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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 17, 2025 3:48:59 GMT
I go in the morning to pick up my machine and learn how to use it etc.. anxious about being able to adapt to it but also hoping it brings a beneficial change.
Thankfully I'd already taken this week off from work, so happy coincidence there. Plus school is out so no getting up early to go watch granddaughter since daughter teaches..
Anyway.. I'll take any tips etc.
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Post by voltagain on Jun 17, 2025 4:00:23 GMT
I go in the morning to pick up my machine and learn how to use it etc.. anxious about being able to adapt to it but also hoping it brings a beneficial change. Thankfully I'd already taken this week off from work, so happy coincidence there. Plus school is out so no getting up early to go watch granddaughter since daughter teaches.. Anyway.. I'll take any tips etc. It will have a ramp feature which starts the air off flowing slow and gradually increases. USE IT. For a few days or week your nasal passage are tender with the extra air pressure so be kind to them. If you wake up in the middle of the night you can restart the ramp up. You might want to plan on taking a decongestant the first week too. Even if you don't feel congested per se it will help shrink some of the nasal tissue and make things feel more comfortable. Finally... decide it is worth sticking with! Determination to adjust is the biggest aspect. It will help your overall health so much! Did you know sleep apnea can lead to premature heart issues? I've been a cpap user since August 2000 ... coming up on 25 years! |
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Post by Jen in NCal on Jun 17, 2025 4:06:03 GMT
I recently went back to CPAP. My old machine was loud and the mask sucked. My new machine is whisper quiet and I routinely forget that I am wearing it. I don't sleep with anyone other than my cats so I wasn't sure about the snoring but I shared a room with a friend recently and she is in love with my machine. She used to have to wear earplugs but she said I didn't snore and she couldn't hear the machine. Am I less tired? No, but I think it is something other than the apnea that is making me tired. Could be the 4 cats, could be something else. My new device has an app that I am addicted to checking every day. It's become a game to see how I did the night before. Tips: My machine gurgled until I bought a blanket for the tube. That helped a lot. I need to have the temperature and humidity up to keep from having really bad dry mouth. I put mine up about an hour before I fall asleep. That way I can get used to it before I turn out the light and don't have any more distractions. Oh! And check with your power company. PG&E offers a discount because it is a life-saving device. I can also get a generator from them so that I can still have power if we need to have rolling blackouts again. It also doesn't count as a carry-on when you fly. |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jun 17, 2025 4:17:31 GMT
My BFF went cheap on hers as well as the mask. She wore it for maybe 3 nights total and decided against it. I made her swear to me she would use it before buying it because hers was not covered by her husband’s extended medical. She won’t wear it. Her GP keeps referring her back to the store to get a new and improved one. She knows she won’t use it. Her husband knows she won’t use it and I knowing every single detail of their lives (seriously) know she won’t use it. She is heavy (260#) and has terrible sleep apnea but she knows her limitations.
I do wish you all the success with it. The people on Peas who have them persevered and they are doing great.
Tomorrow 10 people will post their great success with CPAP machines. It can be so helpful.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,860 
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Post by bethany102399 on Jun 17, 2025 4:32:23 GMT
My DH has one and says he sleeps better when he wears it. As the person who sleeps next to him (and gets woken up by his snoring when he doesn't) I love it too. Whisper quiet and what white noise it does produce is very soothing.
He also wears what is effectively an elastic band around his head (around his chin and the top of his head) to keep his mouth from falling open. He looks deranged when he has it on but it keeps his mouth from falling open when he sleeps (and from snoring)
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Post by ladyinpink1969 on Jun 17, 2025 8:40:56 GMT
My doctor told me that it was ok to take it off halfway through the night as you’re getting used to it. He said to give myself at least a week to get used to it. That made me feel better thinking I didn’t have to wear it all night long from the first night. I did use it for as long as I could stand it the first night, which was about halfway through the night. The second night was a little bit longer and soon enough I was using it all night long. I never had the “I feel so well rested now” feeling, but I figured it had to be making a difference since my number dropped from 72 to the under 5 standard that they want. I’ve been using every night for the last 12 years.
