newbie getting used to mask, wear during day - mask only?

drivers99 · Post by **drivers99** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:27 pm

I am a newbie and I haven't been able to sleep at all yet with the mask on. One suggestion is to wear the mask some during the day. Is that just the mask by itself or is that actually hooked up to the machine and turned on?

tillymarigold · Post by **tillymarigold** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:58 pm

Either. Both. Whichever you can handle. Though I don't know that I'd wear it for too long without sleeping with the machine turned on if I were still at the point where they're tracking compliance--it could mess with your compliance numbers.

I've been on it for 5 months and I still watch TV for awhile with it on (and the machine turned on) for awhile at least 5-6 nights a week. The key is for wearing the mask to become second nature (like, say, wearing a watch or wedding ring) so you don't even notice it. I find watching TV helps with that because it distracts me.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:44 pm

Wearing some masks without the machine on can cause rebreathing. Some manufacturers warn you not to. Jim

Sergey45 · Post by **Sergey45** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:29 pm

My usual approach to any new piece of CPAP equipment – I am testing it during the day. Starting from as little as 5-10 minutes. Do not expect it to work for you right from the start. Just set it up, try, listen to all your sensations, observe… Make an adjustment in head gear if necessary. But do not start testing brand new equipment when you are tired and ready to go to the bed. Mostly likely you’ll be frustrated nothing else.

drivers99 · Post by **drivers99** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:52 am

Thanks for the replies. That makes sense. I talked to my technician and she suggested wearing it with the machine turned on, and not to fight too hard with it trying to get to sleep because that will just make it worse. So I'm going to give that a shot.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:07 pm

drivers99 wrote:Thanks for the replies. That makes sense. I talked to my technician and she suggested wearing it with the machine turned on, and not to fight too hard with it trying to get to sleep because that will just make it worse. So I'm going to give that a shot.

Glad to hear that. We HATE to see people give up.

Getting used to sleeping with something on your face is initially probably the most difficult part of this therapy. Once you get past that, it'll start to become second-nature.

Hang in there.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:27 pm

Get married!!! My wife was a big help in getting me to wear my mask. She would nudge me and tell me my mask was off....this would go on 20 times a night for about the first 2 weeks. I have a full face mask. I couldn't use the nose mask as I would open my mouth even with the chin strap on. I reccomend a full face mask!!!

newbie getting used to mask, wear during day - mask only?

newbie getting used to mask, wear during day - mask only?

Re: newbie getting used to mask, wear during day - mask only