Newbie here

[Brobbi]

Hi there!

I'm new here...and to cpap therapy.

I got my machine on the 17th. I was given a Remstar PRI Auto with humidifier & a Comfort Gel mask w/ headgear. I'm having a heck of a time sleeping with it. The last 3 nights I've been able to sleep for about 2 or 3 hours with it and then find that I'm so uncomfortable that I take the mask off. Its really frustrating...and I'm sure that everyone has been there and understands. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get through this stage and get to the point where I can sleep through the night with the mask on? How long does it usually take?

Thank you,
Beth

[ozij]

Hi there!

I'm new here...and to cpap therapy.

I got my machine on the 17th. I was given a Remstar PRI Auto with humidifier & a Comfort Gel mask w/ headgear. I'm having a heck of a time sleeping with it. The last 3 nights I've been able to sleep for about 2 or 3 hours with it and then find that I'm so uncomfortable that I take the mask off. Its really frustrating...and I'm sure that everyone has been there and understands. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get through this stage and get to the point where I can sleep through the night with the mask on? How long does it usually take?

Thank you,
Beth

Hi Beth, and welcome to the forum.
Could you be more specific about the type of discomfort you feel? There are many possible tips -- but we have to know what's bothering you.

Two general tips:
There are many different masks in the market -- the one you were given is frequently given out as the first -- and not because it fits many. Most users switch from it to one they feel is more comfortable.

The second tip it true of all masks: Once you've decided you need to use a specific mask (it's reasonably comfortable) you also have to decide that you're going to let yourself sleep without it. So, if you wake up and take it off, get out of bed, do something relaxing, and when you're ready to go back to sleep - go back to sleep with the mask on.

None of us are used to sleeping with plastic and silicon on our face, and if our unconscious can trick to to getting some sleep hours without it, it will do so in a cinch. So you really have to be very firm with yourself, in a friendly way: Don't force yourself to spend hours tossing and turning in bed with mask on - get up. On the other hand, don't let yourself take the mask off half asleep either: mask off means getting out of bed. And going to sleep means "mask on".

I'd like to emphasise again that the above holds when you've got a mask that's reasonably comfortable. 5 year ago I started out with a ComfortGel like yours, and I called it "cutting edge technology" because that's what it did... I eventually found a mask I could sleep with.

[Brobbi]

Hi Beth, and welcome to the forum.
Could you be more specific about the type of discomfort you feel? There are many possible tips -- but we have to know what's bothering you.

Two general tips:
There are many different masks in the market -- the one you were given is frequently given out as the first -- and not because it fits many. Most users switch from it to one they feel is more comfortable.

The second tip it true of all masks: Once you've decided you need to use a specific mask (it's reasonably comfortable) you also have to decide that you're going to let yourself sleep without it. So, if you wake up and take it off, get out of bed, do something relaxing, and when you're ready to go back to sleep - go back to sleep with the mask on.

None of us are used to sleeping with plastic and silicon on our face, and if our unconscious can trick to to getting some sleep hours without it, it will do so in a cinch. So you really have to be very firm with yourself, in a friendly way: Don't force yourself to spend hours tossing and turning in bed with mask on - get up. On the other hand, don't let yourself take the mask off half asleep either: mask off means getting out of bed. And going to sleep means "mask on".

I'd like to emphasise again that the above holds when you've got a mask that's reasonably comfortable. 5 year ago I started out with a ComfortGel like yours, and I called it "cutting edge technology" because that's what it did... I eventually found a mask I could sleep with.

Ozij, Thank you for getting back to me. I apologize for not being more specific in my discomfort. I'm not in pain, everything feels fine and so far, I like the comfort gel mask. When I had my sleep study done, they tried several masks on me & let me use each of them for a period of time and this one was the one that felt the best...at least for now.

I guess its just the fact of getting use to sleeping with strapped to my face...and the hose. When I am sleeping it seems as though I'm not truly asleep and that I'm always thinking "Where's the hose?" Or "Is the mask fitting right?" so I'm not truly getting sleep if my brain is busy and that alone is frustrating. Plus I am a tummy sleeper & that's the only way I can fall asleep so I believe its truly about retraining myself to sleep.

Thank you for the encouragement about keeping the mask on...regardless when I'm in bed or giving myself a break by getting up and then going back WITH the mask. Its all new & different so it'll take time to get use to...guess I was just hoping it would "happen over night". LOL

[carbonman]

. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get through this stage and get to the point where I can sleep through the night with the mask on? Beth

Patience, perseverance and education.

...guess I was just hoping it would "happen over night".

It does happen over night.
Every night, night after night, you are granted a new life.

Welcome!
It's your life.
It's my life.

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Brobbi,

Hi! I also have a comfort gel nasal mask. I am a stomach/side sleeper too! What I finally discovered is that I can move all the way to the edge of my pillow so that the vent is sort of out there - not on the pillow. I can take my hose and turn it and the vent/short piece all the way around so that it is upside down. The hose is now going up vertically from my mask, over my head, behind my pillow and thankfully, no more deciding where to put it. I think the DME's should give us lessons in hose management and how to read the results from our machine. When I asked my DME how I could check on my daily results, she didn't know. Thankfully, from this forum, I have learned to be able to check on how I am doing.

