New CPAP user-feel like I'm getting worse-not better

[lfranek]

Hi there...my 14th night of CPAP was last night...I thought I was doing well (all things considered) and last night I fought to keep the mask on 4 hours...finally gave up....feel horrible today-think I might've slept all of 3 or 4 hours! Maybe I gave up the ambien too soon? I had been taking it for a week-thinking I might need it longer-obviously havent gotten used to my mask yet like I thought I was. Anyone else go through this or something similar?
Thanks
Larissa

[Wulfman]

Larissa,

The other day I got to looking at some of my Encore Pro charts from my first few weeks of therapy (May '05). I noticed that I had a lot of nights that I was just barely getting over the 4-hour compliance minimum (although it may have had a lot to do with the long hours I was working). Another factor was getting my system re-trained in trying to sleep longer between trips to the bathroom.
Yes, we've all had nights when the mask comes off in our sleep.....getting used to that "THING" on our face......
You name it......many/most of us have experienced it at one time or another. That's what was comforting to me when I started reading this forum (months before I joined).....knowing that all of the experiences aren't unique. It's a matter of KNOWING that these things are going to happen and to just "deal with them" when they DO happen.

Hang in there.

Best wishes,

Den

[CrystalP]

I began CPAP in March this year. I, too, felt much worse at first. Probably for the first several weeks I really held no hope that this was going to finally be the solution that had eluded me for years. I stuck with it, experimented with my mask and with the pressures as well as the settling period (a longer settling period really helped me get to sleep and stay asleep). Unless you have an extraordinary DME you can expect no real help from them. I still have nights that it seems like I struggle with the CPAP all night. Most nights however, I sleep pretty well and am aware that I just generally feel better. The 24-7 wooziness and feeling of detachment are much better. I don't feel as though I am moving thru gray mud anymore. My best advice - stick with it, ask questions and experiment with your machine, keeping track of what works well and what doesn't.

[rested gal]

In addition to the encouraging words from Larissa, Den, and Crystal, here's a link to littlebaddow's good Diary of a new hoser.

Also, here's a fantastic resource: Mile High Sleeper's info for new users.

[Mile High Sleeper]

RG, thanks for the plug!

I hope lots of people find http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com.

It's really drawn from what I learned from cpaptalkers, as well as my own struggles. Like so many people, it took me months to learn the basics. We can speed that up for new and struggling CPAPers!

[Julie]

Mile High - that link's no good... "page not found".

[Wulfman...]

Mile High - that link's no good... "page not found".

Julie,

Worked for me just a second ago.

Den

[rested gal]

Gave me a Page not Found too. Probably because of the period you put at the end of the url, MHS.

Try it this way:

http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com

[Mile High Sleeper]

Thanks again, RG. Gotta get out of the habit of using punctuation!