Hope2SleepGuide

Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

I have been on CPAP since Dec and I have never had more than 4 hours a night sleep with it. In fact having 4 hours is a good night and I normally manage about 2 hours. I put my mask on to go to sleep - sometimes I get to sleep quickly and other times it takes a while, but when I get to sleep I only sleep for the longest 2 hours. I have no idea what wakes me, as when I do not use the CPAP I do sleep for longer, but yes, I still wake up.  However, using the CPAP has made me worse sleeping, though I did get 2 good nights sleep when the sleep clinic gave me an APAP machine for 2 nights.  I am going to see the specialist again soon but I am at the end of my tether with it all, and I know I need to use the CPAP as I am a nurse.

Kath has been supporting me and has been a great help, but I've still not managed. I've tried different masks, but I do not think it is the mask as I am ok with it.  I have no leakage and I've even taken sleep relaxing tablets.  In fact I have tried everything and I am not someone who gives in easy, but the last week I've stopped trying with the mask.   I do not know why i am posting this really but you never know.... someone my have some other ideas to try .

Views: 906

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Hi kath, this is the data for the night that i described as being really bad, the AHI is over 9 - this isnt a typical night- but just wondered what the stats are telling me?(attaching chart as a word doc -dont know whether it will work ot not)


 
cathy said:


Hi Kath thanks for this, i was shattered last going to bed but then I had a bad night last night around 3ish and was awake (or felt like i was every half hour) i had tried to tighten the mask - but then felt claustraphobic so had to relax it to the previous nights tension. if i look at my stats and capture a screen shot and paste it - do you think (if you had time of course) you could give me a brief rundown of what it looks like is happening - that way i get to understand the graphs a little more??
Kath Hope said:

Cathy, the software you're now using will help you identify some problems I hope.  However, you asked the question on if certain things you're eating and drinking will have an effect on your sleep..... most definitely!  I'm sure you're aware of alcohol within at least 3 hours, preferably 4, of bedtime.  It's better to have a drink during the day than before sleep which is a hard one, as most people who drink like it in the evening.  Eating a large meal within 3-4 hours of bedtime will also affect your sleep.  If you like water before bed, it's best to only have a sip as any apnoeas will result in the juices of food or drink being sucked back up and could cause you to wake up (it's more detailed that this, but it's late and I should be in bed).  Your body temperature also has an effect, and particularly if you're of the age where the per-imenopause is upon you.  Let's see what the results from the software bring eh?

Attachments:

Hi Cathy

I had no problems opening up the document, and found it very interesting in that most of your events are actually Hypopnoeas (8.22) as opposed to Obstructives (0.65).  Hypopnoeas can be caused through various reasons - often nasal congestion/stuffiness.  Are you airways clear?  I used to get a lot of hypopnoeas before my nasal surgery, but now they're very low. 

Hopefully when you go back this month your hospital will adjust your pressures which should help you get better treatment.

Hi kath thnaks for this, i am not particulalry congested (at least i dont feel like i am) ive looked at other days and most of the data identies Hypopneas at around (7.41 to 9.45) and also obstructives at (6.79 to 8.45). So i do appear to be having those as well, but obviously not on the night with the data i posted.

i must say in connection with Marys comment above whilst i have had one or two really bad nights it cannot be compared to the sleep (or rather no sleep) that i was getting prior to this machine. Whether they are hypopnoes or obstructives - waking up with the sensation of being suffocated or drowning is not nice and is not psychological - its physical. i dont think i need to see a social worker, pyschologist or psychiatrist and thanks for your comments Mary.

Kath thanks for your advice and comments- it will be interesting to see what the sleep clinic says- i only saw them once (after having the machine 2 weeks) and havent seen them since so am due a 3 month review at any time now.

take care
 
Kath Hope said:

Hi Cathy

I had no problems opening up the document, and found it very interesting in that most of your events are actually Hypopnoeas (8.22) as opposed to Obstructives (0.65).  Hypopnoeas can be caused through various reasons - often nasal congestion/stuffiness.  Are you airways clear?  I used to get a lot of hypopnoeas before my nasal surgery, but now they're very low. 

Hopefully when you go back this month your hospital will adjust your pressures which should help you get better treatment.

It's early days for you yet Cathy, and I'm sure you'll get better CPAP therapy once your clinic have finished titrating you.  At least you're now getting 'better' sleep they should be able to do this easily, but we're hear to help after your consultation ;)

Thanks Kath, sleep well Im off to bed now - washed all my equipment today tubes and everything - have to go and asemble everything again now - gonna remind myself to that earlier the day!!! so i can get straight in bed, take care nite nite x
 
Kath Hope said:

It's early days for you yet Cathy, and I'm sure you'll get better CPAP therapy once your clinic have finished titrating you.  At least you're now getting 'better' sleep they should be able to do this easily, but we're hear to help after your consultation ;)

I did mine earlier ;)  Looking forward to clean everything, including sheets.  Sleep well x

cathy said:

Thanks Kath, sleep well Im off to bed now - washed all my equipment today tubes and everything - have to go and asemble everything again now - gonna remind myself to that earlier the day!!! so i can get straight in bed, take care nite nite x
 
Kath Hope said:

It's early days for you yet Cathy, and I'm sure you'll get better CPAP therapy once your clinic have finished titrating you.  At least you're now getting 'better' sleep they should be able to do this easily, but we're hear to help after your consultation ;)

Kath and Cathy, I know there is debate as to how often and what products we should use to clean our equipment, if I could tell you what I do as a regular routine, I wash most bits of the equipment twice a week on a Sunday and Wednesday. I do the mask and hose those days, the humidifer once a week on a Sunday that's when I fully empty the water otherwise I top up daily and do the straps every second week. I put them in my bathroom sink with some fragrance free liquid soap while I have a shower then rinse and then hang up the hose. I put everything back together before dinner so I'm ready for bed. All my equipment has lasted over a year and still going strong. Everyone will have different ways of doing things, I find this the best because I get into a routine and haven't had any problems so far.

