Last night was my first night with my CPAP machine. I went to bed at 11 and fell asleep from 12-1 and then laid there all night until now, 7:45 am. Is this typical when getting familiar with the machine? I'm ten times more tired then if I wouldn't have used it. I literally laid there 7 hours without falling back asleep. Anyone had similar results their first few nights? Does it get easier? They actually had to drug me at my 2 sleep studies because I couldn't fall asleep...Thanks so much for your responses.

oh brad p, i feel your pain. it took me months to get use to sleeping with a mask attached to my face. i hate having anything touching my face including my own hair. but hang in there and keep trying. ask your dr for some ambien for a few nights that is what really helped me alot. the other thing is prior to going to bed wear the mask alone w/no hose or tubing attached. it gets your face use to the feel of the mask. i use to lay in bed and read for 15-20 minutes before in hooked up the hoses/tubing.hope you get some restful sleep soon. janey

I'm having exactly the same experience, Brad.  Last night was my first night and I didn't sleep at all.  Got up and started my day.  Went down to try for a nap and it was another two hours in the rig without a wink.

But I'm going to keep on doing the same: not going to sleep anywhere but in bed and not getting into bed without the machine.  So, I'm getting more familiar with the rig and more sleepy as the day wears on.  At some point, there's going to be a cross-over and I'm going to be sleeping with the machine.

Thanks for the tips, janey.  I'm going to try the mask alone for a bit before getting in bed and see if I can't get over that strange feeling.  Last night I was reading a little before, then with the mask, and then turning the lights out and trying to get to sleep.  Not yet.

Getting to the end of the second novel and have one in reserve.  Maybe scout around the house for some Dickens.  I don't think anyone can get all the way through Bleak House without getting some sleep.  Not that it's boring (it isn't; it's my favorite Dickens' novel), but because it's so dang long.


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Regards,

I'm glad to read the tips - I just picked up my machine today, and tonight will be my first night with it.  I'm using the Breeze with nasal pillows, so hoping that will help with the mask.  In my titration study, my problem wasn't the mask so much as the air blowing in constantly.  I like the idea of hooking up for a bit while reading, to gradually get used to it first.

Hang in there Brad - we'll get used to it together  

Captain Curmudgeon wrote:

I'm having exactly the same experience, Brad.  Last night was my first night and I didn't sleep at all.  Got up and started my day.  Went down to try for a nap and it was another two hours in the rig without a wink.

But I'm going to keep on doing the same: not going to sleep anywhere but in bed and not getting into bed without the machine.  So, I'm getting more familiar with the rig and more sleepy as the day wears on.  At some point, there's going to be a cross-over and I'm going to be sleeping with the machine.

Thanks for the tips, janey.  I'm going to try the mask alone for a bit before getting in bed and see if I can't get over that strange feeling.  Last night I was reading a little before, then with the mask, and then turning the lights out and trying to get to sleep.  Not yet.

Getting to the end of the second novel and have one in reserve.  Maybe scout around the house for some Dickens.  I don't think anyone can get all the way through Bleak House without getting some sleep.  Not that it's boring (it isn't; it's my favorite Dickens' novel), but because it's so dang long.

Say Captain,

Did you see the sleep apnea link about Dickens?
If not, enjoy:
click here for link to Dickens topic


Our Curmudgeon here has the right idea, I think, trying to be consistant.
I didn't have the not-falling-asleep problem, but I had problems sleeping with the blasted thing!

I felt relief from my daytime exhaustion right away but still struggled at night.
For awhile I couldn't sleep with the thing for more than a couple of hours before I would rip the sucker off, either while awake or often in my sleep.
Occassionally I would cheat and not bother at all for a night or two.
But I found that to be worse, it only made getting adjusted to it take longer.
It seemed better to try and sleep with it even for just a couple of hours, then not at all.
I seemed to get adjusted to it gradually that way, whereas cheating for a night seemed to take it longer.
May not be the same for everybody.

Good luck.


