Hello and I have a problem

[iliketoreadfantasy]

Hello everyone I'm New (: I found this website by google. Anyways i am 16 and the doctor said that i had severe sleep apnea. I am now using a full face mask with the machine and humidifier(sorry if i mispelled it) . For the past two days, i have trouble sleeping with the mask. Usually for me to sleep easily is for me to turn to one side. If for some reason i cant sleep, i use my imagination and daydream myself to sleep. However if i put on the mask, when i turn to one side i dont feel that comfortable and also for some reason i cant daydream while the mask is on. I cant use nasal mask or nasal pillow because i would breathe with my mouth. I also tried to make myself tired and then put on the mask but it didn't really work i would just be suspended in a sleepy mood and not really getting any sleep. And sometimes the air pumped in to the full face mask from the machine is alot and i had to take out my mask because i would get short on breath. Oh i have enlarged tonsils, sensitive nose and acid reflux(though it rarely acts up now though). I just started the cpap treatment two days ago. With the mask on i have very little sleep and i would just sleep in the mornings. Anyone got any suggestions or tips to help? I would apperciate it very much

[nichola]

It takes a long time for many people to get used to the masks and the cpap machine. You are only two days in.

One thing you have to start now is never sleep without it... no matter HOW tired you are..

This is an important step psychologically because you need to associate sleep = mask

You dont explain if you are getting leaks or anything.

Another thing is if you are finding the mask uncomfortable it might be because you have it too tight.. most masks dont need to be very tight to stay on You feel like they do but really they stay on without tightening them too much

[JointPain]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Many people take some time to get used to wearing the mask. Your subconscious isn't used to it and until it is you won't sleep as well as before. Perhaps wear the mask for a bit during the day just to get more comfortable with it.

Can you go into the user control panel and select your machine and mask, and choose the "show as text" option? A lot of the machines look similar, and it's much easier for us to see what you have when it's displayed in text. Seeing the equipment you're using when let those of using the same equipment to offer more specific advice.

What are your treatment pressure settings? Are you being treated with CPAP at a constant pressure, or APAP with a range of pressures? What are those pressures? Also, what are your comfort settings like ramp time and EPR?

By sticking with the treatment you will get used to wearing the mask and get back to sleeping well. It might take a bit longer than you'd hoped. Just remember to always sleep or nap with your mask on. Not wearing its gives your subconscious a way to weasel its way out of accepting the treatment and delay being able to sleep well.

[iliketoreadfantasy]

My humidity level is 4.0, my heated tube is 28 degrees my ramp is 40 minutes
All were set by the provider

[turbosnore]

If it's of any kind of consolation, I'm one of the slowly accomodating guys.
It took me about half a year to get fully used to the sleep turbo.

[JointPain]

And sometimes the air pumped in to the full face mask from the machine is alot and i had to take out my mask because i would get short on breath.

If you get to this point, instead of taking the mask off, try turning the machine off then on again. That will drop the pressure to the start of the ramp and make it easier. One thing you'll probably find, though, is that after being at the treatment pressure for a while, the initial ramp pressure (by default 4 cm H20) will seem very, very low. If that's the case for you, you might want to ask your provider to raise the starting ramp pressure a little (say to 6 cm H20).

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Perhaps a different bed pillow would help the mask be more comfortable when trying to sleep on your side.
I happen to use a buckwheat hull pillow which allows me to move the hulls to form a "nest" for the mask to rest so it doesn't put pressure on the mask so much.
There are also special cpap pillows with a cut away in the foam to allow the mask to rest.
You can get the idea here.https://www.cpap.com/productpage/bicor- ... fresh.html
You can make your own by buying a rather inexpensive memory foam pillow (like from Walmart) and cutting away the foam to make the hole.

[ThirdOutOfFive]

It takes time for most of us to get used to sleeping with our PAPpy. You are not alone in your struggles. I have changed masks once, changed humidifier setting twice. I have added a hose "cozy" to my hose, which really cut down on the noise the hose makes when I turn over. I have changed sleeping positions several times. It is a process, and I am still working on it. I frequently remind myself that "I will get there when I get there."

