Wearing a sleep apnea mask?

[SpringHollow]

They can tell from your brain waves whether you are sleeping or not. I would have sworn I did not sleep more than a couple of minutes at most but I slept a fair amount of the time. I also did a day time test - had to try and fall asleep every 2 hours. One time, i knew I fell asleep. A second I thought I might have, the other two I was sure I did not. Ended up being I fell asleep all 4 times - took on average 3 or so minutes for me to fall asleep each time.

Ken

 

[SpringHollow]

Oh, and you do get used to the mask, especially once you find one that fits well for the way you sleep. The leaking will keep me up too. That is why the right mask is critical. There are hundreds to choose from. I am lucky that the nurse that helps with that really knows what she is doing. And most manufacturers give you a 30 trial.

Ken

 

[Bird]

I told him I had not slept a wink since the mask went on. He said yes I did sleep and that was that. I can't say that i have any confidence in the equipment because I know for a fact I did not go to sleep all night.

:laughing:Yep, I thought the same thing when I did the one with the mask.:laughing:

 

[check]

Wow, I really feel for you guys that have had such problems with your CPAP machines.

I myself have been quite lucky, as I have been using one for years and years, and in fact I really cannot sleep without it.

Those of you who are having trouble getting used to the mask might want to consider looking at this issue from a broader perspective.

First, there really is a technology to sleep, that involves a lot of Psychology. Look it up on the Internet, but one big issue is, if you are thinking of complicated things or fussing about how much you dislike the mask your brain stays iin "awake mode" longer. Also, what helps me is that I think of my mask as a lifesaver, and that helps to develop a positive attitude towards it. Especially if I am tired, I think to myself "I just need to get my mask on and then I will be able to fall asleep right away."

The right pillow and pillow position also helps a lot. I can sleep on my side with my mask, if I have a fairly firm pillow and put my head resting on the edgge of the pillow so that the mask is out in the air rather than resting on that pillow with my head, causing air leakage (your worst enemy).

And don't underestimate the power of "getting used to it." I found that, fairly quickly, I adapted to having the mask on my face. So now, I welcome the pressure, as it simply makes breathing so much easier, and I am a bit surprised that a couple of you have trouble breathing out.

Anyway, there are a couple of tips from a Psychologist who's been at this a long time, and I wish you all the very best of luck, as it really, really has a huge impact on your health from many perspectives.

James

 

[Deere Dude]

I never heard of anyone flunking a sleep study test. I wonder why.
I took two tests and I could have sworn I never went to sleep on either of them but they said I did.
I got a machine and every night for a few months I would take the mask off in the middle of the night as a reflex action and then would have to fumble around to put it back on.
I could never get a good nights sleep with it on until a few months ago as I started taking benydril or something like that. Now I can sleep without snoring with the mask and can sleep more sound because of the drugs, I tried to ween myself from the drugs and will keep on trying now and then but every time I do I will be wide awake by 2:30 AM, and then I am a zombie the rest of the day.
ASfter a year and a hald I still fling the mask off now and then, but am getting better.

 

[SpringHollow]

Melatonin is practically a miracle drug for me. Without it, I wake up after an hour with my mind racing and I can not get back to sleep. But I would not take it without talking to Dr first - it can interact with some meds, etc.

Ken

 

[OldMcDonald]

I have slept with a CPAP machine and nasal mask for just over 20 years. No humidifier. I knew of a complaint about my snoring 3 rooms away in a hotel a few years prior to getting my machine. My snoring noise was the issue, not apnoea (English spelling) but I had previously been advised to have throat surgery, and fortunately, knowing the medic who checked me out and provided the CPAP machine, was told not to go ahead due to the high failure rate of surgery.

Everybody who claims to sleep badly sleeps a lot more than they claim. Ask their bed partner. I cannot understand all you people taking drugs, particularly when you went for the sleep test. Were you not told not to have any drugs or alcohol before the test? The biggest risk of sleep apnoea is falling asleep during the day. Anyone driving for a living and claiming not to sleep at least 7 or 8 hours a night has a serious problem - and so does everyone else on the same road. Are they fit to drive? Do they fall asleep whilst driving, even momentarily? If they claim they do not sleep, or only sleep for a short time EVERY night, then they do not know whether they are awake or asleep.