Linda

I also don't like anything on my face, even my hair.  I've been on a loaner APAP for a week now.  I first got the nasal pillows and they're a lot easier to get used to, but I found out I open my mouth while I sleep - don't snore - don't breathe through it - just open it.  Go figure!  Anyway I had to exchange the nasal pillows for a full face mask yesterday.  I was really concerned about it and thought I would feel like I was suffocating.  But I remembered what Vicki said, "Just relax and breathe normally.  Tell yourself you can still breathe".  Sorry about the paraphrasing Vicki.  Anyway, that's what I did.  Claustrophobia made me want to rip it off and throw it across the room, but I remembered that this mask and machine were going to save my life (I have dilated cardiomyopathy due to sleep apnea) and that we need to be best friends.  Went to sleep at 10:30 and didn't wake up until 5:00!!!  I know I'll have nights of struggling to keep it on, but I know I can do it now.  So there's hope for me yet!  And you can do it too.


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Ramona


Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you. - Denis Waitley

Quote:

I first got the nasal pillows and they're a lot easier to get used to, but I found out I open my mouth while I sleep - don't snore - don't breathe through it - just open it.  Go figure!  Anyway I had to exchange the nasal pillows for a full face mask yesterday.

I have the same problem: my lips come open while i sleep and the CPAP air rushes out through them instead of into my lungs.   A chinstrap doesn't help at all - my lips still open, only now the air whistles through my teeth.

Rather than use a full-face mask, I just tape my lips shut with two one-inch pieces of scotch tape.  Works like a charm.   Scotch works the best for me, after trying some 20+ different kinds of tape.   It's just porous enough that moisture doesn't build up too badly underneath it (which on nonporous tapes causes them to moisten and un-stick themselves over the course of the night). [/quote]

Last night was a little better. But tonight....We Try Tape! I'll let you know how it goes. As crazy as it sounds I'm excited to go tape my mouth shut and hit the sack. Especially after these last two nights. I tried the chin strap and it slips loose every 10 minutes. Thanks again to everyone!!! I have to go shave now so the tape sticks.

The scotch tape worked, a little too well. I found out that I'm a nose and mouth breather and I woke up numerous times with my cheeks puffed up like a hamster and then without realizing it I'd swallow the air since my mouth was taped. But the good news is that anyone who isn't a mouthbreather should try this. It works quite well. Tape doesn't hurt and comes off easily the next day. I'm going to try a full face mask for a few days. If that doesn't work then it's back to the tape. Thanks for the idea IdahoEv

BradP-keep trying, it will get easier.  I too tape my mouth shut (2 1" pieces of waterproof tape.  When I first started doing that my husband said he'd been wanting to do that for YEARS    Keep posting so we know how you're doing.  You'll find you have a good night, then a not so good one and back and forth.  You just gotta keep on keeping on!!  Good luck!

I tape my lips shut too.  Have been doing that for well over a year.  It's the only way I can use masks that are far more comfortable and less apt to leak than a Full Face mask (wore those for my first six months or more.)

If anyone does try tape, it's a good idea to turn down a bit of each end, making it stick to itself, as a handy grab tab.  Useful for a quick lift of one corner if you feel a cough or sneeze coming on.       Also makes it easier to get hold of for removal in the morning.

I am new to this forum and a mask - I have not picked up a new machine yet, but I am very interested to know if any of the machines are loud and noisy.  Based on this forum, it doesn't appear so.  Seems it is just difficult to get used to and that could be the issue for quality of sleep.  If you have suggestions or recommendations on the type of masks, that would be great.  Just need to know if all masks are loud and noisy which would prevent me from hearing the telephone, etc.  Thanks!

What are you all using for tape? Duck Tape or what?  


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Hadn't thought of duct-tape.....I use Johnson & Johnson waterproof tape - it's 1"wide and I use 2.  I believe Rested Gal does as well and it's a good idea to fold over the ends so you can grab it quick in case you need to cough.  I honestly don't know if I'm a mouth-breather, I just started doing it because when I would start to fall asleep, I would feel my jaw start to get slack and I was obsessing that I would open my mouth (so it would be tough to fall asleep).  I know it sounds drastic but it's workin' for me!!  
Kathy

I have the opposite problem, I sleep locked jawed at night, but at least I don't grind my teeth either.


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