Hello All, Just started using CPAP machine Oct.1st.

[whtecloud]

I just started using my CPAP machine (Sleepstyle 200 ) October 1. I was only able to use it for 2 hrs the first night. Woke up with a slight headache in the morning. Last night was able to use it an hour longer but again had to remove it. I kept waking up feeling breathless.My mouth keeps opening while I sleep. I also sleep only on my side. I woke up with a headache even worse than yesterday, I have to keep the curtains drawn today because the bright light is making my head hurt even worse. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal when first starting out on a CPAP machine. Please and comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Oh ya, forgot to mention the mask fits only over my nose and I'm pretty sure it's on properly as I don't feel any air seeping out.

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[oceanpearl]

Try wearing your mask around the house for a couple of hours before going to bed. Get used to the feel of having it on your face. Mouth leakage can also be a problem if you are wearing a nasal mask. If you are waking up several times with "cotton mouth" it's probably a problem.

[rested gal]

My mouth keeps opening while I sleep.

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the mask fits only over my nose and I'm pretty sure it's on properly as I don't feel any air seeping out.

No matter how leakproof your nasal mask (covers the nose) if treatment air is gushing or puffing out an open mouth during sleep, or if you're mouth breathing during your sleep, you're not getting treatment.

Treatment air detouring out the mouth is not going the direction where it's needed to keep the throat open.

Gotta get control of the mouth air leaks/ mouth breathing or wear a Full Face mask so that it won't matter which way you breathe. Despite the name, a Full Face mask covers only the nose and mouth, not the entire face.

If you want to stick with your current mask, try a chin strap first to see if just keeping your jaw up will allow your tongue to maintain a leakproof seal inside your mouth. However, if cpap air can still puff out your mouth or you find yourself mouth breathing while wearing a chin strap, ditch the chin strap and dig into these discussion topics:

LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
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[Moby]

Are you using a humidifier?

[hen3ry]

Unfortunately, my HMO and my DME neglected documentation and training, and it took me a while to realize that I would really need to retrain myself to stop mouth-breathing to make xPAP work with the nasal mask supplied. I had a brief moment of concern, because I've been a mouth-breather since early childhood -- I've never felt I could get enough air through my nose.

But, that was THEN. The machine is quite capable of providing enough air, and as soon as I got over the hump, it did exactly what it was supposed to, keeping my respiratory passage open so I can now sleep much more soundly. Given the benefit, my mouth adapted very quickly and now stays shut with little effort or awareness. OK, sometimes I find sleeping against a soft pillow on one side helps.

Nice side side-effects, too: Breathing somewhat filtered air for 8 hours seems to have reduced my problems with seasonal allergies. I also notice that nasal congestion I have when I first put on the machine seems to disappear in a very few minutes -- as long as I can get a little air through the congestion. I don't think it is going to work if I'm totally plugged, and I'll need to apply another solution --literally, perhaps a saline nasal spray-- to get over THAT hump.

In other words, it IS possible to get there, just takes some time.

Good luck!

Henry