I need help! How can I get used to the CPAP?

I need some help.

I have a CPAP that was prescribed over a year ago (maybe closer to 2 years. I'd have to check). The problem is, I just can't sleep with it on. When it was prescribed I wore it nightly for about a week. Every single night I wound up taking it off after two or three hours. I felt like I was awake the whole time and if I did drift off, I'm sure it was for only minutes at at time. I was even more tired the next day then my normal.

I decided to try the CPAP again. I cleaned it, refilled the humidifer and set it back up two nights ago. The first night I kept it on for two hours while I laid there, pretty much wide awake. Tonight I went for almost three hours before I took it off. Both nights I wound up actually getting out of bed and staying up for awhile afterwards (right now I've been up only a few minutes so far. Last night I was up the rest of the night)

Here are some of the problems I'm having:

1. I can't get the mask comfortable - The machine is in the bedroom where my wife is sleeping so I can't give the manufacturer or model. It's the type of mask that covers the nose fully and has velcro straps to adjust the tension. There is a "T-bar" sort of thing that goes up to my forehead to anchor the whole thing. In order to get a good seal, I have to tighten everything up to the point where the mask is not comfortable. Basically, if it is comfortable, it seems that more out is leaking out around the seal than is going into me.

2. The mask makes it difficult for me to breath - I'll feel like I'm suffocating. I have to keep my mouth closed. I can't breath at all if I try to keep my mouth open. Is this normal? I think (but I'm not sure) that when I do fall asleep, my mouth will open and I'll wake up when I start having difficulty breathing. I'm talking about WITH the mask on here.

I also feel like the mask is putting a greater strain on my heart or lungs due to the effort I have to take to breath. That's why when I finally give up on it for the night, I get up for awhile. I just can't go back to sleep right away, even without the mask, because I feel so out of breath.

My history:

38 year old male. 200 pounds even. Moderate to heavy snorer. Diagnosed with OSA roughly two years ago after the sleep study. Then had the second sleep study to get the mask.

When I had the sleep study, this was the only mask type that allowed me to sleep. I did fall asleep with the lab's mask on after half an hour to 45 minutes. I know because they woke me up after about two hours for some reason related to the study. I first tried the smaller nose-clip kind of mask, but couldn't sleep with that kind at all, which is why they prescribed this one.

I need some suggestions. I am going to find my info and call the clinic. Last time though they just told me to keep trying and I'd get used to it. Well, actually they did send a new card with a reduced flow (I believe) but that didn't help. I didn't call them back after that didn't help.

Anything I should try before I call the clinic? Any tips or techniques for getting the mask more comfortable? How important is a tight seal? Why does it feel like I'm suffocating with the mask on? Why do I have to have my mouth open? Is this normal?

I'd really like this work. I am worried about my health and I'd like to learn how to tolerate the CPAP. But, I don't see any point in just wearing it night after night if I never can get used to it. My sleep is worse and I feel worse with it on then with the sleep apnea. Or, do I just need to keep struggling through exactly like I'm doing? How long though?

EDIT: I just went in with a flashlight and looked at the gear

Machine is labeled: Resperonics C Flex RemMaster Pro
Maks is labeled: Resporonics

I have no idea on the quality of this gear. Any thoughts?

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, seal

Hi, you do need help - for one thing you shouldn't have to tighten the mask that much, and sometimes doing so can be counterproductive. But it really sounds to me that you need a full-face (rather than just nasal) mask because your mouth is open when you sleep, and no nasal mask will work then. The full-face ones may also take a little getting used to, but then when you realize they're working, you'll feel so much better. If you want to get a 'preview', try your present mask one night, but not so ultra-tight, and at the same time use a strip of tape (more on that below) to seal your mouth closed. It sounds a bit awful, but many people do it and are rested. There is special tape to use, but someone else will tell you what it is (I don't use it), or a pharmacist could probably help you. Remember it's only a trial to see if it helps you sleep better - so even if the tape does not seem like a great idea in itself, you may at least experience a better time as far as breathing goes overnight.

Hi, welcome to the world of hoseheads,

Feel assured that you are now alone and you are going through the same kinds of things that we all have been through.
First off, before you begin to feel the results of your therapy you have some issues to resolve.
Everyone on this site, and perhaps everyone who strarts CPAP therapy agree that the mask is THE KEY. With out a comfortable mask for you the therapy will not be helpful. As you have already stated, you are feeling worse because you are not sleeping as well as without the treatment.

Let's see, the response you have received on the board is completely correct. when you open your mouth, the air cannot go where it needs to to prevent your apneas. You either have to make sure your mouth stays closed, or use a full face mask, that covers both your nose and mouth together.
The mask you have now can be made more comfortable with a couple of pointers. First , loosen the straps instead of tightening them. If the mask still leaks when you lie down, try to arrange your pillow so there is a "cliff" on one side and then place your head so the mask hangs off the side of your pillow. This helps prevent leaks because the pillow is not pushing against the mask.
Another thing you can try is to suspend your hose over your head. Take the hose and put a hair tie around it and then hook this on something to hold it on the wall or on the headboard. This prevents the hose from pulling on your mask and causing leaks. make sure you have just enough slack to turn over comfortably.

And if you try to get used to the mask each night by wearing it a little before bedtime. It is not a pleasant adjustment period, however at some point in all this you will begin to feel a little bit better because of the therapy. After it begins to get better, you will keep your mask on longer at night and you will be on the right path to completely enjoying your waking life again, and feeling like you haven't in years. You will feel Younger and more energetic as well as a clearer head and much bettter quality of life. If you give the mask a really good try , after doing all the thinks you can, there are other masks out there and through many trials and errors, you will find the mask solution for you. I wish you the best in your treatment. We, on this site, are here to help you through this tough time, we have all been there, and can say "It is worth the trouble"
Good Luck and God Bless
Karen Moore