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Extreme Newbie - kent1969 - 11-04-2017
Hi All,
New to the forum and to sleep apnea, I am a 48 yr old male, 6ft and 115 kgs, was a heavy smoker up until recently.
on the 9th of September 2017 I had a heart attack, I woke up at 5am having the heart attack, luckily I survived and had 6 stents put in my right coronary artery, my doctor informed me my artery whilst not blocked that bad looked like a hose that had been left in the sun, so obviously not good. From there I then had a sleep study done and that came back saying I have extreme sleep apnea, my doctor discussed the option of surgery but said that is very invasive and suggested I try cpap first, I have since my heart attack given up smoking and of course like so many gained more weight as food seems to replace the smokes, so there is another battle I have to try and win now.
Two weeks ago I went onto a 5 week trial for cpap, the machine I am using is a Philips Dreamstation Auto and the mask is a full face resmed airo quatro, I am on day 12 I think.
I started ok and in fact was reasonably happy, my AHI for the first couple of nights was around the 10 mark, not great but it was an ok start, I do find the mask a little hard to get used to and at times I feel like I am suffocating or even a little claustrophobic or something like that. But in recent days the last few its gotten worse, my AHI is close to 20, my sleep is horrid, I now dread going to bed, sounds silly maybe but I have a genuine fear of sleeping now, I do not enjoy going to bed, I fall a sleep easily as usual but now have extreme nightmares, often ones about being killed, walking into my house attacked and choked to death is a common dream, I am still waking up gasping for air even without a nightmare, this whole cpap thing has gotten me to the point I just don't want to go to bed anymore.
I see my specialist again next week so ill likely see what she has to say, I found through these forums the sleepyhead software and have worked out how to use it, was wondering if anyone wouldn't mind looking at my results and giving me some idea as to what it means?
Much appreciated
Edit - seems new members are not allowed to post pictures.
RE: Extreme Newbie - Walla Walla - 11-04-2017
It looks like your machine isn't working right. The pressure is stopping at 6cm when it should be going much higher. That explains the choking feeling your getting. Your not getting enough air to help you breath. I'd take machine back ASAP and get one that works!
RE: Extreme Newbie - kent1969 - 11-04-2017
Thanks for looking and replying, did not even notice it myself, you are correct the machine is maxing out at 6, I looked back to early last week on a day when I had an AHI of 5 and the max pressure was 14 and seemed to range between 14 and 6, since then its been horrible and as you say, it seems the machine isnt working right.
thanks again.
RE: Extreme Newbie - ajack - 11-04-2017
Until you can get the machine changed over, I would run fixed cpap and set a pressure of 14, something you know will handle a lot of apnea. It won't be the ideal setting, but it should do for now?
this will show you how to swap to cpap mode and set the pressure, if you choose to do so.
http://www.apneaboard.com/dreamstation-clinician-setup-instructions
RE: Extreme Newbie - Gideon - 11-04-2017
2 things,
first you gave us a very magnified view / a short time span. generally we like to see the whole night.
second until shortly after your getting "Member" status, 4 posts you can post a url with a space in it such as "htt p://imgur.com/xxxxx.png"
Fred
RE: Extreme Newbie - ajack - 11-04-2017
I don't think a view of the whole night will help in this case. I think both walla and I were looking at the stats, showing over 4hr use and a max pressure of 6cm. I have no explanation for it, other than a glitch that needs the maker to look at.
also kent, after this is resolved. The suffocation feeling may be from too low of an initial pressure, you may need to start higher than 5.
RE: Extreme Newbie - Gideon - 11-04-2017
I saw that too. I thought that seeing the whole night might, just might, provide a clue as to failure. And to get the OP to in general post a full nights data instead of a zoomed view.
RE: Extreme Newbie - HalfAsleep - 11-04-2017
Call the doctor ASAP. The choking feeling is very typical for untreated apnea and when the pressure is set too low. No wonder going to bed is scary.
When you get your new machine, begin immediately to work on sleep hygiene. There'll be a link somewhere in the top menu.
Also, sit with the correct machine while you're awake, mask on, reading, watching TV, etc. so you can get past the craziness of what you've experienced so far. You may find that just doing this, you'll be more relaxed. Some folks (like me, also a newbie) get some gentle whiffs just to calm anxiety and breathe steadily. I was very surprised at this nifty little perk.
Good luck!
RE: Extreme Newbie - dracus - 11-04-2017
Welcome aboard, nothing to add except you'll definitely feel starved at that low pressure.
RE: Extreme Newbie - trish6hundred - 11-06-2017
Hi kent1969,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Talk to your doc about the problem you are having with this machine you are using.
Good luck with CPAP therapy.