new here

[cazzy100]

hiya, i have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, ive been given a machine and a face mask this covers my mouth and nose as im a mouth breather, and is connected with a long tube.

ive had this about 4 to 5 weeks and im having a difficult time adjusting to it, i put it on when i get tired and fall asleep, but then when i wake up, i feel like im panicking, like when you walk into the wind and cant get your breath, i then take it off, when i put it back on again i get the same feeling, but then i start to itch on my nose which gets so bad i have to take off the mask, i dont know if this is some sort of reflex thing or not.
i am also suffering with very dry lips and mouth and mild sore throat.

to be honest ive not managed to sleep a whole night with the mask on, the most ive been able to stand is 4 hours.

my partners getting a bit mad with me as he says i need to wear it, i know i need to, but its just not happening, i was looking forward to a good sleep for a change...but nothings changed, if anything it seems worse

any advice would help x

[Sparticus]

This is all perfectly normal, as normal goes with cpap. Most people start with mask removing for the first few weeks as it takes sometime to get use to also the dry throat is normal and can be helped with a humidifier.

There can be many problems when you first start out with cpap which can usually be overcome with different techniques. Try wearing your mask one evening without sleeping, either reading a book or watching tv and get the feel for the mask this will help you get use to it. For sleeping I used music, I used an mp3 and ambient music (Waves on beach, rain, wind) It helped me relax enough to get a good nights sleep. There are many ways to overcome different problems that you will encounter over the first few months. From sore face to trapped wind and Im sure you will find the help you need on the forum.

Welcome to the forum

Spart.

[cazzy100]

thank you for that information, is it a room humidifier that you are on about?

i will certainly try having it on when not going to sleep to try get use to it more and maybe some nice music too

[Sleep2Snore]

Humidifier is what you need, it goes between the machine and your main hose. Depending on the machine you have, some are a part of the machine itself or the machine sits on top and controls it. Others are stand alone and connect to the machine with a small pipe.
Contact the Sleep Clinic that issued you with your machine and explain what is happening and that you wake up with dryness and find it hard to breath.

[Sparticus]

Humidifier is what you need, it goes between the machine and your main hose. Depending on the machine you have, some are a part of the machine itself or the machine sits on top and controls it. Others are stand alone and connect to the machine with a small pipe.
Contact the Sleep Clinic that issued you with your machine and explain what is happening and that you wake up with dryness and find it hard to breath.

on an S8 the humi slots into the machine.

[jackieb]

Welcome to the forum cazzy100 I have been on cpap for 2 years now and you do get used to it but there are odd days when you think nothing is going to work. Last night was one of them for me my mask was uncomfortable and leaking it is just a case of fiddling about to get it right. I fall asleep to my machine fully ramped and just breath with it you eventually get into a rhythm and fall asleep quickly it's just a case of trial and error but good luck with it. I now sleep on average 6/7 hours a night and can no longer stay in bed even at weekends later than 8.30 because I just feel so awake.

[proterra]

Hi Cazzy ,
Does your machine have the Ramp function enabled? . This means that it starts off at a low pressure and ramps up over a period of time usually about 20 mins or so. If not ghet it done . it helps you to fall asleep easier.
The other thing you want to do is degrease your mask everyday using NON alcholic or scented wipes to remove the oils that come from your skin. It helps to get a better seal to your face. Also the mask doesnt want to be tight on your face so its uncomfortable. around your head.
Ive been on CPAP for about a year now and it does take time to adjust but it does work so be patient.

[Liptugga]

Hi Cazzy
I can relate to what your saying
I have been on cpap since 2004 and the early days were just like yours

Stick with it ..it only last a few weeks

I was using the full face mask and found my mouth dry and my gums hurting

I soon learned to nose breath and then moved over to a nasel mask

again a bedding in period of a week or so the nasel mask felt like it was burning the back of my nose at times.

now i cannot get to sleep without putting my mask on.

[cazzy100]

thank you everyone for your advice, my machine does have a ramp up setting which lasts for an hour the hospital said, i put it on that to start out with, to help get off to sleep, if i wake up later i put it back to the gentle setting again, but that's usually when the problems start, the tickly nose, dry lips annoying me, and continually licking lips even though i do apply lip balm to help, i still suffer a sore throat as well.
i would love to be able to sleep for 4 to 5 hours without interruption would be like heaven,
ill keep trying it see if i can get use to it

Carol