New user having trouble using CPAP

[bfealk]

I just got my machine last Friday. I have only been able to fall asleep using it once so far for a nap. At night I have worn the mask for an hour or two but haven't fallen alseep and start to get claustrophobic and end up taking the mask off.

Is this just a matter of persevering until I get used to wearing the mask and using the machine?

[bdp522]

Welcome! You will find that everyone here is full of great ideas and always willing to help.
Try wearing the mask while awake. Don't even connect it to the machine, just wear it while watching tv or reading. Then wear it while awake with the machine hooked up and on. This will help you get used to the feel of the mask,and machine. Then try it at night. It can take a long time to get used to all of this. It's important for you to keep trying!
If you fill in your profile we can see what mask and machine you have and give you better help.

Brenda

[kered]

I'm new also and it's hard to comprehend having to do this. I started with an Ultra Mirage nasal mask and I could fall asleep but I wasn't too comfortable. (Oh, and I also take Ambien so that should really make it easy for me.) Anyway, I switched to a Swift pillow system because I was looking for something that might allow me to sleep on my stomach. (Still doesn't work too well so I'm trying to swich to side-sleeping.) But my point for you is that I did feel much less confined with the nasal pillow mask. You might want to try one of them and see if it helps your comfort. I guess some people like 'em, some don't. Besides the Swift, personally I'd like to also try the Breeze, and Aura Twilight.

Good Luck,
Ed

[rxcpap]

It looks like you are using the comfort gel mask. I am a newbie too, and I started with that mask. It make me feel claustraphobic as well. There are a lot of masks out there, so I am sure you will find one you would like better. I use the SWIFT nasal mask, and it is very non-claustraphobic feeling for me.

It takes a while to get used to sleeping with any cpap setup, but with time, you will. It took me 2 months, now, I fall asleep quickly, and sleep well.