Not adjusting to using the CPAP

[terik]

I have had my Resmed S9 for just under two weeks. The first night I tried to use it I kept having anxiety over having a mask over my face. I must have put on and taken off the mask so many times in the first 30 minutes, until I had made myself so nervous that I just put it on the night stand took myself upstairs to sleep in a different bedroom and not have to hear my husband not understand what I was feeling.

Second night I put the mask on and off multiple times until I could tolerate it a little but for 5 hours I tried to sleep but watched the clock as I was told by the DME I had to at least where the mask 4 hours per night for 21 days. After the tortuous hours I took it off, went back upstairs, set my alarm to get up before my husband did and then went back down like all was okay.

All day at work all I could think of was having to do this and really worked myself up that I did not even want to go home and most of all go into the bedroom. I thought I was going crazy as all these emotions are things I never expected and never knew could be me.

I then decided that I would return the machine and forget it all. We were leaving for 10 days of vacation and I did not take the machine. Coming home all those anxieties were still there. At night I could not sleep I kept myself awake, worrying and trying to figure out what I was going to do.

Hubby had to leave for a week trip out of the country the day after we got back from vacation. I thought I would work this all out without any pressure from anyone. But I even found myself going up to the other bedroom to stay out of the room with the machine that seems to have become my worst enemy instead of making me feel better.

I tried to call the DME about 4 times without getting to talk to anyone. Finally I called the some other number listed for them and told them my problem and the said someone would call me back. Finally talked to the lady who helped me with the machine when I picked it up. She said that maybe the full face was not what I needed and suggested the new Swift Nano. But I had to call my physician to get approval. Talked to the medical assistance and she said it was common not to be able to tolerate the machine and other options were available. I asked just to try another mask and they approved that and would write a new script for what ever I chose.

So I have an appointment to do just that. However, I am still not sure that anything on my face with be tolerated. Should have known all this as from childhood I have not liked swim masks or snorkel masks. But never thought I would have these sort of emotions when faced with tolerating a CPAP machine.

I just needed to share this as it helps me in some odd way as my husband does not understand what I am internally dealing with.

thanks for allowing me to vent and if there are suggestions I am more the happy to have the help.

Tk

[nanwilson]

Teri... you NEED to give it more time and wear the machine. Perhaps if you tried to sit and watch tv in the evening with your mask on you may get used to it. Relaxing watching tv or reading with it on may help the anxiety go away. I would suggest you at least try that and also... READ and read some more on this forum, there is a multitude of great info and help here for you. Many others have gone through the same thing you are experiencing now you are not unique, perhaps by reading their experience you may find a method that works for you. At least try, you can not lose a thing by trying.
Good luck.
Nan

[avi123]

I have not read all the words in your post but I got the impression that you're starting as most posters on this website have. Yes, this is the nature of the beast. Time will take care of it.

[Stormynights]

Sometimes it is necessary to just take baby steps. My husband was claustrophobic with any mask. He had to take tiny baby steps but he eventually made it. You need to post your pressure and mask and give us more information. You will get all the help you need here.

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

First of all can you tell us which model S9 machine you have? The model name will be up on the top of the blower unit near the LCD screen.

What pressure are you using? Are you using the ramp feature? If so, for how long and are you comfortable during it?
Are you using the EPR exhale relief feature? If so, at what setting.

Unsure about the various settings? Easy to find out how to get to those settings in the clinical setup menu...this manual tells you how
http://www.apneuvereniging.nl/forum/pdf ... manual.pdf

Take a look at the mask that I use...link in my equipment profile at the bottom of this post...does it interest you. No headgear at all.

You might also look at the Swift FX nasal pillow mask...both with the traditional headgear or the Bella Loops
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -cpap.html

Finding the right mask is the hardest part to this therapy. Don't give up without trying however many you feel the need to try because there's a good chance that there is one out there that will work.
Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your difficulties with the masks and getting to sleep. You aren't the first nor will you be the last to have these very same problems.

[Webangel100]

Not easy. You are experiencing what many of us go through in that initial phase. It is not a wrong reaction since many of us do not like stuff on our faces, especially when we go to sleep, especially over our noses.

The above advice to wear it when you are watching TV or doing something else is useful.

You may also want to try baby steps. You do not need to do 4 hours from the first night..

My suggestion?

Before going to sleep, try 5 minutes on in front of the TV.

When you go to bed, Give yourself permission to take it off after 5minutes.

Try for one week. After that, try to increase a minute a day. When you get to 10 minutes, keep that for two or three days.

At this point you should not need the "pre-sleep" wear..

You can then try 5 mins increased per week.

Sometime during this process, I hope your "5 minutes" increase will end at dawn.

You do need to keep reminding yourself that this is not for your husband, it is not to stop snoring, it is, in fact, for your life.

