Advice for New FFM Users

[DEXSUZ]

First of all, best of fortunes and may the Lord give you patience to change your life. I have a Quattro FX - the best of many FF masks I tried in the initial stages of using CPAP - and have learned how to succeed and thrive with it after an awful first few weeks in early 2013.

I was a lousy sleeper my entire adult life and began CPAP. Right off the bat I had many problems and was frustrated as heck but have found nocturnal bliss as I got used 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 hospital 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 has 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, 2013) 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. It rarely occurs because the brain must be retrained after all those years of awakening in the middle of the night. One must be patient and keep anxiety as far away as possible. On March 3rd, I had a goofy sort of celebration to mark one year of refreshing sleep I never had - over four decades - before last year.

For decades, a sleep of 7-9 STRAIGHT hours sort was only a dream; now it's a reality. Last night (3/30) I dozed off at 10:30 and did not awaken until 7:30 this morning.

Be patient, best of luck, and God bless

[Julie]

I can see you've put a lot of work into your plan, and sharing it with everyone is a great idea. What just worries me a bit is that newbies might get the impression FFM's are unusually difficult to adjust to and be put off altogether thinking they're a big onerous deal. I have not ever found that to be true (and see when I joined the forum :0). I've had no trouble at all with them (not just the one type) whether or not they take a few seconds more to adjust straps or not. People understand they are taking on a new way of life (a small new way as things go) and while some may have problems, I don't think they're in the majority at all, and doubt if that majority needs 4 wks to adjust... my take on things.

[DEXSUZ]

Julie:

It seems to all be a matter of perspective. I've been on CPAP (and this wonderful forum) 14 months and you've been on it a lot longer.

"...FFM's are unusually difficult to adjust to and be put off altogether thinking they're a big onerous deal"

I enjoyed your use of the word "onerous"; you are educated and it shows! It seems, however, that the majority of riled rookies who come on here are FFM folks as compared to nasal newbies.

On a regular basis, I come on here and hope that I've helped at least one person to avoid the frustration I had over a year ago. My sleep study was terrific and I believed that when I received my gear everything would be easy and perfect. As a result of having several problems - that were ameliorated by my four-step process - I wanted (and still want) to teach others that the entire process requires patience and some gradual adjustment.

Thanks for your input and sage wisdom! God bless.

[Moni]

Just had to say that sometimes it really does "just work", right outta the box. I had some trouble with a sore nose and breaking seal, but still sleeping great from day one. Got a new mask after some self-evaluation and think it is just about perfect. Don't be afraid, you NEED to do this AND, have a plan if it is a rough start, like Dexsuz.