One tip, if you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, it’s ok to turn the machine off. Then just turn it back on after you get back in bed.
Good luck 🍀
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Post by don on Jun 17, 2025 9:20:19 GMT
I got one thru the VA. I tried using it 3 or 4 times. My experience was it felt fine and worked pretty well, until I fell asleep, then it started slapping my face. I think the problem is I'm a side sleeper. I gave it to my son and he is still using it. I understand there are new types out there, but I don't think I need one, I just raise the head of my bed a little.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,926
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jun 17, 2025 13:57:07 GMT
I am. Working to come off it though. I just use the nose pillow 'mask' since I sleep with my mouth closed. I found it really hard to get used to but once I realized distracting myself was the way to go that made it better. So I put my mask on then jump on IG or TT until I don't realize I have it on. At this point it's not an issue but in the beginning I had a lot of problems, like breathing too deeply. I do feel like I get better sleep using it.
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Post by essiejean on Jun 17, 2025 15:17:23 GMT
I have been using my cpap for a few months now. My husband loves it and I no longer find him sleeping in the guest bedroom when I wake up in the morning. I use the pillow mask - some people find it irritates their nose but I seem to be fine with it. I do use a tiny bit of vicks just inside my nostril and I feel that helps eliminate the nostril irritation. I was having the sensation the first month of my nose plugging up from the pillow and then my mouth would open (mouth breathing with cpap is a no no) so my doctor recommended a spray of NasaCort in each nostril before going to bed. I do have seasonal allergies so the NasaCort definetely helped. I do feel I am sleeping much better - don't wake up several times during the night anymore. I do feel a bit more rested in the mornings but it wasn't an overwhelming change in that respect. I'm not a morning person at all so I don't think I will ever have that jump out of bed and ready to roll type feeling. So for me the cpap has been wonderful. Good luck with yours. Like others have said - give it time to get used to.
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 17, 2025 15:23:55 GMT
I go in the morning to pick up my machine and learn how to use it etc.. anxious about being able to adapt to it but also hoping it brings a beneficial change. Thankfully I'd already taken this week off from work, so happy coincidence there. Plus school is out so no getting up early to go watch granddaughter since daughter teaches.. Anyway.. I'll take any tips etc. It will have a ramp feature which starts the air off flowing slow and gradually increases. USE IT. For a few days or week your nasal passage are tender with the extra air pressure so be kind to them. If you wake up in the middle of the night you can restart the ramp up. You might want to plan on taking a decongestant the first week too. Even if you don't feel congested per se it will help shrink some of the nasal tissue and make things feel more comfortable. Finally... decide it is worth sticking with! Determination to adjust is the biggest aspect. It will help your overall health so much! Did you know sleep apnea can lead to premature heart issues? I've been a cpap user since August 2000 ... coming up on 25 years! And I've already got heart issues, have a artificial valve. In the training it wasn't near as bad as I had built up in my head, I know it'll still be an adjustment but I swear just in the bit of the training it made me feel better.. |
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 17, 2025 15:28:22 GMT
I recently went back to CPAP. My old machine was loud and the mask sucked. My new machine is whisper quiet and I routinely forget that I am wearing it. I don't sleep with anyone other than my cats so I wasn't sure about the snoring but I shared a room with a friend recently and she is in love with my machine. She used to have to wear earplugs but she said I didn't snore and she couldn't hear the machine. Am I less tired? No, but I think it is something other than the apnea that is making me tired. Could be the 4 cats, could be something else. My new device has an app that I am addicted to checking every day. It's become a game to see how I did the night before. Tips: My machine gurgled until I bought a blanket for the tube. That helped a lot. I need to have the temperature and humidity up to keep from having really bad dry mouth. I put mine up about an hour before I fall asleep. That way I can get used to it before I turn out the light and don't have any more distractions. Oh! And check with your power company. PG&E offers a discount because it is a life-saving device. I can also get a generator from them so that I can still have power if we need to have rolling blackouts again. It also doesn't count as a carry-on when you fly. I'm not sure how it'll go with the power company.. it's complicated-not really but- I live in a house not owned by me and power bill is in the owners name. It's on a farm my late husband worked on, his best friend, and all the meters in the farm are in his name. He gets the bills for them all, we pay him back. Been this way 30 years and no issue but, since Im not the account holder I'm not sure how that'll go BUT I'll call and talk to them.. good to know about the flying, not something I do but you never know. |
