Discouraged...about to give up...

[tmorris]

Okay it has been over 4 weeks now...Im already discouraged and tired of dealing with this. To give you a view: sleep study revealed on Aug 10 that I have severe OSA...AHI=49, 02 dropped to 79%. I was experiencing major depression, anxiety, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Started with nasal mask but it tore up the bridge of my nose ( oh with chin strap but tape my mouth now), then to FF Quattro...again tore up my face, then to Quattro FX...both Quattro's had major leak problems that I was unable to resolve even with RemZZZ liners. FX I walked around with bandages over my nose from pressure sores. So then to Swift LT pillows for her...very comfortable...but now im extrememly tired again all day. Pressure was prescribed at 12. I have it set on auto Min of 12 , Max of 15 incase of needed breakthrough...it usually goes up to about 12.7. I do not feel any leaks at all with the pillows...it just shows up on my report. AHI only at 1. I slept all day today without the mask because I was just pissed off...of course now I feel worse. Gonna try nasal tonight...im just tired of nothing working for me...tired of everything....just plain tired! Its really hard getting through an 8 hour day...Im a medical social worker and travel often....ugh

[BlackSpinner]

For sores a lot of people use our member Padacheek 's liners. These also help with leaks.

The most important thing in this therapy is finding a comfortable mask.

If you like the nasal pillows but you are leaking at the mouth, you may want to try the Hybrid by respcare. It has nasal pillows and a mouth piece (each comes in 3 sizes)

[jmelby]

It sounds like you have probably only had a week or two since you figured out your mask issues... so you really haven't had 4 weeks of effective treatment. I think you need to give it more time... it can take several months to feel the positive effects, and you of course realize that without treatment you are doing your body quite a lot of harm. Treatment works best when you get into a routine...now is the time to let time heal you by continuing with this--don't give up now when you are so close. And don't keep changing things up--stick with what you are doing for at least a week before making more changes.

You mention that leaks show up on your report... how bad were they? It seems possible that you might be losing air from your mouth--a chinstrap might help--I use the PapCap.

[Carl LaFong]

I slept all day today without the mask because I was just pissed off...of course now I feel worse.

So that means you feel better with the machine and various masks? If so, then I wouldn't give up.

Gonna try nasal tonight

Not familiar with the Swift "For Her" for obvious reasons, but you might try the Swift FX pillows too. I've come to really like them and they're solid performers for me.

ugh

I hear ya. I've read lots of posts where people struggle for months to find the "sweet spot". Others take to it readily. I recommend you keep at it. There has to be a combination that will work for you. Bottom line is, proper mask fit is key.

[Emilia]

It appears you are getting the best results so far (therapeutically) from the LT for Her. You are expecting miraculous results much too quickly, IMO. You did not get to have severe OSA overnight, and you can't expect to have it all go away and feel fabulous in a week or two. You've spent 4 weeks finding a mask that works and not that long with the one that gives you the best results. We all have sleep debt to pay off... it can take weeks or months for that to happen. I've been at this a year now.... have had excellent therapeutic results: AHI of 1.5 consistently, no leaks, easy time with mask..... and I am still tired. Not nearly as tired as I was pre- cpap, but still more tired than I ever thought I'd be at this stage. It is what it is.... but I will tell you this: You have a serious case; much more serious than mine. You are playing with your overall health if you continue to sleep without your mask; you risk any number of health issues such as hypertension, heart damage, memory loss, stroke, and even sudden death. You must continue with this therapy and learn to love it. You are young and have a long life ahead of you.... I only wish I could have been diagnosed at your age! Keep trying..... keep the dang mask on..... If you haven't done it yet, get a complete physical and have your thyroid, D3, B12, and magnesium levels checked.... all may contribute to fatigue if deficient.

[ameriken]

Well, I've only used one mask which pretty much has done well for me, so I'm not going to be any good at making equipment recommendations. But what I can say is I truly hope you'll do everything you possibly can to stay on CPAP.

For me, my sig says it all. I don't know how badly you felt before CPAP, but if it's anything like I did then going off CPAP is going to be worse than staying on. Like you said, you spent a day off CPAP and felt worse. Ugh. Healthwise, for sure it's worse because it takes a tremendous toll on your body.

I just hope we can help you push through these issues and you can find the right equipment so you can stay on CPAP and even more...start feeling better!!!

Good luck

[ems]

Hi T... just want to tell you not to give up! I've been using the CPAP for about 10 weeks, so I'm still very new to this. Keep trying masks. One is bound to work for you. I've had an occasional day where I thought maybe I felt better... but it's only the last week or so that I'm noticing a difference in how I feel every day.

