Will i really get use to this?

[copernicus]

Got my Cpap only yesterday so i have only used it one night. I can not see myself getting used to sleeping with this thing on my face, and it is both worrying me and depressing me...any words of encouragement? or advise?

[scrapper]

Not only get used to it, but look forward to sleeping with it, and cannot sleep without it, and even go so far as purchasing a second machine for a back up...........now that's scary thoughts!

If you want to learn and succeed, it does take time............but you've come to the right place. Consider starting with looking around the New Users and Wiki tabs on the top or the posts attached to the top of the page for stories of encouragement and success.

Welcome.

Pat

[Julie]

Wait til you start feeling normal again (if you can remember what that was like) - then come back here and answer the question yourself .

[copernicus]

Thanks scrapper. i notice most of you have humidifiers and software. i can guess what the humidifier is for, but what about the software? is that a data gathering thing? i have to go to the doctor's in ten days with my chip, is that the same thing?

[jonquiljo]

Wait til you start feeling normal again (if you can remember what that was like) - then come back here and answer the question yourself .

She's right! Many of us asked the same thing of ourselves when we started therapy. All I know for sure is that I wouldn't try to sleep without one now ulness it was totally impossible to use one. Time will tell. If/when you feel better, you will really learn to make peace with all of it.

[JohnBFisher]

Yup. You sure will get used to it. You just don't notice it after you are asleep. And getting much better sleep will help you feel a lot better over the long haul. Sure it's a bit of a hassle. But you don't have to worry about it except when you go to sleep.

[scrapper]

It appears that you have the ResMed autoset 8 machine.............if so, the software is readily available here. Getting a card reader for it, can be the challenge for that machine........ You can learn to read the data, and interpret your numbers, so that beyond the compliance info needed for insurance and initial months with your dme and sleep doc, you can help yourself. Empower yourself...........it's only air, not rocket science for uncomplicated sleep apnea.

[copernicus]

So how many days (or maybe weeks) before i am comfortable with it? and how long before i start feeling better? I would really love to get my life back, and losing the unexplainable extra weight would not harm either.

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome to our little community.
My first night--no more nightmares or night sweats; It took longer for the daytime drowsiness to go away, and for my energy to pick up.
We have all been in your shoes, it will get better.
If you have the S8 escape, there is no software.
All you get is hours use--for the insurance company.
There is software for the Elite and Auto models; but they will not sell it to the patient.
But there are ways around that.

[Mammal]

Welcome Copernicus.

Compliance and education are the keys to recovery. Don't sleep for 1 second without your CPAP. Why have unnecessary apneas? They will just slow down your recovery. Learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible. This forum will provide the bulk of your education.

Mammal

[pdean44]

I started feeling better after the first week. It took a week or so to get used to wearing the mask and sleeping with it. The first few days were tough then i found myself sleeping marathon hours. I am now 6 months or so since i started cpap and I would not want to go anywhere without that machine. I feel way better now than before therapy.

I am sure you will too before long.

[stevealive]

Welcome, and you've come to the right place for support. I couldn't see how I would get used to this, but it really only took about two weeks. Now I wear a chinstrap as well, which also doesn't draw on my attention. When I had my sleep study, I used a full face mask like yours. It really helped when the tech at my DME suggested the Swift FX, especially because of my mustache. He says he recommends it for anyone with facial hair. You might want to give it a try, as it feels a lot less cumbersome. I can even sleep on my side now with any discomfort. Good luck.

[Big Daddy RRT,RPSGT]

You will only get used to it if you want to. You have to believe eventually it will be worth the trouble or you don't have a chance. Stick with it!

[montana]

I will tell ya this: I look forward to going to sleep now..before cpap I was fearful. Love my cpap. You will too if you stick with it.

[sleepyDB]

Stick with it! I'm just starting my 10th week, and I couldn't believe I'd ever get used to something on my face at night! The first two weeks were horrible, and I felt worse than ever. During week 3, I began sleeping for a couple hours at a time without waking up and I began to feel "different". The stress and anxiety were almost gone, and I felt like the fog had lifted from my life. I didn't have the burst of energy that others talk about, but I did feel better.

Week 5 and 6 just continued to improve. I was sleeping longer and longer each night and had no more sleepiness during the day. The doctor cut my BP medicine in half because my numbers had really improved already!

Now, at week 10, I continue to sleep a little longer each night. I'm up to about 7 straight hours now without waking up most nights! That hasn't happened in many years. I don't dread going to bed anymore, and I actually feel relaxed when I put my mask on. I know I will continue to just get better and better! My energy is slowly returning, too.

So............it can happen to you, too! Keep a positive attitude that you CAN do this, and you will. This is a great place for support and advice. I haven't posted much, but, believe me, I've done tons and tons of reading! It really helps to learn of others' experiences.

Good luck to you!