Mask Fit

I had a sleep study 5 years ago, got a machine, etc., after 3 weeks gave up trying. Bridge of my nose hurt, mask leaked and too much noise. My pulse was 38 and my family Doc recommended another sleep study. Last time I stopped 41 times per hour this time 62 times per hour. Now I have a clinic to go to to try and get a mask that fits, next Tuesday. then another sleep study will be done to evaluate the help from the mask etc. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?

Yes, to just about everyone here. Sleep apnea doesn't improve if you don't treat it, it gets worse, and it puts more and more strain on your body.

And getting used to CPAP IS hard. It hurts, it's hard to sleep, it's uncomfortable. Eventually, it get's better, but not without a lot of effort on your part to put up with the initial discomfort, work hard to find a mask and a machine setting, and to educate yourself about sleep apnea and treatment so you can get the most out of your therapy.

So what are you going to do? Quit again????

Most of us are here because, like you (whether you want to admit it or not) there is no other option.

I suggest you think carefully about what you want to get out of CPAP therapy. To feel better? To be more alert? To think more clearly? To reduce the constant harm to your body? When you find adjusting to therapy hard, keep your goal in mind and keep working toward it. Determination will help you get there.

Tell your sleep doctor what happened last time. The good news is that the masks and technology are getting better, so they are a little more comfortable. There are masks that don't touch the bridge of your nose--ask about nasal pillows for example. Educate yourself about masks and machines here and using other online resources so that you can have realistic expectations and ask for what you think will work best for you.

Good luck. We'll be here if you really want help.

thanks for the support and admonishment. I will work hard to make it work for me. I will know more next Tuesday when I attend the clinic for mask fit.
Thanks

Are you saying that you are getting a mask before they do the sleep study? That doesn't sound right to me. Of course I could be reading your post wrong.

Joe50 wrote:Are you saying that you are getting a mask before they do the sleep study? That doesn't sound right to me. Of course I could be reading your post wrong.

I had a study 5 years ago, then another last week. Because of mask problems I am going to the clinic and then will do another study with mask.
Thanks

Make sure that when they "fit" you for a mask they put the CPAP on and turn it up to a decent pressure (i.e. don't try the masks without the CPAP, and don't try it at 4cm only, get them to go up to a more reasonable pressure like 8 or 10 - best starting point would actually be your pressure from last time). The reason is that the mask will fit VERY differently at no/low pressure than at your titrated pressure (whatever that ends up being). Also lay down with it if you can, gravity works different standing up vs laying down

Another point, make sure they fit you with the right size and tweak all the options on the mask... you may just have had a mask that was too small, not adjusted properly, or maybe just didn't fit your face shape to begin with. Do you remember what you used before?

I hope you make it work for you this time! No need to torture your body any more than it already is... oxygen deprivation, constant arousals, brain and heart damage...!!!

thanks for the info, I will take my old mask with me (still have it and the machine). I was at 17, pretty high pressure as I understand things. All good points, specially the laying down, etc.
Thanks
bilnap

bilnap, something for you to consider for later - some of us have much higher pressure needs sleeping on our back than our on sides/stomachs. One member here had very high pressure needs, like in the 20s, while on his back. He now uses a backpack to force himself to sleep on his side and his pressure is much lower (in the lower 10s? I can't remember). That would be roster, but he's not the only one!

Thanks echo. will be going in Tuesday for my mask fit. then a sleep study a week later. am getting excited about doing this. the first time, 5 years ago was a complete disaster. Now I am determined to make this work. Wish me luck.