New kid on the block

Welcome to the forum Angela. You have taken a good step in coming here, there are many knowledgeable people that are active on the forum. Very few of us have had trouble free experiences with our devices. You can learn a great deal from reading and asking questions.

Hi there,

Since you need to have a mask, why not change your nasal mask to a full face mask ? this will take away the need for the chinstrap.

Just a suggestion.

Dove

Don't be embarrassed, first of all. A lot of people have had the same reaction (and overcome it in time)

My first reaction at the sleep study when they put it on me and turned on the air was something like, "Oh HELLlllll no"

Some people have found having the mask on while watching tv or something helpful in de-sensitizing them to it. Just wear it around when you can so you get used to the feeling.

It took me months to stop taking it off at night without waking up. (I'd even turn the machine off while still mostly asleep, and not remember anything) It eventually got better, though it was a challenge.

A positive attitude is important! (My attitude was, "I positively hate this &*@#!&*#@" but at least it was positive)

I'm so sorry you feel so bad and I totally understand. It's such a HUGE thing to get used to and I think it brings up so many negative sides. BUT, on the other hand, it is a life saver, so hopefully once you get over this initial hopelessness, you can start little by little accepting it. You will get lots of great suggestions here on this site. Everyone here is in the same situation but everyone has different problems. It's true that attitude is the key. I am four months in and can't believe how far I have come since those first few weeks and month.
So, hang in there and try to turn the negatives in to positives.

Good luck,

Ruth

Welcome to the forum, Angela. I love your screen name, by the way!!! Gave me a quick chuckle.

The people on this forum can and will help you through all of this. Everything you are dealing with and feeling -- somebody here has been there/done that -- and found a way to make it better so they could succeed at the therapy.

We want you to succeed because once you do, you should start feeling so much better (and stop snoring!).

When I had my titration study and they put the mask I me, I totally freaked out. I was inches away from calling my husband and saying "get me OUT OF HERE!!" Luckily, my tech was very good and talked me through it.

Now, I use a full face mask and am just fine with it. Hard to believe I went from totally freaking to totally okay with a FFM!

Keep posting, keep asking questions - but most of all, try to keep a positive attitude to make this work. If you can keep that, the people here can help you through the rest of it.

Again, welcome!!

Hi Abby,

When I started using CPAP a while ago, I was told by one of the more experienced people in the forum to loosen my headgear. This allows the pillows to inflate and work. It also reduces pressure on your lip and teeth.

Finally, when I was stressing and dwelling on my leaks, I was advised to live with the minor leaks and trade comfort for a perfect therapy (thanks Pugys)

We are here to hear your trials and tribulations. And if your handing out whine and cheese, I'll have a merlot
-tino

Welcome to the forum.

Do you have the software yet so you can evaluate your leaks and possible mouth openings and snores? If not, then you for sure need to get it. SleepyHead works great with your machine. I have links to all the information about it in my signature line.
I can get you ResScan but SH is faster and easier to manage and shows all the same detail.

Let's see just what is going on with the snores. It might be mouth opening issues where a chin strap might help but it might also be slightly less than optimal therapy pressure. Before trying to fix things with a chin strap and/or full face mask let's try to make sure we are fixing the thing that needs fixing.

Hi Pugsy! I downloaded that last night while I was up reading posts on here. I didn't know all of the information to plug into it though. My RX prescription for example. Huu?! Beats me! I had an airhead setting up my machine (pun intended), and trust me when I say I didn't get much of an educational meeting. She WAS very helpful through the panic attack when she stuck it on my face though, so I know why they gave me her. Anyway, I installed SleepyHead last night and I'll muck around with it today and kick the tires to see what I can figure out.

I *do* have Snoring U on my iPhone though. It's Uh-May-Zing!! It records (audio and makes graphs of noise during sleep. It even nudges you if you snore too loud to wake you up.) That's how I know I'm still snoring even with the CPAP. I'm tired of sleeping alone. I'm a snugglebunny!! No bueno. :'(

Welcome Angela
Ask your boy friend which he would prefer......
A. Your funeral
B. You WITH your machine, in bed beside him.
If its A..kick his ass to the curb, if its B, give him a hug and a kiss and tie a string to the guy so he doesn't get away.
It sounds like you have the right attitude to keep going with this therapy...I applaude you..that is the first positive step to "getting there". It takes time, you didn't get this way overnight, therefore, it will take time and persistance if you want to live a healthier life. I went through 12 or 13 masks before I found the "right" one for me, tried every experiment here on the forum...but have not been without my machine for over 2 years....ahhhh... and I feel soooo much better. You will get there too keep up with the patience and persistance..YOU WILL MAKE IT!!!!!!!!
My hubby past away at age 62 and I saw what it did to my kids and especially my granddaughter (she was his constant shadow).....I could NOT do that to them, so here I am on the "hose" . I don't "like" it, but if I want to stick around and enjoy my grankids..its what I gotta do .
Again welcome to the land of "hoseheads" or "hosers".........
Cheers
Nan

Try to think of the mask as exotic jewelry, or like glasses, only for sleeping.
Some visualize fun scenarios, like space travel, or scuba diving.
Wearing the gear while reading or watching TV can help you get used to the feeling so it is less likely to freak you out in the dark.
Try to immerse yourself in the vision of yourself with more energy, a clearer head, and no dark circles under your eyes.
My hubby and I both use CPAP, and nights are so quiet (no more snoring), we can lie with our backs touching and sleep peacefully.
Best wishes, Angela. (I loved Young Frankenstein)