First Night with CPAP

[MikeyB]

Wish me luck this is my first night on cpap, I have a Comfort Gel Nasal Mask, and I am Hoping for the best, my pressure is 15. I hope this helps me get to feeling better.

[Gerryk]

Welcome aboard MikeyB,
If you go up above to user control panel you can find your way throught that and list what kind of equipment you have. This will show up on all your posts so you won't have to list it each time you ask something.
If you have questions this is the place to ask. Don't be afraid to ask something either. Good luck and don't be over anxious, just relax and try to foget you have it on.

Good luck

Gerry

[kteague]

Welcome to the board and best wishes as you embark on this journey.
Kathy

[KatieW]

Welcome to the forum. Sleep well.

[Muse-Inc]

Welcome! Hope ya have a great sleep; if you encounter problems, come back and ask questions, likely someone will be online who can offer some suggestions. Post how you slept.

[MikeyB]

Well the first night is over, got home around 1:45 am, laid in bed with it on until about 3:30, then finally fell asleep, and slept til' 11:00 am this was the first time in along time that I did not have to wake up and goto the bathroom several times, was a bit wierd getting use to the pressure witch is 15 but after using the ramp 3 or 4 times, when I woke up the pressure didn't feel all that bad. Hopefully it just gets better from here on out. I did have a red mark on my nose still don't think I have the mask adjusted all the way yet.

[DreamOn]

Well the first night is over, got home around 1:45 am, laid in bed with it on until about 3:30, then finally fell asleep, and slept til' 11:00 am this was the first time in along time that I did not have to wake up and goto the bathroom several times, was a bit wierd getting use to the pressure witch is 15 but after using the ramp 3 or 4 times, when I woke up the pressure didn't feel all that bad. Hopefully it just gets better from here on out. I did have a red mark on my nose still don't think I have the mask adjusted all the way yet.

Welcome, MikeyB! It sounds like your first night went VERY well.

As for the red mark on your nose, assuming that your mask is properly sized for your face, just be sure not to overtighten the straps. There can be a tendency to do that. Looser is sometimes better. And you may need to fiddle with the nose bridge adjustment dial. I have found that the Pad A Cheek Forehead and Nose Protector has helped me: http://padacheek.com/PAC_Nosebridge.html. Others use bandaids, moleskin, or other barriers. Just don't let it turn into a sore. If it continues to be a problem, you may need to return your mask for another size or type.

I hope your second (and subsequent) nights go as well as your first. And I hope you feel well!

~ DreamOn

[jweeks]

Well the first night is over, got home around 1:45 am, laid in bed with it on until about 3:30, then finally fell asleep, and slept til' 11:00 am this was the first time in along time that I did not have to wake up and goto the bathroom several times, was a bit wierd getting use to the pressure witch is 15 but after using the ramp 3 or 4 times, when I woke up the pressure didn't feel all that bad. Hopefully it just gets better from here on out.

Mikey,

The comment about the lack of bathroom trips is very significant...frequent potty trips is one big side effect of having OSA, and in your case, not getting up like that last night is a very positive indicator that your therapy is doing you a world of good. And getting 7-1/2 hours of sleep is also a big victory for you. I think I lasted about ten seconds past the 3 hour mark the first night. Even that 3 hours was much better sleep than what I had in many years.

I suspect that you will get more used to the pressure. Your lungs and chest muscles need to get used to something a bit new here, and they will over the course of a few weeks. Many folks end up not having to use the ramp feature once they get in the groove. I haven't used it since the 3rd month. In fact, I find that I have a few events when falling asleep, so I want the full therapy pressure right away to prevent those events from happening.

-john-

[MikeyB]

Now I am just happy second night done went to bed at 1:00 AM used the ramp feature once didn't wake up during the night and slept til' 9:00 AM, this has been the first time in a long time that I have never felt tired or had a headache upon waking.

[DoninOrlando]

Mikey,
Congrats on the great start ! It usually only gets easier from the start. I agree after a few weeks you may not even bother with the ramp feature. I don't use mine as I am so used to the full pressure at 11, much less feels like I am not getting enough air. But use it as much as needed to get used to the machine for now. Congrats again !

[pmcall57]

Just want to add my congratulations! I had a similarly smooth start with my therapy (started just two weeks ago). That feeling of waking up refreshed and headache-free ... wow, isn't it great? Probably at some point I'll start to take it for granted, but right now it's a daily miracle.

It's great to see experiences like this posted, to encourage new people that this can go smoothly and doesn't have to be a nightmare. I know some folks are going to have a more difficult time for purely physical reasons -- we're all so different. But my oh-so-brief experience (and the folks on this forum) has taught me that how we think about it is a huge part of success with this therapy, so putting some positive expectations out there has gotta be a good thing.

Anyway, congrats again, Mikey.

Pam

[Gerryk]

Congrats, how is that red mark on the bridge of your nose?

Gerry

[DreamOn]

Now I am just happy second night done went to bed at 1:00 AM used the ramp feature once didn't wake up during the night and slept til' 9:00 AM, this has been the first time in a long time that I have never felt tired or had a headache upon waking.

Second night -- 8 hours of solid sleep with the mask on and you're feeling good the following day! Fantastic!!!

[KatieW]

That's just great Mikey!

[MikeyB]

So another great night, but woke up once to urinate, but I think that was because I drank to much apple juice before bed lol