New user, can't sleep with the machine sound - help

[CinnyAnn]

Hello adksleepygal,
I too had a hard time adjusting to everything. Just the thought of something covering my face was a no-no. I never wanted even to have my head covered up let alone something on my face all night. After about 3 weeks of trying I had my doctor give me something to relax me at bedtime. After about 2 weeks of taking Ativan at bedtime I am find with it. And I don't take the Ativan anymore. It now seem like part of the bedtime ritual to put your c-pap on. I know not everyone will agree to taking medicine to help sleep but if that is what it takes so be it. Just giving you my input and experience. By the way, I started c-pap June 2010. Main thing is don't give up. Good Luck!!!!!

[adksleepygal]

Wow - everyone is so nice here - so many new ideas. I already do take Klonopin to relax me at night to sleep and have for years. Sometimes it works but this cpap has increased anxiety big time. I so very much envy people who can go to bed and fall to sleep (like my hubby - grrr) - but sleep has always been difficult for me - way prior to apnea.
I made some major adjustments to the fitting of the straps to hold this contraption in place and it feels better and still seals well. Last evening I went to my room by myself and put the thing on and played with pillows to find some level of comfort from chronic pain that I have. I did get comfortable and relaxed and fell asleep finally for about an hour - progress! Got up, watched TV and did some things the rest of the evening and then went back to bed - this time not alone as hubby was sleeping already - I fell asleep in about 30 minutes and woke up several times in the night from the sound and the horrible feeling but did go back. This morning I did not have a headache which is huge progress - still feel tired but am more hopeful. Appreciate all the support and I will try to stay with it - thanks for everything!

[Astrophytum]

Hi,

see here: viewtopic/t56198/build-CPAPmachine-in-a ... h-pic.html


Regards,
Astrophytum

[Popi]

My machine fits perfectly in the top drawer of my nightstand. I simply close the drawer as much as possible, leaving just enough room for the hose, and I barely hear the machine. The air leaving through the vent holes in the mask make much more noise than the machine ever did.

But don't worry, you'll get used to the sound, no matter how loud.

[OutaSync]

When my machine was new it was very noisey and I couldn't stand it. I took a styrofoam cooler and covered my machine, making cutouts for the hose to exit and the air to intake. Worked like a charm, but one day I forgot to put the cover on and realized that it wasn't as noisey any more. Maybe I just got used to it and wasn't in such a panic that I would never be able to sleep with all of this horrific equipment. Or maybe the machine needed some breaking in time.

I wish you luck and I promise that if you don't give up on it, it will get better. It's a whole lot to get used to at one time.

Bev

[xyz]

adk:
> I can hear this machine and it sounds like it is breathing
> it feels like I am choking when this is on and it makes me feel nauseous

You have two problems, not one.

Noise. Many cpapers sleep on their sides. Put an earplug in the exposed/up ear (only). The best ones (for me) are the ones that have a curved end, not the blunt/square ends. They are usually a flourescent orange color.

If your machine is on a hard surface floor (e.g., wood, whatever) put something under it like a (non-shag) carpet remnant.

Mask. I have seen this problem in others. One way to build up a tolerance for wearing the mask is to wear the mask _only_ (without the hose, etc.) for short periods at a time around the house, e.g., while reading or whatever. You will soon become accustomed to wearing it while you are awake. That will make wearing it while you are asleep easier.