How an appontment to the sleep specialist can change your life !!!!!!!

I walked in to see the specialist and he asked me about falling asleep all the time.  I told him I do not fall asleep all the time - only if I read and I can't get past a page, and if I am in a car as a passenger.  He said my GP had wrote to him saying about just falling asleep all the time, so I told him I've never been to see the GP about falling asleep. I told him how I happened to have a sleep study due to having the brain scan !! (mistake 1).  Mistake 2 was I said I'd not used the machine the last 4 weeks, and straight away he said (without catching his breath)  "well I hope you have got the CPAP with you to give back!!   I told him I had really tried and had used the CPAP up until then, as much as I could cope with, but because of waking up and not sleeping more than an hour, it was so hard (mistake 3 ) because if I had tried I'd have managed it! 

He said that it sounds as if I suffer from insomnia as well as sleep apnoea and CPAP will not help with sleeping, so I discussed about the risks etc., and was there any think else that I can try  like APAP etc., operation or any thing else.  He looked in mouth and said I have large tonsils and large tongue, but cos I was so overweight it would not help.   He said he will just discharge me and to bring machine back.  I said I'd try again as on leave in a few weeks and he told me not to bother !!!I

I am so cross of with it all!!!!  Nothing I can do now seeing as I have been discharged - no choice!!!!!  Sod the NHS -  what a rubbish service !!!! 

Gina, I hope Kath can give you some advise because by the sound of it you need to be on CPAP. The specialst should be a bit more compassionate and help you not discharge you.

at the moment i am so cross and ive decided not to look in to any more treatment  but id like to say a big thank you to kath who has been a rock for me since i started cpap . and i will be going later to hand in this cpap !

I am so very sad and disappointed for you Gina.  I'm speechless, as I was hoping the specialist could have offered you some help or options.  Will be in touch via email.

I can understand your disappointment and frustration, but don't let someone's opinion effect your future. I would be inclined to exercise your right and see your GP and request a second opinion. Make enquiries of the hospitals local to you and try to obtain a recommendation from someone with regards to a consultant you can request to see for your second opinion. There will be answer so keep pressing on.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Sleep Apnoea Forum

New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum? 

1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!

Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.

 

Latest Activity

Jonathan replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Just to tidy this up, I finally had an in-person review by my sleep clinic yesterday, who agreed the ResMed AirSense 10 was "wheezy" and replaced the machine."
Nov 9
Collette rose replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"thank you jonathan,i did get the it pack so tried the small and still struggled but i was sat up in bed so will try lying down great suggestion "
Nov 3
Jonathan replied to Collette rose's discussion 1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test
"Hi My first thought is "don't panic"!  We're all a bit different, and there are many things that can be tweaked.  I took to CPAP therapy like a duck to water, but I've had friends who say they can't cope, but…"
Nov 2
Collette rose posted a discussion

1st time and I’ve failed the mask leak test

Hi everyone, today I received my rental kit - prisma smart max, plus a Philips dreamwear mask which I’ve been wearing unconnected to try and get used to it. I just did a mask fit test using a medium mask and got a constant red/orange leak warning…See More
Nov 2
Collette rose is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 31
John posted a discussion
Oct 30
Profile IconBill Wright, Nicole Watson, TJ Bennett and 2 more joined Hope2SleepGuide
Oct 29
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Ha well it lasted a couple of days but started howling again. But it's a step in the right direction, just needs a bit more work."
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Nope, I just accept that some people's throats tend to close when they sleep, due to a loss of muscle tone during deeper sleep.  Back when I was diagnosed, the sleep lab just filmed you whilst you slept, stuck an O2 meter on your finger,…"
Oct 24
Jonathan replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Good to know you found a solution!"
Oct 24
John replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"Did anyone tell you exactly what the anatomical issue is, Jonathan?"
Oct 21
John replied to Jonathan's discussion ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy
"Can't say I know about this."
Oct 20
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"So I tore some fabric from one of the filters and glued it over the holes - and it worked!It was dead quiet, and the air was still flowing freely.It was quiet all night then after a few hours a bit of whistling until I gave it a wipe.Vast…"
Oct 19
John replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Hi Jonathan, well see my nose is blocked a lot, so I mouth breath which really sucks a lot more moisture and makes my mouth dry. So I put humidity on maximum, which makes for condensation at the mask end, which becomes a demonic reed instrument.Now…"
Oct 17
Jonathan posted a discussion

ResMed AirSense 10 getting noisy

HelloI have an NHS issued ResMed AirSense 10 with heated humidifier.  In the last couple of weeks, it's developed an annoying noise, when I inhale. It bothers me a little and my partner a lot! I sometimes get problems if the water container in the…See More
Oct 16
Jonathan replied to John's discussion evil mask noise
"Hi My first question is why is condensation forming?  I very occasionally get some condensation, may be once a month, but I can quickly run a finger around the inside of the mask, and wipe it away.  I use a nasal mask, with the humidifier…"
Oct 16
John replied to John's discussion What's a good Apnea forum?
"11K+? Ok that's probably where I should look then :-)"
Oct 16
Kath Hope replied to John's discussion What's a good Apnea forum?
"Hi John. Thanks for the compliment as I do my best popping on here, but it's difficult due to us now supporting 25k+ patients at the charity. To be honest, the forum is quiet because most people seem to prefer Facebook and forums aren't as…"
Oct 16
John posted discussions
Oct 16
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Has anyone been told root cause of their OSA?
"There's some information here, but generally it's very common and likely due to our anatomy."
Oct 12

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service