new to Cpap

[bevjok]

Just got the diagnosis after lung Dr. sent me for sleep study. I had pheumonia in Jan and he thought is due to aspiration while sleeping. So I am new to all of this and just trying to learn what it all means. Had my first night on CPAP, was ok, still woke up few times but kept mask on. I'm going with positive thinking on this and will make it work. This forum is very interesting and full of information.

[caffeinatedcfo]

Welcome! This forum has been extremely helpful this past (my first) week. I am much more educated on my options, outlook, and issues I've faced. I don't want to steal pugsy's thunder but you can share your data here for feedback as you progress.

[m1k2s3]

Welcome bevjok! It's important to keep that positive attitude. Like anything new, it takes time to get used to it. Over the years, you've developed your own sleep pattern. Now, you've changed it and it will take some time getting used to it. The important thing is to keep at it and come here and ask lots of questions. The people on this forum all know exactly what your going through and can be very helpful and supportive. I've been a CPAP user for 6 years now and this forum has been invaluable to me.

[dlanbro]

Welcome and happy to see you here. I'm not that much further into my treatment than you are and am loving the forum. I've been on my machine for about 5 weeks or so. There's a lot of good people here that like to help. No question about your treatment is off limits. Enjoy.

[jwerley]

Welcome to the forum Bev...We are from the same area! Glad to see someone local...I discovered this forum a little over a year ago and it has truly been a godsend!! I have been on cpap for 8 years now. There are wonderful people here who are very knowledgable and willing to help....glad you found us!

Take care,
Janice

[bevjok]

Thanks all - I'm such a newbie I don't even know what ahi mean except that is should be less than 5. My ahi has been from1.5 to 3.5.I have now had 4 nights on the cpap and wake up a lot. The mask thing doesn't reall bother me so much it's the noise of the air swishing in and out that I seem to be focused on and can't stop focusing on.. I guess in time it will all be so common I will not even notice. I did run a mile on Sat without stopping - I am not a real runner but do it for the health benefits and I enjoy it so for me that was good. I haven't done that for a while. Anyway, I am going to make this happen. I guess it just takes time.

[chunkyfrog]

If the sound bugs you, don't try to ignore it, go ahead and pay attention to it.
Listen to the sound, try counting the breaths, that puts me in la-la land right away.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, it does take some time for the brain to learn to sort of tune out the noises that the mask makes. When I first started therapy I thought I was really as loud as Darth Vader but in time the level of sound will diminish as the brain becomes accustomed.

It's also normal for us to wake often at first just because there is something stuck to our face. Again, with time, the brain comes to realize that the alien stuck on our face is a friend and it is okay for it to be there.

At first the brain is sort of hyper sensitive to the new sounds and stuff...so it likes to focus on those sounds. This keeps us awake more than we would like.
If it doesn't fade into the background maybe adding some white noise will help during the adjustment period.

[pandatx]

Welcome! I'm new too. I've only had my machine about 10 days or so and I can tell you that this forum has been amazing for me. I have gotten so much support and information here. Its just really nice to have a group of friends who have been there already. Good luck to you!

[bevjok]

To Caffeinatedcfo - I luv luv coffee and only the real thing. I try to cut if off by mid afternoon so it doesn't keep me awake but maybe I need to stop sooner. Anyone have input on this.I don't dring sodas at all.