So, keep trying... you will eventually find a more comfortable position and you will quietly drift off to a healthier, more restorative night's sleep.

Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.

Warmly,

Jersey Girl

[pb5927317]

The first week or two my Doc gave me some ambien CR samples to help me through the transition.

I did get a CPAP pillow. That was very helpful.

[DreamOn]

Welcome to the forum, Brobbi. Since you're not describing any particular discomfort with the mask, it sounds like you'll just need a little time to get used to everything. That's common.

You mentioned the hose. You didn't say you were getting any "rainout", which is water that condenses in the hose and eventually makes its way into the mask. If you do encounter that problem you can try turning down the humidifier and see if that's comfortable. Or have your room a bit warmer at night. Also, there are insulating hose covers or a special heated hose that can help with rainout.

I was also very aware of the hose position when I first started out. At first, I tucked the hose under the upper corner of my pillow, or clipped it there. That worked fine, but I did have to move it when I'd turn over. So I eventually got a hose management system that suspends the hose overhead, and now I don't have to think about where it is when I turn. This is the one I have https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hozer- ... ution.html, but there are others too.

You should eventually adapt to this new way of sleeping. As time goes on, you will be sleeping more deeply and sleep time will increase. The amount of time it takes is very individual. For some, it's a week but for others it can take months. I remember reaching a point when I had to touch my face in order to confirm I was wearing the mask, it had become so second-nature!

I hope you're feeling better already since starting CPAP. This is a wonderful place to learn about sleep apnea. There are lots of tips and tricks here that can help make this therapy more comfortable and effective. And lots of very helpful people to answer any questions and offer support. We're so glad you found us early in your new journey to better health!

~ DreamOn

[rosiefrosie]

Welcome Beth. We all went have gone thru what you are experiencing. Give it time and you will get use to the mask and hose and trying to figure it all out. One morning you will wake up amazed the you kept your mask on all night and there will come a time when you discover you can't get to sleep without it. As carbonman said "Patience, perseverance and education. You can do this.

rosie

[bailachel]

Welcome! Please don't get discouraged. it does take time to adjust, but it will be worth it. I am also a tummy/side sleeper and use a full face mask. I use the sleep on the edge of the pillow method and find that it works fine for me. Occaisionally I have to move my head slightly to readjust the mask, but not often.

One idea that helps many of us with the hose management is to hang it over your head somehow so that it is basically up in the air and out of the way. There are many different ways to do this.

Here are several variations (use search to find others) :
- route the hose over the headboard.
- use equipment that can be bought online.
- use a hanging plant hook
- use a removable 3M hook (this is a good way to try various locations to determine what works for you, and also for travelling)

Best of luck in adjusting quickly,
Chel

[rosacer]

Hi Beth

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with my friends, it takes a bit of time, patience and be positive. As my friend Scraper says 'all is in your attitude' you will arrive if you persevere; the more positive and flexible you are the faster you will succeed.

Think that this treatment will make good to you, don't stop to the inconveniences. When time pass you will stop thinking at all what you find combersomme today, you will go to bed put your mask on and fall asleep easily.

Jerseygirl gave you some ideas she had tested, try it and see if that's convenient to you. If you have more concerns post again there is always kind people in this forum who will give you more ideas. Me too I'm faily new but with the help of several people here now I'm compliant and improving every day.

rosacer

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Brobbi,

I forgot to give you another recommendation in my other post. Padacheek makes some very nice quality items to make your mask more comfortable. Here is the link: http://www.padacheek.com. There are fleece covers for your mask straps that go on your face and forhead, there are soft fleece hose covers, etc. And they come in pretty colors too! They are made by someone who has sleep apnea herself and is often on this site helping others. It's a way to provide more comfort and also to personalize your new "friend", the mask.

I remember that when I first started CPAP I called my Uncle, a psychiatrist in CA who also has sleep apnea. I knew that he had been on the hose for years and what he told me was that I would have to "make friends" with my machine. In time, you will too!

Warmly,

Jersey Girl

[Brobbi]

Thank you all for the encouragement & support. Guess I just needed to hear that I'm not alone (even though I knew it). I'm determined to get through this and not give up...I'll just have to keep at it.

Thanks again.
Beth

[roster]

.. Plus I am a tummy sleeper & that's the only way I can fall asleep so I believe its truly about retraining myself to sleep.

....

Tummy sleeping is an excellent method for sleep apneics and it is the best position for the back. The Falcon position is a fine way to tummy sleep - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36738&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15.

Many people have fewer apneas and require lower pressure when tummy sleeping. It also helps to prevent or reduce CPAP side effects of aerophagia and gastric insufflation.

Check out Dr. Falcon's posts including photos of tummy sleeping with a CPAP mask. I use the Falcon position and use a full face mask.

[grandmma]

Brobbie, as many people say, it is all patience, education and time. Frustrating in the beginning, but don't take the mask off, persevere.

Rooster, have you changed your avatar name, or was that a test to see how many of us are awake???!!!

[SleepingUgly]

- use a removable 3M hook (this is a good way to try various locations to determine what works for you, and also for travelling)

What's a 3M hook?