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Sleep Apnea
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Newbie can't fall asleep with CPAP

Posted by WakeMan on August 06, 2007 at 08:25:17:

I have just started using a CPAP-Cflex with a Mirage Nasal Mask and, like most new users, I'm totally frustrated. I just can't seem to fall asleep while using CPAP! I have a ramp feature, but its only 20 minutes. The first night I lied awake for 3 hours, then took off the mask. The last few nights, I took it off after only an hour. Once I take the mask off, I'm asleep in 10 minutes. My main complaints are:
(1) The pressure (10 cm) changes my breathing patterns to the point of distraction, forcing mew to breathe deeper and longer.
(2) The noise from the breathing, which sounds like Darth Vader, just emphasizes the artificial nature of my breathing patterns.
(3) The noise from the CPAP itself is distracting. If it was constant, it may be more tolerable, but the C flex feature causes the noise to constantly change, emphasizing my breathing even more.

Since my apnea is only mild, I actually feel worse now, since I'm getting less sleep. Before I chuck it altogether, and look into dental devices, are there any tried and true methods of getting over the intitial hurdle of falling asleep? Once I can sleep with it, I'll worry about the other problems.

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  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


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