This IS Hell.

So I just got my CPAP machine three days ago and honestly, I want to sma**** I am someone who usually adapts to weird things pretty easily but Im struggling with this SO MUCH. Im supposed to be wearing it every night so it can adjust the pressures so they can set mine in 8-10 days but I CANT FALL ASLEEP WITH IT. First night I did but I woke up ripping it off my face because I felt like I was suffocating and then 3-4 times after that Ive been so tired that I cant keep my eyes open and Im passing out...then I put it on and I lay awake for at least an hour before I take it off, lay down...Im out within literally seconds. It is only set at 4, the lowest pressure. I know it takes people a while to get used to it but I cant even sleep with it for a tiny bit of time. Does it get better or am I just one of those people who absolutely cant tolerate it. I am determined to fight this thing so I'll keep working at it but man Id tell you, I really wanna take a hammer to it.

I would call your doctor's office immediately. I thought they were suppose to set the pressure when you had your sleep study. There are all sorts of CPAP's including some that just cover the nose area. It's important that we are able to use this thing, I'm not looking forward to it either, I'm going in for another sleep study to do what your trying to do at home. I don't think you should be stressing like this, call that doctor! Carole in Arizona

Hi Angela. I have had my machine for about a month. I was doing the same thing about ripping my mask of in the middle of the night. I was told it was a normal response and give it time. I know it's really hard to resist the urge to chunk the thing across the room (cause I have), but keep trying. If you do rip it off, when you wake up and settle down with the breathing, put it back on and try again. I promise it does get better. My first machine did the same thing to me. I think my pressure was set at 6. I called my DME and they brought me a machine that had a c-flex setting on it. "I'm out within literally seconds" using this machine. I am still adjusting to my machine, BUT it's so much better now. Most of the time I will sleep all nite. Which is a major thing considering I haven't slept a full nite in a VERY long time. Still tired, but it's getting better. In MY opinion (and mine only) is to keep trying. Hang in there, girl. I promise, it does get better. lisa

I feel the same way! I got mine last Monday and I have not had a good nights sleep since! When I do fall alseep I dream that I am suffocating.

I'm still adjusting to mine, but the first two weeks were really bad. I still rip my mask off occasionally, but not as bad as it was at first. I think mine is just sinus congestion. I don't have that feeling of suffication like I did at first. If you need some additional information there are other web sites available. I am a member of apneasupport.com. The site has helped me alot. And one other thing, Angela, I wanted to throw mine out in the middle of the nearest intersection and let a Mack truck run over it. Like I said before, Hang in there, (you too HockeyMom) and it will get better. lisa

One thing that really helped me was switching to a bi-pap machine. With the cpap, I felt like I couldn't exhale because of the continuous pressure. With the bipap, the pressure is lower when I exhale so I don't feel like I'm fighting to breath. - Bobby

Yeah I just did some research on the bipap and I think that it would work a lot better for me. Im going to talk to my insurance company about it because I know that they are generally more expensive than the CPAP and they already didn't wanna give me a full face mask because that was slightly more expensive, but we shall see. If I absolutely cant tolerate the one I have then there should be no other choice, i dont want to die in my sleep. Anyone else on here use a bipap?

Is your machine set with a ramp feature? Generally starts out really low then builds up to your normal pressure (usually once you fall asleep.) I don't know what the lowest ramp setting would be though, four might be where it would have started anyway. I have been using mine for over six years now. It does take some getting used to that is for sure. But once I woke up the next day and felt the difference I had huge incentive to keep using it (and have every night.) I hope you are able to adjust to it okay or perhaps try the bi pap if the cpap doesn't work out. Good luck!

Thanks for the response! Yea it has something called a 'Settling' stage that I think is the same thing your talking about, it starts at pressure 4 and I can make it stay on that setting from anywhere between 10-45 minutes. I have been using that and its set on 45 and Im still awake when it starts going up so I have to shut it off, and restart it. But Ive noticed the past day or so Im getting used to falling asleep with it on BUT when I wake up my heart is pounding scarily fast and I have the WORST sore throat for the rest of the night/day - I still cant sleep for longer than 1 1/2 hours with it on. I am going to call them monday and tell them my problems and see what they say. I've been learning tons online and I wish I started my research sooner!

Does your CPAP have a humidifier? Mine has one which helps with the dry throat. I have had one for 6 years now. I started with a 3 setting and am now at an 11. I am ready to call to have the pressure reduced since my surgery. My fear is that once they tell me I no longer need it I won't be able to sleep. Anytime I have been somewhere and didn't have my machine with me, I tossed and turned all night. Try wearing it as you watch tv and relax in the evening. That seemed to help me get used to wearing it. I think my biggest issues were getting wrapped up in the hose (that did happen a few times) and the fact that it ain't sexy. I learned not to turn in my sleep so that the hose would get tangled. Also, I live alone so the sexy concern is moot. Keep trying. It does help. Aime