Newbie Q:How long did it take you to get used to it?

[desertdragon]

Hi, folks. I am a newbie to this world. I have been using a Puresome CPAP machine with a IQ Nasal Mask from Sleepnet for a week now, I am really struggling to sleep with the mask on.

The first day I keep the mask on for 3 hours and took it off, the 2nd. day I kept it on for 5 hours. Good progress, right? No.
From that on, I was able to kept the mask on for 2 hours.

I don't know what specific thing is bothering me, I keep waking up at night and taking off the mask. Now it seems that I am getting less sleep than before.

Is it just me? How long did it take for you to get used to the mask and the machine?
Any tip will be greatly appreciated.

[tattooyu]

It takes a while, and everybody is different.

For me, I took to it well the first week or two, then I really hit my adjustment period, battling mouth breathing and such. By 2 or 3 months, it started to be pretty routine. Throughout the day or evening (whatever your schedule allows), it may help to lie awake with the mask on while reading or even sitting up to get used to it.

[desertdragon]

Thank you tatooyu!
Any other input, guys and girls?

[MoneyGal]

I can only share my own experience. For me, I decided -- before I even had a CPAP machine -- that I was going to accept it, pretty much no matter what, because I was so interested in the health benefits.

I don't know whether I will be able to communicate this effectively, but for me it was the moment of *deciding* to just go with it, that made the difference. Like -- I wasn't going to evaluate whether it worked for me. I wasn't going to decide whether to wear it or not. I had *already* made the decision to wear it every night, so I just wasn't going to think about that question any more.

What really helped was that I read a post here (so long ago, I don't know whose it was) where someone (I think a woman) described her machine as her security blanket -- that with it, she *knew* she would get good, restorative, health-giving sleep. I said to myself, "that's what it's going to be like for me, too" -- before I even had a machine.

I actually use the technique of "not deciding" (or not continuing to evaluate things) in other areas of life, for what it's worth. This is what gets me to tae kwon do practice faithfully, when there are many, many other things competing for my time and attention. I just remind myself that I already decided to get a black belt, and that means going to practice and being constantly in training. And I already decided to be married to my husband forever, so I need to do the work to keep my marriage healthy. It's like a place to stand from which to view the world.

My commitments in some areas of life are really, really rock-solid and complying with treatment for my OSA is one of them, just like training for my black belt, and keeping my marriage intact.

[BleepingBeauty]

Hi, folks. I am a newbie to this world.

How long did it take for you to get used to the mask and the machine?
Any tip will be greatly appreciated.

Hi, dd, and welcome.

My first few nights on therapy (with a Swift II mask, at the time) were difficult to get through. The DME had fitted me with the mask, and it was way too tight, putting lots of upward pressure on the underside of my nose. I'd wake up after a few hours, in pain, and take the mask off. Then I started tweaking the fit and was able to sleep through the night in relative comfort.

If the problem you're encountering is one of just not being used to wearing a mask, I think tattooyu's advice (wearing the mask while awake, with the machine on, just to get used to it) is solid. There's also great value in MoneyGal's suggestion about attitude, IMO. Tell yourself this will work, and you can have a life again. Attitude can make all the difference.

If you're removing the mask because of pain or discomfort (which is an issue for many in the beginning), try readjusting the headgear so that the mask is comfortable and seals well.

HTH, but keep asking questions if you have trouble. There's loads of help to be had here.

[desertdragon]

Thank you Moneygal for your feedback. I don't think my problem is my commitment, I am not in denial about my current condition. I am totally committed to live a healthy life since I love my family and my kids and I want to be with them as long as I can possibly can.

Since I am a newbie, and unsure if this is a normal transition phase nor how long this phase will last? I am just seeking for some advise for a faster adjustment.

Thank you.

[BlackSpinner]

Hi
Security blanket lady here. I knew I needed it to live. I put it on the first night, told myself this was going to be my wonderful saviour, and woke up at 7 the next morning feeling more awake that I had in years with no headache. Mind you all my joints ached for not having moved for 9 hours.

Cpap is a hell of a lot easier then constantly practicing relaxation techniques for pain management (migraines) or taking drugs that make a me zombie. After many years of training my mind to push pain to that back of my awareness, telling it to sleep with a mask was nothing. This from the person who had a panic attack while wearing a snorkeling mask.

[MoneyGal]

Oh, BlackSpinner, I am glad to find out that it was YOU who said that. I heard it at just the right time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[millich]

I actually use the technique of "not deciding" (or not continuing to evaluate things) in other areas of life, for what it's worth. This is what gets me to tae kwon do practice faithfully, when there are many, many other things competing for my time and attention. I just remind myself that I already decided to get a black belt... And I already decided to be married to my husband forever, so I need to....

This is an absolutely amazing suggestion, MoneyGal! I wish someone had suggested it to me years ago. There are so many decisions I've already made that I still wrestle with daily. Why?????? Note to self: If the decision's been made, it's been made. Stop re-evaluating every single decision. Do what needs to be done and move on!

