New user seeks encouragment

[sleeplessi n Wy]

I have been using an ASV CPAP for treatment of Chayne Stokes apnea for 3 nights. I have not been able to sleep with the mask on and each night I have given up after 2 or 3 hours. Are there any existing users out there that had a similar beginning to their use of a CPAP mask but found great success after some time. If yes how long did it take before you found it easier to sleep with the mask. Any idea what is per cent of people that found the mask succesful in treating their apnea. Any tips for me ?

[Julie]

Hi, welcome! What exact model name and # of mask are you using (or at least what type)? And what machine and at what pressures?

[sleeplessi n Wy]

I am using a Res-Med VPAP Adapt with a Quatro Air full face mask

[kaiasgram]

I suggest that you revise your thread title to add "VPAP Adapt" to it, so that it will catch the attention of the other experienced VPAP Adapt users on the forum.

[Julie]

What is it about the mask that bothers you... the general bulk, real claustrophobia, sore bridge of your nose (or somewhere else), etc. etc.?

[BlackSpinner]

The thing that works best is to find a nice movie and put it on while you are wearing your equipment. If you like video gaming, play some games. The idea is to get your mind believing that this stuff on your face is not dangerous or in any way abnormal. Do this for a few times - long before you go to bed. Just telling your self not to think about it won't work, you have to get interested in something.

Also you may want to play relaxation cd's when you are trying to go to sleep.

A long time ago I was studying dye technology. In order to work with powdered dyes we wore respirator type masks - the ones with the canisters at the side AND goggles. At first just trying to breathe through those canister is like sucking on a bent straw to breathe. But we had to focus to measure in milligrams the powders and do the calculations add liquids measure it in millilitres again and so forth. By the time you were ready to leave the safe room you had forgotten that you were wearing this awful crap on your head and would forget to take it off.

[library lady]

Some people take to this therapy right away, others take a week, two weeks, or even several months to adapt. I had a rotten first week with my Quattro Air, then I discovered mask liners and once I started using those I was able to get through the night with the mask. Other problems took longer for me, especially leaks, but now after 3 months I have pretty much conquered the leaks. The others have posted valuable advice and Blackspinner's suggestions are a really good way to teach your brain to accept the "alien being" of a mask as OK to have on your face at night.

[Sclark08]

I went from Cpap to Vpap due to COPD. I have been using it for about 6 weeks and just lately I am settling into it. I was on Cpap for 11 months before the change.
Vpap is a different animal and does take some getting used to. The biggest problem I found is getting the setting right epap or exhale and ipap or inhale. Since I was somewhat experienced with a cpap machine my Dr left the setting unlocked for me so I could play with my pressure numbers. You have to be careful to do slight changes and be sure to change both so there is not a big space between the two .
Just work with your Dr and DME and try to learn all you can. It makes problems much easier to deal with. Best of luck!

[sleeplessi n Wy]

To Library Lady..... can you recommend a specific model of mask liner ?

[BlackSpinner]

To Library Lady..... can you recommend a specific model of mask liner ?

look for padacheek.com
This is one of our members who makes liners for most masks and straps.