Getting used to cpap

[Jeffros]

Hi, Ive just started using cpap for three days. Have been tearing off mask in my sleep after 2 to 3 hours allthough is increasing by about 20 to 30 min each night. Hopefully tonight mabey 4 hours at this rate...

How long before you get used to these things ? The mask feels relatively comfy while going to sleep but drives me nuts after few hours.

I only have mild sleep apnia and had surgery to correct (primarily trying to get rid or snoring, the apnea wasnt really causing me too many probs) Im still snoring allthough lot quiter - still driving my partner crazy and she is pregnant and wants me in bed with her. Sleeping in the end room away really upsets her.

Hoping sorted soon !

[lazer]

Hi, Ive just started using cpap for three days. Have been tearing off mask in my sleep after 2 to 3 hours allthough is increasing by about 20 to 30 min each night. Hopefully tonight mabey 4 hours at this rate...

How long before you get used to these things ? The mask feels relatively comfy while going to sleep but drives me nuts after few hours.

I only have mild sleep apnia and had surgery to correct (primarily trying to get rid or snoring, the apnea wasnt really causing me too many probs) Im still snoring allthough lot quiter - still driving my partner crazy and she is pregnant and wants me in bed with her. Sleeping in the end room away really upsets her.

Hoping sorted soon !

It can vary but you are doing the right thing and are on track. It took me a good week to adjust to keeping the mask on for a complete night. Once I crossed that hurdle, I've been 100% compliant in keeping it on. Just take it at your pace like you are and try increasing usage each night. When you say it drives you nuts after a few hours, do you mean as in anxiety about the mask? Is it slipping and leaking? Try also wearing it while you're awake and sitting in a chair watching tv, reading a book, ect... This will help you adjust and get used to it being on. I am also in a similar category as you with only being diagnosed with "Mild Apnea" however my snoring has been apparently disrupting my sleep and not allowing me to reach REM or dream and I can tell you that once I was able to keep the mask on the entire night, I started dreaming again and have felt a bit better in the morning and day overall. Nothing dramatic but I can feel the change for sure.

The key is to just stick with it and don't get discouraged about how many hours you can handle at first. It could take you a week or months - depends on the individual but from my experience first hand and reading others on this board, as long as you don't completely give up, it will get better and become natural to mask up for the entire night! Good luck

[Jeffros]

Cheers for reply, hoping will continue to get better.

I slightly wake after few hours and can sort of tast the platic in mask. Is a horrible feeling allthough not really uncomfortable - more so clostrphobic. Interesting you mentioning dream - I rarely dream is ever, mabey will improve also

[RandyJ]

Hi, Ive just started using cpap for three days. Have been tearing off mask in my sleep after 2 to 3 hours allthough is increasing by about 20 to 30 min each night. Hopefully tonight mabey 4 hours at this rate...

How long before you get used to these things ? The mask feels relatively comfy while going to sleep but drives me nuts after few hours.

I only have mild sleep apnia and had surgery to correct (primarily trying to get rid or snoring, the apnea wasnt really causing me too many probs) Im still snoring allthough lot quiter - still driving my partner crazy and she is pregnant and wants me in bed with her. Sleeping in the end room away really upsets her.

Hoping sorted soon !

I started sleeping 7-8 hours straight w/cpap from the first night, never had any issues keeping mask on, but many do. Post back if you figure out, as lazer says, what is making you take off the mask and we can offer specific suggestions/strategies to help. Sometimes it's just a matter of getting the right mask, or tweaking the mask you have until it works. There are mask liners available for your mask; I like the ones from padacheek.com. They make the mask more comfortable and reduce leakage.

The snoring is another issue. If you are still snoring with cpap you may need more pressure. Do you have the data module so that you can review your data? I'm not sure what the Intellipap's data looks like, but hopefully there is a snore graph so you can see what the whole night looks like. You can report back or post screenshots so that others can offer advice.

Good luck... you are on the right track though

[lazer]

Is there any particular reason you went with the Full Face Mask? Just curious as I haven't tried one of those yet personally and per my doctor's recommendation and the fact I have a mustache and goatee - he prescribed me the "Nasal Pillows". Just wondering because I could imagine the "plastic taste" problem at first with a full mask on and thinking you might do better with a "nasal pillow" type mask which isn't so enclosed around your face and only rests against your nostrils. I never had the "plastic taste" issue with this mask style. Nevertheless, I'm sure that sensation would/will go away for you even if the Full Face Mask is your or your doctors preference.

