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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).

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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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