How did you get used to CPAP?

@lk3xs Don't give up. It has taken me a year and a half and the addition of oxygen, but I wouldn't give it up. I still have bad nights once in a while, but the good it has done for me is wonderful. I finally wake up refreshed. It has made what I lovingly called "my old lady drip" -- constant runny nose, go away. I have more energy. I think more clearly and accomplish more during the day everyday. I am 82 and walk three miles on the desert most days and do an hour of pilates and aerial yoga each week.

I was on CPAP several years ago but couldn't tolerate. I just started again 2 weeks ago after new sleep test with newer machine and setting. I'm still struggling but it seems more tolerable this time. Different mask lower setting. I'm going to keep trying because I know it's needed and I need sleep. Struggling with insomnia also.

@ladybugg - I've had mine for about 9 weeks now. I'm now in a decent place where I get a normal amount of sleep. But it took some struggle to get here.

I tried a number of masks and finally have settled on one. Getting through the nights with insomnia or fighting leaks for hours was hard and exhausting, and the days after those nights were tough. Like a walking dead person who has to take a daytime nap or two just to get through the day. And I work, so having a functional brain is important. Fortunately, I work from home and have flexibility. The CPAP sure seemed counterproductive to my sleep for a while.

Because I knew the sleep apnea was a threat to my health and I was snoring loudly and making odd noises that disturbed my husband's sleep, I wanted to make the CPAP work.

I also vividly remembered my son's face when he told me about my breathing during sleep when he, my husband and I stayed in a hotel together while traveling from his college to home after his fall semester. He was really worried about me. I didn't and don't want him to be, and I promised him I'd get help with it.

The CPAP is totally not sexy and makes me look like some kind of creature feature. Not something I look forward to putting on at night, but I know I need to. My comfort is that my husband had already been wearing one, too, so we both look like odd creatures.

The CPAP might not feel comfortable enough to you to get normal sleep for 4-7 weeks, depending on how soon you find the right mask (my husband slept through the night his first night with his, which is unfathomable to me).

If your mask is troublesome and causing you to have many leaks or noises, I'd suggest going back into your medical device store for help.

Reading about CPAPs online is also useful.

I'd just encourage you to not give up and be stubborn about the CPAP working somehow for you.

What would you say you are struggling with the most currently with the CPAP? What do you think is causing your insomnia?

@lisalucier Thank you so much this is helpful. I have no idea what is causing my insomnia, but it is exhausting. Luckily I retired last year. I'm going to keep trying my CPAP I have a nasal mask feels comfortable but if I don't fall asleep quickly (and I don't at all) then I want to remove the CPAP. Really appreciate your feedback.

@ladybugg Sorry about the insomnia. I have always been a sound sleeper till CPAP time. So after the requisite four hours, I would get what I called real sleep. In my "getting used to it" process, I have circled back around to the second nose pillow I tried. I also have better success if I have a day filled with activity of some sort so that I am truly tired. If I have some worries, I fidget with the mask and blame it on CPAP, but what it really is for me is what I call monkey brain...uncontrollable that I can't turn off.
I wish you the best in your journey.

@dalebout123 Thank you so much I agree I have monkey brain also I wish there was an off switch so I could sleep 😴

I took a while, worst for me was the sudden leaks when I went on my side ( full face mask) could wear a partial mask if they made the nose holes a bit bigger.

Did anyone just give up on the %*$@ mask and decide to forget it?
I am, & returned the mask & machine to the unhelpful medical device store. (The only one around) I talked to a new sleep doctor, who was also unhelpful. Now I am trying to do a few
ideas of my own---- nose sprays, dry mouth products, etc. Since I must get up every 2 or 3 hours
for bathroom trips, I seem to be a bit better. I have other medical issues that seem to override the sleep apnea.
Oh for a night of 8 hours of restful sleep!

@tisme I have a small (SW) small wide nose pillow. The wide part made the difference for me. Maybe they are hard to get because instead of sending three (my allowance) they sent me a started kit with the three sizes. Even the provider store had none in stock.
Have you tried cutting the holes bigger yourself? Don't know why you couldn't.
Wishing you the best!
Dana

@mermaid7272 I hear you! I must say that I continued with the CPAP and went to BIPAP with oxygen which was better for me. I would encourage you to find a doctor who will listen to you. I had to do so. My medical device store has been great. Their resupply branch is not. That means I have to drive to St. George from where I live in hurricane to get the store to do the contact work for the restore. Maybe you can find a medical device store that will mail your needs. I would encourage you to continue. There should be a work around for you. I am finally getting sleep and feel it has been helpful in many areas I thought was due to aging. I am 82. But I now longer have what I dubbed old lady drip. It was constant, but now no longer have it. Other bodily functions have improved. I no longer have to make bathroom runs at night. It took me almost two years to get here, but I am happy I stuck with it.
Wishing you success in whatever you decide. And, once again, I am so sorry you have had bad service from providers.