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+--- Thread: Hate my CPAP! (/Thread-Hate-my-CPAP)
RE: Hate my CPAP! - ppca - 02-12-2017
(02-12-2017, 08:30 PM)Louis R. Wrote: Hi... you say your sinuses are so problematic that you got a full face mask. Does this mean that no breathing at all takes place through your nose? Reason I ask is that sometimes I'm stopped up and the CPAP pressure helps clear up the nose and I have (like always) a good night sleep. When I used to have a full face mask not only was it intolerable, but like you I would get those annoying leaks that you talk about and they would wake me up as well.
I agree. CPAP pressure can help in a lot of cases. I'm saying this, because it is my own experience.
I have problems breathing through one of my nostrils. It is a sinus issue to some extent, but mostly it is the "flimsy nostril" issue, I believe. I was not familiar with that term, but I learned about it, browsing through this forum.
I was thinking that not being able to breathe properly through a nostril will be a huge problem, when it comes to CPAP therapy, but on the contrary, CPAP pressure does miracles. I am definitely breathing much easier with my AirFit P10 mask on, than without it.
MrsBrando, just like Louis R. recommended, you may want to give nasal pillows a try.
EDIT: I've posted this before seeing your last message, MrsBrando. In case of serious deviated septum, nasal pillows may, or may not work, hard to say, unless you try.
RE: Hate my CPAP! - DeepBreathing - 02-12-2017
G'day MrsBrando. Welcome to Apnea Board.
Some people take to CPAP like ducks to water, for others it's a journey, and some never make it at all. It's estimated that 50% of people who start CPAP therapy eventually give up. This is a great shame as even mild sleep apnea can have bad effects on your overall health in the long term. The most important factor in success is a strong and knowledgeable support network. Family can help, and your doctor should help, but for many people it's forums like Apnea Board which provide the knowledge and emotional support needed to help you through.
We're all in the same boat here - we are all fellow hose-heads, and we know what it's like to start out. And in many cases our medical practitioners have let us down. It's a sad fact that many doctors (even sleep specialists) don't really "get it" when it comes to living with apnea and CPAP.
Just going through a couple of the issues you've raised, in no particular order:
Simplus and Quattro Air masks blowing into the eyes. Yes - this happens to me too, and it's a real pain. After trying various liners (Google Pad-a-cheek and Remzz) I found the simplest way to fix this problem is to take a strip of light flannelette material (offcuts from the grandkids' PJs) and fold it so you end up with a piece four layers thick about 15mm wide and 75mm long. Lay this over the bridge of your nose then put the mask on to hold the strip in place. Make sure that the ends don't stick into your eyes, and that the mask seats on the cloth. I have found this a 100% fix for the eye leakage problem.
The machine doesn't appear to be blowing when you wake up. This is just your body adjusting to the pressure overnight. At first it feels like you're breathing in a hurricane, but by morning it doesn't feel like any pressure at all. This is quite normal. It's very unlikely your machine is malfunctioning - they are very reliable.
Snoring is getting worse. This usually indicates that the pressure is too low. It can also be that the leaks you're experiencing are too big for the machine to compensate.
You feel worse with the machine than without it. Yep - I know exactly what you mean. Your body has to learn a new way of breathing, with a compressor blowing air into your eyes and a plastic alien strapped to your face! It can be difficult to adjust, and if you're experiencing leaks and the settings aren't optimal then it just gets so much harder. So let's deal with the leaks first, then we'll tackle the other settings.
To get to the bottom of some of these problems we need to see the data which is produced by your machine - this is where #SleepyHead comes in. It's a software program which displays some lovely graphs and statistics so we can see exactly what's going on. Don't worry if you're not computer savvy - a child of twelve can do it. You just need to find a child of twelve.
Here is a detailed guide to SleepyHead: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Beginner%27s_Guide_to_SleepyHead%20
Here are some tips on how to organise and post your charts to give the best information: http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=SleepyHead_Chart_Organization
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Attaching_Images_and_Files_on_Apnea_Board
RE: Hate my CPAP! - MrsBrando - 02-12-2017
I don't have imgur. I did use Sleepyhead to read my CPAP card, and it says the last time I used it my AHI was 11.75 and I should see my healthcare provider. It also told me I've only used my machine for 70 days over the last year and a half. I didn't realize it was that little. I know I do get frustrated and put the whole thing away for a month or two at a time, and then my health gets worse, and I think, man, I better get back on that CPAP, but it ticks me off and as I'm sure you all know, the less good sleep you get, the lower your frustration tolerance. Mine anyway. I'll try my best to use it consistently for a week or so to get some better data.
Thanks for the "liner" tip, DeepBreathing. I will try that tonight! :-)
RE: Hate my CPAP! - OpalRose - 02-12-2017
Install #SleepyHead and follow the directions at bottom of post or as others have posted to upload here. We can then help you with settings and see what your leak rate is.
A mask liner will more than likely help with the leaking.
I have the same machine and love it, but you have to have the pressure set correctly to get the proper therapy.
RE: Hate my CPAP! - MrsBrando - 02-12-2017
[attachment=3187][attachment=3188]
RE: Hate my CPAP! - OpalRose - 02-12-2017
It's a bit hard to advise with such sporadic use, but first thing I think you need to do is adjust your minimum pressure to 7cm and leave max setting alone for now.
I would change AFLex setting to 1 or turn it off.
These small changes may help you see a reduction in hypopneas and Rera's.
Your leak rate is fine in that it isn't high enough that it would affect the machines ability to do it's job, although even small mask leaks can keep you awake.
RE: Hate my CPAP! - Sleeprider - 02-12-2017
I agree with Rose. Your minimum pressure is too low and allowing events to occur, and you really need more air anyway, especially with the full face mask. The Philips auto machine is a good one, but it needs to be set at a high enough pressure to prevent most events.
You have heard from several people that nasal pillows might help. Ask your supplier to let you try a Resmed Airfit P10 Nasal pillows mask. The pressure applied directly to your nose will let you breath normally for the first time in years. I have a deviated septum, and often find myself mouth breathing during the day, but at night the nasal pillows clear my sinuses and it feels great. It's worth a try. Don't let someone tell you it won't work until you try it. It could really make this therapy something you look forward to.
RE: Hate my CPAP! - ppca - 02-12-2017
MrsBrando,
You may want to remove your personal info from the statistics screen in SleepyHead, when you post your results. You can never be careful enough on the Internet.
RE: Hate my CPAP! - trish6hundred - 02-13-2017
Hi MrsBrando,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I know CPAP therapy can take some getting used to, but I want to encourage you to stick with it, you came to the right place for guidance.
I want to tell you that you can do this, I just know it; so just keep trying and don't give up.
I wish you much success on your CPAP journey.
RE: Hate my CPAP! - MrsBrando - 02-13-2017
[attachment=3189]OK. I changed the settings to min 7, max 12, A-flex 1. Last night was better, but still not great. I still woke up a few times, but no feelings of no air flow. I did wake up extremely dizzy this morning. What does that mean?