Do you wait until you can feel the sleep med kicking in to put on the mask? Should be lights out pretty quick at that point. Try adding melatonin in addition to your sleeping med about an hour hour before you plan to sleep for an extra kick. Also, ESzopiclone (lunesta) is stronger and longer lasting than zopiclone. 3 mg is a good dose of lunesta . Tape your mask connectors so that it’s harder to take off when semi-conscious.
If you’re regularly congested, try flonase and astelin (need prescription for astelin). If that doesn’t work, ask your primary care provider for a referral to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor for next steps. In the mean time, you probably need a full face mask. The Knightsbridge dual strap mask can keep your mouth closed enough that you shouldn’t drool and it also reduces leaks because it prevents your face surface from changing during sleep. I like the f&p vitera full face mask. But an airtouch f20 is also good depending on your face structure. A full face mask and jaw strap can feel warm, but using a lighter blanket can keep you from feeling too hot. A coway airmega air filter on the highest setting makes enough white noise that you don’t hear and thenfixate on the sound of your breathing.
Once you start feeling better, this will all become self-reinforcing and you will adjust to the discomfort and start to associate it all with that good-good sleep, at which point it will no longer feel uncomfortable. A hose stand can keep a hose above your head and out of your way when you move in your sleep. Finally 4 hours of sleep with the mask on is better than none. Over time you will get better at sleeping longer with it on. It took me a year to get the right set up. After getting the right set-up, it took another 3 months to start really feeling the effects. This is a life-long thing so it is ok if it takes time, as painful as that sounds when you’re exhausted.
The fact that you aren’t getting a sleep apnea headache when you use the mask is a good sign that something positive is happening with your body, even if you don’t feel it consciously yet. Experiment with small steps over time and don’t write off something like a jaw strap just because it’s uncomfortable the first time. Come back to it once you’ve figured out other stuff. Honestly, drooling in my mask doesn’t happen, but if it did, I would just deal with drool because at this point my body and mind feel good enough from sleeping well with PAP that I’d just be like, fuck it, it’s worth it. I know you’re not at the fuck it,I’ll deal stage just yet, and that’s ok, but if you persevere, You will get there. Good luck buddy, you can do this.
I usually take zopiclone 1 hour before going to sleep. By the time I'm going to sleep I already feel the drowzyness so that helps falling asleep.
Speaking about my facial structure my doctors prescribed me a daily nasal spray because I started having clogged ears a lot so that might have something to do with my sleep apnea as well. When I first went to my sleep doctor they said it was because my tongue is too big for my throat which causes blockage when i sleep so i don't know if all of this is related or not
To get used to the CPAP, I have seen some recommendations to use it during the day, like while watching the TV or playing with your phone. [(Some info here)](https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/sleep-blog/how-to-get-used-to-a-cpap-machine/)
A few days ago, I had an in-lab sleep study and I got anxious because it was 3 am, and I couldn't fall asleep. The sleep technician gave me a piece of advice that may sound stupid but turned out to be super effective. "Don't try to sleep". That were his words... After that, I just relaxed and fell asleep in probably less than 10 min... Sometimes the more we try to sleep, the harder it becomes.
As you already know, it takes time to get used to it. Take it one step at a time and try to find solutions to problems one by one. You can always ask for advice here and on forums like [apneaboard.com](https://apneaboard.com) and [cpaptalk.com](https://cpaptalk.com). There are lots of people who have been in a similar position. You are not alone. ;)
Have you tried wearing the mask before going to bed to allow yourself to get comfortable breathing with it? I would suggest putting it on 30 minutes before bed to allow yourself to get more comfortable with it
Cool. Can you maybe talk to the company about how you charge a full 1k more for the vauto which is nothing more than a software upgrade to the autoset?
It took me 6 months to get used to my CPAP, and that included taking 2 benedryl and a melatonin (for over a year-had to wean myself off of it) every night so I could get to sleep and stay asleep. I also grind my teeth. I have a phobia about things wrapped around my head, or on my face, that made this very difficult. For 3-4 months, I only got 3-4 hours of sleep a night with the CPAP and all the medication. I would wake up with the mask off, not knowing I took it off. About the 6 month mark, I was finally sleeping for 6 hours, and it took almost 9 months for me to sleep through the night. Keep with it, it makes a huge difference.
