Hope2SleepGuide

Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient

I have had my CPAP machine for 1 year 5 months and have felt a lot better whilst using it. One of my symptoms was incredible pain in my hands and arms during the night. The first night I used an APAP machine for pressure testing, I had absolutely no pain during the night. I have been able to stop taking Tramadol to get me through the night. No more daytime sleepiness etc. Life has been great.

About a month ago I noticed the pain disturbing me during the night and was frequently falling asleep in the car. I was also waking a few times a night really gasping for breath despite using my CPAP machine. I use a hose lift and mask liners.

At Kath's suggestion I phoned the clinic who orgnaised an appointment for me. Last week I was given an APAP? machine to monitor my breathing and a new mask.  I had noticed a piece of my old mask was missing. It was a cover for a breath testing tube and so my mask was leaking from the tube but I was given a replacement mask as mine was a year old.

I used the new mask and machine for the full seven days and went back yesterday for the results. I felt a bit better when using the APAP machine, less sleepy, no pain durig the night

The results were nothing I expected. I was told that my apnoeas were average ( 3.5 per hour, was 20-25) and that the greatest concern was mask leakage. It had leaked a lot more than expected. I remember her saying 2. something, don't really know what it means. I was given a new, different mask. She said that I could continue on CPAP as it helped my symptoms despite having leakage and few apnoeas

Last night I tried the new mask and was awake dozens of times with it moving off my face and constantly leaking. I have had palpitations all day, which was common before I started to use CPAP.  What I don't understand is how the apnoeas have gone down so much. My weight hasn't gone down.

I also think I may need more help on how to keep a mask on without leakage. After this length of time I should have got it right. I was allowed to keep the replacement Hans Rodulf mask I was given last week as well as the old one and I also now have the new mask which is an Almara full face. As I didn't have any liners for the Almara I used it without last night and suffered raspberry blowing noises on my face constantly. 

Basically, I am confused, and looking for more ideas on how to keep my mask in place please. I clean it carefully, used mask wipes, clean my face very carefully, use a liner and hose lift. I tend to sleep on my side and have a special pillow.

Just remembered that she decided to leave my pressure as it was but has said she will refer it to the senior nurse practitioner for more advice.

Views: 112

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Judith-Ann, which APAP did you get, your apnea's numbers look good at 3.5 and may come down even more. The APAP's can be set to have a low and high pressure, you may want to ask whether they have set yours at a low and high pressure or whether it's constant. The APAP's do a lot of the work for you and I find are more comfortable to use. You can get free software to read your own results daily if you want so you can monitor your own progress. On the mask, you seem to be doing the right things, I don't use those masks but do fingd liners help and having the hose coming from above my head. Can you get a new cushion for the old mask, I assume that it worked for you if you have been using it for a year and a half.

i think it is not apnea that is causing the pain although the cpap does take pressure off of your heart

you should make a doctors appointment

correct way to put the mask on is to start the machine before you fit it onto your face

Judith, I would push for feedback from the senior practitioner, as you're no better off by the sounds of it and seems like the APAP was treating you better.  This may be due to higher pressures being reached on the APAP above which your CPAP is set on.  Did she mention whether the pressures went higher when you were on CPAP?

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 John's discussion Airsense 10 -humidifier runs dry
"I did replace the tank in my SleepCube, and had to regularly take the silicone sealing gasket out and give it a goof clean, but not infrequently found it standing in a pool of water in the morning.  The machine sat on a tray because of…"
Tuesday
John posted a discussion

Nasal valve collapse

Does anyone have any experience of nasal valve collapse?Wondering if I have this but I don't know what the norm is.Been trying widgets that hold the nose open and it's like night and day.See More
Sunday
John replied to John's discussion Airsense 10 -humidifier runs dry
"Wow it's the other way round for me.I found with the Sleepcube I'd often have a good bit of water still there in the morning. Today I woke up with a dry tank on the Resmed again and it's not on full heat or flow. I got it on 6…"
Sunday
Becky Murkin posted a discussion

