How to get used to the mask?

cmmarti3 · Post by **cmmarti3** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:23 pm

Hello! I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (AHI 42 and RDI 70) about three weeks ago. I've spent the past 9 nights on CPAP and I feel terrible. My main issue is I can't stand the mask. I've tried the nasal pillows and hung in there for a few nights. But on the 5th night or so I could not stand having something in my nostrils for one more minute and ripped them out and went to bed. The next morning, I was back to waking up in a pool of sweat and with a headache.

I called my doctor's office and had them leave the nasal mask I'd been fitted for at the front. It has a strap across my forehead and then straps under my cheeks. I wore it a night and a half and I can't stand it. I feel claustrophobic. Never mind the craziness to get it off and pee in the middle of the night.

Currently, it takes me about 3 - 4 hours to fall asleep with any mask. This cannot be normal. Can anyone offer me any words of encouragement? I'me desperate. I'm a very severe case and I feel exhausted and like crap all of the time. I've tried losing weight with minimal success, and I now understand why. I need my hormones to get normal so I can lead a happy, healthy life.

I ordered a new mask last night: a wisp. It's a nasal mask but the straps aren't across your forehead and I've heard good things about it. I'm hopeful it will help, but I won't have it for a couple of days so I have to make due with what I have in the meantime.

I lost my last job and my marriage and I feel strongly that the sleep apnea played a large role in both. I did not know at the time why I feel so tired and exhausted all of the time.

I'll take any advice or even just words of encouragement I can get. Thank you.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 2:15 pm

Hopefully you'll like the Wisp. It's the mask I'm using now and it's quite comfortable.

The best way to get used to the mask is to "practice" wearing it when you aren't trying to sleep. That means wearing the mask with machine on while you watch tv, read a book, or listen to music. The nice thing about the Wisp is that it does not obstruct your vision, so it's easy to do these things. Try it for 1/2 an hour, then an hour, then more. Try this every night before going to bed (you still need to use your CPAP to sleep).

What you are describing is little panic attacks, and it's not uncommon in the beginning. I always made myself count SLOWLY to 10 before removing the mask, and always put it back on after calming down. Eventually I didn't have to remove the mask any more.

I need some "white noise" to help me sleep. For me, it's one earbud in and listening to podcasts. I put the mask on, the earbud in, and I'm out like a light. The podcasts gave me something to focus on other than the CPAP--something to do when I couldn't sleep. But guess what? I started falling asleep, and then gradually could stay asleep all night. But it took a while to get to that point--persistence is key.

Hang in there.

OSAdude76 · Post by **OSAdude76** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 2:35 pm

Janknitz wrote:Hopefully you'll like the Wisp. It's the mask I'm using now and it's quite comfortable.

The best way to get used to the mask is to "practice" wearing it when you aren't trying to sleep. That means wearing the mask with machine on while you watch tv, read a book, or listen to music. The nice thing about the Wisp is that it does not obstruct your vision, so it's easy to do these things. Try it for 1/2 an hour, then an hour, then more. Try this every night before going to bed (you still need to use your CPAP to sleep).

What you are describing is little panic attacks, and it's not uncommon in the beginning. I always made myself count SLOWLY to 10 before removing the mask, and always put it back on after calming down. Eventually I didn't have to remove the mask any more.

I need some "white noise" to help me sleep. For me, it's one earbud in and listening to podcasts. I put the mask on, the earbud in, and I'm out like a light. The podcasts gave me something to focus on other than the CPAP--something to do when I couldn't sleep. But guess what? I started falling asleep, and then gradually could stay asleep all night. But it took a while to get to that point--persistence is key.

Hang in there.

I just want to echo all of this. The first few nights I slept TERRIBLY with my nasal pillows mask. The next 2 weeks it wasn't much better. But I kept trying and after 2 weeks I finally slept okay (6 hours without waking up) and I noticed a significant improvement in my energy. You simply have to get used to it. It seems common that for the first few weeks it just sucks, but then it is all worth it!

garagelogician · Post by **garagelogician** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 2:38 pm

The Wisp is a good mask, one that I keep as a backup...but you might want to check out the new Respironics DreamWear. It is an excellent mask for those who can't tolerate nasal pillows, and who are prone to feeling claustrophobic.

Practicing with it before bedtime is also a good idea. Just lay in bed and relax with it for awhile, take your time to get it adjusted and everything situated well before your normal bedtime...see if you can take a short nap with it. Then you aren't feeling "under the gun" to get to sleep.

n2it · Post by **n2it** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 3:31 pm

garagelogician wrote:The Wisp is a good mask, one that I keep as a backup...but you might want to check out the new Respironics DreamWear. It is an excellent mask for those who can't tolerate nasal pillows, and who are prone to feeling claustrophobic.

Practicing with it before bedtime is also a good idea. Just lay in bed and relax with it for awhile, take your time to get it adjusted and everything situated well before your normal bedtime...see if you can take a short nap with it. Then you aren't feeling "under the gun" to get to sleep.

"Bump"

I didn't even have to practice with the Dreamwear (although I do realize that I am a minority when it comes to taking to a mask and CPAP therapy immediately). I have submitted several posts (as well as many others) about the Dreamwear, which you can search. The most important thing about this mask is not to give into the sensation that it is leaking and then over-tighten the mask.

Good luck!

cmmarti3 · Post by **cmmarti3** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 4:14 pm

Thank you for the suggestions. I immediately ordered a Dreamwear mask on Amazon and it's already shipped. I'm hopeful that this one or the Wisp will be the one for me. Granted, I'm only a week and a half in, but I really want to get this under control so I can lose some weight and live a normal life. I feel like things have gotten out of control. At least I have answers for why I feel so terrible all of the time.

I am having minor panic attacks before bed. Tonight I'll take your suggestions and watch a movie or TV with the mask I do have, to try to get used to it. And then I'll go as long as I can tonight with it. I did find one night when I was in bed praying that it took my mind off of the mask and I fell asleep.

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I really hope in a few months I'm on here encouraging newbies too!

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 4:30 pm

A small suggestion... when you have to get up at night don't take the mask off, just unhook the hose from the mask.....soooooo much easier.
I have done that the whole time I have been on cpap almost 6 years now. Another suggestion, if you hear someone at the door, take your mask off to answer it............. I went to bed early one night and my neighbour came to my house and I answered the door in my jammies and masked up, the poor guy nearly had a heart attack.... he thought I was an alien
Cheers
Nan

cmmarti3 · Post by **cmmarti3** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 8:44 pm

nanwilson wrote:A small suggestion... when you have to get up at night don't take the mask off, just unhook the hose from the mask.....soooooo much easier.
I have done that the whole time I have been on cpap almost 6 years now. Another suggestion, if you hear someone at the door, take your mask off to answer it............. I went to bed early one night and my neighbour came to my house and I answered the door in my jammies and masked up, the poor guy nearly had a heart attack.... he thought I was an alien
Cheers
Nan

Ha, ha! Thanks for the humor I will keep that in mind. I'm learning to leave the mask on and just disconnect the hose. I'm hoping tonight will go ok for me. I'll be back to post progress soon!

sawmill · Post by **sawmill** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:01 am

HANG IN THERE!!! You will find that you will go through quite a trial and error process finding the right mask. You might find yourself often adjusting the strap tension to get to your liking. Many choices these days...give yourself permission to try them all. Your perfect choice is out there just keep trying! You WILL get there

How to get used to the mask?

How to get used to the mask?

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