GETTING USED TO CPAP

I am writing this to help give the definitive responses to anyone recently diagnosed and attempting to sleep with a CPAP machine for the first time.

My purpose is to help those newly involved in CPAP to understand that there is an adjustment period. It can be extremely difficult. Whether you wear Nasal Pillow, nose or full-face mask, there are many aspects that might keep you uncomfortable, awake, or feeling down about the whole experience.

Find the right mask for you - make sure you are or are not a "mouth breather." Despite the recommendation of my doctor I tried the Nasal Pillows mask even though I've had allergies, etc. all my life - After one week of that I went back and exchanged it for the full-face mask so I could breathe in my own normal way. You do what's right for you. Don't be afraid to use a full face mask, even though it is more cumbersome than Nasal Pillows. Use of the right mask is crucial and small definitely does not mean better in this case!

It took me a good THREE MONTHS to have a positive adjustment to sleep with a full-face mask and enjoy the benefits of CPAP. Let me first tell you that my life has changed in many ways - for the better - and I can honestly say that only now I realize how poorly I was doing prior to CPAP. Of course it's not a cure-all for life's woes, but the changes it makes in you physically and psychologically can be life-changing.

First of all, there is the discomfort of wearing something like this over your face and head - connected to a hose - that you are aware of. It takes time for you to get used to this feeling of a mask on your face and the straps that hold it in place - and you do get used to it. In the beginning you may also feel downcast because you have to have this "thing" on you while sleeping. If you are one of these people, hang in there because your mood will improve as you get accustomed to the idea and start to experience the benefits.

Secondly, you may not be able to sleep because, in addition to this mask and tight straps, you have air blowing into your face. You may fall asleep during the "Ramp-Up" period only to awaken shortly thereafter with the full force of air blowing at you. During this time you may be sensitive to the sound of the air whooshing at you, and the whole experience might cause you to take the mask off prematurely. This is alright during your first month. A better alternative is to turn the machine off and then on again so you can begin the Ramp-Up cycle again. The air will blow more softly helping you to go back to sleep. However, during your second month it is imperative that you resolve to keep the mask on all night long in order to start reaping the benefits of deep sleep. By the way, you can increase the time of your machine's Ramp-Up cycle if it takes you awhile to fall asleep.

Some of us realize the benefits of sleeping deeply (stages 3 and 4) right away; for others it may take a few months. That is alright. It will take time for you to notice that a few very good night's sleep in-a-row has made you feel more alert, less irritable, calmer, able to work and function better, improved your memory - and so on. I even noticed an improvement in Total Cholesterol. Soon after this period you will realize that you have embraced CPAP to the point where you can't think of sleeping without it! I also took it on vacation with me and slept better there, too.

An important point to remember is that you still must have the right amount of hours of sleep. By this I mean 4 or 5 hours on CPAP is still not enough rest for your body. You need to re-adjust your sleep schedule to that you get the right number of hours of GOOD sleep, depending upon your individual needs. I found that I need a minimum of 7 hours on CPAP to feel good the next day.

Lastly, I read on this board all the time that people give up. NEVER GIVE UP! Stay with it - it does work but you must have patience, faith, and determination that you will make it work.

Good Luck!

Rich

Excellent testimony and advise Rich!

Dale

Thanks for the great info, Rich. I'd like to add another point, if I may, and not to detract from what you've said but only to enhance it. Keep in mind this is for people like myself who use CPAP which has only one pressure setting, not a "range" of pressures like you get with APAP or other machines.

The pressure you get prescribed for your machine at first might not be exactly right because it's most likely based on a one-night sleep study done in a lab. This provides only a "snapshot" of sleep information and is not a perfect duplication of the way you sleep each and every night at home. In my case, I had to have my pressure bumped up a couple of cm because I was still having some light snoring according to my wife. Once this adjustment was made it went away. So when you first start out remember to keep track of how well the therapy is working and go ahead and see whomever you need to get your machine tweaked in because although generally they do get it right the first time, it might not be quite all the way there yet.

Lastly, I read on this board all the time that people give up. NEVER GIVE UP! Stay with it - it does work but you must have patience, faith, and determination that you will make it work.

Sounds like placebo to me...

CPAP-curious wrote:

Lastly, I read on this board all the time that people give up. NEVER GIVE UP! Stay with it - it does work but you must have patience, faith, and determination that you will make it work.

Sounds like placebo to me...

Sounds like a GENUINELY happy CPAPer to me. He's enjoying his therapy and is feeling the benefits......and trying to drive home a point.

Den