[user from Singapore]

Totally OFF TOPIC... Did you know that there is a special type of bird called mustache parrot?
Pirates also usually have mustaches.

OK I go to sleep now

[lazer]

Totally OFF TOPIC... Did you know that there is a special type of bird called mustache parrot?
Pirates also usually have mustaches.

OK I go to sleep now

OFFTOPIC REPLY: Lol! I think I heard of that. Now I must google... The parrot in my Avatar is an African Grey Congo (Red Factor) I purchased from a breeder. She is young yet and born on Nov 23rd 2011. Very friendly and I'm trying to teach her to talk but I've heard they usually don't start talking to a year + of age.

[Pugsy]

If you decide to keep using the Mirage Quattro you might investigate adding a mask liner.
There are lots of them around and you can even make a homemade liner out of an old T shirt.
Padacheeks makes some really nice ones.
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html

Try to isolate what the problem is with the mask that wakes you up then try to fix the issue.
If you are awake when you realized you take off the mask...put it back on...don't let yourself get in the habit of taking the mask off (that you are aware of) and going back to sleep. Bad habit to get into and bad habits are really easy to make and really, really hard to break.

Remember...there are other masks available and if you can't get your problems with this mask sorted out....don't hesitate to try a different mask. Plastic taste and smell, some people are very sensitive to these things and a good soak and cleaning prior to use and letting the mask air out (or de gas) can help. If you aren't a dedicated mouth breather for some reason....consider the nasal pillow mask like I use....hugely more comfortable and much easier to maintain a seal.
Now if you have a serious physical problem with nasal congestion or blockage and just have to mouth breath...disregard that suggestion.

Welcome to the forum. Pretty much any problem you feel that you are having has already been faced by someone here...so just ask and you will get some ideas to help with adjusting. Mask issues are the most common issues and the hardest part to this therapy.

[Suzjohnson]

Hi Jeffros and welcome to the forum! Increasing your mask time 20 to 30 minutes a night is still progress, don't forget that. I too question why you are wearing a full face mask. It seems you might be able to handle a nasal or nasal pillow mask more easily if you aren't a mouth breather, but there are solutions to that too if you are. My mask ended up on the floor so many times I was having fantasies of stapling the silly thing to my head! Finally at a month into therapy, I feel like I am finally used to it. It is an odd beast to grow accustomed to but perseverance pays. You might try just wearing the mask while you are doing something relaxing in the evening, letting your body begin to trust that the alien on your face is for good not evil.

Suz

[user from Singapore]

OFFTOPIC REPLY: Lol! I think I heard of that. Now I must google... The parrot in my Avatar is an African Grey Congo (Red Factor) I purchased from a breeder. She is young yet and born on Nov 23rd 2011. Very friendly and I'm trying to teach her to talk but I've heard they usually don't start talking to a year + of age.

Yes I know the African Grey Congo, long time ago I had a neighbour who had one, funny character (I am talking about the bird, the owner was a grumpy old man). Very talkative bird.

[Jeffros]

Thanks heaps for feed back - I do have problems most nights with breathing through mouth - nose blocks. Am considering surgery for this also. Already had surgery on throat which has decreased snoring from chainsaw volume to mild purr.

I went the full face as didn't want to risk nose one not working properly. May try one if I can get my nose sorted or possibly could try nose sprays.

Im bypassing doctors for the cpap therapy as where I live in Perth Australia any such thing seems to lead to spending lots of money, sleep studies, consultations and trying other therapies like nose strips before being given option for cpap.

I already had one sleep study and spent few thousand on surgery although it didn't work very well - still snoring. I told surgeon on follow up consultation I would get cpap but am doing so on my own and not getting any outside feed back on data. Kind of got sick of medical bills so I got intellipap for $500 from USA compared to $1300 here in OZ following sleep centre study avenues. Thats after they make you try every other gimmicky product first.

Im really just trying to achieve a night snore free so partner can have some sanity back.

This morning I woke for first time with the mask still on. The plastic smell has gone as well now - washed several times.

Only remaining prob is my partner said I was snoring very quietly for short while at about 4:30am with mask on. I checked the recording (Have an iphone "snoring u" app recording nights sleep also) and confirmed this.

I just got the technician manual for the intellipap auto and was thinking of raising the min pressure from 4 to 8.

Actually one other problem - Im grinding my teeth which also drives my partner crazy lol I am sleeping partner from hell.

The mask seems to reduce and I had magnesium last night before bed which definitely has decreased - only ground teeth twice last night for few minutes looking at sound recording.

I may have to get mouth guard for this.

Looking forward to having all sorted !