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 17, 2025 15:30:42 GMT
My DH has one and says he sleeps better when he wears it. As the person who sleeps next to him (and gets woken up by his snoring when he doesn't) I love it too. Whisper quiet and what white noise it does produce is very soothing. He also wears what is effectively an elastic band around his head (around his chin and the top of his head) to keep his mouth from falling open. He looks deranged when he has it on but it keeps his mouth from falling open when he sleeps (and from snoring) I opted for full mask because of being a mouth breather. The thought of hindering being able to open my mouth to take a breath absolutely freaks me out..it was an option I was given though.. |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,860
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Post by bethany102399 on Jun 17, 2025 16:30:49 GMT
My DH has one and says he sleeps better when he wears it. As the person who sleeps next to him (and gets woken up by his snoring when he doesn't) I love it too. Whisper quiet and what white noise it does produce is very soothing. He also wears what is effectively an elastic band around his head (around his chin and the top of his head) to keep his mouth from falling open. He looks deranged when he has it on but it keeps his mouth from falling open when he sleeps (and from snoring) I opted for full mask because the thought of of being a mouth breather. The thought of hindering being able to open my mouth to take a breath absolutely freaks me out..it was an option I was given though.. it's really not a hinderance, and the strap is adjustable so you can wear it as loose or tight as you're comfortable with. it's meant to gently keep his mouth closed when it would naturally fall open when he's asleep. He can speak with it on,and is under the impression that if he wears it when his nose is stuffy (and he can't wear the cpap) then it will stop him from snoring. Spoiler alert- it does not. this is what he uses: www.amazon.com/dp/B0036F8EYA?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2 |
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Post by dewryce on Jun 18, 2025 8:29:34 GMT
I don’t even lay down to read without mine on. I’m a stomach sleeper and use the nose pillows. Good for you for doing something so important to your health!
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 18, 2025 12:01:54 GMT
Whooop y'all..I made it a whole...2 hours
Well none of it asleep unfortunately.
Sigh. Mask issues. First night panic attacks and meltdowns. And.. *fighting for my life in ramp*
Did like 45 minutes this morning just still trying to get used to it and adjusting mask etc. I do think this isn't the mask for me,im a side sleeper and just STRUGGLED... ugh. Gonna stop by the place and see what they mask process is for changing and trying another. Im sure he said but....
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Post by lisae on Jun 18, 2025 13:29:59 GMT
DH has one and won't sleep without it, even to nap. He's loved it since Day 1. It did take a long time to get the perfect settings for him. He thought he was okay but his numbers were not as good as they should be. I think most people have variable pressure but what finally worked was having a continuous pressure all night long. The technician at the sleep specialist office had to set that for him. He has the kind of mask that goes over the nose - sort of the middle type between the one that is just under the nose and the full face one.
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Post by lisae on Jun 18, 2025 13:31:12 GMT
Whooop y'all..I made it a whole...2 hours Well none of it asleep unfortunately. Sigh. Mask issues. First night panic attacks and meltdowns. And.. *fighting for my life in ramp* Did like 45 minutes this morning just still trying to get used to it and adjusting mask etc. I do think this isn't the mask for me,im a side sleeper and just STRUGGLED... ugh. Gonna stop by the place and see what they mask process is for changing and trying another. Im sure he said but.... Can you use a nose pillow mask (I think that is what it is called)? It just goes under the nose and doesn't really cover any of the face. DH didn't like that one but it might be an option for you. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 18, 2025 13:38:41 GMT
gracieplusthree hey at least you are willing to seek other options... It may take time but well worth it for your health!!
