It took a while, but it's working

[tom1515]

I was diagnosed with mild (15 / min) OSA in March 2010 and been on CPAP since April. Struggled for 4 or 5 months with the mask - half asleep, I took it off after 2 - 3 hours every night. Almost gave up, but was encouraged by posts on this site. So, here we are about 8 months later and it is finally where I think it should be - sleeping very well 7 or 8 hours every night. Feel better during the day and less trips to the bathroom at night. My point is, if you are struggling with your new CPAP treatment, hang in there.

One point of interest, last week, I slept without CPAP (just thought I would try it), and while sleeping was okay, I woke in the morning with a dull ache in my chest that lasted most of the day. Back on CPAP the next night and problem cleared up. No idea if there was connection to no CPAP or not.

[KimberlyM]

Thank you for the post. I am where you were. I am still waking up every hour or two and struggling with my mask. It is good to see others who have gotten this down and it is helping them. What kind of machine and mask do you use? I am always curious what mask has been the most successful for others. You can list your equipment by putting it in your profile. Thanks!

[tom1515]

I've updated my profile to include equipment. I also want to add that I have recently started cleaning the mask, hose, & resevior every day as opposed to weekly. There are many opinions on this topic, some people only clean once in a while, but for me, I just want to have the best chance at success with this issue as I can. I noticed that the Australian published user manual for the CPAP machine provides a warning that respiratory issues can result from use, whereas the Canadian manual makes no reference to this. Maybe the regs are different is each country.

[KimberlyM]

The Zest mask is similar to the HC407 that I am using now. It is the most tolerable I have found of the nasal masks.

I wonder what respiratory ailments from use they are referring to, do they say?

[tom1515]

Sorry, I don't recall exactly what wording was used. I had found a manual on-line (after mine got ruined) and printed it off. Reading through it, I noticed it was the Australian copy. When I received my replacement manual from the local Sleep Disorder Clinic, I noticed that it was almost identicle, except for the section under Warnings - Australian one noted the possibility of respiratory infection, but the Cdn version did not. If I come across it, I'll post it. I guess my concern is the potential for bacteria in the system. I have no idea if I should be concerned about bateria in the system, but it seems logical that it could pose a problem.

[rested gal]

I was diagnosed with mild (15 / min) OSA in March 2010 and been on CPAP since April. Struggled for 4 or 5 months with the mask - half asleep, I took it off after 2 - 3 hours every night. Almost gave up, but was encouraged by posts on this site. So, here we are about 8 months later and it is finally where I think it should be - sleeping very well 7 or 8 hours every night. Feel better during the day and less trips to the bathroom at night. My point is, if you are struggling with your new CPAP treatment, hang in there.

Glad to hear you found encouragement here.

Your determination to keep working at it paid off, Tom. Good for you!

Your post could very well be what gives another struggling newcomer the encouragement to keep working on his/her CPAP therapy, too.

[suenos]

I've been on my machine for a little over a week now....out of all of those days, I can say that two of them were fantastic. I slept 7 hours on each of those two days. I coudlnt believe my eyes...I havent slept that long in years.
In reading other sucess stories, I realize that I have a long way to go before it becomes second nature...but I dont fuss too much with the mask now or dread going to sleep with it. I'm making peace with it somehow.

I have the full mask but I'm finding out that I breathe thru my nose most of the time so perhaps I may switch to just a mask for the nose. I'll keep on reading about others and their switch or not to a nasal mask.