CPAP- I've come a LONG ways in 2 months!!

[rickymarkokc]

My first week of cpap was horrible. I was using an Opus nasal mask, and trying to learn to sleep on my back, while air was shooting straight out my mouth (despite chin strap). I was having to take Ambien 10mg and Benadryl just to sleep, and was waking up feeling awful. I was so discouraged. I'm supposed to wake up after my first night of CPAP feeling like a new man, right?? That's what DME told me to expect. What's wrong with me? Why is it not working for me?? I thought it was all my fault.

Then I found this forum- where I learned that most cpap users stuggle at first. I found out that all my problems were normal- the leaks, the need to try multiple masks, the struggle to sleep at first, pulling my mask off in the night, being frustrated, wanting to give up, and feeling worse and not better.

And slowly....slowly....things began to improve. I learned from this site that I was a mouth breather and that the nasal pillows probably were not best for me (after attempting chin strap and tape). I moved on to a FFM which leaked too much, then thanks to users on this site I found my perfect mask- the hybrid.

I tapered from ambien 10mg to ambien 5mg. And then two weeks ago I stopped taking sleeping pills all together. I learned that sleeping on my back is probably not the best position, so I started sleeping in the 'falcon' as one user suggested. Now i'm falling asleep in less than 10 minutes and usually don't wake up more than once in the night. I still honestly can't say that I feel that much different, but I know that I'm making a positive difference for my health future, even if I don't feel the benefits.

They say that compliance with CPAP is less than 50% and after what I went through I feel like I understand why. Without the support of this site I wouldn't have made it either. Thanks to all of you that have helped me over the past two months. Look forward to seeing around the forums.

Best,

Rick
Okc, ok

[ozij]

Hi Ricky,
The forum was a similar godsend to me when I started years ago; by taking the time to post your story you're helping future newbies.

[SleepyT]

Rick...welcome to the forum. And congrats on your hard work to dial in cpap therapy. Hang around...this is a good place!

[Sheriff Buford]

Rick: I imagine everyone here owes a debt to this forum for helping them thru the struggle of successful cpap therapy. I am one of them too. I am eternally grateful to help I been given. That is why I stick around. I want to give back. Pugsy stated recently that folks here come and go. With the help of this forum, they work thru their issues, then go.... that's ok... Prior to the internet, such a forum as this would not exist and be accessible to folks all over the world... 24/7.

Sheriff

[nanwilson]

yup...just like others have said...we are here to "pay it forward". Stick around and do the same thing, everyones insight is different and yours may be of help to someone else. We all started out like you...didn't know a thing and were ready to chuck this machine and mask out the window, now we are using our machines every night, all night and feeling better for it. Welcome to the club, you will make many friends here, even if it is just on the "internet" .

[jweeks]

And slowly....slowly....things began to improve. I learned from this site that I was a mouth breather and that the nasal pillows probably were not best for me (after attempting chin strap and tape). I moved on to a FFM which leaked too much, then thanks to users on this site I found my perfect mask- the hybrid.

Rick,

That is the real trick...trying to find the perfect mask. It is so good to hear that you struck gold with a hybrid. I think all of us have a mask graveyard full of failed experiments. I went through 5 before I found the Swift LT, and I have tried 6 more since that time hoping I would find something even better. The next one that I will try is the Aloha. I have high expectations, but I also did for those 11 that didn't work out so well.

-john-

[zoocrewphoto]

I've been really pleased with finding this forum. I am only 3 weeks into this, and i have learned a LOT from this list. Things I wouldn't have thought to ask.

I have a full face quattro fx which I really love most of the time, and swear at occasionally. I am going to get a hybrid mask tomorrow. If I can't handle the pillows, then I will remove them and duct tape the holes and make it a mouth only mask.

I am so glad I have this forum to come to each day. It really helps a lot to know that other people have dealt with the same issues and come up with solutions.

