Newbie user cpap

I started using cpap machine, late Feb 2010 ! As of yet still having problems. I wake up everyday with a headache. I started with nasal pillows, my machine, is a philips responics ! It took about 2 weeks, to find out I needed a full face mask, as I'm a mouth breather. The pressure build up so bad when i exheld I couldn't breath, it was, horrifying. But was unable to get answers to what happened from my respitory people. They just said keep on trying to use it, pratice wearing it at night while watching tv. Anyway with a lot of red tape to go through, I was informed from a out of state therapist, what had happened, and switched over to a full face, mask. Istil have headaches, as magined above. I do still need to go find out what pressure, I will need and talk with the sleep study, doctor. They are having me wear my masks, two weeks, before down loading. I'm hoping to get the benifts from the machine. I have been totally compliant every night. This monday it will be two weeks ! They also want to do another eximiter test. It's been a long road. I live in Spokane hoping I can get some comfort from joining the forum. thanks,t o anyone whom replys. Slotsgirl 2010 March 31.

Welcome to the forum. Believe or not, this forum gave me so much support, I would not have made this far (6 months and 100% compliant so far). It's not easy to have a foreign object on your face and able to sleep without dedication and support. We know, most of us were there while ago. You haven't mentioned what pressure you are running? Do you use exhale pressure relief (one that lowers pressure while you exhale--do you have such option on your Philips responics)? My local DME gave me Philips equipment (all in one unit without the exhale pressure relief), I decided to just buy one that has the feature I liked instead of aurguing with my local DME supplier. My doctor wrote me a prescription and I can monitor how I did everyday in greatest detail. Perhaps, you can provide little more details and other members can suggest some options.

what machine do you have exactly? what does it say on the top or what is the model number?

which FFM are they giving you?

and of course post your pressure if you find out what it is

What do you mean by getting headaches. Are you referring to the experience where the mask fits too tight and actually causes pain? That kind of pain is immediately better when one takes off the mask. Or is your pain like a Sinus problem,which deeper inside the head, which might continue on after you get up?

slotsgirl wrote: I couldn't breath, it was, horrifying. But was unable to get answers to what happened from my respitory people.

Ode to a newbie: How easy it is.

I wish I could tell you how easy it is.
I put on the mask, I hit the blue light,
I'm adrift in the night.

It did'nt come easy you know,
infact it was a fright.
The straps and that mask,
....and....damn those blue lights,

I screamed and swore,
and cried out in the night,
"Why me? Why me?"
This just isn't right.

Out of thin air, through the ethernet,
came a glimmer of hope, as I cried out my plight,
"..please, don't spook me, don't scare me,
I just want to sleep through the night."

My questions were answered,
my mind put at ease.
We're here to help you,
all you got'a do....
is believe.

So, I listened and learned.
I chin strapped and glued,
and sealed up the holes.
I had tender, scraped nares
and a bruised, bleeding nose.

Night after night, I begged for relief.
"Please, please...give me back my life!"
Then one morning, just after first light,
a release from the pain, the fatigue,
just ever so slight.

Now.....it's just that easy.
I put on the mask, I hit the blue light,
I have a new life.

Thank- you, to everyone, that replied back to me. Iim just a bit confessed as to carbonman, rather he, was helping me or mocking me. I thought this was a forum to help people. anyway I have a remstar auto flex .phillips responics, with a humidifier.Ihave a full face fisher paykel 432.The headaches i was refereing to are like sinus headaches.The pressure has not been determined as of yet. It right now is set on auto. So that it will adjust to where the pressure is needed. I don't know about the exhale option. Anyway thank you, to all Slots girl.

Welcome to the message board, slotsgirl.

I promise you, carbonman was not mocking you.

He was sympathizing with you, and encouraging you, in his uniquely eloquent way.