Hello -- first night using CPAP

rainbowtn · Post by **rainbowtn** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:19 am

Hello! I am new to CPAP; received it yesterday and tried to sleep with it last night. Went to bed at 1:30a (forgot to purchase distilled water, so had to go to the store to get it) and awoke at 8:30a. However, I tossed and turned, kept feeling for any leaks, kept trying to relax myself and convince myself that everything was fine, kept trying to get comfortable with the tube, mask, and pillow ... and finely I fell asleep ... probably only got 3-4 hours of sleep, I don't know. At one point, I almost was going to take the whole thing off - but really want to make this work (at one point I thought to myself, is this going to be my life from now on???). I felt very alone and this morning I read all of the information that Lincare gave to me (my DME) and they listed this online community. Thank you ... you all give me hope and I do not feel alone!

bailachel · Post by **bailachel** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:28 am

Welcome! You have come to the right place. As you can see, you are not alone. There are many wise and experienced people here who will be able to help you with any questions that you may have. They sure helped me. There is a lot of information here, don't worry about trying to read it ,or learn it, all at once. Just absorb what you need at the time.

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:53 am

Welcome!!!
It took a very long time for you to find out you had sleep apnea and get diagnosed. It will take time for you to recover using your cpap, it doesn't get better overnite.
I have been using my cpap for 3 months now and am still "tweaking" things. I learn something new on this site every day, and believe me I have read all of the info more than once. You are sleep deprived, and it will take you time to catch up on the sleep that your body has missed. Keep reading all the info here, and try the tips that you feel would help you, but above all DO NOT TAKE THE MASK OFF AND DO NOT EVER QUIT!!!!!! If you are super frustrated, even at 2am in the morning, get on this site and talk to someone, they will be able to give you advise on what to change. Again, READ, and do not hesitate to ask questions. There are no stupid questions on this forum, ask and you will be answered.
Again WELCOME you have come to the right place.
Cheers
Nan

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:58 am

Your first night sounds pretty typical for many people starting therapy.

In fact, you did better than some!

You will probably have more nights like that at least for awhile. Don't give up though!

Soon it will all be part of your bedtime routine - like brushing your teeth and you will sleep like a baby!!

Lots of people here willing and able to help you get to that point.

brazospearl · Post by **brazospearl** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:05 am

Welcome, and congratulations on making it through your first night! It can be very challenging to adjust to sleeping with all this stuff hanging off your face, but that gets better pretty quickly. Read all you can here, and ask any questions you have. We're here to help!

HollyDolly · Post by **HollyDolly** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:10 am

I have been using the cpap now for 10 days and though I don't really notice that much of a difference yet, I look forward to going to sleep each night and being able to fall asleep on my back!

newhosehead · Post by **newhosehead** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:11 am

Yes, welcome! You did better than many for a first night so hang in there, it will get better. You have come to a great spot to learn and receive support. Funny, I got this name from the same DME you have and (at least at the branch I use) they could really benefit from spending some time on this site themselves! But that is another story. Bottom line..this site is what made CPAP work for me, that and my acceptance of the fact that, yes, this IS the way my life will be from now on and it will likely be a longer life because of it.

Jeanette

CynConn · Post by **CynConn** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:21 am

Keep on using it! It is very rough at first but believe it or not, the day will come when it is no big deal. You may not see dramatic results at first, I didn't, I felt better very gradually. The true test for me came about 3 months into my therapy when I decided it wasn't doing any good and decided to sleep without the mask. The next day I felt horrible. I put the mask back on that night and haven't slept a night without it since. Yeah, sometimes it is still a pain with mask leaks etc. but technology is improving all of the time and new masks come out regularly.

One thing I have learned is that it is up to me to make sure my OSA is treated properly. My doctor doesn't know much about it. My CPAP supplier doesn't provide much in the way of support, can't read the smartcards or anything. Get the software (if your machine has a smartcard), learn how to read the charts and ask questions. Lots of them! Learn what your insurance will cover for masks then try different types and see which one works best for you. Read as much as you can about hints and tips.

One thing that helped me was to make sure I was very tired when I went to bed for the first few weeks. If you are tossing and turning, get out of bed and do something else. When you get back into bed, put on your mask first thing. If you don't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up again. It kind of trains your brain that if it wants to sleep, it will have to do it with a mask on. Avoid napping in the recliner during the day/evening unless you have your mask/machine with you.

Just don't give up! It is well worth the effort.

Cynthia

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:37 am

rainbowtn wrote:Hello! I am new to CPAP; received it yesterday and tried to sleep with it last night. Went to bed at 1:30a (forgot to purchase distilled water, so had to go to the store to get it) and awoke at 8:30a. However, I tossed and turned, kept feeling for any leaks, kept trying to relax myself and convince myself that everything was fine, kept trying to get comfortable with the tube, mask, and pillow ... and finely I fell asleep ... probably only got 3-4 hours of sleep, I don't know. At one point, I almost was going to take the whole thing off - but really want to make this work (at one point I thought to myself, is this going to be my life from now on???). I felt very alone and this morning I read all of the information that Lincare gave to me (my DME) and they listed this online community. Thank you ... you all give me hope and I do not feel alone!

WOW! That's encouraging.
I didn't notice that anyone else suggested this, but try hooking up to it during the daytime to get used to it. If you have a comfortable recliner or chair, try using it there.

This therapy is "baby steps". It can take some time to finally get used to it, but it's worth it. At some point, you won't be able to sleep without it. Keep reading here and asking questions. There are also some folks who work in sleep labs, Respiratory Therapists, and DMEs who frequent this site along with those of us who are users.

Welcome to the forum.

Den

EkalakaHonyocker · Post by **EkalakaHonyocker** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:29 am

I got my cpap 2 days ago. The first night was so frustrating. Finally at 2 am I took it off and was so stressed out I slept in the chair. I felt terrible and like a failure. Last night was better but I slept light and the make kept waking me up. I took the mask off around 2 am again. Today I am reading this thread and I see I am not to take off the mask. I feel like I cheated.
Keep giving advise to us newbees. Support helps too.

brazospearl · Post by **brazospearl** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:32 am

Welcome, Ekalaka! It can be so tricky to get used to your therapy, but it will get better! If you post your equipment we might be able to give you more specific advice.

jabman · Post by **jabman** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:20 pm

Welcome,
I have been using my cpap for one week now, and am very glad I stumbeled on to this site. There is a welth of information here and the people are very friendly. There are no dumb questions so don't be afraid to ask.

rainbowtn · Post by **rainbowtn** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:38 pm

Thank you to all of you who wrote a message ... it is very helpful and encouraging. I am trying to keep things in perspective and your words of wisdom really helps!

Jaylee · Post by **Jaylee** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:43 pm

Hello and welcome Try reading with the mask on, that helped.

CynConn · Post by **CynConn** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:35 am

Excellent idea Jaylee! That is one of the things I like about my new hybrid mask, I read at night until I fall asleep and if I wait until the last minute to put on my mask, it wakes me back up again. Putting the mask on first allows me to just close the book and drift off. However, if you are trying to finish that last chapter.... .

Cynthia

Hello -- first night using CPAP

Hello -- first night using CPAP

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Re: Hello -- first night using CPAP

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Re: Hello -- first night using CPAP

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