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Post by originalvanillabean on Jun 18, 2025 15:41:08 GMT
My DH has one and it's a world of difference, for both of us! Should have done it years ago.
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 18, 2025 18:01:41 GMT
Whooop y'all..I made it a whole...2 hours Well none of it asleep unfortunately. Sigh. Mask issues. First night panic attacks and meltdowns. And.. *fighting for my life in ramp* Did like 45 minutes this morning just still trying to get used to it and adjusting mask etc. I do think this isn't the mask for me,im a side sleeper and just STRUGGLED... ugh. Gonna stop by the place and see what they mask process is for changing and trying another. Im sure he said but.... Can you use a nose pillow mask (I think that is what it is called)? It just goes under the nose and doesn't really cover any of the face. DH didn't like that one but it might be an option for you. No Im a mouth breather. And the thought of taping my mouth shut or the chin strap absolutely freaks me out. |
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Post by voltagain on Jun 18, 2025 18:04:45 GMT
I don’t even lay down to read without mine on. I’m a stomach sleeper and use the nose pillows. Good for you for doing something so important to your health! I can't read with mine on but I wear a different mask style and it gets in the way. I am like a toddler with a pacifier.... cranky and ready for a screaming meltdown? Yes! Give me my cpap and tuck in in bed. I'll be down for a nap in about 30 seconds. |
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Post by KelleeM on Jun 18, 2025 18:08:00 GMT
I’ve used a cpap with a full face mask for just about 20 years. It took some getting used to but now I can’t sleep without it, unless I fall asleep on the couch. In bed I always use it. It was definitely life changing for me.
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Post by voltagain on Jun 18, 2025 18:12:32 GMT
Whooop y'all..I made it a whole...2 hours Well none of it asleep unfortunately. Sigh. Mask issues. First night panic attacks and meltdowns. And.. *fighting for my life in ramp* Did like 45 minutes this morning just still trying to get used to it and adjusting mask etc. I do think this isn't the mask for me,im a side sleeper and just STRUGGLED... ugh. Gonna stop by the place and see what they mask process is for changing and trying another. Im sure he said but.... Hey! 2 hours wearing it is a great start. Maybe try wearing it when you don't really intend to sleep. Just put it on for 10 minutes and take it off again. Do that several times throughout the day until you don't feel that panicked feeling. There IS a learning curve. Side sleeping does cause fit issues to get a good seal. I'm a side sleeper, my mask has to be tighter to one side than the other. I have to lay down like I am sleeping and adjust the straps while in that position. Which then is weird if I want to wear it and sit up lol. Do try a different style of mask if there is one. I'm not sure how many styles will work with your mouth needs but also try a different size of the same mask. I've had technicians try to put me in a large because my body is large but my facial features are closer together so a medium size mask fits best. |
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 18, 2025 20:31:30 GMT
I don’t even lay down to read without mine on. I’m a stomach sleeper and use the nose pillows. Good for you for doing something so important to your health! I can't read with mine on but I wear a different mask style and it gets in the way. I am like a toddler with a pacifier.... cranky and ready for a screaming meltdown? Yes! Give me my cpap and tuck in in bed. I'll be down for a nap in about 30 seconds. Do you have a full face mask? One of my issues is that I can't wear my reading glasses with it on, and I want to to read or be on my phone.. |
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 18, 2025 20:34:51 GMT
Whooop y'all..I made it a whole...2 hours Well none of it asleep unfortunately. Sigh. Mask issues. First night panic attacks and meltdowns. And.. *fighting for my life in ramp* Did like 45 minutes this morning just still trying to get used to it and adjusting mask etc. I do think this isn't the mask for me,im a side sleeper and just STRUGGLED... ugh. Gonna stop by the place and see what they mask process is for changing and trying another. Im sure he said but.... Hey! 2 hours wearing it is a great start. Maybe try wearing it when you don't really intend to sleep. Just put it on for 10 minutes and take it off again. Do that several times throughout the day until you don't feel that panicked feeling. There IS a learning curve. Side sleeping does cause fit issues to get a good seal. I'm a side sleeper, my mask has to be tighter to one side than the other. I have to lay down like I am sleeping and adjust the straps while in that position. Which then is weird if I want to wear it and sit up lol. Do try a different style of mask if there is one. I'm not sure how many styles will work with your mouth needs but also try a different size of the same mask. I've had technicians try to put me in a large because my body is large but my facial features are closer together so a medium size mask fits best. Im thinking to try the airfit F30i. Id be about to wear my reading glasses with them and I think side sleeping would be easier.. but honestly at this point im not in a good head space for it and feel im gonna fail at adapting.. |
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Post by gracieplusthree on Jun 18, 2025 20:39:24 GMT
Thanks everyone. I also found it too warm and found myself simply being hot--the panicking may have led to that too.., so do i need to turn humidity down? I think it's on auto.
