I just finished my first night with CPAP.need encouragement

I just finished my first night with a CPAP. It wasn't as bad as the 2 nights in the sleep center but I still had some issues. I have an M Series Pro C-Flex CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier. I'm using the ultra mirage II nasal mask. I didn't pick any of this its what they gave me. After my sleep studies my ENT told me I needed a cpap. He told me someone would call me. A couple weeks later I got a call saying that they needed to come to my house to set me up with my cpap. I made an appointment and they showed up yesterday with the machine and mask. I asked about mask options and the answer was you can get a new mask every 6 months. This is the one I have for you today. Well after my first night I'm still trying to get used to this. I woke up very dry So I think I need to raise the Humidity. I have a dial that goes from 0-5. I was on 2 last night. I have a mustache and goatee neatly trimmed but my mustache caused some problems with the seal. I might have to shave it off but I don't really want to. I tried to adjust the mask the best I can but I felt like it was trying to move up. It was rubbing on the bottom of my nose and I felt like it was moving up into my eyes. Is there any way I can adjust the straps differently or will I just get used to it? Also The tube was so stiff will this get more flexible over time? After my fist night on CPAP I feel no different then with out it. I never felt tired before. I went for the sleep study because my wife said I would stop breathing when I slept. But I never had any issue of feeling tired during the day. I dont know. After my first night im more confused about this whole thing then ever. Im going to stick with it because I know I have to. Does it get easier?

Hi Andy,
Yes, it does get easier.
Click on the yellow light bulb to and start reading "Our Wisdom" for some of the information that will make you better make your therapy more understandable, and more comfortable.

Watch the followin video (it takes a while to load) to understand what sleep apnea is about.
http://www.resmed.com/en-us/clinicians/ ... 40x380.swf

Your mask should have a CD with a video on it showing you how to adjust it - many things can be done to make masks more comfortable - and there are many mask models around, you don't have to get used to one that doesn't fit your face.

O.

Hang in there big guy. We've all been through what you're presently experiencing in some sort of way.

Once you've chosen a suitable mask and found the "ideal" sleeping position, you'll start sleeping like an infant.

~Andy

Welcome Andy. As ozij said it does get easier. Unfortunately you have to do a little work yourself too though and it does require that you educate yourself.

Think of your condition like a diabetic should. You will need to become familiar with monitoring and managing your treatment. That is why you need to educate yourself.

I don't think you have to shave off your facial hair ... I have a full beard and mustache and I have excellent treatment.

I would encourage you to officially join the forum and become a member. Fill out your profile one you do. But more importantly, visit this forum frequently over then next few weeks or months and read read read.

Andy, welcome to this forum. I cannot begin to tell you how much help these people have been to me. You will be able to get a lot of advice and help around here.
CPAP therapy does get better Many people are not happy with their equipment providers because of the very experience you have had.

The hose will probably not get any better. There is a hose called Pure White that is quite flexible https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... ubing.html This is a link for more information.

You need to do a search on this site about your mask, the beard and mustache and so forth. The quest for the perfect mask will be a major task. I think that yours should be returnable for at least a while. My DME (equipment provider) gives me 30 days to return or exchange any mask. There are several full face and nasal pillow masks out there and you may be more comfortable with one of those than with the nasal mask.

If you sleep with your mouth open, then you will experience dryness and a loss of therapy. If this is the case, you will need a full face mask or a method of keeping your mouth closed (such as taping--don't be shocked, it works).

It seems to me that the level of heat for the humidifier is quite individualistic. I live in a semi arid area and still cannot tolerate any heat with the humidifier because that aggravates sinus infections. My personal advice is to turn up the humidifier by only 1/2 notch at a time until you find your comfort level. I must emphasize that if your mouth is open while sleeping, then you need to address that issue as much or more than the heat level of the machine.

