Just got a machine, uncomfortable & hate it

[chunkyfrog]

Learning to use a cpap is a lot like learning to swim, dance, or skate. (none of which I can do--even passably)
Luckily, I was able to get this down, (easier for me than quite a few others)
For some, it is difficult enough to be a real challenge.
Practicing while awake, watching TV or listening to music can be helpful.
It is best to go to bed a little earlier than usual; as you do not want to wait until you are shaky, about-to-cry tired.
You need to save some energy to get set up, and then relax.
Think positive thoughts; picture yourself waking with NO headache.
Don't expect tons of energy at first--that usually takes a while;
what I noticed was feeling a little less yucky in the morning, and I no longer needed naps.
Welcome; you have taken the first step.

[jaybeem]

I am a newbie also. I feel your pain! The first three nights I did not go to sleep until after 3 a.m. and slept badly at that. Then I read a comment from someone to another newbie that suggested to stop focusing on all the things that was bothering the complaintent--hoses, straps, positions, sleep position, blowing air, etc.--and start focusing on how great he/she would feel if he/she could get a good night's sleep. Using other advice, I changed the ramp time from 45 to 5 minutes (I was laying there waiting for it to start). I looped the hose over the headboard. I gave up on my favorite stomach position and changed to my side. I tucked sheets around my hands and arms to stop air blowing on me. The next night all I thought about was sleep, sleep, and more sleep. It still took awhile to get to sleep, but the advice and the other changes made a big difference to me. Good luck to you...hang in there!

[Denial Dave]

I'm at the 8 month period of therapy... I'm not in love with the machine or mask, but I am estatic over the results of using it!

it takes time for you and your body to get accustomed to the entire process.

patience, grasshopper...


Dave

[nosleeptonight]

Thank you everyone for the replies. It means a lot to me. I listed my machine and mask but the software says it is "sleep mapper" and I couldn't find it on the list to add to my profile. I believe my doc said he asked for the machine to be set between 5 and 15. I go back to the doc Monday and will verify.

I was able to sleep with it for 2 1/2 hours last night. Wearing the mask itself is not the biggest problem. I am ok with putting it on my face. The problem is that I am partially sleeping, fully aware of the mask so i don't really fall into the sleep i need. Get thru a couple of hours wake up and then take it off as it is all i can manage cause I won't fall back asleep with it on.

The 2nd problem is the big red marks on the side and bridge of my nose.

Again thank you everyone. This is quite a struggle.

[mon]

I must say I am super sensitive. When I got my CPAP, just adapting to wearing something on my head was a challenge. Apparently the brain give out signals indicating this is not normal it may be dangerous or threatening to your survival. It's the body's way of keeping you safe. It takes time for the brain to accept that this apparatus covering your head and face is no threat to your life and that this is normal now.

I found the straps cut into my skin, they were very sharp on the edges so that was irritating. I took to the head gear and rubbed the sharp edges off with a sharp knife. This made a huge difference.
A silicone mask was not suitable for me as small pustule like blisters evolved or the bridge of my nose and under the nose. I ended up with sores which didn't want to heal. This was a real problem and solving that was major.

I tried many masks thinking surely there would be some made for people with sensitivities. I eventually found the SleepWeaver masks and tried the Advance mask. This mask didn't suit me as the leaks were unbearable but the comfort of the mask was a standout. I was on the right track so tried the SleepWeaver Elan. This mask has changed my life. It is so comfortable. Unfortunately the fit is not exact but I have adapted it and my machine reads No Leaks.

This has all taken time but I know using the CPAP has changed my life for the better. Even with all the challenges I have had (and there are many more than I have mentioned), I have not missed using the CPAP since I was diagnosed.

Keep on keeping on, you'll really thank yourself for persevering.

[dlanbro]

I don't have words of wisdom, Mate. I only know that every journey is personal. I haven't been on the machine much longer than you and have already had a public melt down. There's many ways of saying it but I refer to my tag line, "The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem." I slept without the mask one night and woke up with a viscious headache, the kind that I thought was normal until putting the mask on. Keep with it and know that when you have your situation figured out you will end up feeling like the world is yours.

[SleepingBetty]

Welcome! Just wanted to say hang in there... it does get better! I've been at this (with a loaner machine) for a couple of months now. The first couple of weeks were horrible and I hadn't found this forum yet! I was only getting 2, 3, maybe 4 hours of sleep most nights, but I started noticing that the sleep I was getting was better than a whole night's worth was previously. Then, one night, I slept for 7 or 8 hours and felt pretty decent the next day! After several more minimal sleep nights, I had another good night, followed by a good day! The good nights followed by good days continue to come more often. I also noticed after a bit that the nocturia I had experienced for many years was gone! I would still wake up, but was able to just turn over and go right back to sleep.

After reading a lot on here and being pointed to a very good thread (thanks again, Pugsy!), I decided to go ahead and adjust my min pressure up a couple notches. This was just last weekend (after 2 months on therapy with it wide open), but I started sleeping much better! Until I got my own machine and a different mask a couple of days ago, that is. The pressure is the same, but I'm waking a lot. I don't know what is going on, but apparently my body is sensing that things are different and I don't know if it's the machine or the mask or both. I'm still getting better sleep than I used to, though, so this is just a bump in the road.

So, just keep on truckin' and come here to vent when you need to! You'll find lots of good help and encouragement.

[nosleeptonight]

Thanks you for the encouragement. I slept 2.5 hours last night. Tried without the humidifier. Didn't seem to make a difference in how long i slept. I'm reading as much as possible on the forum and appreciate all the replies and posts already there from others going thru similar experiences. I go back to the doc Monday and he will look at the SD card for me so I'll know more. I do have a loaner machine for 2 months. The machine turns into a purchase after 60 days but it is the same machine i have now. Thank you everyone.

[Stormynights]

The most important thing is to not give up. It just takes time to adapt.

[wm_hess]

The 2nd problem is the big red marks on the side and bridge of my nose.

Again thank you everyone. This is quite a struggle.

Yes you're right nosleeptonight it is a struggle. You persevere though, and you won't believe how much better you're feeling.

As far as the red marks, you can get some moleskin, or even band aids for the bridge of the nose. You do not want to allow the bridge of your nose to get an open sore. A better solution (for me at least) was to get a gel pack for the bridge. See https://www.cpap.com/productpage/boomer ... -pack.html. For the red marks on your cheeks, your can get a pad-a-cheek mask strap pad https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pad-a- ... cover.html. You could be over tightening the mask (most newbies seem to).

You may also want to consider a hose cover. The feel of the plastic hose around my shoulders/neck always bothered me ( don't know, subconsciously thinking snake around my neck?). A hose hanger system also kept the hose off of me. Last but not least is a comfortable pillow. I use a small buckwheat hull pillow. I can roll over, and my head is supported, but my mask is hanging off the edge of the pillow.

On the few occasions when I cannot sleep, I take 1/4 of 1 mg of melatonin tablet. According to MIT http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2005/melatonin.html that is all that is needed for older insomniacs to get a good nights sleep. More than that though, can cause problems. Most OTC Melatonin capsules/pills have way to much and after a couple of days, cease to work . I purchase the 1mg dosage at our local health food store (Sprouts), and break it into quarters.

All the suggestions are just trying to get you more comfortable as you get used to the alien from h*ll sucking on your face every night. Believe it or not, it will change from the alien to your friend.

Hope everybodies suggestions help!

-Bill