F20 AirFit small marking bridge of nose

Please help or give advice all wise people on here.I have had the Resmed F20 AirFit small mask for over a month. Seals yet…See More
Mar 19
Frances Knight replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"A very helpful reply Jonathan. I found the pressure setting for the full face mask to be too high when I changed to a nasal mask, but perhaps I should have persisted? I'll try again and I'll also discuss with the clinic whether an APAP…"
Mar 13
Jonathan replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"Ramble alert!  My history is that I spent part of each week at a different location, so bought a second machine identical to my fixed pressure NHS machine and set it up to match using the clinician menu.  This was a very long time…"
Mar 12
Frances Knight replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"Thanks Jonathan - I had seen the YouTube video. My question is really about the experience of people who have control of their pressure settings, for example those people who have bought their machines directly and not obtained them through an NHS…"
Mar 12
Jonathan replied to Frances Knight's discussion Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings
"This is NOT a recommendation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNUWhd2UgQM"
Mar 11
Frances Knight posted a discussion

Air Sense 10 - changing pressure settings

I have been successfully using my air sense 10 since OSA diagnosis, and my AHI is now under 2. I had an appointment with my clinic this week and have been told there is no need for further appointments and just to contact them if I need supplies or…See More
Mar 11
Swen Greve is now a member of Hope2SleepGuide
Mar 4
Jonathan replied to Sue Reeves's discussion A few questions..
"If you have a helpful GP, I would ask them to re-refer you to the sleep clinic."
Mar 3
Sue Reeves posted a discussion

A few questions..

A quick bit of backgroundDiagnosed with OSA about 7/8 years ago by my local sleep clinic and given a F &P Icon CPAP.  After a couple of follow-up appts to sort out any issues, I was sent on my merry way. I have had no further face to face…See More
Mar 3
Jonathan replied to John's discussion Airsense 10 -humidifier runs dry
"I previously had a DeVilbiss Sleepcube and the dehumidifier did sometimes run dry.  On the other hand I now have an AirSense 10 and it never runs dry, and I've had the humidity turned up high."
Feb 26
John posted a discussion

Airsense 10 -humidifier runs dry

Hi. I'm finding the Airsense 10 the hospital gave me, the humidifier chamber runs dry. It's not even on max settings, which I'm guessing would empty it a lot quicker. Seems like a big design oversight to me. Does anyone else have this trouble? The…See More
Feb 26
David Hudson posted a discussion

Decline in hearing

HiI have regular, well yearly check ups at work. One being a hearing test. Since having my cpap machine my hearing has declined rapidly in 1 ear.....could this be as a result of pressure? I believe I'm on 15cm p max h2o. I just use a nasal…See More
Feb 26
Profile Icontim richards, mark & les, Lesley Parks and 1 more joined Hope2SleepGuide
Feb 13
Jenny Wren replied to Jenny Wren's discussion Feeling Abandoned by the Sleep Clinic
"I've got lucky! I can collect a new machine next week. It's been really helpful to 'speak' to people here and to Kath. It alerted me to the fact that I'd slipped through the net. The clinic were very apologetic and now all…"
Feb 8
Ejog1 replied to Jenny Wren's discussion Feeling Abandoned by the Sleep Clinic
"Thanks. Good news for me today, my clinic did finally reply to me and they’re giving me a new machine. The person I spoke to was super helpful. The NHS clinics are great when you’re able to speak to them, but they seem to be…"
Feb 7
Jenny Wren replied to Jenny Wren's discussion Feeling Abandoned by the Sleep Clinic
"Yes, my machine is affected. Seems I slipped through the net. I'm now on the sleep clinic's radar again and am hopeful that this will be sorted soon. Thanks for your reply and stay well."
Feb 7
Jenny Wren replied to Jenny Wren's discussion Feeling Abandoned by the Sleep Clinic
"I'm sorry to hear that. I emailed Kath about this and she was very helpful. She advised me to get in touch with my sleep clinic and I have had a reply from them. I so hope that you get a response soon."
Feb 7

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service