I use the Resmed Airsense 10, my ramp was set at 45 minutes (now it's 5) and I had them turn down the exhalation to 3 from 4 because it felt like I couldn't exhale properly. I use the Bella mask with the nasal pillows. There's a way to put the mask on where you don't feel the air forcing it's way in.especially when you're trying to exhale, just play with the angles a little if you can.
I also have severe issues sleeping with CPAP. I just went about a year without using it really at all, and since I only really endured the trial period to get the insurance people to pay for it, I started feeling really sad that they spent that money on the machine and i was just not using it so I’ve started again.
Tonight Is my first night back on it let’s try it again.
I suppose you just have to keep trying to use it. Even 3 hours on it will feel refreshing compared to none
I want to know about other treatments myself but from what I gather there isn’t a whole lot else out there
This is my 3rd time trying a CPAP since 2018 the first two times I just couldn't get used to it after my sleep doctor recommended doing a sleep study with a CPAP to see what pressure was correct for me they realized that the "test" pressure range was too high for me (they usually just set the machine from 8-16 in APAP mode but in the sleep study my pressure never went above 8.0)
Took me ateast two years to get fully comfortable after MANY different mask changes and pressure changes, including switching to a BiPAP and taping my mouth to force nose breathing.
Don't give up, and stay in contact with your sleep provider to make appropriate modifications to your setup!
You bring up a good point about sleep providers. I just dropped my Airsense 11 off at the DME, didn't get much help from the place I went to for the sleep study but luckily my AHI is mild. How did you feel about your sleep doc, would you recommend them? Does anyone have sleep medicine provider recommendations?
I felt like mine just slapped a CPAP on me without even considering my many respiratory issues.
Do you wait until you can feel the sleep med kicking in to put on the mask? Should be lights out pretty quick at that point. Try adding melatonin in addition to your sleeping med about an hour hour before you plan to sleep for an extra kick. Also, ESzopiclone (lunesta) is stronger and longer lasting than zopiclone. 3 mg is a good dose of lunesta . Tape your mask connectors so that it’s harder to take off when semi-conscious. If you’re regularly congested, try flonase and astelin (need prescription for astelin). If that doesn’t work, ask your primary care provider for a referral to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor for next steps. In the mean time, you probably need a full face mask. The Knightsbridge dual strap mask can keep your mouth closed enough that you shouldn’t drool and it also reduces leaks because it prevents your face surface from changing during sleep. I like the f&p vitera full face mask. But an airtouch f20 is also good depending on your face structure. A full face mask and jaw strap can feel warm, but using a lighter blanket can keep you from feeling too hot. A coway airmega air filter on the highest setting makes enough white noise that you don’t hear and thenfixate on the sound of your breathing. Once you start feeling better, this will all become self-reinforcing and you will adjust to the discomfort and start to associate it all with that good-good sleep, at which point it will no longer feel uncomfortable. A hose stand can keep a hose above your head and out of your way when you move in your sleep. Finally 4 hours of sleep with the mask on is better than none. Over time you will get better at sleeping longer with it on. It took me a year to get the right set up. After getting the right set-up, it took another 3 months to start really feeling the effects. This is a life-long thing so it is ok if it takes time, as painful as that sounds when you’re exhausted. The fact that you aren’t getting a sleep apnea headache when you use the mask is a good sign that something positive is happening with your body, even if you don’t feel it consciously yet. Experiment with small steps over time and don’t write off something like a jaw strap just because it’s uncomfortable the first time. Come back to it once you’ve figured out other stuff. Honestly, drooling in my mask doesn’t happen, but if it did, I would just deal with drool because at this point my body and mind feel good enough from sleeping well with PAP that I’d just be like, fuck it, it’s worth it. I know you’re not at the fuck it,I’ll deal stage just yet, and that’s ok, but if you persevere, You will get there. Good luck buddy, you can do this.
