How long will it take to adjust to cpap?

laurapencils · Post by **laurapencils** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:46 am

Hi, I'm a new user of cpap. I got it a little over a week ago and use the ramp feature to get used to having air blowing into my nose. I wear a mask that only goes over my nose. I am lucky if I can tolerate the mask for 2 hours a night. I've woken up each night with the mask in my hand (it does a lot of good there!) and last night I didn't even bother putting it on since I was so exhausted and just wanted to get a good night's sleep. How long did it take you to keep your mask on? Do you have it on all night? I know I only need 4 hours of wearing it a night to be cpap compliant but I'd like to use it as much as possible to get the benefits from it. Thanks.

Laura

BobF4 · Post by **BobF4** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:09 pm

Laura,

From what I remember about myself (I've had my machine for over 4 years now), there was little to no getting used to the mask. I just wore it, and that was the end of it.

But, everyone is different when it comes to getting used to the mask. My wife recently got her CPAP too, and can't handle the mask against her face at night. Personally, I don't understand why she didn't call the sleep center quicker on this, but such is life.

I know you will get used to it, Laura!

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:17 pm

it takes the average person 4-6 weeks to get used to it where you can sleep through the night.

Keep trying, 2hrs is better than none, work up to longer if you can.

If you are removing the mask, it could be that you are mouth breathing and may need a full face mask. When you mouth breathe, the cpap air pressure escapes from the mouth then it doesn't push the tongue out of the back of the throat.

With the pressure now lost, you have an apnea event and the first this that takes over is your fight or flight reaction, when you cannot get the air you need you remove things from your face.

With a full face mask it doesn't matter the cpap pressure will always go where it needs and you stay asleep and don't remove the mask. Chin straps don't usually work, sometimes they even pull your mandible back making OSA condition worse by narrowing the airway.

The only full face mask I can suggest at this point is the Resmed UltraMirage Full Face or taping your mouth.

Sleepy-eyes · Post by **Sleepy-eyes** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:17 pm

Laura,

I'm not the average person, I guess. I started this difficult therapy in September of last year. Just in about the last month or so I've finally started being able to sleep all night without ripping the mask off. Even now I find myself, at the end of 6 or 7 hours, taking it off and sleeping another 2 or 3 without it. But now, some nights I sleep 8, 9, or even 10 hours under the mask. Just hang in there. No matter where you fit in the "average" range, you'll make it sooner or later.

dudley_doright · Post by **dudley_doright** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:26 pm

Seven weeks into my therapy, it was only a few nights ago that I finally made it thru the night. Hang in there, it will get better.

brackstone · Post by **brackstone** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:37 pm

Snoredog wrote:
The only full face mask I can suggest at this point is the Resmed UltraMirage Full Face or taping your mouth.

I agree 100%

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:45 pm

Good luck to you Laura. It will get better.

John

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:41 pm

Laura, I'm afraid that it's a little like asking, "How high is 'up'?" There probably is no good answer. Some adapt to it right away and never have a problem. Others may take quite a while. I think the first couple of weeks were the hardest for me. My wife woke me up a couple of times the first week because I had taken the mask off and the machine's alarm was sounding. That only happened another time or two and hasn't happened since. When I bought my second mask I had an easier time of it, but in 11 months it still isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But you just keep on keepin' on, focusing on the good days and slogging through the other days.

You should update your profile (the button is at the top of the page) to reflect what equipment you're using. It might make it easier for others to offer advice.

OCO

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:07 pm

Laura-unfortunately it is so individual. I felt great the night of my titration study and never looked back! I had 1 bad night where I couldn't get my headgear right and my mask was worthless(2 weeks into treatment) I feel very lucky. That's the reason I'm so compliant. CPAP has been a life changing treatment for me. My husband even comments on the change in my attitude and outlook.Hang in there-every hour of use is a small step in the right direction and a personal victory for you.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:17 am

When you wake up with the mask in your hand...put it back on. You may need to do this several times during the night. Try to start doing this on a night when you don't have to work the next day. Everytime you put the mask back on your body will get a little more used to it. Try wearing the mask with the machine on while you are awake. Watch TV or read with it on. Try doing this several times a day. The more you have it on the quicker you will get used to it. Don't tell yourself that you should wear the mask, tell yourself you have to wear the mask.
And as Snoredog said, get a FF mask or tape your mouth closed.

Brenda[/b]

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:13 am

Keep trying! You might want to put your mask on during the day for a nap - start off by watching TV and just getting used to the mask on your face when you don't have the pressure (sorry about the pun there!) of getting your night time sleep.

Sleepyred

P.S. this is what I do when I get a new mask to check for leaks, fitting, etc.

ZZZzzz · Post by **ZZZzzz** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:44 am

It took me the 66th night to sleep a whole 6 hours in a row.

I still have good nights and bad nights.

I like my nasal mask the best but have to deal with mouth breathing issues and a chin strap.

I can only tolerate my full face one or two nights in a row as my skin is so sensitive and my nose bridge gets too red. I also grind my teeth worse when I wear the FF.
I have a night guard/retainer.

I have a lot of muscle aches and pains and that doesn't help.

It's tough, isn't it?
We used to suffer from Sleep Apnea and now we suffer from CPAPnea.

Good luck***

-Bev

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:26 pm

ZZZzzz wrote: We used to suffer from Sleep Apnea and now we suffer from CPAPnea.

CPAPnea! Love it!!

OCO

hades161 · Post by **hades161** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:48 am

I can't agree more with bdp522. The thing that I feel helped me get use to the mask in a week or so was wearing it a few hours before bed while I was awake. It helped me learn to relax with it on and get use to it. Play with it too, learn how to get that thing set just right so its loose enough not to hurt ya and tight enough not to leak no matter what position your in. Watch TV, or read a book, or listen to an audio book or music CD while wearing your mask and if the noise from the mask or the machine bothers you try having a fan on or some other type of white noise. Practice breathing with it on until you get bored and stop paying attention to it, it helps to make it so you don't think about it when you are sleeping or trying to. The hardest thing is getting to the point where you don't think about the mask, the machine, or your breathing, but once there sleeping with it becomes second nature.

It does take time but with practice you can get use to it and if you can't then it might be time for a new mask style or ask for help with it here. No one mask is perfect for everyone, Just about everyone has had to try 2 or more masks to get something they can sleep with. It's better to work with the treatment and get it right for you, then to not try or give up. I can't sleep without my Apap now, I did just one time and the headache from that 1 nap was enough to make me realize it.

Don't think that you have to live with pain or discomfort from the mask. Many here have found masks that they can live with and sleep with without pain or issue. Masks are like shoes they come in many shapes and sizes and you don't just put one on and live with it no matter what it does to your foot.

mekos · Post by **mekos** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:04 pm

It's been almost six months for me to get a "good" nights sleep but finally after adding a little invention of mine for cooler air, I no longer feel as though I am suffocating. I am beginning my third week of good sleep nights.

How long will it take to adjust to cpap?

How long will it take to adjust to cpap?

Hang in there....

How long?

Re: How long?

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