CPAP newb....horrible first night...is this normal?

[cpaporance]

Hola from New York!

I'm a new CPAP user and last night was my first night on the machine...and let me tell you it had to be the worst night sleep I have ever had.

Let me start off by giving some information so you guys/gals can help me better:

My Rx is for 16 cm/h20 , starts out at about 4 on the machine and takes a couple minutes to ramp up.
The machine I was given is a PR REMstar with C-Flex .
I was also fitted with a "M" sized mirage quattro full face mask.
Additionally, I have a Comfortgel full face mask from my sleep study that the tech let me keep, size "M".


My sleep study went well, it was a split study, so I only wore the mask for the last half of the study. Even at the study I had some leaking problems near the eyes of the mask. Regardless I woke up from the study feeling relaxed and rested. So needless to say I was excited to get my own machine and enjoy some sleep!

Well, putting the mirage mask on last night led to nothing but constant leaking problems. About 2 hours into trying to get to sleep I changed out the mirage for the comfortgel. While the comfortgel sealed better, I still got a little leaking near the left eye, only the left. I feel as if the machine doesn't give me enough time to really get to sleep, and next thing I know I got a windstorm hitting my face!

I'm really discouraged at this point, and even though I know it will take some getting used to and it is my first night, I'm still really disappointed.

My sleep doctor did suggest maybe we should go with a full night sleep study with the CPAP to get a better read. Unfortunately, I''m getting married next month and I have no time for another study until after the honeymoon.

Any tips or advice!?! Thanks!!!
Jason

[guest2]

Pretty normal, just hang in there it takes time to get used to and to feel the results and everyones experiences are different. If you have a continuing problem with the pressure than another sleep study could be helpful but give it some time.
Getting married huh,,,,,,,,,, I'm sorry. No really congadulations.

[Uncle_Bob]

Welcome Jason

Its very normal to have problems adjusting to this therapy, my CPAP machine almost went out my bedroom window during the first week.
Just keep trying to wear the mask a bit longer each night and try to keep your leaks down.

Is there any chance you can return your CPAP machine and exchange it for a APAP machine ? Then you could self titrate

Hopefully you can get a few good nights sleep in before your wedding, congrats !

[cpaporance]

Thanks for the support!!!

I'm definitely going to keep with it. If I don't, I am banished back onto the living room couch! LOL. I never knew I had apnea until I moved in with my fiance and she couldn't sleep withmy snoring. After seeing the sleep doctor, I realized that the symptoms he was talking about have been going on for YEARS!!!!

Bob: I will have to ask the doc about switching machines, but I figure I'll do that after a couple weeks of therapy. I have been doing research on the APAP machines and I am very interested!

Oh, and I'm actually excited about the honeymoon now! Before I had the machine I was scared I'd keep her up and ruin her time! Now I can't wait for some beaches, sun and mixed drinks! LOL

[Uncle_Bob]

While it is not uncommon to notice significant benefits in the first 2 weeks the consensus is that it can take up to a year to fully recover and pay off your sleep debt.

But you should be feeling up to the honeymoon and enjoying those mixed drinks

Just don't forget your distilled water for the humidifier when you travel.

[Mebake]

It took me about 2 weeks to be remotely comfortable and about a month and 7 different masks. I would also look into different mask option I think the mask make a big difference. I am going on 2 years and would not be able to sleep without my CPAP. Keep it up you will be happy you did. Besides the bed is more comfortable than the couch.

[TheTwinsMom1]

Another thought, If the ramp time is not long enough for you to get to sleep, you should be able to set the ramp to take longer to get up to full pressure. Mine is set to 25 minutes, but you can make it longer if needed.

Also, when you adjust your mask, make sure you are laying down in bed and in the position you enjoy sleeping. That really made a difference to my mask settings.

[Julie]

Hi - you need to play with the mask a little, adjust each side in little bits at a time, one at a time, so you find out where the problem is, and don't tighten it to a point that's it's uncomfortable as that can cause more leaks. When you first put it on, lift it from the middle a bit and turn on the machine, allowing the whole cushion to open evenly around your face, then once you're in a sleeping position, adjust again if necessary. Give it a couple of nights at least to work out the kinks, but if it's not working well, try the other mask and do the same things. You might not have the right size, but give it a better trial before throwing up your hands! And have fun on your honeymoon!

[cpaporance]

Thanks everyone!! This community seems very supportive and helpful! I'm actually looking forward to trying again tonight...we'll see how it goes. I'm going to stick with the comfortgel for now and maybe switch back to the quatrro after a few weeks, we'll see.

How do I set teh ramp time? Is it in the manual?

[rubymom]

Congrats on your upcoming big day!!

My pressure was pretty high coming out of my sleep study--19. I also started a ramp at 4 and once it got up to full pressure, it practically blew the mask off my face. I ended up having to "fail" CPAP and was given a Bipap machine. That was so much better! My pressure now is usually down more at about 13. I also turned off the ramp pretty quickly because I would wake up as soon as it got to full pressure. I just got used to my pressure as it was and was able to fall asleep at that pressure.

It is all a big adjustment. And there are lots of tips on making things easier that you'll find here. And mask selection is big. So just keep asking questions and you'll be in good shape before you know it.

[Froro]

Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong but is it possible that some Lansinoh might help him with his seal as well. Sounds like with the second mask it was better and perhaps he needs just a little Lansinoh type thing to finish the seal?

congrats on your upcoming wedding. :woot:

[pdean44]

I had a tough 1st few nights. Leaks and then rain out. the leaks subsided as i got used to sleeping with the mask and hose.

[Julie]

Hi again ... just for the record, the ramp feature is strictly a 'comfort' thing. Most of us I think stopped using it long ago, but you have a fairly high pressure, so might want to continue with it for a while, but maybe start it at a slightly higher setting (6 vs 4) so you at least feel like you are breathing right from the start, and you can set it for anywhere up to 20 mins., though if you're not uncomfortable at a much shorter time (if any at all) then it's up to you how long you set it for. The info. should be in your manual.

[cpaporance]

Thanks for that information Julie! I might try to change those settings tonight when I get home from work!

[Kiralynx]

Cpaporance,

Congratulations on getting married soon.

I'm going to suggest something a little different. They had my machine set to ramp, and it drove me crazy. Not enough air at the start, and then BLAST in my nose.

So I said "To heck with it." And didn't bother with the ramp. It was easier for me to have the full air flow when I put on the mask, and adjust to it as I was settling down to sleep, than it was to have that blast sneak up on me just as I was dropping off.

Now, I won't say it was easy falling off to sleep. I lay there and counted breaths, and if I couldn't remember what the last number was (usually because I'd dropped off for anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours), I started over at "1."

It took time to adjust and to get to where I didn't need to count in order to go to sleep.

<grin> It will take time to adjust, but you will work on it, 'cause you want to have plenty of energy for Dah Weddin' Night.