I often use my imagination to pass the time until I fall asleep. I have intractable insomnia due to another illness. I take pills to make me drowsy every night. Sometimes they work faster and sometimes slower. I also noted an inability to imagine when I first started this therapy, but that seems to be changing. I have also changed my approach to getting to sleep. If I am still awake and alert after one hour in bed, I get up & stay up for an hour, or until I feel really tired. Then I go back to bed, and usually fall asleep fairly quickly.

So, hang in there. It really does get better with practice.

[sheep1234]

Personally, I couldn't stand the ramp feature. My pressure is 9.0 and the ramp started at 4.5. I felt like I was suffocating! I turned to "no ramp." Now when I push the "on" button, I get my full air and I love it. There is no gradual increase of air. I'm not laying there waaaaiiiittting for the full air to start, trying to breathe deeply and trying to resist the urge to rip my mask off and gulp some air!

Stupid feature if you ask me, but I guess it helps some people.....

My epr is set to 3 for full comfort. What's your?

So many things to learn, but you're in the right place! Keep seeking answers!!

[peterg]

not to trivialise but repeat this chant as neessary

"the mask is your friend"
"the mask is your friend"
"the mask is your friend"

I was lucky, I had panic like reaction for around 5 minutes at first. I thought of it like a non broken-in horse taking the bit for the first time (a movie, "Buck" about a man who 'breaks' horses in using what I would call feminine principles is a good parallel).

now I am unconfortable without the mask on in bed (Ill admit Im only on 3-5cc though).

good luck.

[Java Time]

Hello everyone I'm New

And sometimes the air pumped in to the full face mask from the machine is alot and i had to take out my mask because i would get short on breath.

Welcome iliketoreadfantasy,

Some possible ideas:
1) When I was trying on my masks at first the sudden pressure kind of freaked me out and I was breathing to short and fast. The person I was working with said for me to concentrate on taking longer, slow, deep breaths and that kind of calmed me down.
2) I've read quite a few comments about sitting and reading or watching TV with the CPAP machine first when you don't have to sleep, just to get your body used to it. This might help you.
3) You might want to play with the ramp settings. Maybe try starting with a lower or higher initial settings, try different things, you aren't going to hurt anything by adjusting the ramp. You need to find what works for you on the ramp. You might let the ramp increase faster? 40 minutes seems like quite awhile to ramp up.

If it helps, I know the air was startling to me at first. But, it gets better! After a week or two I wasn't even ramping anymore! So maybe, you'll get used to the air pressure of a CPAP machine pretty quickly as well. I hope so!

I've been on my machine about 6 weeks now. The 3rd and 4th day were the hardest for me. But I didn't give up and it did get better! If you need to get up for a few minutes because you are having trouble, that is okay. Just wait awhile then go back to bed with the mask back on! Don't give up and take the mask off as that will just make it harder to get used to.

[ameriken]

I happen to use a buckwheat hull pillow which allows me to move the hulls to form a "nest" for the mask to rest so it doesn't put pressure on the mask so much.

Thanks to you, Pugsy, I bought a buckwheat pillow and I do the same thing with the 'nest', it's a great idea and it really works.

Fantasy, only 2 days in, it sounds like you're giving it a great try. Do whatever you can to get used to the mask. Before you go to bed, sit with it on (machine off) for 30 minutes or so, longer if you like, just to have it on and get comfortable with it. Read, watch tv, just do whatever you can to help you get accustomed to wearing it. If you're on the computer during the day or doing homework, wear it while you do that without the machine. If you do wear it for a while before bed, about 15 or 20 minutes before you actually go to sleep, turn the machine on and continue reading or watching tv. After a while you'll be so used to it that it will naturally feel right.

In fact, I don't even notice when it's on, it just feels natural now. When I put the mask and machine on now, within 5 minutes I'm drowsy and ready to fall asleep because now the mask is associated with sleep.

And stick around the forum, you'll get a lot of ideas and support here, everyone is really helpful. Don't give up! Good luck.