A question

Hello,

I am just new to the c-pap (got my machine yesterday to use for the first time). I guess it will take some getting used to. Different people I talk to tell how much better they rest and feel using the c-pap. I am looking forward to that ~ how long does it take to start sleeping better and feeling better?

Another question, I am a night shift worker, and use an eye mask to block out the light when I have to sleep in the daytime. Is there any kind of eye mask made that you can wear while wearing the c-pap mask?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Welcome and congratulations on finding this site and your positive attitude toward taking control of your health. The time to notice feeling improvement varies from one night to several weeks with different people. It took me a few weeks. I first noticed my throat wasn't sore from snoring. Then I found myself telling more jokes and feeling more like myself. Later I found I had much more physical energy and could accomplish things I wasn't sure would ever be possible again. It my be a matter of a mask that fits your blindfold. Or maybe a you could use a neckerchief for a blindfold?

Stick around here, learn all you can, and ask lots of questions. These kind people have helped me regain my health.

Georgio

hope2sleep wrote:Hello,

I am just new to the c-pap (got my machine yesterday to use for the first time). I guess it will take some getting used to. Different people I talk to tell how much better they rest and feel using the c-pap. I am looking forward to that ~ how long does it take to start sleeping better and feeling better?

Another question, I am a night shift worker, and use an eye mask to block out the light when I have to sleep in the daytime. Is there any kind of eye mask made that you can wear while wearing the c-pap mask?

Thank you in advance for your help.

I don't know if it will work with the type of mask you have, but I tie a bandana around my eyes.

I think that it all depends on what kind of mask that you use... I know that with my Hybrid, I can (and do) use an eye mask that I picked up at Sharper Image. But when I tried to use my UMFF, I couldn't use the same eye mask.

Hope,

Welcome to the forum! Please fill out your profile, preferably in text, so that people can see what kind of equipment you are currently using. That will help to get you better answers to your questions. There are many interfaces that would accomodate your eyemask, mostly they are what is called "nasal pillows" type masks that go slightly up into the nostrils. If you need a full face or are more comfortable with what is called the nasal cushion type of mask that could be a problem for you, and may take some tweaking to find a solution. Go to https://www.cpap.com, then roll your cursor over the link "CPAP Masks" on the left side of the screen, then select "Nasal Pillows" from the menu that comes up and click on it. It will bring up about 15+ choices of styles that you can look at to see if they would work for you. As a fellow shift worker (who tapes black construction paper up over his bedroom windows so he can keep wearing his nasal mask) I hope you find a solution that works for you.

Alan

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like you're off to a good start and I hope you'll find lots of help here as you need it.

Although some people feel better within a few weeks, for others it can take longer and for many (?) there is some improvement early on but continuing improvement over time. The are some who think it may be related to how long we've had sleep apnea and there are also factor such as how well the therapy is set. It took almost 9 months for my fatigue to reach a plateau although the first night my brain felt less fuzzy already.

Good luck!
Mindy