First time Cpap user problems

Hello everyone and 1st off I would like to say thank you for taking time reading this. Last night was my first night using the ResMed airsense 10 machine. The Mask I am using is the dreamwear full Lab mask. It does not cover the nose but goes up right underneath it pretty snug. My pressure is set to 7.0-11.0 and my ramping(I guess I'm saying this all correctly,being new to this)starts at 3 and builds up to 6 I believe, within seconds.
The issue I had last night with my first time trying it was that I made it through 5 hours of using it which I know is not a lot but even though I wish it were more for a first time user I'm happy that I got that far with it LOL,seeing I am super high strung. However I found that about every 2 hours I had hit the stop button and restart which from what I am hearing causes me to stay at a low pressure every time it starts to ramp up again. Which it's not treating my problem well. I believe my explanation for doing that for one is that my tip of my nose where it it's snug with the nasal part of the Mask was kind of making it sore after a couple of hours and I don't understand why. I realize that it could be too tight but it seems that if I were to loosen it more it would not stay snug up against my nose . I had a problem at the beginning getting set up with the machine and mask because I was feeling like I was taking in the air yet it was hard to breathe back out against the pressure, and was making me lightheaded which is why my settings are low per sleep specialist orders. My reasoning for taking the mask off after 5 hours was because I believe it was making the tip of my nose sore and also I felt as if for some reason it wasn't putting out as much air as it should have been even though maybe it's just that I was getting used to it. I subconsciously believe I kept waking up and feeling around the air holes to make sure they were not covered also. This morning I woke up and feel really tired still, and have been coughing a good bit feeling as if I have a sickness like a cold or something. My sleep apnea prior to using this had been untreated for quite some time to the point to where I've been having brain zaps and problems with motor skills and functioning very well. It's been as if I've had a weird head pressure and disorientation so being worried I have started using this treatment hoping that something hasn't gone wrong . Sorry to dump so much out on everyone but I'm just looking for some advice on things and I greatly appreciate your time.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

Hello everyone and 1st off I would like to say thank you for taking time reading this.

It's what we do.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

I made it through 5 hours of using it

That is GREAT for the first night! Congrats.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

Which it's not treating my problem well.

Hey, first things first. Get used to the therapy so you are using it all night every night comfortably, THEN focus on making the therapy as effective as it can be.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

I realize that it could be too tight but it seems that if I were to loosen it more it would not stay snug up against my nose .

You should eventually find the happy medium. If not, that may not be the best mask for you. But give it the full shot for several nights before you decide. Getting another mask to try isn't usually a problem, since manufacturers don't charge resellers for masks that can't be made to work well for any given patient. The first mask tried is not always perfect for anyone.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

I was taking in the air yet it was hard to breathe back out against the pressure

It is more a sensation than a reality. You do have to get used to pressure over time, but it is actually very easy to breathe out against, regardless of what your brain is telling you. The brain just knows something is different, and it doesn't know yet how helpful that new sensation will turn out to be, so it makes you think it is hard to breathe out when it really isn't. Your brain will eventually figure that out if you stick with it.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

I felt as if for some reason it wasn't putting out as much air as it should have been

You may find that the ramp is lowering pressure too much or that your starting pressure isn't high enough for you to feel you are getting enough air. Comfort often comes from 6 to 8 cm of starting pressure for many people. You will eventually figure out what the perfect starting pressure is for you over time.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

have been coughing a good bit feeling as if I have a sickness like a cold or something.

Make sure your humidity is adjusted well for your preferences, since nasal dryness can temporarily make for some irritating postnasal drip. That is a common issue at first that the body fixes on its own, as long as your humidity is kept at a reasonable level during the time of adjustment.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:54 am

My sleep apnea prior to using this had been untreated for quite some time to the point to where I've been having brain zaps and problems with motor skills and functioning very well. It's been as if I've had a weird head pressure and disorientation so being worried I have started using this treatment hoping that something hasn't gone wrong . Sorry to dump so much out on everyone but I'm just looking for some advice on things and I greatly appreciate your time.

Keep at it. It is obvious from your post that you WILL find a way to be successful at it. Give your body and brain a little more time and you will be an old pro at this in no time.

We wish you all the best with it.

Explore all sections of this site and CPAP.com to find all kinds of great tips from fellow PAP users.

Just chiming in with everything jnk has written. And to speed up the adaptation, you might want to set the machine up somewhere outside your bedroom during the day and use it while you read or watch TV. This subconsciously reassures your body and mind that these weird sensations are OK. Keep us posted, would you?

Thank you all for the kind responses.This morning I am up now but feeling really off balance and blurred vision somewhat. Feel really off. I don't know what it could be.Ill keep trying though.

4given wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 10:21 am

Thank you all for the kind responses.This morning I am up now but feeling really off balance and blurred vision somewhat. Feel really off. I don't know what it could be.Ill keep trying though.

Keep your doc in the loop about any concerning symptoms. Sometimes meds (especially BP meds) end up having to be rebalanced a bit once PAP therapy gets OSA treated and out of the way.

To the OP:

Overall, you're doing well. It's an adjustment.

A mask that is too tight or too loose can cause soreness. MAke sure that the mask is even (left and right). Check also the relative tightness of the upper and the lower. You might try soaking the face piece in vinegar for several hours, it seems to cut down on the allergic properties. If note of that helps, you might want to consider a different mask.

As far as the ramp goes, you can probably change the time that it takes to reach the max pressure.

Congratulations on getting off to a good start. My first night, I only lasted two hours before I took the mask off and went back to sleep.