Started CPAP three weeks ago and there is NO improvement in my sleep or how I feel

[drago7579]

More of the same last night, despite making the adjustments recommended above, although I had more trouble getting back to sleep.  I think I had four hours total sleep.

Should my pressure be set to an even narrower band?  Let's say 9-10?

[drago7579]

I had a similar struggle with fragmented sleep. Things will improve but in the meantime you need strategies for dealing with the problem. You can talk to your doctor about getting a sleeping pill such as trazodone to be taken only when needed. When you wake up in the middle of the night get out of bed and read under the lowest light possible. Look into other strategies that come under the category of "sleep hygiene".


You still need it. The cause of your insomnia is having to wake up to breathe. Your body still has a memory of having to do that and it will take a while to overcome it. You are adapting even though you don't feel it yet. If you stop CPAP therapy it will just put you back to where you were before.

The categories of mild, moderate, and severe were created by researchers so they can do research on sleep apnea. Hence they have a statistical importance that just may not apply to the individual. You need the CPAP machine if your untreated AHI is 5 or above.

You have not given it enough time to work for you. Everybody is different.

Could Benedryl be used?

I do read when I get out of bed, but perhaps use a bit too much light.  I will try a lower light level.  Pretty much ran through most of the typically recommended sleep hygiene stuff over the years.  

The one thing that I have not done much with is body temperature.  I notice that I usually have more trouble sleeping around May each year, when it starts to warm up.  Not only is it warmer but I also start to get seasonal allergies.  The temperature inside was 70.  Tried the ceiling fan last night but that did not help.  Perhaps I should try cranking on the A/C.  I think I've read that the ideal sleeping temp is 65 or so.

How long does it normally take to adapt to CPAP?

[OpalRose]

Around 2:45 to 3:00, this definitely points to positional apnea. If you're sleeping strictly on your side, that's a good thing, but know that you can still chin tuck (cut off your air) while on your side.

I'm not sure what's waking you after 4-5 hours. Did you happen to read Sleepster's post above? He's had similar issues and I believe he's also conquered Aerophagia.

Your pressure is pretty narrow as it is. Let's try Cpap mode at a static pressure at 8cm.
With that, lower the EPR to 2.

Try this for a couple days.

[drago7579]

Around 2:45 to 3:00, this definitely points to positional apnea.  If you're sleeping strictly on your side, that's a good thing, but know that you can still chin tuck (cut off your air) while on your side.  

I'm not sure what's waking you after 4-5 hours.  Did you happen to read Sleepster's post above?  He's had similar issues and I believe he's also conquered Aerophagia.  

Your pressure is pretty narrow as it is.  Let's try Cpap mode at a static pressure at 8cm.
With that, lower the EPR to 2.  

Try this for a couple days.

It happened again at about 4:00 which is when I woke up.

The 4-5 hour thing used to happen at times before I was on CPAP.  It may happen for days at a time and then does not happen for days at a time.  Never did find a cause or reason.  I have been battling on and off insomnia for years.  After trying just about everything else, thought CPAP would be the magic potion but there may be more to it.  Then again, perhaps is the cure and I need more time (and adjustments to make) to get used to it.

I did read Sleepster's post above.  Good information.

I'll try the new settings and see how it goes.  Thanks!

[Sleepster]

Could Benedryl be used?

That's a very mild sedative. Trazodone is better.

How long does it normally take to adapt to CPAP?

Everybody is different.

It will take as long as it takes, but once adapted you will barely notice the mask, hose, or pressure. You will sleep a lot better.

[drago7579]

I slept better the last two nights.

5 1/2 hours last night (woke up once)
6 hours the night before (did not wake up)

That's about average for me (5 1/2 to 6 hours per night).

I took a Benedryl last night which may be another reason I slept through the night.

AHI was a bit over 3.  Charts are attached.

Would you suggest further adjustments or should I stand pat for now?

---

That's a very mild sedative. Trazodone is better.


Everybody is different.

It will take as long as it takes, but once adapted you will barely notice the mask, hose, or pressure. You will sleep a lot better.

Longer as well?  I can't remember a time when I had over 6 hours of sleep on a consistent basis (let's say more than 3 or 4 days in a row).

[drago7579]

Last night was good after only sleeping a few hours the night before.  

I woke up at around 5:45.  Doesn't look like that was caused by the machine.  Only thing I could think of is maybe the light coming in.  I do wear a sleep mask on top of the CPAP mask which helps but still lets light in.

Looks like there was some stuff going on between 1:15 and 2:00 but I did not wake up then.  

AHI has been hovering between 3 and around 4 the past few nights.  OpalRose (or anyone else), would you recommend making any adjustments to get the AHI down?  Or would you say this is an acceptable range?  

Minimal or no issues with Aerophagia as of late so that has been under control.

[Sleepster]

I do wear a sleep mask on top of the CPAP mask which helps but still lets light in.

Get a sleep mask with a strap that can be undone. I slip mine under the CPAP mask and then fasten the velcro strap.

[OpalRose]

Looks like there was some stuff going on between 1:15 and 2:00 but I did not wake up then.  

Yep, that's caused from Sleeping in a way way that you are kinking your neck (successfully cutting off your air).  Many folk seem to sleep through that... I'm not sure
how, but they do.  

The added Obstructives add to the AHI.  There is no pressure increase that will blast through that.  Your AHI would probably be less than half if it weren't for that cluster.
Now if your apneas were spread out through the night, a pressure increase may be in order.

I think we talked about positional apnea prior?

https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...onal_Apnea

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...cal_Collar

[drago7579]

Get a sleep mask with a strap that can be undone. I slip mine under the CPAP mask and then fasten the velcro strap.

Thanks for the tip.  I usually buy what they sell at Walgreens or CVS but will see what I can find.