Can't sleep with a mask on

[Ginny]

I have been trying to use my cpap machine since 1/1/2014. I have 3 different masks and I can't sleep with any of them. I am up all night adjusting them and then end up taking it off. I get so frustrated. I only have 1 more month to be in compliance with Medicare. Running out of ideas. Can anyone help me?

[BlackSpinner]

Spend an hour or 2 everyday watching tv or playing video games while wearing the mask with the machine going at you prescribed pressure. Get your mind off the mask and teach your body/mind this is a safe and ordinary thing.

[Pugsy]

Please add your equipment to your profile so we can maybe offer more specific advice based on what you are using.

So why can't you sleep with the mask? Pain, leaks, just the thing on your face, claustrophobia???
We can't begin to help without knowing more specifics.

Which 3 masks have you tried and what were the problems with each of them?

Is it the pressure from the machine? What pressure are you using? Is it trouble inhaling or exhaling?

[Wulfman...]

I have been trying to use my cpap machine since 1/1/2014. I have 3 different masks and I can't sleep with any of them. I am up all night adjusting them and then end up taking it off. I get so frustrated. I only have 1 more month to be in compliance with Medicare. Running out of ideas. Can anyone help me?

We need more information to go on.
It would really help if you would fill out your profile with the exact equipment you're using. Also, the pressure and other machine settings. AND......all of the masks you've used so far.

What seems to be the "problem(s)" with them? (from your point of view)


Den

.

[knothead]

Spend an hour or 2 everyday watching tv or playing video games while wearing the mask with the machine going at you prescribed pressure. Get your mind off the mask and teach your body/mind this is a safe and ordinary thing.

This is the way I conditioned myself due to having panic attacks & claustrophobia. Worked like a charm. You have to get your body & mind in tune with your new helper. Before long you will be longing to go to bed just because sleep is sooooooo good.

[DEXSUZ]

Ginny:

I'm always been in good shape, exercise religiously, and have many commendable life habits. Nonetheless, I've been a lousy sleeper my entire adult life and began CPAP one year ago. Right off the bat, I had many of the problems you've mentioned but have found nocturnal bliss as I adapted to the gear and the way it works.I've got a simple program that did wonders for my adaptation to assisted sleep. Here it is:

This is the four-step program I devised. I had a tremendous sleep study at the local krankenhaus but ran into a granite roadblock as I attempted to get accustomed to masks on my own. You might want to give this a try:

My main advice is to back away from immediately trying to do all-nighters with your full-face equipment. Use my four-step weekly plan WHICH WORKED WONDERFULLY for me:

1) During the first week sit, watch TV, or read with your equipment whirring away next to you. Get accustomed to the sounds, feelings of the moving air, and all the external trappings of the great chance at quality sleep you are nearing. Do NOT go to bed with the equipment.

2) Take the phone off the hook, draw the shades, evict everyone from the house, don't think about any nearby clock, and loosen your clothing as you lie on your bed in mid-afternoon. Turn on the CPAP gizmo, put the mask on your face, and close your eyes. Think peaceful thoughts, whatever they are to you. At some point in the week you WILL fall asleep. After you have this nap, you'll be amazed at what a refreshing experience it was.

3) During the third week have all your CPAP gear ready for action as you go to bed for the night. As you've done so many times throughout the years, you'll awaken far before morning. When you do, slap the mask on your face and turn on the CPAP gear before your groggy brain has any idea what's going on.

4) After successfully completing the first three steps at your pace, decide on a night (mine was March 3rd) when you have full confidence and will retire for the night WITH your mask on. You'll succeed!

My biggest mistake was expecting everything to go perfectly from the first night. One must be patient and keep anxiety as far away as possible. Come March 3rd (just two days from now), I plan on some sort of goofy celebration to mark one year of refreshing sleep I never had - over four decades - before last year.

Best of luck and God bless.

[DRONE]

"Krankenhaus"? I had to google that one. Turns out it's German for hospital. I kinda like that. Krankenhaus. Yeah. Sounds good.

I wonder when the OP is gonna reply.

[DEXSUZ]

DRONE:

I had six years of German language instruction and I like to drop a word now and then. Guilty as charged! My favorite is "Schadenfreude". Check that one out. It's a very applicable term to many emotions and mindsets in life.

Yes, like you I'm wondering and hoping that the OP gets back to us or has some success. If just one of us helps someone out there we've done the Lord's work for the day.

Take care!

[Janknitz]

My dad was stationed in Germany when I was in college, so I got to spend my summer there. My favorite words in German are Einfarht and Ausfarht (not sure of the spelling). They mean, "onramp" and "off ramp" on the autobahn, but they sound so funny!

Anyway, back to Ginny.
Ginny, yes, please give us some more info so we can help. Also, consider that some of us went through up to a dozen masks until we found THE mask that worked best. But it may not be just the mask, it may be the settings on your machine, so we need a lot more info. You came here for help, so give us the info to let us help you.

1. Name of the mask you are using?
2. What problems are you having with the mask--make a list with the worst problems first.
3. What machine are you using?
4. Is the machine set to ramp up to its final pressure or does it start out at full pressure?
5. What are the pressure settings on your machine? (We can help you find out if you don't know).
6. Are you using any kind of exhale relief (called "EPR" on ResMed machines, "Flex" on Philips Respironics).