new user

[deborahdeq]

I am a new user with severe sleep apnea and desperate for help. I was initially happy to know that about my diagnosis because there was a solution to my problem. I finally got my machine and have used it for almost a week with no positive results. The first two nights I could not even fall asleep with the mask even though I used the ramp feature. The next couple of nights I slept intermittently waking up every hour. The next two nights I woke up at 5 and took the mask off in my sleep. Every time I woke up I felt more tired than when I went to bed. I don't feel I am getting any benefit from the machine. I am trying to stay with it but I am very discouraged. I cannot function being so exhausted. I was so hopeful that this would work for me and was looking forward to waking up rested for the first time in years!

So....I am looking for information regarding others who dealt with this and found a solution. I suspect that the pressure may be in need of adjustment which I cannot do myself. I called my doctor but have yet to hear back. How do I know if the pressure is too much or too little. All I know to tell my doctor is that I don't feel any better. What about the humidifier? The past couple of nights I have been getting some spraying and some air leaks. I try tightening the headgear and the mask came off in the middle of the night once. My pressure is set at 12 which is what the sleep lab came up with. Also, does anyone have the APAP?
It sounds like that may be more effective. Help Please! I want to feel better.

[Julie]

Hi, welcome to the forum, and please believe things will improve! Can you first go to your member page and fill in the Profile, so every time you post we'll all see (under your note) which model of what machine you're using, same thing for the mask and if you use the humidifier, as well as your pressure. Without this info., it's hard to comment. One tip - overtightening the mask can cause more (micro) leaks and if you've been given the 'right' one for you, in the right size and shown how to wear it, it shouldn't need so much tightening. PS - are you a back, side or tummy sleeper?

[Bearcat42]

Hello and welcome to the forum. You really do need to fill out your equipment you are using in your profile. It will give folks a good starting point to helping you out with any issues you may be having.
Getting started in CPAP therapy will inevitably come with some hurdles to overcome before you start seeing really good results consistantly. That is not to say that you can't do it because you can and from your explanation of your condition then it is important that you keep going. Mask leaks are always one of the biggest things you will fight with at first and it just takes time to finally find what works for you. My pressure is 21/17, meaning my inhalation pressure is 21 and the exhalation pressure is 17 so there are certain things that just won't work for me such as a Full Face Mask(FFM) or nasal pillows.
A nasal works best for me but then you have the issue of do you use a chinstrap or do you tape your mouth so you do not "mouth breathe" while sleeping. For me it was trial and error until I got a Papcap and now I won't sleep without it.
I guess what I am saying is sometime it is just plain old "time" that cures alot od issues. Time and trying different things until you find what works best for you. If you think something isn't right then by all means ask your doctor but I would imagine you will find most of your questions answered here.
As for spraying, try getting a hose cover, and letting your hose hang from the machine, forming a loop for any water, or rainout, to collect in at the bottom of the loop. Humidity in your room can also be a factor in rainout.
But above all don't give up. It will get better but it takes a little time and it is different for everyone. If you have any problems just ask away and people will be here for you. Good luck!

[brazospearl]

deb, welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place to get help! We can give more specific recommendations if you fill out your profile (text, not pix) so we'll know what equipment you have. You can make this work and we're happy to help because we've all been there!

[Mebake]

Hello and welcome to the forum, It took me almost a month to get used to being on CPAP. Now I can't imagine sleeping without it. The hardest part for me it was finding the correct mask. The first mask I owned had to be replaced because I broke it by throwing it across the room at 5 am after not sleeping all night. Although DME's get a bad rap sometimes I guess I have been somewhat lucky. I have tried about 10 different masks. Some have been purchased and some have been given to me by my DME. It will be 2 years in a month and being on CPAP has made a world of difference for me. The only other suggestion I would make is to learn as much about your sleep apnea as you can.