Your mind has to ease into it also, IMHO. I still have nights that I feel anxious as I put on the mask, but it's starting to get a little easier. It takes time.

Also, I recently purchased Lansinoh ointment for the tips of my sore nose. It really helps. You might want to give it a try.

[Janknitz]

It sounds like the Swift is working for you with taping, so the biggest battle has been won. Don't give up on the war just because the first battle was hard--you're 90% there with a mask that works. I don't know why you want to try the nasal mask again if the Swift is working for you--you'll just end up with a sore nose and frustration again.

You are going to be tired for a while. You have had interrupted sleep for a long time, particularly the last 4 weeks. It's going to take more than one good night to erase all that sleep deprivation. Sometimes you have to think about it a different way. Instead of counting all those bad nights, count the good ones. Maybe you'll just have a good night (sleeping comfortably all night without leaks) one night out of several, but then you will have two nights, and then three, etc., until the good nights become the majority.

The important thing is not to give up now. Recognize that it won't be fixed overnight, but you are on the downhill side now.

If you still feel tired after a week or two of good AHIs, THEN it's time to take a closer look at the data to see if there's some way to optimize your treatment.

When I was finally successful with CPAP, I found I was more TIRED but less sleepy. I think there were a few factors. One, I felt so good when I slept that I wanted to sleep more (yes, it does happen!) and two, I had more energy so did more during the day, so I was more physically tired. But I didn't fall asleep at a drop of a hat while reading, watching TV, etc. anymore.

Hang in there. The adjustment period with CPAP isn't permanent, but the disability of untreated apnea IS!

[Cuda]

I gave up about 4 weeks in the first time on the hose for a good eight months. I regret it.

[moresleep]

Do you have software that allows you to download the Autoset's data and see what is going on?

For me, Cpap therapy really did not start working right until (after a lot of trial and error) I found a decent mask for me (these days, I use the Swift II, which I like more than the other Swifts), stopped mouth leaks (chin straps didn't work for me--I use 2" 3M Micropore tape), and got sinus infections and inflamation under control such that I could breath properly through my nose (I still use sinus rinses). I even had to find the correct amount of humidification, to eliminate coughing but not be so humid/hot as to cause me nasal congestion (I find a low setting best).

The main thing, though, is that you already have a good machine, and it already gives you at least some relief (you apparently feel better after you've used it than when you don't). So, Cpap therapy does work for you to some extent. You just need to keep working on the rest, to find what works best and to fine tune the treatment. Good luck!

[Roger2]

First I have to ask, where is Kilgore, Texas??? Do you need a passport to go there ? Just kidding.

Okay it has been over 4 weeks now...Im already discouraged and tired of dealing with this.

Probably most everyone here has gone through these feelings to some extent. There are numerous things that can cause the symptoms you mention such as other medications you might be taking. Blood pressure meds are probably the most notorious at making you feel tired, dizzy, light headed and so on. As you can see from all of the comments so far, it takes time to adjust to this therapy and the machine you are now sleeping with. I have been on mine since mid May and still wake up sometimes in the middle of the night with claustrophobic feelings like I am not getting enough air and have to get out of bed and make a nice cup of tea before returning to bed and the cpap mask.

Keep asking those questions and read the posts, they really help!

Roger

[Breathe Jimbo]

Some folks need more time than others to feel better. You probably have a big sleep debt to pay off. Just stick too it, one night at a time. I use the regular LT and love it. I also use a PapCap to keep my mouth shut when I sleep; it pulls the lower jaw straight up, not back - which can cause problems - as other chin straps do. In the beginning, whenever I had the PapCap on, my wife would laugh every time she looked at me. We've both gotten used to it.

Don't give up! Hang in there. This forum is full of people who had lots of problems in the beginning but eventually made CPAP work and are feeling much better as a result. You, too, can and will get to that point if you persevere. You are a Texan, right?

[Perrybucsdad]

I can't add much to what others have said, but we have all built up a sleep debt and it may take time to pay that off. Don't give up.

[chunkyfrog]

Many of my positive results took months before I noticed them.
About a month in, I hit a kind of wall with the reduced adrenaline in my system.
--A bit of depression; but it was only temporary.
After over a year, cpap is so natural, I feel weird without it.

[Mary Z]

Hang in there. I think the urge to chuck it all comes to some of us at times, but as Cuda said, quitting is something to regret.
Like everyone said, it takes time. I hope you're using the machine all night, every night to achieve good results. Naps, too.