been playing with dosage since September again. This is not new - had this problem for about 17 years. I take a mild pain pill, Naproxin and Ibuprofen for pain - bad knees and bad back.

2. My 6 ish hours using Cpap are many nights longer than I used to sleep before Cpap. Yes I do wake up frequently, usually to roll over so I can get comfortable for my back and legs. I also take the opportunity to adjust the mask to make sure it is still on and in place. My wake-ups can almost be times - I will wake up normally 45 minutes to an hour after falling asleep. Then again around 1 am or shortly thereafter. Again between 2:30 and 3, and of course my alarm goes off at 3:45. Then I remove the mask, hit snooze and sleep for 15 more minutes. The 1 am wake up is the hardest to return to sleep, when I wake I feel like I've slept all night and it is time to get up - I have to check the clock a couple times and convince myself it's okay to go back to sleep.

3. Physical or Mental Health Issues - just the ones named above plus being overweight. I would probably say that there is probably some slight depression over this diagnosis of sleep apnea, but for the most part I don't have time to be depressed. Far too busy with other things to dwell on something that can't be changed at this point.

4. I would not say the nasal congestion is worse - actually quite the contrary - probably better than before. Even on night one I was on the verge of a sinus infection and I do believe the air dried/cleared everything enough it did not progress at that point.

5. The humidifier setting is on "3" - where the tech had put it when I picked up the machine. I really don't know enough about all this yet to know when something should change or not.

Thank you for your time.