Brand new CPAP user

I just started last night. I logged almost 4 hrs but that wasn't continuous. Forgive me for asking a question someone else may have in the past but is there anyone out there who has mild sleep apnea AND extreme insomnia? I not only can't stay asleep but can't go to sleep!! My experience lart night was not good. When I finally feel asleep I had a horrible time with the air pressure being too high in my pillow mask. I woke up with my chest hurting & nasal congestion.

Hi and welcome! Could you please go to your Profile and enter the info needed (it'll end up under all your posts so we know what's what) and please stay in this thread whatever your questions are. If you know what model of which machine you have - please tell us, and if you know your pressure settings... and what mask do you have? Do you take any meds?

Your chest muscles are getting a workout, but that usually passes fairly quickly. If you're using the humidifier, maybe it's turned up too high for ambient (room/locale) humidity and may not need to be on a high setting or any setting at all... too much causes congestion. But if that's not the problem, does your mask create pressure on your nose? There are fixes for that as well.

Cpap has helped improve my sleep architecture.
Before cpap, I was waking multiple times a night--now, not so much.

In answer to the original question I have severe apnea (mixed) and severe insomnia. My nightly regime includes a Zolpidem and cannabis oil. And often I need a valium as well. When it all works I sleep like a log for 8 or 9 hours.

Lauren, welcome and congratulations on starting treatment for your apnea. You might find it helpful to set up the machine outside your bedroom during the day or evening and using it while you do something that takes up some of your attention, e.g., reading or watching TV. Get in a few hours of this if you can. This will help your brain adjust to the strange new sensations. Try this every day until sleeping with the machine gets easier.

I understand you to be saying that you had insomnia before you started using PAP; is that right? Did you ever have any treatment for it? And how are you doing with the standard recommendations for better sleep:

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.
• Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
• Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.
• If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed.
• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
• Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.
• Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings.
• Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
• Avoid consuming caffeine in the late afternoon or evening.
• Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime.
• Reduce your fluid intake before bedtime.