We'll all be thinking of you and hoping you can Be "persistent and patient" per the previous poster's tagline.

Raymond

[chunkyfrog]

When I take off my glasses, I put on my mask.
I need the glasses to see in the daytime, the mask to breathe at night--they are that much alike.
If a nasal pillow mask is too confining, you may try a fabric mask.
Sleepweaver now has three--the Elan has been the best for me, but the Advance is the lightest weight.
It's almost like a handkerchief on your face.
This might be the ticket for you. As has been already mentioned--don't give up.

[oak]

Hi there. You are not alone. We have all had bumps in the road while getting used to this new change in our lives. You say,

I tried to call the DME about 4 times without getting to talk to anyone. Finally I called the some other number listed for them and told them my problem and the said someone would call me back. Finally talked to the lady who helped me with the machine when I picked it up. She said that maybe the full face was not what I needed and suggested the new Swift Nano. But I had to call my physician to get approval. Talked to the medical assistance and she said it was common not to be able to tolerate the machine and other options were available. I asked just to try another mask and they approved that and would write a new script for what ever I chose.

So I have an appointment to do just that. However, I am still not sure that anything on my face with be tolerated. Should have known all this as from childhood I have not liked swim masks or snorkel masks. But never thought I would have these sort of emotions when faced with tolerating a CPAP machine.

I think you will find a nasal mask like the nano or pillows mask MUCH different than a full face mask. Its a totally different experience. I also hate having anything on my face or touching my face. Eye exams take twice as long for me because I can't stand to have my eye pressure checked!! Just keep asking questions here and keep plugging away one day at a time and you will get there!! Read posts here by searching for words that describe your questions or feelings and you will see just about everything and anything has been discussed!!

I would like to suggest that you try the swift fx for her mask. There is almost nothing on your face. I wasnt sure about it when I told them I couldnt handle a full mask, because I wasnt sure I wanted anything in my nose, either, but it just "floats" on your nostrils and there is little else to bug you while sleeping.

When you get the mask on, just try to relax and forget that there is something foreign on your face. Be REALLY tired when you go to bed, too, the first few nights especially, and I think it will help you get used to it faster.

Good luck! We do understand.

[RogerSC]

I haven't seen anyone else mention it, so I thought I'd mention using something like Ambien to help get used to sleeping with the mask and all. I had the same problem initially, couldn't sleep with the mask and the machine and all, and took Ambien for about a week. Slept fine with that, then stopped taking it, and all was well. My sleep doctor was fine with it, he was happy to give me a prescription for Ambien when I asked him for it for this very problem. The only downside was that the first night after I stopped taking it, I didn't get much sleep, but it helped me get over the initial hump to get used to sleeping with the gear. I also use earplugs, so I don't hear the machine, since I'm a light sleeper...

[Jeannh]

Fabric Mask Users:

you may try a fabric mask

Do the fabric masks (or headgear) leave marks on your face if not covered by pad-a-cheek or something similar?

[Stormynights]

Fabric masks will not seal if the headgear is tight. There will not be any marks on your face.

[oak]

Oh, and I forgot to suggest that you check out the information for newbies in the announcements section of the home page. Lots of good encouraging stuff there.

[sleepy1235]

I don't use a face mask and asked for the nasal pillows. I read so much how people have problems with their face masks, I am resolved to use the nasal pillows at all costs. However, let me give you some inputs.

1. Calm down. You sound as if you are working yourself into a frenzy. New things take adjustment. Don't focus on how it is all going to fail, but think about how you are going to succeed. I think exercise would do you a world of good.

2. A lot of people try a series of masks until they find one they like.

3. Try a glass of wine or a cocktail to calm yourself before putting the mask on. I found that when I had my Apnea a glass of wine after 8pm seriously impaired my ability to stay awake. Yes, the sleep police will tell you that if you take a glass of wine to go to sleep will cause you to wake up later, but that is for insomniacs. If you have bad apnea you should stay asleep. Or try sominex. About one or twice a year when something is preoccupying my mind I take it and off to sleep I go.

4. When you go to sleep think about something good. What are you going to do tomorrow, something you are looking forward to, something you liked. Don't sit there and think, "I am not falling asleep, this isn't going to work, I won't get my therapy, etc." Think that possibly tomorrow I will be more used to it or try a new mask.

5. Think of it as a challenge as to how you can adapt.

6. Deceiving your husband. Good luck with that.

[JeffL]

You just need the right mask. Try the ResMed Swift FX Nasal Pillows. It's not even really a "mask". It doesn't even cover you nose. It's just a light weight gizmo that presses against your nostrils, and blows air up your nose. It made CPAP acceptable for me. I sure couldn't handle having my face covered.

[caffeinatedcfo]

FYI you do not need your doctor's permission to change masks. Stick with it, the full face wasn't comfortable for me either, but I hardly notice the nasal pillow mask.