I usually take zopiclone 1 hour before going to sleep. By the time I'm going to sleep I already feel the drowzyness so that helps falling asleep. Speaking about my facial structure my doctors prescribed me a daily nasal spray because I started having clogged ears a lot so that might have something to do with my sleep apnea as well. When I first went to my sleep doctor they said it was because my tongue is too big for my throat which causes blockage when i sleep so i don't know if all of this is related or not
To get used to the CPAP, I have seen some recommendations to use it during the day, like while watching the TV or playing with your phone. [(Some info here)](https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/sleep-blog/how-to-get-used-to-a-cpap-machine/) A few days ago, I had an in-lab sleep study and I got anxious because it was 3 am, and I couldn't fall asleep. The sleep technician gave me a piece of advice that may sound stupid but turned out to be super effective. "Don't try to sleep". That were his words... After that, I just relaxed and fell asleep in probably less than 10 min... Sometimes the more we try to sleep, the harder it becomes. As you already know, it takes time to get used to it. Take it one step at a time and try to find solutions to problems one by one. You can always ask for advice here and on forums like [apneaboard.com](https://apneaboard.com) and [cpaptalk.com](https://cpaptalk.com). There are lots of people who have been in a similar position. You are not alone. ;)
Have you tried wearing the mask before going to bed to allow yourself to get comfortable breathing with it? I would suggest putting it on 30 minutes before bed to allow yourself to get more comfortable with it
I'll try that thanks!
Ask your doctor to try bilevel
ResMed employee here, absolutely have a conversation with your provider about getting switched to a Bilevel device
Cool. Can you maybe talk to the company about how you charge a full 1k more for the vauto which is nothing more than a software upgrade to the autoset?
You might like a bipap rather than a cpap. I can’t bear a cpap but I’m fine with the bipap. Been using one for about 10 years.
It took me 6 months to get used to my CPAP, and that included taking 2 benedryl and a melatonin (for over a year-had to wean myself off of it) every night so I could get to sleep and stay asleep. I also grind my teeth. I have a phobia about things wrapped around my head, or on my face, that made this very difficult. For 3-4 months, I only got 3-4 hours of sleep a night with the CPAP and all the medication. I would wake up with the mask off, not knowing I took it off. About the 6 month mark, I was finally sleeping for 6 hours, and it took almost 9 months for me to sleep through the night. Keep with it, it makes a huge difference. I use the Resmed Airsense 10, my ramp was set at 45 minutes (now it's 5) and I had them turn down the exhalation to 3 from 4 because it felt like I couldn't exhale properly. I use the Bella mask with the nasal pillows. There's a way to put the mask on where you don't feel the air forcing it's way in.especially when you're trying to exhale, just play with the angles a little if you can.
I also have severe issues sleeping with CPAP. I just went about a year without using it really at all, and since I only really endured the trial period to get the insurance people to pay for it, I started feeling really sad that they spent that money on the machine and i was just not using it so I’ve started again. Tonight Is my first night back on it let’s try it again. I suppose you just have to keep trying to use it. Even 3 hours on it will feel refreshing compared to none I want to know about other treatments myself but from what I gather there isn’t a whole lot else out there
This is my 3rd time trying a CPAP since 2018 the first two times I just couldn't get used to it after my sleep doctor recommended doing a sleep study with a CPAP to see what pressure was correct for me they realized that the "test" pressure range was too high for me (they usually just set the machine from 8-16 in APAP mode but in the sleep study my pressure never went above 8.0)
Advice that I got was too practice with your CPAP while watching tv in the afternoon. You'll get more used to it and fight it less at night...
Do you have EPR turned on? Maybe try other masks, I had to try about 5, using p10, also melatonin for a bit
Yes i have EPR turned on Full time set at 3
I found turning it off helped and was recommended, just an idea
I turned it off and it seems to help a lot with breathing thanks!
Glad it helped, it feels more natural and was recommended by my sleep guy
if EPR 3 isn't enough to make you feel comfortable, you need bilevel. For me the difference between 4 and 3 levels of pressure support is massive.
Took me ateast two years to get fully comfortable after MANY different mask changes and pressure changes, including switching to a BiPAP and taping my mouth to force nose breathing. Don't give up, and stay in contact with your sleep provider to make appropriate modifications to your setup!
You bring up a good point about sleep providers. I just dropped my Airsense 11 off at the DME, didn't get much help from the place I went to for the sleep study but luckily my AHI is mild. How did you feel about your sleep doc, would you recommend them? Does anyone have sleep medicine provider recommendations? I felt like mine just slapped a CPAP on me without even considering my many respiratory issues.
If you've nasal congestion, use saline nasal solution & corticosteroid spray to reduce turbinates inflammation.