New CPAP user

Hi gang! I have mild/moderate obstructive sleep apnea and was really looking forward to this diagnosis and getting some help. I have high blood pressure and am exhausted ALL THE TIME. So when I found out I was getting a CPAP I saw it as a gift - it would make me feel s much better. Well it's only been a few days and I'm finding that a positive attitude isn't enough to help me get used to this new way of sleeping... I have a full face mask because I'm a mouth breather and an everywhere sleeper. I don't mind the mask so much, it seems to fit well and I'm comfortable enough with my ramp feature. It does seem to take forever to fall asleep though, and after and hour or two each night I've been taking my mask off, mostly because I wake up to the pressure blowing in my face and I can't take it. Is t okay to turn my machine off and back on to start the ramp again when this happens? Should I slowly tr to get used to my machine as my doc originally suggested or force myself to wear it all night? I'm just tired of being tired and I really want to be successfully. Any advice to this newbie would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, well you're certainly normal - few people feel terrific right away and most have some adjustment problems, big or small, at the beginning.

What are your pressure setttings?

Are you aware that when using the ramp - something most of us stop altogether very soon after starting - that you're not fully treated til the ramp reaches your scripted low pressure? And each time you hit it again, it starts all over (of course). Don't turn the machine off except to e.g. use the bathroom... it will mess up your stats if nothing else and is not helpful otherwise. It also subconsciously gives you an 'out' whenever you tell yourself to do it. Once you get over the first blast of air (not using the ramp) with the mask on, you might be surprised how fast you get used to it... let that happen rather than fighting it. But what are your pressures - maybe they haven't been set up optimally. And do you use the humidifier (you don't have to, only if you feel the need).

jrswhimsy wrote:Hi gang! I have mild/moderate obstructive sleep apnea and was really looking forward to this diagnosis and getting some help. I have high blood pressure and am exhausted ALL THE TIME. So when I found out I was getting a CPAP I saw it as a gift - it would make me feel s much better. Well it's only been a few days and I'm finding that a positive attitude isn't enough to help me get used to this new way of sleeping... I have a full face mask because I'm a mouth breather and an everywhere sleeper. I don't mind the mask so much, it seems to fit well and I'm comfortable enough with my ramp feature. It does seem to take forever to fall asleep though, and after and hour or two each night I've been taking my mask off, mostly because I wake up to the pressure blowing in my face and I can't take it. Is t okay to turn my machine off and back on to start the ramp again when this happens? Should I slowly tr to get used to my machine as my doc originally suggested or force myself to wear it all night? I'm just tired of being tired and I really want to be successfully. Any advice to this newbie would be greatly appreciated!

What are your machine settings? If you're using a range of pressures, that could account for some of what you describe.
If so, setting it to a single pressure may help allow you to get used to the therapy.
Taking the mask off is very common with new users in the beginning months, too.

Also, get Sleepyhead software and download your data.......and study it. You need to get your therapy tweaked as soon as possible so you can start enjoying the benefits. Too many struggles extends that.

This therapy is "baby steps"........one night at a time.


Den

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My ramp is at 4 and my pressure range is 5-15. Looking at my stats it seems to fall between 7 and 11 when I keep the mask on. So pretty low I guess?

On the low side... but as your low pressure is 5, using the ramp at any setting for any length of time is kind of pointless after all... would only make more sense if the '5' were e.g. 10 or more. See how things go without it if you can, and do try to relax (I know that's hard). Don't try to match your breathing to the machine - it's supposed to do that for you. Wear the mask while watching TV so you don't get to bed thinking 'here it comes... must clench up and endure', if you know what I mean. It should (in time anyhow) be as natural as shutting off the light, pulling up the covers and just throwing the thing on... again, hard to imagine now I know!

jrswhimsy wrote:My ramp is at 4 and my pressure range is 5-15. Looking at my stats it seems to fall between 7 and 11 when I keep the mask on. So pretty low I guess?

You might want to move your minimum up to 7 and see what happens. If your "average" keeps moving up, you may need to keep moving the minimum up, too.

Are you using EPR? (exhale relief)


Den

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I do use exhale relief and a humidifier, plus a hose warmer which I hear is a neat thing.
I would feel weird changing my pressure settings without my doc saying so, but maybe I need to talk to him about it.
Wearing the mask itself doesn't seem to be an issue, it's that feeling of air blowing on my face - I've always hated that, could never sleep with a fan or anything

jrswhimsy wrote:I do use exhale relief and a humidifier, plus a hose warmer which I hear is a neat thing.
I would feel weird changing my pressure settings without my doc saying so, but maybe I need to talk to him about it.
Wearing the mask itself doesn't seem to be an issue, it's that feeling of air blowing on my face - I've always hated that, could never sleep with a fan or anything

You might want to download the manual and become familiar with all the setting options......just in case.

https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf


Den

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