first night using cpap

[Sleepy L]

Hi, last night was my first night using cpap. I managed a few hours with the mask on, but it was a struggle. The mask covers my nose only, I must breathe thru my nose during the day but at night I breathe thru my mouth, so having to keep my mouth closed was difficult and I hated the feeling of the air coming out of my mouth if I did open my mouth. Do you think I should persevere with the nasal mask or ask to try a mask that covers my nose and mouth. I am so tired and have no energy at all, I have been off work for the last 4 weeks and was hoping I could return to work and to driving next week once my therapy started, I guess I am trying to run before I can walk so to speak. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Lisa.

[Berneta]

First Night

Hi Lisa, if you breathe through your nose during the day-- then you probably breathe through your mouth at night because your throat closes. The Cpap should help you breathe through your nose at night too. Try a chin strap to help keep your mouth from falling open at night. I'd give it a week to see if you revert to nose breathing at night too. IF not then try a full face mask. The thing is: its just been ONE night--so give it some time. I know you must feel so tired and miserable--you might want to try a nap in the daytime sleeping in a recliner chair with your mask on and machine running. When you have been without sleep a long time--you don't get over it in one night. Please just hang in there and keep trying. You will do better with a little time. xx Berneta

[Barely Awake]

Your clinic might send you a full face mask if you ring them up and tell them the problem. It may not be the perfect one for you but you can at least have a try out.

As a nasal mask user I followed advice from others here and keep a full face mask as a spare for periods of having a cold or similar problem.

[cwmfelin]

Hi Lisa,

if it's any help, I have only been on CPAP for 2 weeks now. I went for a full face mask immediately because I used to wake up with a dry mouth - telltale sign of a mouth breather. However, I still struggled - it does get easier I promise.

The thing I keep in mind always - as posted on this forum many times - is to try and relax into the therapy. Don't be disappointed if you have a couple of bad nights, it's a new way of sleeping for the body.

Chris

[Richard]

Hi Lisa,

If you are a mouth-breather and all you have is a nasal mask, you're not giving yourself a fair chance of getting used to CPAP-Therapy. I am surprised your sleep clinic did not offer you a choice, but we notice here more and more that sleep-clinics invariably take the easy way out and offer what comes immediately to hand. 'Here you are, and off you go.' is very often the chosen mantra, particularly if you're new to CPAP.

If you're an NHS patient, you should call the clinic that's treating you and ask to try a full-face mask. If you come across any resistance, go here: www.chooseandbooknhs.co.uk.

Look at other sleep-clinics that are accessible to where you live, you may find one that is more co-operative.

Best of luck.

Richard