Re: First night with cpap machine

RollTide2008 · ‎02-14-2017

@smoochy wrote:
Just ordered a cpap pillow for side sleepers from Amazon. Will be here tomorrow. Hopefully that will allow me to get some sleep. I like the app that corresponds to my machine. It tells me about my usage, whether I had any apnea events, leaks etc. I had zero leaks so I guess I adjusted the mask correctly. Friend of mine said he couldn't tolerate exhaling against the pressure of incoming air. I didn't find that to be an issue fortunately.
tonight I'll take a Xanax like I normally do. Might help.

If that becomes an issue for you, you might want to check with your doctor about having the pressure adjusted.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

My husband adjusted to using the c-pap machine by wearing it while sitting in his recliner and watching TV for hours before trying to sleep with it. This gave him a chance to adjust to the mask, how it felt on his face along with breathing the forced air while he was awake. By bedtime he felt comfortable enough to go to sleep with it and uses it every night; probably close to 10 years now.

Anytime he has a COPD flare, he uses the c-pap for oxygen therapy.

bowlicious · ‎03-10-2010

I've had a cpap for 4+ ears. The first week wasn't easy but after a whille I got used to it and now wouldn't want to sleep without it. I don't know about your face mask but with mine if I pull the back down almost to my neck the face part stays covering my nose better.

smoochy · ‎03-10-2010

@bowlicious wrote:
I've had a cpap for 4+ ears. The first week wasn't easy but after a whille I got used to it and now wouldn't want to sleep without it. I don't know about your face mask but with mine if I pull the back down almost to my neck the face part stays covering my nose better.

That's a good tip 👍🏻

MICHIGAN STATE MOM

Franell · ‎03-23-2012

Here's an incentive to use a cpap. Before using a cpap I would get up 2x a night to pee. I didn't know that getting up at night to urinate was often related to sleep apnea. I hate using the cpap but I like the fact that I rarely have to use the bathroom at night.

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

I have been wearing a CPAP X 10 years and adjusted on the first night. I guess I was 1 of the lucky people. I wear nasal pillows and those work for me. I tried a mask once and did not like it at all. You could try a chin strap to hold your mouth closed an progress to a different mask. I would see how you adjust and then talk to the home health people.

I really like my CPAP, and sleep really well.

birdQ13 · ‎07-30-2013

My experience is inconsistent use but better than not using at all. Like building good habits- practice, and/or go back to Dr and tech for modifications. Apnea is dangerous. Good Luck!

DottieBlue · ‎03-11-2010

I"ve been using a Bi-Pap machine for about 7 years now. Bi-Pap means the air pressure is higher for intake and lower for exhaling. CPAP means it is at the same pressure for both inhale and exhale.

It took about 3 weeks for me to get used to wearing it at least 4 hours per night, which is the minimum requirement for insurance to pay for it. It took about 2 months until I could wear it all night, and it just became second nature.

I got my equipment from a local supply company and the young lady who worked with me was wonderful, very patient and answered all my questions. She suggested I use the "ramp" feature whenever the air pressure got too much for me until I got used to the pressure. My intake pressure is quite high and I could really feel my lungs being forced to expand. It was a strange feeling but no pain. I also had trouble with "raspberries" and she suggested using mask liners which I order online (and is my only expense, but well worth it.) The liners keep the mask from slipping on me. I also need a full facemask.

To this day, what I need to do is, after getting into bed, wait until I know for sure that I am ready to fall asleep before hooking myself up to the machine. I cannot wear it if I am wide awake. If I don't fall asleep within 20 minutes or so, I have to take it off and try again later while I watch TV in bed.

It is a matter of trial and error and adjusting.

I look absolutely ridiculous in this get-up and would also be embarrased for anyone (other than DH) to see me! Very vain, I know!

Don't give up. Go slowly at first. If you can't fall asleep after wearing it for an hour or so, take it off, and try again the next night and then each night increase the "wear time" until you can keep it on for at least 4 hours a night and be able to sleep. I think the insurance companies allow for a "break-in" time of about a month for users to reach the 4-hour per night minimum requirement to continue to pay for the equipment.

Someday, medical science will develop a much better method and these machines, masks, headgear, hoses, etc., will be so archaic!

I wish you good luck and restful sleep.

SandGirl · ‎03-09-2010

@DottieBlue wrote:
I"ve been using a Bi-Pap machine for about 7 years now. Bi-Pap means the air pressure is higher for intake and lower for exhaling. CPAP means it is at the same pressure for both inhale and exhale.

It took about 3 weeks for me to get used to it, and I tried it every night. I also must wear a full face mask. I got my equipment from a local supply company and the young lady who worked with me was wonderful, very patient and answered all my questions. She suggested I use the "ramp" feature whenever the air pressure got too much for me until I got used to the pressure. My intake pressure is quite high and I could really feel my lungs being forced to expand. It was a strange feeling but no pain. I also had trouble with "raspberries" and she suggested using mask liners which I order online (and is my only expense, but well worth it.) The liners keep the mask from slipping on me.

What I ended up doing was, after getting into bed, waiting until I knew for sure that I was ready to fall asleep before hooking myself up to the machine. I cannot wear it if I am wide awake. If I don't fall asleep within 20 minutes or so, I have to take it off and try again later while I watch TV in bed.

At first I had to sleep on my back, which I found very uncomfortable. But I learned to sleep on my side and position my mask against my regular pillow which actually helps to keep my mask in place against my skin and stop leaks. It is a matter of trial and error and adjusting.

I look absolutely ridiculous in this get-up and would also be embarrased for anyone (other than DH) to see me! Very vain, I know!

Don't give up!! I wish I didn't need to use it, but am so grateful that there is something that helps me with my sleep disorder (as well as eliminating the need to get up several times a night to go to the bathroom).

Someday, medical science will develop a much better method and these machines, masks, headgear, hoses, etc., will be so archaic!

I wish you good luck.

The p art about looking ridiculous is so true and I have contact derm so when something is on my skin it leaves a mark for sometimes 4-5 hours, I work FT and I leave the house at 5:30am each day, I do not have time to let the marks wear off

I might have to try some alternatives to the machine, I know I have apnea because my Fitbit shows all my tiny wake ups

DottieBlue · ‎03-11-2010

@SandGirl

Oh, how awful that your skin can't tolerate the straps. Is there any type of material you aren't allergic to? If so, could you make some kind of "sleeve" to go over the headgear straps that touch your skin to prevent the allergic reaction?

I must wear a full face mask and the headgear goes over the top of my head, and the strap that goes around the back of my head cuts deep into my skin along my neckline. I have to have the straps cinched very tight because my air pressure is quite high. So I wear a cotton "chemo" cap to cushion the headgear and to prevent the strap from digging into my neck. But fortunately for me, the straps along my face don't bother me, but sometimes they do leave marks. But this cap certainly adds flair to the get-up!!

There is a new device on the market. I think it is called "Watchman", but I'm not sure. From what little I know about it, it is a device implanted under your skin and uses a "shock" when it senses the person has stopped breathing. It sounds scary and too invasive for me. I've just seen some commercials for it.

Gosh, I hope you can find a good solution. Wishing you good luck!