ADJUSTING TO CPAP

Last night was my first night sleeping with my CPAP.  As expected, I had a less than stellar sleep.  The one positive thing I did notice though, is for the first morning in forever, I did not awake with a sore throat.  For those who have units, how long did it take you to adjust so you could get a good nights sleep?

It took me about a week I have the nose prongs so what I was doing was keeping my mouth open when I needed to make sure to close my mouth and breathe through my nose and once I figured that out I was good. However, since I had surgery I am having real hard time with it and I just had another sleep test to see if mine went away and it hasn't so I am stuck with the machine even if it has been turned down to a very low setting so I am going to start wearing it again because I have been sleeping like **** lately.

I think it took me about 4 or 5 nights. Everyone is different. You will get the hang of it. I found taking a few deep breaths helped calm me down and I got into the swing of it. I cannot sleep without it now..

It took me weeks to get used to it.

I never really feel refreshed in the morning, but not wearing it makes me feel worse. Without the mask, I wake up several times a night ( cause of the apnea) and wake up with a dry throat and mouth.

Good luck!

I have the full face mask and I think the hard part for me was the strap at the back of my head just didn't feel comfortable.  Now I have a small knot in the back of my head.  No choice but to persevere I suppose!

Hiya,

You may need to speak with your CPAP provider to ensure that the correct portion of the strap is at the back of your head and not the part that goes over the top of your head.  When I had a repeat sleep test, during the evening the technician brought in the CPAP for me to wear and she had put the apparatus together wrong.  The part that should have been over the top of my head was at the back of my head and I had a knot at the back of my head.

Judy

I have had mine for a few months and I still cant get used to it, i start off with it on but its off when I wake up, I must be taking it off in my sleep.!

Ha ha - I did the exact same thing at first, that is so funny!!

Two things to help you quickly adjust.  Have the machine set to ramp up, beginning at a lower pressure and gradually increasing to the required setting within 15 or 20 minutes--when you are already asleep.  If there is something about the mask that is uncomfortable--fix it or change it!  There are plenty of options, so keep trying until you get the style and fit that are truly comfortable for you.  The professionals that give you the equipment should be a big help in this regard, but if not, keep pushing until you get what you need to get a good night's sleep. Your health depends on it!

It took me a few days to get used to mine, I have a very high pressure setting and use a full face mask.  I can't sleep without my cpap now - I'll be getting an autoset cpap next week, to adjust pressures as I am losing weight.  Good luck!