newbee

i am a newbee i just got my resmed elite 2 yesterday and slept with it last night i made it 4 hrs with it and took it off. . . . . is this a good start, or should i try harder?

I think everyone is probably different in how long it takes to get used to it all. I have only had my gear for two weeks and was very wary at first because I have some claustrophobia issues. But, I was feeling so sick and so bad and fighting sleep had taken over my life. Because of that, I was excited to get my machine and mask and slept all night with no problems, waking up twice to use the bathroom (instead of the usual five or six times.) I felt so much better after only one night that, despite some issues with my mask, I have not had trouble sleeping all night at all.

As long as your mask is fitting well and your pressures are set properly, you can just tell yourself how much better your life will be when you are able to make it thru the entire night, EVERY night, getting a full and restful night of sleep. And, the gang here have always got great advice, tips, and suggestions as well.

Best of luck to you and your new "sleeping partner"!!
Star

I think 4 hours is terrific for first night... everyone is different, of course.

Some people say we should not post negative comments; but let's be realistic: a machine is an unnatural appendage. You already know that it is uncomfortable, but we all have to 'get used to it' and some do. The machine does not perform miracles; it pumps air into you when you stop breathing. It does not stop you from having an apnea episode.

Some people would make you feel you SHOULD feel marvellous and MUCH BETTER. This is partly because that's WHAT THEY WANT for you, because they care or for other reasons. This may or may not happen. Or it may take more time than the INSTANT or OVERNIGHT SUCCESSES. Certainly there is commercial reasons for perpetuating the myth that this is the silver bullet.

I hope it works for you.

I am still distressed by being whacked at night by a hose that is attached to my body; being permanently separated from a sleeping partner during sleeping hours; having to lug the thing everywhere I travel; being woken by a blast of air that is trying to keep my airway open up to 45 times an hour (I do appreciate its effort but it is also intrusive), having a bruise at the base of my nose and waking with the pain (adjusting the mask sometimes help, sometimes not - the fact is I do move about in the night; at least I'd like to be able to do so).

The thing is: it's new for you; it's OK to feel NOT GOOD about this wretched thing. That is what this forum is for, a place for you to air your problems and to find people who understand those problems because they have or are experiencing the same problems – not a promotional/advertising site for those who have other motives.

Good Luck.

I too just got my CPAP machine a few days ago. I haven't made it a whole nite yet without taking it off, but I keep trying. It's uncomfortable and weird, but I know I will get used to it. It's worth the effort for the health and happyness benefits. Good luck to you, keep trying!

Tarapay wrote:I too just got my CPAP machine a few days ago. I haven't made it a whole nite yet without taking it off, but I keep trying. It's uncomfortable and weird, but I know I will get used to it. It's worth the effort for the health and happyness benefits. Good luck to you, keep trying!

For my titration study I didn't wake up until they pumped the level up to 12 or something. apparently, that triggered a Central Apnea event that woke me up. My doc said they don't know what causes it. I told him, "Maybe it's just a reaction to that volume of air blowing up the nose and mouth. Brain thinks something's wrong and stops breathing while it figures things out."

thanks for the encouragement i am glad to know that i not the only one to do this in short times too

Hello & Welcome, doublesuffcones! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

I'm sorry . . . I certainly did not mean to offend anyone, pretend to be little Mary Sunshine or to imply that ANYthing about this ordeal is EASY. I don't think ANYONE likes being hooked up to a hose, having a mask separate us from our significant other, or all the other things that come along with this treatment. I am a newbie too, having had only 11 nights on my machine. I guess I just wanted to let the original poster know that everyone is different, experiences vary, and life can and will go on after getting a mask and machine.

The last poster is right - everyone is different, especially where sleep apnea is concerned. Also some kids learn to ride a bike in one try - others take longer.

I started cpap in January, and struggled for 6 weeks. I started with a mask with nasal pillows & since I had several sinus surgeries my nares had been pretty well scraped. The pillows irritated the lining of my nose, & I developed raw places. I found a mask that fit me better, didn't have pillows directing the air more forcefully into my nose.

The secret for some people is finding the mask that works well for them.

For a new person beginning cpap, this forum is the best place you could find. Everyone here will wish you well and try to help with any problems that develop.

Good luck.

Jan

Hi Double and welcome!

After feeling great from my sleep study, my first night was quite horrible but then settled into a pattern where I wake up after 4 hours, then after 2, then get 1 more and finally demask for the last hour. That may not sound restful, but the difference in sleep quality is huge for me compared to pre-cpap. I'm about 1 month in.

So, my answer is both: 4 hours is good, but go for longer.

Good luck!