[Tino2You]

Hi Rick,
I'm another newbie here. Thanks to the wisdom of this forum, and the inability for my insurance to process my paper work quickly, I learned a lot in the three weeks it took to get my setup.

I got a ffm (comfort blue gel..i think) during my sleep study which is/was not comfortable as the name implied. I went with my FX nasal pillow and am getting a chin strap to keep my big mouth shut during the night.

Glad you are making progress.

[jwerley]

As a newbie to the forum and a long time CPAP patient I am coming from a slightly different place. I was told in 2005 that I had severe sleep apnea and that I had to be compliant or I would be risking heart attack, stroke or death...So I was scared into doing what I had to do.....But....I was alone... I didn't know very much at all. I did some reading online about it, but that was a far cry from discussing all the aspects of therapy with people who are going through the same thing. I cannot believe that it was in March of this year that I discovered all of you!! You have changed my life!!! I love the "Aloha" mask, and last night for the first time I tried the "Lansinoh" in my nose!! What a difference!! I didn't have to adjust my nasal pillows once!! Also, and this is probably a little controversial, but I use painters tape (blue) under my chin strap....I have not slept this good since starting CPAP therapy! Now.....my last issue is to get a new machine!! I am seriously looking at the S9 with all the bells and whistles, as I will be paying for this myself....I just need the doctor to go along with what I want and write a scrip for it.......With that final piece of the puzzle in place I expect to have the most comfortable and best therapy that I can have.

One BIG "THANK YOU" to all of you for your help!!

Janice

[Drowsy Dancer]

. I'm supposed to wake up after my first night of CPAP feeling like a new man, right?? That's what DME told me to expect. What's wrong with me? Why is it not working for me?? I thought it was all my fault.

I would love to be able to reach through the Internet and slap your DME. That's appalling advice to be telling any new CPAP'er.

I felt like a new woman after my PSG, but actually using the machine was hard, hard, hard at first--and it took me a while to adjust.

[chunkyfrog]

Ricky; did the DME TELL you to sleep on your back? If so, why?

[rickymarkokc]

No one told me how to sleep. But during my sleep study they had me sleep on my back. And when i first started wearing CPAP it seemed like the only position where i didn't get leaks. I adjusted to back sleeping after a month but then realized that this was probably the worst position for my apnea. By this time I was adjusting to my mask enough that I was able to sleep on side without getting leaks and actually now I feel like I get a better mask fit on my side (falcon). I believe that finding the proper mask for me was the key. With the Quattro, any little movements gave me leaks. Now I can move quite freely with my Hybrid.

[neverbetter]

Welcome to the land of the living, Ricky!

Janice, what's the difference between painters tape and surgical tape (and did you try surgical tape first?) on your face and is it as easy to rip it off i the morning? I've never used painters tape. All I know about it is that it's blue. From what I've seen from watching painting on renovation cable shows is that, not sticking very well it comes off easily. How does it work on the face and how do you get it to really stick, or does it?

[jwerley]

Hi Neverbetter: I have tried all kinds of tape...and was using "Nexcare Gentle Paper Tape" prior to reading on this forum about the Painter's Tape. The Nexcare is too strong for me...it pulls at my lips when I take it off. The painters Tape is just right....and pulls off very gently in the morning. I have not had any problems with it at all.

Hope this helps! Take care.

[ohwhatanight]

Rick - Glad you are doing so well! Congrats on getting off Ambien too - that's a goal of mine.

I started with my CPAP three months ago today and I have to say, things are going so much better than the first month or so! I also found a mask that works well (a pillow mask for me), found the right humidifier setting, and bought a Zeo to track my sleep levels. I had a lot of anxiety about my sleep before - was afraid I was just never getting enough or the right kind. The anxiety is gone now, and I fall asleep quickly and generally stay asleep for a full night (maybe just briefly waking up for a few seconds here and there). SUCH a vast improvement over my pre-CPAP days (or rather, nights!)

Sleep is a wonderful thing, isn't it?