Wellness

[smoochy]

Well that was some night. I'm exhausted. 
Went to bed at midnight. Was awake from then until 0500.
Couldn't sleep on my back. Tried lying on my side but that dislodged the seal on the mask. Was unpleasantly aware of the feeling of the mask on my face. I have to have the full face mask because I am often times a mouth breather along with the snoring and gasping. I know, that's quite an attractive visual. 😆 
At 0500 I took it off and slept about three hours. Home health rep says 90% of new customers take several weeks to adjust to this. 
If you're a cpap user, what has your experience been?

[RollTide2008]

I've never been a cpap user, but I did used to work for a home medical equipment company that specialized in cpap.  One of the suggestions to new users is to use it for a few hours a day while you're awake to get used to it.  If you can't get used to it, you might need to try a different mask or size.

[colleena]

@smoochy   I really hate the darn thing but after using the cpap for the last 5 years I really do get a better night sleep as my apnea was off the charts.   & I did find that it took me at least a week plus to get used to it, just hang in there, wear it as long as you can each night & hopefully each night will be longer, the sleeping on my back was not easy either - good luck.  

[kaydee50]

@smoochy   I have no advice for you just my sympathy!  I can't imagine sleeping with a mask on my face--I'm very claustrophobic.  Hope you can adjust quickly.  Good luck!

[Toot1920]

@smoochy, I've been using one for a couple years now. I started out using a full face mask. I have tried many others. I thought that I breathed through my mouth but after a lot of trial and error, I now use one that is just under my nose. I don't sleep on my back, sleep on my side or stomach. I also have tried different pillows, specifically for cpap users, that help with dislodging your mask. It does take awhile to get used to, but I now notice on the very few nights that I don't use my cpap, I don't sleep or very much. I noticed that after using a mask where I breathe through my nose, I don't have to get up at night to use the bathroom. I don't know what kind of insurance you have, but, usually you're entitled to new headgear and cushion every three months. That's when I would request a different kind. There's a mask by ResMed (I think) that fits under your nose and it covers your mouth. Good luck and hang in there!

[fingerlakesny]

My husband tried for a good 4 months and never got used to it. He hated it. It just sat there. My daughter had to go on it and she also tried for a couple of months. Hers just sits there too.

[Scooby Doo]

I've been using the ResMed for the last 6 years and I can say that I haven't gone one night without it.  My doctor said my oxygen levels get so low without it that I could die in my sleep.  That's a good incentive to get used to it.  I use the full face but not the headgear that goes around the forehead.  Perhaps you need to try a different gear.  My mask has foam around the edges so I don't sweat and it's really not uncomfortable.  You can also buy mask liners if you choose.  I find that I cannot sleep on my back with the mask on because then it will leak and I get "raspberries".  I sleep on my side and adjust the mask and then bury my face down in the pillow to hold the mask in place.  

You may need to have your provider lower the ramp up until you get used to it.  When I'm feeling too much pressure I push the off button and then push it right back on to restart the ramp up.  I believe you have 30 days to make a free change to your mask and gear.

You need to speak to your provider about your issues and make some adjustments.

The other incentive is that insurance won't pay for the machine if you're not using it consistently and for the minimum hours each week.  I wore out my first machine and got a new one last summer.

I think my sleep apnea was a big contributor to my developed afib.  

[SandGirl]

I am a proud owner of a machine that sits in my closet, I tried it for well over a month, I was EXHAUSED, I work FT and have a stressful job and get up early, I NEED to sleep at least a few hours and I was getting less than 2 hours a night and I'm one that once I'm woken up I cannot get back to sleep. I have tried it here and there on a weekend when i felt I had more time but, then I end up exhaused from not catching up on some sleep on the weekends, I finally just gave up, I wish I could wear it.

Plus, my face looked HORRID int he morning, made lines worse too, I know, I know... life or death of course I would wear it regardless of that iss.

My issue, I just cannot sleep with it, I have 5 diff. masks!! Spent so much time trying to get it figured out. I let my mom take it home, she tried it on/off for about 2 months (she is retired) she could NOT get used to it either.  I think some do okay while maybe lighter sleepers just don't. I really wish I could, I'm sure it would help me a ton.  GOOD LUCK I hope you get used to it.

[smoochy]

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. 

[Suzeecat]

I've been a fussy sleeper and an insomniac for most of my life.  After numerous drs suggested a sleep study, I finally gave in just to be compliant in order to keep getting the sleep meds renewed.  Surprise, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and handed a cpap machine.  I thought there was no way on earth that, with all my eccentricities (super dark, super quiet, super cool room, etc., etc.) that I was EVER going to get used to sleeping with this contraption attached to my face!

I tried different masks and the nasal pillow one seemed best.  I could not get comfortable on my side, and started sleeping on my back.  My compliance was monitored and I had to use it a minumum of 4 hrs. per night for like 80% of the nights.  What helped me when I started was to sit with it on for a couple hours watching tv or reading before I went to bed.  Then, I only had to lay there for 2 hrs. in bed to get my minimum time. 

Almost 4 yrs later and I am good to go with it, except I live alone and would be way to self-conscious to sleep with someone or even share a room with a friend who could see me with this getup.  But that's just me, most people don't feel that way.

Looking back, I think I looked at it as learning a new skill, and it took practice, practice, practice!  The more you practice, the better you will get.  If you have sleep apnea, there are a host of side effects, and if you can get used to the therapy, you will have better sleep and better health.