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How did you get used to CPAP?

Posted by tim1028 @tim1028, Jul 9, 2023

I have mild sleep apnea and began using a CPAP a month ago. I'm having trouble adjusting (physically and mentally) to wearing it each night. I'm one of those persons who is sensitive to tight-fitting clothing, labels on the inside of shirts, etc. I have eczema as well.

I've adjusted my mask, which fits over my mouth and has a nose pillow, to get a Goldilocks fit--not too tight, not too loose. I move around a lot when sleeping so have the CPAP headgear with the hose at the top of my head to better accommodate movement. I increased the ramp time to 45 minutes so I don't get additional air pressure until I'm asleep. I'Ve worn the mask during afternoon naps. I've done mindfulness exercise while wearing mask. Can't seem to make the mask-wearing a normal part of sleep. It still seems like a foreign object preventing a relaxing, deep sleep.

Any suggestions from your experiences to help accustom myself to CPAP use? I really want this to work for me!

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gloaming | @gloaming | Jul 16, 2023

I was a competitive runner for years, in the military, and quite fit. When I retired, I continued to run, although not nearly so often or so strenuously. I gained about 10 pounds. Suddenly, I had heart palpitations. After many diagnostics and imaging, and still no clue why I had AF, the cardiologist sent me to a sleep lab. I had severe apnea, 31 serious events...PER HOUR...!! On average. The link has been established between an irritable and excitable heart breaking off from normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and sleep apnea. Weight, while a factor, is not the factor that everyone thinks. Neck circumference has as much impact on sleep apnea as body mass index does, and those two are only loosely linked. Age has as much to do with apnea as weight does, and those two are only loosely linked (there are many apnea sufferers in their 60's who still weigh less than 160 pounds).

REPLY
tim1028 | @tim1028 | Jul 18, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Sorry you think the cloth covers are a gimmick. I've found them quite useful and definitely..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Sorry you think the cloth covers are a gimmick. I've found them quite useful and definitely not a gimmick for me. Leaks can be caused by the pressure being too high also, some leakage is expected and normal according to my sleep medicine care team. The leakage has not affected my AHI either way. If you have any kind of silicone average or just don't like the feeling of the mask on your nose or face, the cloth covers can help you when using the CPAP. More people quit using a CPAP just because they hate the feeling on their face. I struggled with that for over 4 months and thought about quitting the treatment prior to finding the cloth covers. I can't say they are for or will work for everyone, but if you are struggling to keep using a CPAP, it's another option and it's not expensive.

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I just ordered some cloth covers to use with my CPAP. I don't like the feeling of the silicone on my face either.

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lfserpa1 | @lfserpa1 | Dec 10 9:42am

I tried cloth covers for 3 days and I agree they made the face mask feel better but I had severe leaks every night. I just switched back to bare silicone. I may try to design my own face mask to see if I can do better than the commercial ones.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 10 10:53am
In reply to @lfserpa1 "I tried cloth covers for 3 days and I agree they made the face mask feel..." + (show)
@lfserpa1

I tried cloth covers for 3 days and I agree they made the face mask feel better but I had severe leaks every night. I just switched back to bare silicone. I may try to design my own face mask to see if I can do better than the commercial ones.

Jump to this post

Welcome @lfserpa1, A little leakage doesn't seem to affect my AHI numbers but it definitely has an impact if I don't snug the mask a little on the tighter side. I used the CPAP Comfort Covers that were recommended by one of my first sleep medicine therapists/PAs at Rochester Mayo. She shared the link and I've been getting the cloth covers from them for the past 5 years - https://cpapcomfortcover.com/

I can't even get through the night using just the silicone mask and I've tried many different ones due to being a mouth breather. The problem I have not using a cover is that the air pressure gets really high and the mask lifts off of my face for major air leaks. I used a ResMed AirFit 20 full face mask for a few years and it worked well but at the expense of the bridge of my nose so I have finally found one that is not quite as comfortable but it works and doesn't hurt my nose as much, a F&P Simplus full face mask.

I tried making one of my own out of old t-shirt material but crafting is not one of my skillset 🙂 and I wasn't able to make one that worked for me. Can you let us know how it goes making your own face mask cover? or do you mean design your own CPAP face mask?

REPLY
lfserpa1 | @lfserpa1 | Dec 10 11:08am

I definitely meant that I want to make a mask cover. I am okay with the silicon but would prefer a bit more comfort. I am thinking of using some silk that I have from a torn shirt and some velcro. I do not expect to make if for a few weeks at the earliest because I will be traveling.

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