I can't get myself to use the machine.

[gladsia]

I was first prescribed the CPAP machine about 3 years ago, used it for one week, and found it to be awful. Now I am so exhausted all the time that I feel I have to learn how to tolerate it, but can't get myself to rig it up again.

[tomjax]

Get your insurance paid up for your family.

The graveyard is full of people with your attitude.

Or do like the warden in Cool Hand Luke.

Get your mind right.

your choice.

[nobody]

It took me more than a week to get used to it, but not much more. Some people take longer than others.

[Wulfman]

I was first prescribed the CPAP machine about 3 years ago, used it for one week, and found it to be awful. Now I am so exhausted all the time that I feel I have to learn how to tolerate it, but can't get myself to rig it up again.

OoooooK....... What are you waiting for?

Git 'r done!

Den

[Kiralynx]

I was first prescribed the CPAP machine about 3 years ago, used it for one week, and found it to be awful. Now I am so exhausted all the time that I feel I have to learn how to tolerate it, but can't get myself to rig it up again.

So? Click on User Control Panel, and fill in what machine and mask you have, and we'll try to help with suggestions.

However, no one can make up your mind for you about using it. I'm claustrophobic as all get out, but I made up my mind that I would use the machine, and you know what? With a little help from friends around this Forum, I am using it successfully, every night. As I told my husband, I'd do a lot weirder things than sleep with a glorified hair drier for a pain-free couple of nights... and now I'm having them almost every night!

But in the end, only you can make you a successful CPAPer.

[ozij]

Let's break it down to little steps: you've done the first, which is look for help from people who know what it's all about. And boy do we know what you're talking about!

Step 2:
Look about your bedroom and clear a nice place for the machine. Pat yourself on the back for doing that.

Step 3:
Go to wherever you stored the machine, take it out.

Step 4:
Ditto for hose and mask.

Step 5:
PUt the stuff on a desk or table, and look at it. You've got a machine a hose, and a mask:: are they clean?

Step 6:
Note the make of the machine, everything written on the top, and write it down.

Step 7:
Put the machine in the place you cleared for it.

Take a break if you have to, don't forget to give yourself another pat on the back.

Step 8:
Wash hose and mask in pure soap and warm water, rinse well air dry, preferrably not in the bathroom.

Step 9:
If it were me, I'd want a new filter for my machine - and if I didn't have one at home, I'd get it online. (cpap.com)

Step 10:
Browse to http://www.pur-sleep.com For some of us, the plastic smell of the rig is an uncocious deterent.

Step 11:
Find the results of your sleep study and post them on the forum.

Step 12:
Settle yourelf down for some intensive reading on the forum. Start out with "where a newbie should start", continue with "our collective wisdom".

Step 13:
Is the hose dry already?

Remember that you're no longer alone in this - there are many of us here rooting for you, and eager to help.
O.

[Insulation Tim]

It took me several months to get comfortable with cpap. I tried numerous masks. The Godsend for me was when I purchased the Resmed Mirage Activa Mask.

The difference was immediate and amazing. I now get a solid 8 each night.

Stick with it but I think that the key is a great mask.

[Mtnviewer]

I tried CPAP a few years ago, twice, once for a month, then a 2nd time for 2 weeks. I was told very little by the DME and RT, lived 160 miles from each and knew nothing of OSA and was told next to nothing by the specialists. I also was given a nasal mask that made me feel claustrophobic so I gave up as I got no relief from how things were set up. 3 years later of suffering, finding this forum, others who've been through the same thing and then finally changing my attitude, I was determined to get it to work. I bought a used APAP machine and a new FF Mask from cpapauction. Along with what I've learned from the generous folks on this forum, and the gentle flexibility of the APAP but most importantly the ease of breathing and larger air volume with the Quattro FF mask, getting used to PAP therapy this time has been EXTREMELY easy. It's not been perfect as I try to figure out pressures, mask tensions and positions, skin quality, understanding and then fixing occassional leaks from mask position or pillow position, etc., but in the first week of use, I've had some GREAT success and have lessened my overall fatigue and have had one remarkable sleep, and one fantastic for me day, all that reaffirm my determination to figure this out and to give me hope and the taste of not being dog tired day after day. I'm basically on my own with this, as the last sleep study and specialist are 900 kms away and months went by before I could find an affordable machine, mask and this forum.

I'd suggest try a larger air volume mask if that makes sense, like a FF Mask? (not larger size, get what fits your face), or a machine wth exhale pressure relief, and or an APAP where you can start with a lower pressure and slowly get used to higher pressures. You could do the same thing with your manual CPAP machine though, just start and get used to lower pressures, once you get a mask that feels good.

CPAP.com has tons of info on masks and types and LOTS of user reviews. Fortunately the info is there, unfortunately it's a pain to do when you're really tired. Been there myself.

[BeanMeScot]

You need to decide for yourself if you would rather use the machine or die an early death and deal with numerous health problems along the way to that early death and be EXHAUSTED every day of your short life. Get your mind right. Determine in your own mind that the machine is NEVER OPTIONAL. That you MUST use it. Then figure out ways to make that happen.

When you get it right, you won't want to sleep without it. It is difficult at first. Things don't fit right at first. You don't know what is normal and what isn't. Don't be frustrated by bad sleep. You have nights now where you have a hard time falling asleep or don't sleep well. The machine isn't going to magically cure everything. Just keep plugging away at it.

[momadams]

The best advice I got when I was starting was from the Walgreens RT. She said, "Just hit the button and put on the mask. Wear it as long as you can, then either take it off or hit the Ramp button, try to leave it on for at least 4 hours."
That gave me "permission" to not try to be perfectly compliant at first.
Then, once I saw how much better I felt, it was easier to keep it on longer.

In our family, we're great believers in Eating the Frog.

“If you have to eat a frog, don’t look at it for too long.” -Mark Twain

Shari

[BeanMeScot]

In our family, we're great believers in Eating the Frog.

“If you have to eat a frog, don’t look at it for too long.” -Mark Twain

Shari

Or how about "How do you eat an elephant?" One bite at a time.

[Marine5262]

I have been using cpap devices for many years. Adapted immediately but did not like the mask. Eventually migrated ti nasal pillow devices and found them to be excellent.

[alnhwrd]

I think the two best posts in this thread, IMHO, are from Ozij and momadams. Oz breaks it down in simple and easy terms of what to do, and Mom makes the excellent point that some people have to work into it. The important thing is to try and keep trying. If you have a problem Monday night get up Tuesday morniing and post what it is. You should have an answer by the time its time to go to bed that night. Determination is the key. Any problem can be solved. Work on sleeping with it for two hours, then three, four and five until you make it to eight. Decide that you will make it work, and it will work for you. Best of luck.

[MrSandman]

Sounds like me for many years. Then came the SUPER high blood pressure,panic attacks,worsening anxiety and depression and serious memory issues and major loss of "executive function" and I am only 41. Choose to ignore it for 15 years and you can be like me too. You will then wish you took it as "serious as a heart attack" cause it is.

[momadams]

One of our boys realized that once on CPAP, he no longer avoided going to sleep (he used to stay up way too late).
When he said that, I realized that, while I always went to bed at 9 or 10, I was always ill at ease at bedtime.
Now I love going to sleep, because I know that it will be a true sleep - no panic attacks, no restlessness, no nightmares.
Shari