Sleep Apnea Machine

Hi Everyone, I just got my sleep apnea machine and used for first time last night. I had a hard time getting to sleep and slept for about 4 hours and then woke up and had to take it off as I couldn't get back to sleep. I was wondering if its "normal" to feel "leaks" when you move around. OR if maybe the mask does not fit properly or headgear might be too loose. (I'm afraid to put to tight) When I move around I could feel air come out the side of nose piece and had to move in a different position to stop that. I'm really not sure if this is normal or not. (by the way my mask is a triangle shape nose piece size small)

I don't think you should be able to feel a leak. It sounds like you might be wearing it too loose. It really needs to be kind of snug in order for it to work properly. If you were really sound asleep you might roll over into a position where it was leaking and then it wouldn't do you any benefit. It is VERY hard getting used to the machine. I have been using it for a good month and a half and still can't sleep with it all night long. I have a little mild claustrophobia with it on so if I wake up in the night with it on I rip it off without really realizing that I do it and I wake up with no mask on in the morning.

The only time I take my mask off is if I get too blocked up to breathe thru my nose during the night. As soon as my nose unblocks, that mask goes back on! I had some problems getting used to it at first, but the benefits of wearing it soon outweighed any inconvenience or discomfort. I will be "losing my machine" along with the pounds I'm losing and I'm going to miss it! I love the "white noise" it makes-it helps mask outside sounds. I'm such a light sleeper-I wake at the least little noise. I have a sound machine that I play in "waves" mode all night, but that C-Pap machine is such a comforting sound! Stick with it, you'll get used to it-snug it up though, if air is leaking out the sides, it's too loose! Ann

Oh, what a pain the leaking air is. You try to and you wake up to air in your eyes. I changed from a regular mask (I had the same problem, no matter how tight I wore it) to nasal pillows - little circle things that go into your nose. No straps on your face either - just on your head. It was the best way to sleep for me with the CPap. But now its even better - I no longer need it! Hope this helps. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -98 lbs.

Hi Amy, Did someone from homecare showed you how to use Mask or fix up the mask for you? Just curious? The person from homecare will come my house next week to set up the machine and show me how to use machine and mask too. It sounds like it is leaking from your mask. I was told by my doctor that I will have hard time to use it in the beginning but he said do not give up and keep use it then I will love it. I will let you know how I am doing with that Cpap machine and mask next week. The next support Group in Norwich is Sept 28 (I think but I will let you know for the right date later) Kathy K