I've only hit on the very basics of your issues. There are people who are much more able to help you than I and you will hear from them. However, do use the search feature on this site and keep asking questions. There's a lot more information to be had. Importantly, your therapy will get better and become more tolerable. Your attitude is good and that's so in your favor because this is a lifesaving way of sleeping. (If you weren't feeling tired, you may very well have been on the way to being fatigued eventually as well as experiencing other symptoms of sleep apnea.)

Jane

Andy99 wrote:I have an M Series Pro C-Flex CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier. I'm using the ultra mirage II nasal mask. I didn't pick any of this its what they gave me.

You got lucky with the machine, Andy. I'm pretty sure the Pro is data-capable, so if you want to track your therapy (as most of the folks here do), that will help. When I got started nearly eleven years ago, they didn't give me a choice, either.

Andy99 wrote:I woke up very dry So I think I need to raise the Humidity. I have a dial that goes from 0-5. I was on 2 last night.

Try setting it on 3; that seems to make a big difference to me (though I've got mine set on 2).

Andy99 wrote:I have a mustache and goatee neatly trimmed but my mustache caused some problems with the seal. I might have to shave it off but I don't really want to.

I've got a moustache, too, and have had it the whole time I've been using CPAP. I think my leaks happen at other points along the seal, though. I wouldn't shave unless you really want to. Also, cleaning your face and the mask (or at least gently wiping it off) every night will give you the best seal: that makes a big difference.

Andy99 wrote:

Andy99 wrote:I tried to adjust the mask the best I can but I felt like it was trying to move up. It was rubbing on the bottom of my nose and I felt like it was moving up into my eyes. Is there any way I can adjust the straps differently or will I just get used to it?

Strap adjustment should help some, but when I got a Mirage Ultra (after using the earlier Mirage, if I remember right), I had a problem with the inner part of the seal rubbing against the bottom of my nose. It wasn't easy, but I managed to trim just a bit of the seal to make more room at that particular spot. Sure made it a lot more comfortable. You may not need to do this, but if you do, be very careful not to trim too much.

After my fist night on CPAP I feel no different then with out it. [. . .] Im going to stick with it because I know I have to. Does it get easier?

Improvement can be gradual, and getting there can be frustrating. But yes, stick with it, and after a while it will all get easier. Soon enough you'll have other questions to ask!

You've come to the right place, Andy!

Nath

Andy99 wrote: I asked about mask options and the answer was you can get a new mask every 6 months.
Don't wait for the DME or docs or sleep ctr. to find solutions to make your therapy work.
If you can, check out the auction and get your own stuff.
Masks are totally subjective, for each person.
It is up to you to find the one that works for you.
Don't let any person or circumstance prevent you from finding what works,
too many options.

I have a mustache and goatee neatly trimmed but my mustache caused some problems with the seal. I might have to shave it off but I don't really want to.

I have a mustache. I switched to a ffm, full face mask, after a month.
It works fine w/the mustache.

After my fist night on CPAP I feel no different then with out it. I never felt tired before. I went for the sleep study because my wife said I would stop breathing when I slept. But I never had any issue of feeling tired during the day. I dont know. After my first night im more confused about this whole thing then ever. Im going to stick with it because I know I have to. Does it get easier?

It gets easier. My therapy did not work over night. It works a little bit, everynight.
It gets a little easier everynight.

Welcome, Andy.

Excellent advise presented for you so far.
Become your own best therapist.
Ask questions here, and seek out information wherever you can find it,
get educated.

It's your life.
It's my life.

All the best, it's a journey.

Andy99 wrote:Does it get easier?

Yes it does. A month ago I swore I could never use the CPAP. Now I am sleeping through every night with no problem, and the mask stays on all night. I too have a moustache. I have found it best for me to sleep on my back to keep the mask sealed.

For me it all boiled down to accepting the mask and embracing its benefits. Once you make it your friend, it makes all the difference.