I have Resmed machine.
Do y'alls machine start ramp on 4?. I feel like im suffocating at first but again, maybe that's normal.
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Post by voltagain on Jun 18, 2025 22:46:03 GMT
Thanks everyone. I also found it too warm and found myself simply being hot--the panicking may have led to that too.., so do i need to turn humidity down? I think it's on auto. I have Resmed machine. Do y'alls machine start ramp on 4?. I feel like im suffocating at first but again, maybe that's normal. No idea where my ramp starts as my machine doesn't show those numbers but if it feels too fast ask if it can start at a lower number. Now that you mention it, I do remember feeling suffocated at first but exposure to the sensation makes that feeling go away. Because the air pressure is a continuous push into the lungs it took me a few weeks to get accustomed to forcefully breathing out against that incoming air. As for humidity, you can try changing the humidity setting. I don't use humidity all the time. When I was in Hawaii my machine didn't even have a water chamber but the air there was already humid. When I moved to Oklahoma the air was MUCH drier and I had bloody noses from being overly dry so I got a new machine and used the humidifier much more frequently. Sometimes it just needed a little extra humidity and some times more. Don't be afraid to adjust it. If you have too much humidity in ratio to the air temp you'll get water condensation in the hose and get a wet face. If not enough humidity you might feel like your nasal passages are super dry. The right setting can change night to night as the humidity in the room changes. My machine also has a heater. If you are feeling hot does your's heat the air and that might be a problem. I really encourage you to do very short practice sessions during the day... 5-10 minutes with no intention of sleeping just breathing and getting used to the way it all feels. |
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Post by voltagain on Jun 18, 2025 22:49:46 GMT
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Post by dewryce on Jun 19, 2025 1:22:04 GMT
Thanks everyone. I also found it too warm and found myself simply being hot--the panicking may have led to that too.., so do i need to turn humidity down? I think it's on auto. I have Resmed machine. Do y'alls machine start ramp on 4?. I feel like im suffocating at first but again, maybe that's normal. For me yes, when I was getting used to it and stressing I ran hot. I actually do aytime my anxiety is really ramped up. And I don’t put water in my machine at all. The moisture really bothers me. Our a/c is on super low year round so I’m used to the lack of humidity inside. DH has to have it. Make sure and use distilled water. My machine is a ResMed Air Sense 10 with nose pillows. It starts ramping below one I think. My machine starts as soon as I put on my mask and breathe out, and turns itself off when my mask is off for just a little bit, maybe 10 seconds. Love not having to reach over to turn it off and on. But I noticed it’s my breathing out that actually starts it. I just tested it and I can breathe out into the mask and then open my mouth to take a breath and it keeps ramping up. Is that an option for you? Also, a small something that might help it be less of a PITA. I have a decorative 3M command hook attached to the side of our nightstands to hang our masks on, the hose automatically goes between it and the bed so all that is on top of my dresser is the machine itself, it looks much neater. DH’s mask sometimes breaks in certain places so we always have an extra on hand, even when we travel. If you’re like us and don’t replace the pieces frequently enough I also recommend having an extra hose. If it does get torn duct tape will fix it until you get an order shipped to you, so we travel with a flat pack of it as well. You will get used to it if you keep trying. Really give it a chance and try the mask options until you find one that works for you, it is so important to your heart health on top of everything else. |
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