Dealing with tiredness while trying out CPAP

[csrivats]

Hello all
I was recently diagnosed with moderate OSA and started using the CPAP machine from Wednesday.
As expected I am experiencing teething problems still getting used to having a mask on my nose while sleeping.
But I find myself looking more tired and worn out than I was before I started using CPAP.
People at work have all started askign me whats going on with me?
Just wanted to know how has people dealt with this situation?
Did you take time off work?
If so for how long
Any help greatly appreciated
Many thanks

[symmit]

Hi and welcome!

I started mine on a weekend, and spend as long as I could in bed that weekend (12 hrs the first night, but not that much of it asleep!)

Getting over the initial feeling and experience takes time, you'll do no harm getting used to wearing the mask sat in bed watching TV, with or without the machine running (if without then don't connect the hose to the mask!) and then getting used to the pressure from the machine. It's natural to feel something over your face and resist it, it's a reflex that stops us suffocating, so it takes time to train your subconscious that this will help you breathe.

Keep ploughing on, it's worth it!

[James @ Intus]

Welcome!

Indeed, if yuo can spare the days off, it's quite a common tactic to start Friday night and take Monday, possibly Tuesday off, giving yourself a decent stretch where you can fully commit to this.

As symmit says, a lot of people benefit from wearing the mask, without machine, for an hour or so before bedtime, just to get used to it.

Other tips to help get used to it include using the machine's comfort settings like exhalation relief, ramp time etc. if it has those.

[Sparticus]

On/Off

I had to reply to this. For me I grabbed my mask stuck it on my face and off into cpap land I went first few nights were hellish and this went on for some months, so much so that it effected my life at home and work. After a few months when it got really bad so I decided to take 3 weeks off work. I was able to concentrate on my osa and it made a world of difference, if I hadnt took the time off I gather I would still be struggling instead of enjoying my sleep like I do now. TAKE TIME OFF! ..and take as much as you can get. Take it from someone who really has been there, it is worth it and your work colleges wont know who you are when you return lol

Graham

[csrivats]

thanks sparticus - what sort of techniques where you able to apply whilst on holidays that you could nt not whilst still working.
how did you finally get to start sleeping peacefully?
thanks for your advice