[SleepyT]

took me about a month and a half to get used to it....

[millich]

Desertdragon -

Sorry if we highjacked your thread. You asked if what you are experiencing is a normal transition. Yes! Absolutely, it is. Some lucky few adapt immediately but that's not the norm. What you are going through is perfectly normal. Hang in there. Stay the course. You will eventually get used to your new therapy. You'll be glad you stuck with it.

For me, setting goals helped. The first two nights I slept with it, we had company and I didn't want to be even more tired than usual because of CPAP. So, for those 2 nights, I gave permission to take it off as soon as it bothered me (only about 2 hours each night). The third night, I started expecting myself to keep it on for at least 4 hours (because four hours is the minimum to be considered "compiant" on my machine). The 4th night, I told myself to keep it on for 8 hours no matter how little or much I slept. After that, I've slept with it all night every night.

Do I sometimes wake up with it bugging me? Yep. But I don't allow myself to take it off. It's "keep it on or get your butt of bed" for me! I've read several times here that people often feel worse if they sleep with it for 6 hours and then sleep 2 more hours without it than they would have if they'd have only slept the 6 hours with it. That convinced me.

Again I say: your transition is perfectly normal. You will be fine. If you have more questions, do not hesitate to ask!

[modistee]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this site and started on a cpap machine ResMed Escape II about two and a half weeks ago. The machine has a humidifier too. My mask is a Fisher and Paykel Zest?? Not really sure about the name on the mask will look it up again. I too started out with the idea that this is a good thing and needed because I was tired of falling asleep at bad times and feeling like falling asleep most of the time. But the longer I have been wearing this mask the less I like it. It is making me break out around the nose where the mask rests and I wake up far too many times during the night feeling like I am suffocating. All this waking up kind of negates the idea of having the machine to begin with. I have called the place where I got the machine twice already and no one calls back. I am getting to the point where I feel like I want to pack it up and take it back to them. So is 2 and a half weeks maybe not long enough??? I dread the thought of feeling like I am suffocating when I am trying to sleep. But I really want and need to sleep. And yes I know I am sounding like a cry baby right now. Sorry!!!! Thanks for letting me vent.....

Modistee

[karessamom]

I've been on the mask for about a month now and I'm still adjusting. I've finally got the leaks down to none which is good but my AHI's keep fluctuating. I still wake up several times during the night because of slight leaks around face and I'm still not feeling 100% all the time like I think I should eventually be. However all that being said, i'm remaining positive and I know it still may take some time. Overall i think i am feeling better and am accomplishing much more than i used to. I realize though I may have a sleep debt to pay back and it may take time. Just give yourself some more time to adjust and don't give up. Best advice is just to relax and give yourself some time. Hang in there and don't give up. Know what you're doing is a positive choice for your health and you will get feeling better, sleep better and have better health.

[Pugsy]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this site and started on a cpap machine ResMed Escape II about two and a half weeks ago. The machine has a humidifier too. My mask is a Fisher and Paykel Zest?? Not really sure about the name on the mask will look it up again. I too started out with the idea that this is a good thing and needed because I was tired of falling asleep at bad times and feeling like falling asleep most of the time. But the longer I have been wearing this mask the less I like it. It is making me break out around the nose where the mask rests and I wake up far too many times during the night feeling like I am suffocating. All this waking up kind of negates the idea of having the machine to begin with. I have called the place where I got the machine twice already and no one calls back. I am getting to the point where I feel like I want to pack it up and take it back to them. So is 2 and a half weeks maybe not long enough??? I dread the thought of feeling like I am suffocating when I am trying to sleep. But I really want and need to sleep. And yes I know I am sounding like a cry baby right now. Sorry!!!! Thanks for letting me vent.....

Modistee

Call the DME 2 times an hour, all day till they get back with you. Better yet, call around and find a better DME that actually wants to help. I would suggest that you start your own thread with your problems so that you can get individualized suggestions.
2 1/2 weeks is not long enough for adjustment if all things are working smoothly and obviously yours aren't working smoothly.
Your machine has EPR (exhalation relief) do you know the setting if it is on? Do you use the ramp feature?
Are you aware that the Escape II offers no meaningful data?

[Catnapper]

My suggestion would be to try another mask as soon as possible. Not only is the mask frequently the most difficult part of the treatment to get right, that mask you have was the worst I ever tried. Everyone is different, so maybe it is good for you. It took me a long time to find the "best" mask for me, but I was able to wear 13 of them with some degree of success. That IQ mask was the only one that completely failed for me.

As for how long it took, well, that was by degrees. As others here did, I decided to do this treatment no matter what. When I got to my first year anniversary I realized I had accepted it and didn't think about it any more. I would say it happened along the way in tiny increments that I didn't notice. Probably the first sign will be when you will wake up during the night and check to see if the machine is blowing, and sure enough it is, but you couldn't tell without checking. Many people have posted here about that moment, and I experienced it many times myself.

Good luck. You will get the help you need here, and all the support you want.

Catnapper - Joanie