New to CPAP & it's not going well. **Update!**

Hello All,

I'm brand new to CPAP therapy. Got my machine this past Wednesday. My PPO pretty much handed me the machine with brief instructions on how it works and gave me a choice of 3 masks.

I have used it for 3 nights now. Or at least I've tried to. Night 1: used it for 3 hours and could not sleep. Had to take it off to get at least some sleep before getting up for work. Night 2: the same. Night 3: left it on for 4 hours and still couldn't sleep. Finally had to take it off to get any sleep.

I'm using the Nuance Pro gel pillows mask and a chin strap since I'm a mouth breather. I'm finding that even with the chin strap I open my mouth at least a bit.

My brother had some extra full face masks and loaned them to me. I tried the Resmed Quattro FX last night and thought at first it was great. After about 20 minutes, though, I felt claustrophobic and couldn't stand the plastic feel on my face and took it off.

Just took a look at my therapy hours on the machine and it reads 1 day 2.24 and 7 days 2.48. I've used the machine for total of 13 hours over the past 3 nights and for a 2 hour nap yesterday. That nap is the only time I've actually slept using the machine. Have I really gotten so little therapy out of it?

I also don't know what to do about the mask situation. So far nothing is comfortable.

Update: Tried the Mirage Quattro mask last night that brother also loaned me. I spent a little time before wearing it before bed to get used to it, which definitely helped. Went to bed hoping to get at least a couple hours sleep. Well.....woke up 7-1/2 hours later! That's the first time in years that I've slept all night. I almost didn't want to get up and take the mask off this morning - the cool air blowing on my face actually felt good! I will be calling my PPO tomorrow to find out about exchanging the nasal pillows for the Mirage Quattro.

Wear the mask while you watch TV in the evening so your face will become accustomed to it. Be sure it is comfortable...there are mask liners available when necessary to stop leaks.

LSAT is right. It helped me.