Congratulations on starting Andy and on finding this forum which will make a world of difference as it has done for me. Here's a link to a rather long winded story i posted only a few nights ago: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36414
If the link does not work then just search for the post entitled,
this sucks, cpap letter or WOOHOOOO!!!!

oops sorry, the actual title is This Sucks or WOOHOOOO!!!! trials/ tribulations of new user, but the link seems to work anyway. )

I have two more nights under my belt since writing that. The next night i got another 2 hours but realized the heated wire designed for reptile cages (an idea i happily got from this forum) was actually working too well. It did prevent any condensation in the tube but it also made the air a bit too wrm for me so i need to wrap it a bit looser. I did make an adjustment last night but not enough. I also had pressure issues from where the pads hit my forehead. I resolved that last night by applying a soft waterproof gel like blister releif bandage like this one but smaller
(http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_ ... navCount=3)
directly to the mask forehead pads. I thought i would apply it to my forehead when i bought it, but then realized if i just put it on the mask pad then i don't have to waste another one each and every night.

So the result, last night i got about 2.5 hours of use before i removed the mask in my sleep at some point. It's a small gain but it's a gain and ultimately i'm sure my life will be greatly improved for the effort. And finally remember, it's not just the effects you see like daytime sleepiness but the ones you don't which creep up on you like hypertension, sexual dysfunstion, heart disease, etc.

Again, welcome and best wishes,
cheers,
gregg )

ANDY,
HAVE A SERIOUS DISCUSSION WITH YOUR SLEEP DOCTOR. AFTER A YEAR OR SO OF HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME WITH MY FF MASK I KEPT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FIT. MY DOCTOR WHO IS CHARGE OF THE SLEEP CENTER TOLD ME TO GO TO THE CENTER AND TRY AS MANY MASKS AS I WANTED TO TRY. I DID. THEY WOULD LEAVE ME TAKE 3 - 4 OUT AT A TIME TO GIVE EACH ONE A TRIAL. FINALLY AFTER TRYING OUT 10 OR SO MASKS I MADE MY DECISION AND HAVE HAD VERY LITTLE TROUBLE WITH IT. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO BE DETERMINED AND EVEN PUSHY.

Thanks Everyone

I joined the forums.

I will read as much as I can

After my first full day after my first night on Cpap. IM SHOT. Im so tired right now!
Another problem I was having last night I forgot to mention before was my mouth. I normally breath through my mouth.
I cant with the cpap since air rushes out. I was doing well but after a short sleep I woke up with my jaw clenched.
I also had a sinus headache all day today. I havent been so anxious about my approaching bed time since I was a kid.

The mask makes you sexy... how's that for encouragement?

Andy99 wrote:After my first full day after my first night on Cpap. IM SHOT. Im so tired right now!
Another problem I was having last night I forgot to mention before was my mouth. I normally breath through my mouth.
I cant with the cpap since air rushes out. I was doing well but after a short sleep I woke up with my jaw clenched.
I also had a sinus headache all day today. I havent been so anxious about my approaching bed time since I was a kid.

Hey Andy, welcome to the forum!

You're getting mouth leaks. No way will you get any therapy if that continues; you might as well sleep without the CPAP because the effect will be the same.

You can use tape to keep your mouth shut, or you can try a chinstrap (or a combination of both). Some of us find that the chinstrap doesn't really help with mouth leaks.
Your other alternative is to try a full face mask.
You can also train yourself not to mouth breath.

You MUST get the mouth breathing/leaking under control FIRST, and ASAP!

2nd night

I was more comfortable last night. I had to tighten my mask and I realized that I had it too lose the first night. I'm still clenching my teeth, something I have never done before cpap. I had less problems of waking up with air rushing out of my mouth. I dont think I like the idea of taping my mouth. I am reading everything I can but I cant help but feel like That im on my own. I was expecting more help from the DR, sleep center or the Equipment supplier.

Andy,
I was using the same mask that you are using now. I also used the chin strap. When I went in for my second study after using my CPAP machine for 4 weeks, the technicians quickly discovered that I was a mouth breather and just as quick changed my nose mask to a full face one. I still had problems with the usual leaks, ect. but after being encouraged to take as many different masks home for trials I was able to finally get one that works quite well for me. Contact your sleep study center and see if they won't let you do the same.