New To CPAP. Woke up A LOT. Felt Worse than before CPAP

[MrDezee]

Hello,

I've heard that you fine folks here can be very helpful. I just started CPAP last night and I think I am in need of some help. I got the ResMed 10 card to cloud, and the ResMed AirFit F20 face mask. I think I got the mask adjusted a bit better than I had it at first. I woke up today feeling absolutely miserable. I felt worse than I before. I know it can take some time to get used to, but I wonder if there's anything with my settings I can fix.

I turned on EPR in the middle of the night because I woke up feeling like I was suffocating. That's why I have the two different images. They are both from the same sleep period.

Today I've felt like I am completely short of breath as well.

Any help or advice on my settings would be great.

Thanks so much!

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Did you have a sleep study? If so post a copy of the summary page with your personal data redacted.

How did you get your current settings? Dr prescribed or trying to figure it out on your own? How long have you been using it? 

Try the following, it may be more comfortable. Understand you are new to this and it seems only using it for a short time. Things will feel strange, especially with incorrect settings. Learn to relax when using it, breathe with the machine. Most try to fight it and breath as they did before using the machine, which will cause all sorts of discomfort.

Mode APAP
Min pressure 9
Max pressure 15
EPR 3 full-time
No ramp

You can practice with it whilst watching some telly or reading. The more you use it the more rapidly you will adjust to it. Give that a try for a few nights and let us know how it goes.

[MrDezee]

Thanks for the reply.

I did one of the WatchPAT at home studies. I still don't have access to the results on the clinic portal. When the Doctor called me with the results, he said that I had 7.5 events per hour, and my blood oxygen went down to 88%. That was all he said, and then said he was going to get me the prescription for CPAP. I was self pay, so I got the call this past Friday and got the machine yesterday.

The current settings were what I was given out of the box. I got an email when I purchased the machine with that info including the S/N and the person who set the machine, the Doctor never really followed up with me past that. I was told to get a new WatchPAT once I got the machine, and do another study.

I'll give those settings a try tonight, and see how it goes, as well as watch some TV and use it.

Really appreciate the reply! I'll keep this thread posted over the next few days.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

Bloody doctors. “Here mate! Take this machine and sally forth!”

*sigh*

Give yourself time to adjust to it. There is nothing wrong starting with just a few hours and increasing it over time. If you need to take it off to get some sleep during the night, do not beat yourself up about it. You will get used to it and we can help you find the settings that work.

Patience young Jedi…

[HalfAsleep]

Here are my tips:

1. docs and sleep teams make it seem as though xPAP is plug and play. Put the mask on, push a button or two, and bingo bongo, magically you're feeling fit and spry the very next morning. Not so. It's not at all plug and play: you have to work at it.
2. I felt like a zombie for the first month after I got my biPAP, even though, thanks to AB, my settings were pretty much dialed in. Be prepared for this, and don't get on your case about it. Your body simply has to get used to it all.
3. It might help you get adjusted if you get rigged up while you're watching TV or reading. This is to get your body accustomed to the setup while you're alert, and your sleep isn't getting threatened.
4. In the first month, there's also the matter of figuring out how to keep your mask from leaking, what fits the best, etc. This takes a lot of trial and error, not an overnight thing.
5. From the board, you will also get some insight about whether your sleeping position is causing apneas. This takes adjustment, too.
6. All this is apart from any changes you might need to make to the settings.
7. And, keep in mind, your sleep belongs to you. You are already taking initiative for it...just keep at it. In my experience, sleep specialists don't make this clear, either: no one can experience your sleep. It's up to you to engage with what you need. But, you're on your way!

For me, it took about a month for me to notice I feel better. I felt dreadful the first month. I am now 3 months in, and I'm still working on it. I have a new pillow, I worked at keeping my jaw from popping open, convincing myself not to throw my mask off, I'm trying to cut down how many restroom breaks etc. Gradually, my sleep segments are becoming longer.

[MrDezee]

Here are my tips:

1.  docs and sleep teams make it seem as though xPAP is plug and play. Put the mask on, push a button or two, and bingo bongo, magically you're feeling fit and spry the very next morning. Not so. It's not at all plug and play: you have to work at it.
2. I felt like a zombie for the first month after I got my biPAP, even though, thanks to AB, my settings were pretty much dialed in. Be prepared for this, and don't get on your case about it. Your body simply has to get used to it all.
3.  It might help you get adjusted if you get rigged up while you're watching TV or reading. This is to get your body accustomed to the setup while you're alert, and your sleep isn't getting threatened.
4.  In the first month, there's also the matter of figuring out how to keep your mask from leaking, what fits the best, etc. This takes a lot of trial and error, not an overnight thing.
5.  From the board, you will also get some insight about whether your sleeping position is causing apneas. This takes adjustment, too.
6.  All this is apart from any changes you might need to make to the settings.
7.  And, keep in mind, your sleep belongs to you. You are already taking initiative for it...just keep at it. In my experience, sleep specialists don't make this clear, either: no one can experience your sleep. It's up to you to engage with what you need. But, you're on your way!

For me, it took about a month for me to notice I feel better. I felt dreadful the first month. I am now 3 months in, and I'm still working on it. I have a new pillow, I worked at keeping my jaw from popping open, convincing myself not to throw my mask off, I'm trying to cut down how many restroom breaks etc. Gradually, my sleep segments are becoming longer.

Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated. I will definitely start wearing it for a bit before bed and getting used to it. I'm sure we're all here cause we want to get a better night's sleep.