I expect the poster that is typical of the last few remarks will come back and attack me. In anticipation, I will say you absolutely must be properly checked out and have it verified that you are unique and that you do only sleep for 4 hours a night, and that you are fit to drive on so little sleep, and you can work umpteen hours a day and still be fit for your full-time driving job, and you are not a danger to other road users, and your wife will not become a widow at a young age, and you will not wipe out a family because you fell asleep at the wheel. Then, if you have all these guarantees, I will be the first to say I was wrong.

A couple of things for anybody about to try a CPAP machine. If you share a bed with someone, then get a mask that does not blow straight in their face or the back of their head if you both lie on your side and you are facing them. One that blows the air up over your own forehead seems best for this. Room temperature is also important - wind chill factor. If the temperature is low you will end up with a cold nose.

 

[Bird]

I, too, was a bit surprised about the drugs or medications. In my case, at least, I think the humidifier very beneficial. As for room temperature . . . well, that's always been a minor problem for us. My wife liked it a little better when the thermostat was set on 78F, but I finally lowered it to 77. When we watch TV in the living room, I'm sitting directly under the ceiling fan in shorts and a t-shirt while she's on the sofa under a blanket. In the bed, the ceiling fan is over our feet, I sleep under a sheet and she sleeps under the sheet and a quilt.:laughing:

 

[Alan L.]

I went to the sleep doc for followup. He said I do have "moderate" sleep apnea. Said I had about 15 "events" per hour and my oxygen level got down to as low *** 86% during the night. The study also showed my kicking and hollering and I told him all the things I've done when I am asleep. He prescribed Clonazepam which is supposed to help with REM sleep disorder. Some outfit that sells the cpap machines and masks is supposed to call me but I didn't hear from them today. Making my own diagnosis here it would seem that "moderate" sleep apea would not be causing the fatigue but hope I find out differently.

On a night that I didn't feel like I slept at all he said my sleep was 89% efficient, whatever that means.

 

[Deere Dude]

Everybody who claims to sleep badly sleeps a lot more than they claim. Ask their bed partner. I cannot understand all you people taking drugs, particularly when you went for the sleep test. Were you not told not to have any drugs or alcohol before the test? The biggest risk of sleep apnoea is falling asleep during the day. Anyone driving for a living and claiming not to sleep at least 7 or 8 hours a night has a serious problem - and so does everyone else on the same road. Are they fit to drive? Do they fall asleep whilst driving, even momentarily? If they claim they do not sleep, or only sleep for a short time EVERY night, then they do not know whether they are awake or asleep.

I expect the poster that is typical of the last few remarks will come back and attack me. In anticipation, I will say you absolutely must be properly checked out and have it verified that you are unique and that you do only sleep for 4 hours a night, and that you are fit to drive on so little sleep, and you can work umpteen hours a day and still be fit for your full-time driving job, and you are not a danger to other road users, and your wife will not become a widow at a young age, and you will not wipe out a family because you fell asleep at the wheel. Then, if you have all these guarantees, I will be the first to say I was wrong.

\.

I took two sleep tests with no drugs and never alcohol. They were the worst nights sleep in my life. I usually can go to sleep in a heartbeat. Two minutes at the longest if I want, but at the hospital with the wires and the pajamas and the demands to fall asleep it wasn't going to happen.
I always sleep on my stomach and I told them that. They said, "Many people say that but they really don't." After the test they said, "I guess you were right." If I slept two hours I would be real surprised.
For me it's not that hard to figure out how long I sleep. I just look at the clock. When I wake up I know exactly how long because I go to sleep in a couple minutes and it was always 4-5 hours at the longest. I was always tired and cranky. I would take a catnap at noon for twenty minutes and I felt good the rest of the day until 11:00 PM and it would start all over.
I found that taking an over the counter light sleeping pill along with the CPAP works best for me. 6.75 to 7 hours a night and for awhile it was up to 8.
I don't like to drive when I am over tired but sometimes it happens. If I get too tired I have been known to just pull over and have one of my catnaps and off I go again. I have to nice a truck to pile it up.
I just took a pill twenty minutesd ago sol myd spellinh migjt be ofd a kittrlew bit. Tine top turm im and takr a smooxe.