I've not used the nasal air pillows, but it does take some time to get used to the machine. The amount of time varies, I think, on the individual. I have kept my doctor and respiratory therapist busy during my adjustment period. Don't be afraid to ask questions of them! :D
So sorry, Steph19, that you're having this trouble. I, too, have FELT like my sleep is not good using the machine, but I have been regularly dreaming which I did not do before using the machine. I plan to discuss this with my Pulmonologist tomorrow. He is the one who kept doing sleep studies until he found out why things we're not going well for me and discovered my Central Sleep Apnea. I am thankful for him. He won't be pleased, though, that I have been taking some "mini-vacations" from my machine! ;-)
Yes, ASV is the one that adjusts air flow pressure based on your breathing.
I am sure you are not the only one struggling with this. I was diagnosed about 5 months ago and am still struggling to settle into using my ASV machine (ResMed S9). I am more aware now of the CSA as I am awakening enough to notice the problem. I suspect my awareness is related to the ASV machine giving me that extra burst of air which then awakens me. Sometimes I awaken in a near panic, trying to breathe. My Respiratory Therapist suggested that I may be reacting to the machine's return to normal pressure causing me to feel the drop in pressure, hence feeling like I can't get enough air. As I have reflected on that, I think he is correct. I have both CSA and OSA. I am considering whether to look into getting surgery for deviated septum, hoping that will take some of the apnea out of the picture. I have not yet talked that over with an ENT, though. My pulmonologist did not really encourage this action, indicating that it likely would not help. His attitude was somewhat disparaging toward the procedure, so I want to look into that via an ENT.
