my first night to night with cpap any help out there. will i

[mazza]

first time user its my first night to night, any surgestions, should i sleep sitting up??

[Slinky]

Heavens NO, do NOT sleep sitting up! The whole idea of CPAP therapy is to be able to SLEEP, COMFORTABLY, in our own bed as naturally as possible until CPAP therapy becomes second nature to us.

R - E - L - A - X !!! Put your mask on this afternoon, turn your CPAP on, sit around in the family room or kitchen or wherever and watch TV, read a book or magazine, work a jigsaw or crossword puzzle, whatever takes your mind off the mask and CPAP. You sound like you will benefit from PAP and mask time when you aren't under the pressure to "get some sleep".

[TwiLight56]

Hi mazza: I am new also - had my bi-PAP with heated humidifier for exactly 10 days. Do not sleep sitting up. You have to start adjusting right away. The only time I sat up, was when I first brought the machine home. I "practiced" sitting on the couch to see if I could adjust to the pressure of 18/16. Told my doctor, it was like a jet engine blowing in my face. LOL. Anyway, I got used to the pressure super quick, which is amazing. It is the mask with head gear that just drives me completely in sane. Some nights, it seems OK all night long, but then other nights, it seems like I spend a lot of time adjusting it - and sometimes I just take it off. But, then the next night I just go right back and keep trying. That is my advise for you - just keep at it. Maybe it is like that other person said - it will become second nature. Anyway, hope that is true. Good luck. Joyce (TwiLight56)

[KatieW]

I would add, prepare for a good night's sleep: My routine is no TV and/or computer 1 hour before bed, maybe read something pleasant or fun, take a hot bath, or do some meditation or gentle stretches. I preheat my humidifer and heated hose about 1/2 hour before bed. Then when you feel sleepy, put on your mask, turn out the lights, and take some nice long breaths, and drift off to sleep.....

[jweeks]

It is the mask with head gear that just drives me completely in sane. Some nights, it seems OK all night long, but then other nights, it seems like I spend a lot of time adjusting it - and sometimes I just take it off. But, then the next night I just go right back and keep trying. That is my advise for you - just keep at it.

Hi,

I know what you are going through...I had the same issues with the first mask that I started with. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th masks. The 6th one, however, is one that I get along with very well, and it has made all the difference for me. This can get a little expensive, but for me, CPAP simply has to work--I don't have any other good options if this doesn't work. I'd suggest trying a different style mask, or at least a different make and model of the style that you are currently using. I found that I could often buy them on-line for less than what my insurance co-pay would have been by going through my local DME.

-john-

[tillymarigold]

I found it really helped to watch TV or listen to a CD (on a timer ... DO NOT leave it on all night) as I was falling asleep. Having something with a plot (TV show, book on CD, Broadway show ) gave me something concrete to focus on instead of the mask.

[MikeyB]

First off welcome, I too am new started therapy on the 20th and am so happy with it, I hope it works for you like it did for me.