Newbie trying to hang in there

[freeranger]

Hello, folks. First let me thank you for all the shared wisdom I've been absorbing here in preparation for getting my CPAP machine. It's very much appreciated.

I finally got the machine (AirSense 11) on Tuesday, along with the P-10 nose pillows. So I've just finished night 2 and I'm a bit discouraged.

I feel as tired as ever, if not more so, from trying to sleep with the therapy, and my whole breathing tract feels assaulted by so much air. My throat is dry and my nose is stuffy and dripping. I've been using the auto ramp feature and the mask seal seems to be fine, other than a few occasions when I change positions.

Yet the sleeping report from my watch says I didn't get any deep sleep last night until I took the mask off early this morning. (No OSCAR yet for me.) And I'm feeling pretty miserable.

So my question is... is this normal "getting used to it" that I just need to struggle through, or is it a sign that I should try a different kind of mask? Or is it too early to tell?

I knew this wasn't going to be easy but I guess feeling so miserable and tired has got me discouraged. I was hoping for some "been there, done that" experiences that will help me get through (but also make whatever changes are needed for me to be successful).

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Dog Slobber]

It is completely normal, even expected) that new CPAP users will struggle when first using CPAP.

It's a completely foreign sensation, your brain is on high alert, you aren't going to sleep well until you get used to it.

Adjusting the Humidity, might help with the nasal issues. Adjust it up (or down) by a notch try for a few days then repeat. Don't go from current settings to extreme ends.

[chunkyfrog]

Airsense 11--what??
Please tell us your settings, too.
Settings may need adjustment.
I had the wrong machine, with the wrong settings, for the first 9 months.
It happens all the time.

[Jlfinkels]

Be careful putting too much faith in the accuracy of a smart watch or gadget. Their accuracy can be quite off from a medical grade equivalent.

Watch a video from this fellow if he has reviewed your watch.

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheQuantifiedScientist

[Miss Emerita]

As others have said, it's completely normal to see improvement come only gradually. Two thoughts:

Can you go ahead and start using Oscar? It'd be a lot easier to advise you with more information. You'll need an SD card in the slot in your machine (32 GB or smaller) plus a desktop or laptop computer, plus a way to read the card (SD slot or plug-in reader).

And try setting your machine up outside your bedroom during the day or evening and using it for a few hours while you do something distracting, e.g., reading or watching TV. This will speed up your adaptation to all the new sensations.

Keep us posted, would you? Hanging in there is so important, and we're here to help.

[zonker]

Thanks in advance for your help!

welcome to the zoo!

yup, i too expected "instant results" when i started therapy. but it can take a long time, as forum friend dog slobber says. and even then, it won't be a blindingly shocking difference. it can be gradual. two things came upon me when those changes came. no more headache in the morning. and no need to get up multiple times in the night to pee.

hang in there, as we old hippies used to say. you can do this.

good luck!

[freeranger]

Thanks, all. Appreciate hearing my experience is normal. I actually feel pretty comfortable with the headset on, and have been wearing it for reading and such.The weird feelings mostly start when it auto ramps to pressure.

Like, who knew I had the habit of holding my breath when I changed sleeping positions? I certainly know that now, as the machine isn't keen on me holding my breath, even voluntarily.

@chunkyfrog it's an AirSense 11 APAP and pretty much everything is on auto -- humidity (climate control), hose temp, ramp speed, pressure relief.I have a follow up appointment later this week, so we will see what they say.

I'll explore OSCAR and share screenshots when I get a bit more time under my belt. I've got an SD card in and recording but I haven't installed the software on my computer yet.

I'm getting the impression that what I'm experiencing is completely normal and doesn't indicate (or not indicate) that I should try a different mask. I'd really like to stick with the minimal profile if I can manage to tolerate the nose pillows.

[clownbell]

Here's why it's normal. For your entire life up til now, you have slept without anything on your face. Now you have mask, headgear and hose. You brain says, "hey, what the heck." So you need to get used to it. That is why wearing the equipment during the day or evening is important.

I second the comments made above about the time involved. A few lucky folks see significant results almost immediately. The rest of us see incremental progress over a period of weeks to months. Hang in there. Remind yourself (maybe while you are falling asleep) that PAP treatment is beneficial for your overall health.

And good luck.

[zonker]

Thanks, all. Appreciate hearing my experience is normal. I actually feel pretty comfortable with the headset on, and have been wearing it for reading and such.The weird feelings mostly start when it auto ramps to pressure.

you can turn the ramp off if it bothers you.

and do keep us in mind for any other questions that come up. we only ask that, as a newbie, you keep your questions in this one thread. makes it easier to keep track.

continued good luck!