1. < Sleep Health

Sleep Apnea and adjusting to a CPAP machine: Tips?

Posted by vickiw @vickiw, Sep 24, 2016

I'm confused on what to do on CPAP. I hate it and am trying to find a dentist that will take my insurance for a dental device. What would happen if I stop using my CPAP while I'm waiting for one?

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 3, 2016

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

REPLY
14 replies
Nancy | @upnorthnancy | Oct 3, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

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You are very fortunate to see the improvement in your sleep resulting from cpap usage. I have forced myself to use it for 10 years and to this day I cannot tell any difference in how I feel. I have had several sleep study retests and used a variety of equipment and masks. I use it at night only because I am told I need to by the doctors. It would be so much easier to accept if I could feel a benefit.<br><br>

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 3, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

Have you discussed raising the pressure? Mine is set at 12. What kind of mask do you have, and have you tried other types? Are you tired during the day, or wake up frequently. I'm wondering if your sleep study showed many non-breathing events. Perhaps you need a different treatment, such as for chronic fatigue syndrome. Of course, I don't know what your diagnosis was, or the reason you were prescribed a CPAP. There are so many things to consider.

REPLY
1 reply
flor | @flor | Oct 3, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

I AGREE WITH, IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE

REPLY
Plaid | @bob270 | Oct 3, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

I first learned of sleep apnea in 2007. I hadn't had a deep sleep in many months. I did the sleep test and they were convinced I needed C-PAP. They put one on me and for the remaining few hours I got the best sleep ever. I was a true believer.

I was on an extreme weight loss program and eventually shed 100 pounds. One great benefit was I no longer had trouble with sleep apnea. Now I've gained back about 40 pounds and am back using C-PAP.

I had leakage issues due to a deteriorated mask. Your comments on that are helpful...thank you. I use mine each night and have an oxygen booster. I also use it when I lay down to rest during the day. I bring it on weekend trips, but not the oxygen booster.

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 4, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

I bought a loaner CPAP machine a number of years ago, because we were living 130 miles from the nearest stores and doctors, and a trip to town often meant a night in a motel. I got tired of packing up my CPAP, so I have a second machine that's always ready just to grab it and go. If I go on a longer trip, I take my home CPAP, because it's newer, and can be downloaded for the sleep doctor. The other one is old enough that they can't gather information from it, so sometimes my reports are skewed.

Pre-CPAP, I would wake up several times every night and go to the bathroom. That stopped when I got the CPAP. I do get up once at night now, probably half of the time. I no longer sleep 11 hours and then take a 3 hour nap because I'm chronically fatigued. I try to keep it down to under 9 hours, and rarely take a nap. That's per doctor's orders. I can once again work all day, or as long as the pain in my feet permit. But I'm no longer lethargic, tired or a zombie, thanks to good sleep.

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 4, 2016
In reply to @vickiw "nasal pillow an tape my mouth shut but I gave up on the cpap the other..." + (show)
@vickiw

nasal pillow an tape my mouth shut but I gave up on the cpap the other nite I just cant sleep with it on

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I was a mouth breather until I had surgery for a deviated septum, then all of a sudden, I could breathe through my nose, for the first time in my life. It was an amazing feeling. But, because I had been a mouth breather for 50 years, I still would breathe through my mouth when sleeping, so I have to use the full face mask, along with a chin strap that helps keep my mouth closed.

Sometimes the mask leaks above my nose, and I just move the cushion a little. When it's around my mouth, I open my mouth and close it again, and that often seals the leaky spot, or I will just move the mask a little, from side to side or up or down.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 4, 2016
In reply to @vickiw "nasal pillow an tape my mouth shut but I gave up on the cpap the other..." + (show)
@vickiw

nasal pillow an tape my mouth shut but I gave up on the cpap the other nite I just cant sleep with it on

Jump to this post

@jimhd Thank you. You offer some good suggestions on adjusting to the CPAP apparatus.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 4, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

@jimhd You are a very resourceful person! Thanks again for sharing your experiences with everyone at Mayo Connect.

REPLY
flor | @flor | Oct 4, 2016
In reply to @jimhd "I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made..." + (show)
@jimhd

I don't remember when I started using a CPAP (around 15 years ago), but it made a significant difference in my life from the first night. I averaged over 12 hours of sleep every day for the first month. I was incredibly sleep deprived!

I have a full face mask from Resmed, and have learned that dealing with the leaking means 2 things to me. First, I make small adjustments, both to the mask itself and the headgear velcro. The second thing I sometimes struggle with is getting a fresh cushion every month. I have a hard time coordinating with the store hours. One thing the sleep doctor said is to use a facewash every night, as the oils in our skin cause the cushion to deteriorate quickly. Getting a new cushion every month has helped a lot with the leakage.

I have only taken my mask off a few times, when I had panic attacks. I could put it back on when the attack passed. I even wear it for naps, whether I sleep or not. I strongly recommend perseverance in getting used to your CPAP. I can attest to the fact that it could change, or even save your life.

Jump to this post

I AM HAPPY FOR YOU KEEP ON WITH YOUR CPAP

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