starting CPAP tomorrow, nervous

I'll be picking up the CPAP device tomorrow, so this is technically my last night mask-free. For the past couple of weeks I've been hopefully waiting for this day to come in anticipation of feeling better and trying to move on in life. But all I've been feeling today is despair that maybe all my life really has ever been -- full of so many struggles and disappointments -- is related to this sleep apnea. Has the majority of my whole life been a sleep apnea existence? I don't know what to expect on the "other side." I certainly hope it's different, and for the better. But there's so much disappointment from the past. So I'm feeling a bit distraught.

Hi,
I felt the same way when I started. It will take a while, but eventually you will look forward to sleeping with the CPAP. tell us about your diagnosis, equipment, and issues you are working through. YOU'LL BE FINE!
Jim

I hope you researched machines so you know good machines from bad....you want a data capable machine....preferably an auto model.

seekingwellness2016,

I picked my machine up on Friday, you can see it and my mask in my profile. I started by wearing it for a hour or 2 before I went to bed. Then I was able to do 3 hours in bed, I took it off for a while and then did 3 more hours. It was easier than I expected. I really like the minimized headgear of the P10 pillow style mask. I tried a F10 full mask while awake and I am not adjusting so well to that one. My doctor suggest full, because I am frequently congested. I have decide to work the congestion and try to make the pillow style work.
I got Sleepyhead s/w up and running and did a post and got some feedback. The group here is great.

My limited experience supports Jim22's comment, you will be fine. Just keep posting if you have questions, there are many here to support you.

Take heed of LSAT's, comment....my advice is do not walk out without an auto adjusting fully data capable machine. Search this list and look for a yes in the data column. I did a lot of research and ended up with
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html

Wow. Sounds like you're well on your way to mastering this therapy and reaping the benefits right away. Congrats

mdemers800 wrote:... My doctor suggest full, because I am frequently congested. I have decide to work the congestion and try to make the pillow style work. ...

All my life, I was a sinus infection per year and a used handkerchief per day guy. Since I started cpap therapy and started using a nasal pillow, those days are gone. YMMV. Good luck, Earl

SeekingWellness2016, as a fellow newcomer to this journey, the best thing I can tell you is listen to the voices of wisdom. There are a lot of experienced folks here and they know their stuff. I'm about 2 weeks in and while I've heard stories that after just one night, some folks feel better, I am definitely not one of those. I didn't fully understand what they meant when they said you need time to adjust. I found the mask and air oppressive at first, but over time it gets easier.

It helped me a lot to have the mask on before trying to sleep. I'd put it on and read a book or poke around on my laptop. Now I don't have to do those things.

I would encourage you to get SleepyHead and share your data if you're able. Being able to track your own progress is helpful and it empowers you to take charge of your own therapy. Some folks here (Pugsy, especially) have tremendous experience in interpreting the graphs and data and helping you understand it. (I would read the many pinned threads as well - lots of good info there.)

Welcome to the journey, stick with it and don't get discouraged if it takes time to acclimate to the mask and tweak the pressures to get things right. It's worth the inconvenience and discomfort. Just remember, OSA is the cause of many issues but not necessarily the source of all your ills. After a few months of therapy you might be able to work out what it is responsible for, so you can at least pursue the remaining problems separately. What sorts of issues have you struggled with?

I am in a similar circumstance as far as getting a machine. My nights sans mask are numbered but I'm optimistic about it. We all have struggles to face in life and if this is a viable treatment than I am just happy that I exist in a time when treatment is possible. CPAP hasn't been around too long so how lucky we are to be able have such a therapy available. Similarly, I'm glad my dentist uses Novocaine and my surgeon has anesthesia. We all take these things for granted, but its up to you to decide what thoughts you are going to dwell on. Hasn't anyone told you that," Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but rather learning how to dance in the rain." Sounds like you have been doing a lot of waiting. Come on in, the waters nice!

Hello, thank you all for the encouragement. The first night on CPAP was not too bad. I do not feel dramatically different today, but I understand it will likely take time. I did have a pretty severe headache this afternoon. Is there ever any concern about breathing air all night that is passing through a tube of plastic? Also, can someone please tell me how sleepyhead works? Do I need a particular type of CPAP system in order to make use of this software? I was told that my system will send wireless data to the Resmed site, and I am supposed to physically bring a data card associated with the system (which apparently carries more detailed data) the next time I visit the physician (~6 weeks). I would appreciate knowing how things are looking before too long though. I was given a Resmed Airsense 10 autoset, with a humidifier, with nasal pillows. I asked about a system with an auto adjust feature and I was told by the sleep technologist that I should "stay in my lane." :/

SleepyHead works fine with the AirSense 10 AutoSet

https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment

seekingwellness2016 wrote:I asked about a system with an auto adjust feature and I was told by the sleep technologist that I should "stay in my lane." :/

The AutoSet does have the auto adjusting mode.
It also has fixed cpap mode.

When you have time add your equipment to your profile so that if you have questions later we will know exactly what you are using and won't have to ask.
wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
Even though your machine is a ResMed...and the equipment menu is in alphabetical order...they dropped the ResMed part and the AirSense machines are at the top of the list under the "A".

You may find that you don't need the full-face mask unless you actually have a cold. I dithered over that. I have yet to have a cold with cpap (over a year now), but I went with a Sleepweaver nasal mask for that since it works so well when my sinus' are inflamed. Glad things are going well for you so far!!