First night with mask

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Last night was the first time I tried my nose mask (s8 Escape II) and contrary to custom, it took me ages to fall asleep. In the sleep clinic when they gave me the mask on the 2nd night I slept all through. So I'm laying there thinking 'maybe this will help my OSA but now I seem to have insomnia!' I guess I was in a bit of a panic because it was my first time? And my partner happens to be away on a business trip this week (44 year old baby here). Then I finally slept but I woke up to pee 3 times (frequent trips to toilet at night is what led to my OSA diagnosis) and each time I would wake up I would find it weird to breathe out (because the air presure had ramped up I guess) which would make me panic again and lay there staring at the ceiling. Finally an hour before my alarm went off, I woke up with the hiccups and decided to take the mask off and start the day. The hiccups went on for an hour. Could this be linked to the mask?

The helpful people on this forum repeat many times the message of 'adjustment period' and 'not giving up' which has stopped me from feeling down about last night (and the fact I'm so tired today). Will it take me weeks to adjust? Months? I dunno. But I'm determined to stick this through and MAKE this work for me. I'm craving a full night's sleep like you won't believe. Well I guess you guys of all people CAN believe.

[Sheriff Buford]

Last night was the first time I tried my nose mask (s8 Escape II) and contrary to custom, it took me ages to fall asleep. In the sleep clinic when they gave me the mask on the 2nd night I slept all through. So I'm laying there thinking 'maybe this will help my OSA but now I seem to have insomnia!' I guess I was in a bit of a panic because it was my first time?

Yes... this is not unusual... but I won't say "normal". Be prepared to check out different masks if you decide the one you are using is not ok. Most DME's will allow mask exchanges within 30 days. Mask-shopping is normal and probably one of the keys to sucessful treatment. Also, try putting the mask on early to adjust to it. Read (if you can), watch the TV, listen to tunes, anything that will aid to adjustment.

And my partner happens to be away on a business trip this week (44 year old baby here). Then I finally slept but I woke up to pee 3 times (frequent trips to toilet at night is what led to my OSA diagnosis) and each time I would wake up I would find it weird to breathe out (because the air presure had ramped up I guess) which would make me panic again and lay there staring at the ceiling.

If you wake up at night, and trying to go back to sleep, use the ramp feature. I remember doing this in my first week and it helped.


Finally an hour before my alarm went off, I woke up with the hiccups and decided to take the mask off and start the day. The hiccups went on for an hour. Could this be linked to the mask?

Yes... all the air coming in... you probably got a little air in the stomach. Couple of good burps will help.

The helpful people on this forum repeat many times the message of 'adjustment period' and 'not giving up' which has stopped me from feeling down about last night (and the fact I'm so tired today). Will it take me weeks to adjust? Months? I dunno. But I'm determined to stick this through and MAKE this work for me. I'm craving a full night's sleep like you won't believe. Well I guess you guys of all people CAN believe.

Provided that you keep using your mask on all night, you'll probably see a significant change in as little as a week. After a month hopefully.... you be used to the therapy.

Sheriff

[Resister]

Welcome, from another NooB! I've been pappin' for 2 weeks and last night was my first 6 hour night. No advice, really, but just wanting to say you're not alone.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Thank you both. It's good to have some support as a 'novice'.

Sheriff - you reminded me that in the sleep clinic the nurse asked me to have it on for about half an hour before I intended to sleep and read or watch TV. As for the adjustment period, it's good to hear 2 weeks - even a month so I can manage expectations. Well, thank goodness August is a quiet month at the office!

[jayec]

I am new as well. I started mine 5 days ago. Hang in there and just think about a time when this will all be second nature!
and I would say not having your partner there at the start is a big thing on your mind. keep at it!

Jaye

[Sheriff Buford]

Thank you both. It's good to have some support as a 'novice'.

Sheriff - you reminded me that in the sleep clinic the nurse asked me to have it on for about half an hour before I intended to sleep and read or watch TV. As for the adjustment period, it's good to hear 2 weeks - even a month so I can manage expectations. Well, thank goodness August is a quiet month at the office!

Not to downplay your issues, but they are normal and most people that have sucessfully conquered cpap go thru it. The help and info you get at this site will guide you along your journey. Trust me, when your therapy kicks in and you start getting the rewards of therapy, you'll never look back. Your Excape II is what we term here as a "brick" (your machine does not provide data, hence, you have no idea of how you are doing). I have an Escape II as my back-up emergency machine, but have bought a S9 autoset. It provides me info to "tinker" - and improve my treatment. Again, you may want to try on different masks at your DME. Your whole comfort-level and sucess-level depends on your love-affair you have with your mask.

Are you in Europe-Belgium?

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Thanks Jaye. Good luck to you too.

Yes I'm in Brussels, Belgium. I know they have a choice of masks at the hospital but I wasn't told they could change the machine. The national health service pays over 90% of the costs so I don't think there's a choice with the system. Anyway, I'll see how I get on in the next few nights. If I wake up though, how do I know if it's just me getting used to the mask or the air pressure is wrong or if it's because I need to go toilet? Any idea? The doctor seemed ot have no doubt that I was going to pee 'because' I was waking up from the OSA. She also seemed very sure that the air pressure the machine was configured to was right. I can't change that by the way - only the amount of ramping time.

[ems]

I'm a new user also... nearly a month... I don't agree with your doctor though. I always use to get up 3-4 times a nite to go to the bathroom. Was told by my doctor that was because the severe apnea I have was waking me... and I would think I was waking up because I had to go. Not so... there is much written about this here. Do a search.

I can tell you that last nite was the first time in years that I slept thru the nite and didn't get up once! I'm one happy camper! Looking forward to the day when I can say that I feel less fatigued during the day... that will come...

Also wanted to mention that I woke up every few hours the first 10 days or so I was using the machine. That's normal, and I feel sure it's you getting use to the mask. A couple of times I pulled the mask off in my sleep. These things happen... and you just put the mask back on and go back to sleep.

I'm sure you'll do great!

[SleeplessInBrussels]

Hey thanks. Great that you slept through the night. This will egg the rest of us on!

If I may ask - what did the bathroom visits turn out to be? If not related to apnea I mean.

[archangle]

Thanks Jaye. Good luck to you too.

Yes I'm in Brussels, Belgium. I know they have a choice of masks at the hospital but I wasn't told they could change the machine. The national health service pays over 90% of the costs so I don't think there's a choice with the system.

See if there's any way to get a better machine. A PRS1 Pro or S9 Elite at least. Sometimes if you ask, you may get it. The better machines record data and can tell you or the doctor a lot of problems with your treatment that can be easily treated without having to take another sleep study. It's a bit like having a mini sleep test every night.

[SleeplessInBrussels]

So I just called the sleep clinic and asked them if I could get a machine which reads data and they said they used to issue them but they discovered the information wasn't always 100% accurate and people would panic sometimes from getting false information. She reminded me that I have free access to the sleep clnic whenever I want to spend a night there and test the machine and that Brussels, where I live is a small city and I'm never far from the sleep clnic. She said give it a month and if you still haev problems, book a night at the clinic.