New patient

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on October 8, 2013 at 11:47

Hi Lee, and welcome to the forum! Firstly, can I say how sorry I am that you had to write this post in the middle of the night - been there, worn the t-shirt and I know what that feels like

You have a lot of issues going on there and some of the medications you are having to use are probably making your sleep apnoea worse, so it's even more important to make sure you get onto good CPAP therapy to eliminate as many of your apnoea events as possible.  Hopefully, in time, you may find you can wean off the anti-depressant, as sleep deprivation is a big cause of why people have to take them, so when you're on better sleep this could well help.  See this blog post and read the comments which have been left http://www.sleepapnoeablog.com/the-link-between-sleep-apnoea-depres...

The first thing to ensure is that you have the 'right' mask for you - the mask is even more important than which machine people use.  See this blog post (but bear in mind there are some new masks on the market since I wrote it ) http://www.sleepapnoeablog.com/choosing-a-cpap-bipap-masks-for-slee...

There are several reasons why people remove their masks in the night without meaning to:-

• The mask is uncomfortable, which can be the wrong mask for the person or the wrong fit.
• Feeling too hot - this can be due to the temperature in the bedroom, body heat through certain medications or hormone changes.  It can also be that people have their heated humidifiers too high.
• Sometimes the pressure isn't set high enough on the CPAP, resulting in a feeling of not enough air (your sleep clinic will work with you on this).

It seems hard that you've had a disciplinary after just 4 days on sick (Incidentally, you might want to change your profile name on here so your employers don't see your post in the public forum - some people just take their surname out or use an alias name).

Staying awake during the day will happen once you start to get proper safe sleep on a night, and you've come to the right place for help with this.

What machine are you using?  Make + model, and whether it's CPAP (one constant pressure) or APAP (automatic pressures)?

What mask are you using?

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on October 8, 2013 at 23:06

I agree with all Kath's comments, you do have a number of illness's and depression just makes everything worse. I have been off anti depressants for over a year now and feel much better, mine was cause by the sleep apnea. Lets hope we can help you with at least your sleep apnea which may in turn help some of the other issues. I was going to ask what machine and mask you are using, I see in your profile it is a auto and full face mask but if you can let us know the brand and models it will help. Also how long have you been on CPAP?

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Permalink Reply by Lee on October 9, 2013 at 15:52

Hi my middle name is lee lol
Well just a bit of an update last night I went to bed with mask on about 4 this morning I felt like I was in a wnd tunnel and had to take it off I checked the machine and has 3.8 Aeneas, I have been on this for 3 mths and still no better.
I have had back issues for 5 yrs and have been on this medication for the same length of time even antidepressants,
I do blame medway for my back because if they had done surgery earlier I wouldn't be like this .
Exercise is tough with such a bad back I've gone from 10 stone to 15 .5 in 5 yrs anyway I have a cpap machine with humidifier and auto pressure it's a redmed I believe, I just would love the wide awake feeling again I have even tried the nasal mask although I'm not a snorer xxx

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on October 9, 2013 at 23:17

Lee, I also use a Resmed Autoset, if you can have a look next to the power button on the CPAP it will tell you the exact model, it will be either a Escape, Elite or Autoset, hopefully it is an Autoset. The 3.8 apnea's is Ok and maybe there are things we can suggest to make them better. By the sound of it you could possibly be having mask leaks and that means you may not be getting the best results possible. The meds don't normally help sleep apnea but if you need to be on them you do. Can you tell us the also the brand and model of mask that your using. These are important things to help us to help you get your treatment right. The other question is have you been back to the clinic to get them to check your data and make any suggestion?

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Permalink Reply by Lee on October 10, 2013 at 17:59

Hi I'm on auto set and mirage Quattro mask just would like to feel awake in the day xxx

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on October 10, 2013 at 20:47

The reason Terry will have asked which model of machine you're using Lee is that with the autoset you can view your CPAP therapy by downloading the free Sleepyhead software http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/ and, assuming you have a slot on your computer or a card reader, you can download the data into Sleepyhead from the sd card in your machine.  This will show you how efficient your therapy is.  You do need using the machine for the whole night though to get the best therapy you can, or the tiredness won't improve.  If your mask is uncomfortable you can ask the hospital if they can let you try a different one.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on October 11, 2013 at 0:03

Lee, Kath knows me too well, I use the same CPAP and mask, so if you want help I can help you. You can either download the software and use a card reader to read your data or you need to get your clinic to look at it for you. I find the Mirage Quattro does cause quite a few leaks so that needs to be investigated first. Have you tried Mask Liners? I like them for two reasons, they help leaks and keep the silicone off your skin. I know this all probably sounds daunting but as Kath said, you need to use your CPAP the whole night, makes sure you don't have leaks, make sure your settings are correct and if you do all that, it should work. It did take me 3-6 months to really feel the effects of CPAP and it takes different people different amounts of time for it to work. I have some more questions do you know what your AHI was at your sleep study, if not, ask your clinic, also do you know what your pressure settings are on your CPAP, there will be a high and low pressure. If you download the software it will tell us or the clinic can tell you. Just let us know what you want to do, this is a long journey and you are just starting out, if you want to feel the true affects of CPAP you need to take your therapy into your own hands with our help.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on October 23, 2013 at 0:05

most of us are side sleepers

many have purchased a special pillow, and derive benefit

no computers in bedroom

a warm milk drink or a banana may help

oh and theres one grate way to sleep which involves your husband participation to ware yourselves out

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