Newbie Greetings

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this board. I got a CPAP yesterday and tried it for the first time last night. I managed to sleep with it on for about 4 hours. Hopefully tonight i will do better. Several people told me how I would just love the CPAP because I'd finally get a good nights sleep. I had a terrible time in the sleep test and last night wasn't great.

Do most people have a period of adjustment in the beginning or am I just a baby?

The vast marjority of the users have an adjustment period. The hardest part is getting a comfortable, leak-free mask. I tried numerous masks before I found the one that suits me and my lifestyle.

Do not become discouraged -- ask questions here, vent if you need to, read the various posts, read the yellow lightbulb above and before you know you will be an old hand using your cpap.

Welcome on board to the board.....Hope you don't get too bored....I, too, am a newbie and have yet to get my xPaP. But have learned a ton on the under the 'Our Wisdom' yellow light bulb up at the top of the screen. I also have been told that I will like the xPaP because I will get a greats nights rest. What you will learn in the 'Our Wisdom' area and other posts on this board is that you have to earn it.

I am learning from the great people on this board that you have to make up your mind that you will work through your problems and then will finally get the reward of great sleep. The keys are 1)Making up your mind that you will win 2)get gear that will help you (personalized) the best 3)learn, learn, read, read and 4)be assertive in your care 5)Don't give up.
My understanding is that not having a terrible first night is a rarity; and even up to a couple weeks. You are not the only one out there and by weekend I should also be having my first terrible night.

I know that for me, I am going to win....I will learn to make this work...My mind is made up...I will do what I have to in order to beat Sleep Apnea!!!!

Thank you for the replies and good advice.

I do need to adopt a more positive attitude over this.

Most of us have had our ups and downs. A positive attitude combined with the collective wisdom here is the right step in ensuring you will be successful.

Dave, is that YOU? Do I smell chicken vindaloo?

Yes, there is DEFINITELY an adjustment period. Depending on the support and knowledge you get, that can vary widely from individual to individual.

It took me trying 8 different masks and 6 weeks before I could be 100% compliant all night long, every night. And I was pretty crazed during that period. My early posts on this board reflect my insanity. I had to go on Provigil just to keep my job.

I've been on since April 2007, and I'm 100% compliant now. In fact, yesterday, I tried to nap briefly, and found I just couldn't do it without my mask.

Lately, I've been falling asleep at the BF's house, and discovering I either can't GET to sleep, or if I do, I can't sleep for very long without my mask and machine. I'm addicted. Luckily he's fine with me ditching out for my own home and machine.

Keep us posted and we'll try to help all we can. Think of us as "Holly" - we're all knowing, all seeing, and yet, we have a wicked sense of humour...

LOL,
Babs - Holly's assistant

Reddwarf wrote: am I just a baby?

...oh, the little girlie man has no mask pump'a'tude....hahahahahah!

.....just kidding.

It's your life. You'll get it.

Attitude can be everything.

Babette,

I'm so glad someone gets the Red Dwarf bit! It's great to see a fellow fan. I watched an episode last night! It is on our local PBS station Saturday's at midnight. Thanks for your advice and to everyone else.

So far it has been a huge struggle. My Doctor gave me some sleeping pills to help me through the adjustment period but the pills are not helping. The pill does help me to fall asleep but I wake a couple of hours later. I'm thinking I should try a different mask. I'm also debating shaving off my goatee. I'm not having much trouble with leaking but the mask is irritating under my nose.

Thanks again everyone!

Reddwarf wrote: I'm thinking I should try a different mask. I'm also debating shaving off my goatee. I'm not having much trouble with leaking but the mask is irritating under my nose.

If you're using a nasal mask, why shave??
I had a handle bar mustache for the past 30yrs.
As my mask odyssey has brought me smaller and smaller masks,
the handle bars had to go away.....
I figured my brain was much more valuable....duh!
As the masks have gotten smaller, so has my AHI.......
I miss the 'bars, but I feel so much better, it was a small sacrifice.

If things aren't working, try something else.
There are just too many options to be denied this therapy.

Yup, that's all I can advise - try another mask. Took me 8 different masks to find one that works for me. I was very lucky to find this forum early on, and I did some private purchases, and was flat out GIVEN FOR FREE a few masks. I ended up trading a lady for a mask I got that didn't work for me, and she really wanted it, and I took her mask, just to be polite, even though I was sure I didn't want it... Yup. That's the one I love!

I run a free "test drive" for my mask - the Nasal Aire II. You can read all about it in my signature line. If you're interested, PM me, and I'll put you on the list. All it costs you is the cost of postage to mail it on to the next person.

Cheers,
Babs - Who just discovered she splashed dinner on her shirt and is feeling very "Dave" right at the moment...

I have a mustache and goatee and I use a full face mask... no leak problems. Maybe your provider can let you try one on and see if it is more comfortable before you go shaving anything?

Thanks again for all the advice. Ya'll (yes, I'm a Texan) are great!

I am going to call about getting a different mask. When I took the first tritation (sp?) test they tried out a nasal mask and I liked it at first but after a bit it started to hurt my nose. After reading some articles and posts on the site I'm curious to try a nasal pillow. Maybe a full mask is an option too, it just seems so claustrophobic.

I'm leaving for business trip today so this will be my first time to travel with the machine.

Reddwarf wrote:Hello everyone,

I'm new to this board. I got a CPAP yesterday and tried it for the first time last night. I managed to sleep with it on for about 4 hours. Hopefully tonight i will do better. Several people told me how I would just love the CPAP because I'd finally get a good nights sleep. I had a terrible time in the sleep test and last night wasn't great.

Do most people have a period of adjustment in the beginning or am I just a baby?

It took months for me to have a good night sleep. It took getting a different mask, learning all the ins and outs through this forum, and time getting used to wearing a mask and being on APAP to get to that good nights sleep.

Hang in there!

http://WWW.SMRTSLEEP.COM These guys are great, they have over 30 years experience and it shows. Mike and Neil were very helpful throughout the whole process and I now have a great fitting mask and I love my S8 Elite. I was able to talk to Mike who is a certified sleep therapist before I ever bought anything and it was free of charge. I know that they were doing it to earn me as a customer and well, it worked. Their prices were right there with everybody else’s and definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for a cpap, mask, or supplies; they have earned my business for life. Check them out, pretty nice website with a lot of info and a nifty quiz... http://WWW.SMRTSLEEP.COM

Reddwarf wrote: . . . I'm thinking I should try a different mask. I'm also debating shaving off my goatee. I'm not having much trouble with leaking but the mask is irritating under my nose.

Thanks again everyone!

It took many masks before I found one that didn't chafe or otherwise irritate some place on my head. It also took some time just getting used to wearing one. I used to be so tired and now I feel more rested than my hubby. I think I saw him eying my mask the other night