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Good luck and keep at it. If you are really worried about not being in compliance, try wearing the mask and using the machine while watching TV or reading - the 4 hours count whether you are asleep or awake (though with my machine, I had to actually wear the mask - it could tell when I was running the machine without the mask and didn't give me credit)! The other advantage of this is that you get used to wearing the mask and using the machine without the anxiety and frustration associated with being unable to fall asleep.

Thank you ALL for encouragement. I slept last night 6 hrs with FFM. 3 hrs the night before when I mistakenly took it off by misreading the clock by 3 hrs. FINALLY!!! I discovered I had leaks early this morning and will have to adjust it tighter I guess and hope that extra pressure doesn't derail me. THANKS!

before cranking the mask tighter, check out posts on potential ways leaks can form. You don't want to tighten it til you injure yourself, and I've seen posts about wearing the masks loose, then running a finger under the seal to get rid of any potential wrinkles...I don't recall if it's with the cpap on or off. But CONGRATS on some success!!

I'm glad you are having some success! Note that over-tightening can cause leaks just as under-tightening can. Some people find mask liners very helpful.

Keep trying!

Mask liners????????

I tightened it last night and couldn't sleep - 2 hrs later gave up ... oddly had a few leaks off n on too

any advice on having ffm loose on bridge of nose and not too tight on chin but avoiding leaks???

Sometimes it helps to use the machine while reading, computing or watching TV. It helps your brain and body adjust to the idea of the mask.

If you do it in a recliner, you might even be able to watch TV or read until you fall asleep.

Unk wrote:Mask liners????????

I tightened it last night and couldn't sleep - 2 hrs later gave up ... oddly had a few leaks off n on too

any advice on having ffm loose on bridge of nose and not too tight on chin but avoiding leaks???

the advice is *MASK LINERS*... do a search.

they make a huge difference to me.

Ontario CPAP wrote:One strategy that worked in those early weeks was to use the CFLEX+ feature on it max setting (3) without ramp (my pressure Rx is 9 cmH2O -- not very high) and let the machine "back off" on each exhale. I would take slow, deliberate breaths, trying as much as possible to stay still. With the CFLEX+ turned on, the machine cycled its pressure to match each breath in and out, not unlike a slow metronome. I would "relieve" the pressure from time to time by letting air out of my mouth. I eventually learned how to close the back of my throat with my tongue such that I could open my mouth while maintaining pressure.

This sounds just like what I did during my Titration (I don't have a CPAP unit yet, but will soon). I think they had it set up just that way, and I was able o adjust to it pretty quickly or that one session (including the occasional exhaling through my mouth which just seemed to give my nose a momentary rest. Pretty soon (that night), I slept for about 4 or 5 hours solid, which was great!

my FFM is a "Sunset" and the cushions are CUCM005M (mediium)

I did a search on mask liners and couldn't find ones that mentioned compatibility with this mask???????? what now?

Unk wrote:my FFM is a "Sunset" and the cushions are CUCM005M (mediium)

I did a search on mask liners and couldn't find ones that mentioned compatibility with this mask???????? what now?

make one out of an old t-shirt.

sadly,same old, air blow, mask press, 2 hrs pass - maybe I have dozed a few minutes at a time, mainly awake - 2 hrs - take off mask and be frustrated about CPAP.

will go back to bed soon and sleep w/o it again

Which full face mask do you have and where is it leaking? Does it leak right from the start, and or start leaking later? Does it hiss a little, a lot, or does it make farting sounds?

I used to have two types of leaks a lot. Hissing at my eyes from the start - mask was too high on my face. I needed to take it off and lower it a little. Hissing at the beginning down by my mouth. That one was solved by pulling the lower part of my mask down a little, while it was blowing air so that I could get it fitted right.

I also sometimes have leaks later during sleep, usually because my face is sweaty, or I drooled. That causes the mask to slide around.

Different types of leaks have different solutions. The good news is that somebody here has experienced that leak with that mask. So, if you tell us the mask and what types of leaks you have, somebody here will have a solution for you.

thaNKS, Not leaks tonight - just can't fall asleep with CPAP yet .... Once so far - 3 nights ago FINALLY after 7 weeks - but next 2 nights NO.
Beside, the last 2 nights had me grinding my teeth also. sucks

Please take the time to add your equipment to your profile. I can't see back on page one what all you said.

http://adventures-in-hosehead-land.blog ... er_19.html

If it is the mask that is contributing to the insomnia then try a different mask. If you have already tried several...which ones have you tried?

7 weeks is way to long to be taking the mask off "so I can finally get some sleep"...you've aided and abetted a bad habit to form.