how does one get used to a cpap?

I agree with ya Heather, this is exactly how I've gotten used to my machine, it works!

Thanks for the tips also. 

Last night was my first night with my CPAP Machine.  Mine has a Ramp for 10mins, which means it doesn't go up to it's full steam or air or whatever till after 10mins.  I just stayed determined that I would at least keep it on for 1 hour.  Then I wouldn't look at the clock. Then finally 2 hours later I had to go to the bathroom and decided enough of that, I wanted to sleep, and shut it off thinking I would have some sleep to function today at work.  NOT, couldn't even have a half decent sleep without the dang machine.

I'm so looking forward to the day I can sleep all night with it and wake up refreshed.  Does it really take 6 weeks???

Thanks
Joyce

HELLO ALL:
i was searching for this topic because I am going through a similar situation with my c-pap, i use the nasal pillows which still isn't comfortable for me (formerly used the one that covered my entire nose) and I can't use the darn thing!  Coupled with leaky heart valves, post nasal drip and allergies i am fatiqued throughout my day..some days worse than others.  It is really difficult to get used to this machine, i don't see how anyone can sleep with this thing on their heads!
I am really considering the surgery to remove my tonsils and adenoids to see if some relief can be obtained going this route.  All docs i spoke to say that it is a 50/50 chance it will help with the apneas.  At this point i think 50/50 is a better chance than, doing nothing and trying to use this machine for what seems like the rest of my life!

 Hi JOJO, your post caught my eye because five years ago a sudden vibration started in my left chest and got progressively worse, until it felt likes small machine rumbling in there. I became extremely frightened over the next year and was suicidal for awhile, afraid my heart would fail. After several stress and resting echoes (some I had to pay for), I was told my heart is structurally normal but iPad a mild leak in the Mitral. Seventeen doctors later, the doctor heard a systolic murmur and prescribed 120 mg of propranalol a day. Another doc in the meantime refused to treat me unless I first agreed i had a psychological problem...he put me on Sertraline. I don't know if the Sertraline helped; it appears the Propranalol did. In 2007, I was able to come off it altogether without any issues and no more 'vibration.' But in 2008, the symptoms returned and I went back on the propranalol. I also had another Echo, which showed the tricuspid was also mildly leaky. Do you think it is possible that leaky valves CAUSE sleep apnea; or is it the other way around? Doctors don't seem to know. Cardiologists generally don't know much about sleep apnea....I am now experiencing a frightening 'flutter' which wakes me up at night, and is there often during the day. I went for a sleep study in 2005 and was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea....but as I didn't sleep at all in the study, I didn't feel I had sleep apnea. In 2011 I went for another sleep study, and I was again diagnosed with mild sleep apnea (AHI of 21)which has got better, I am not sure why (I can now actually fall asleep). Unfortunately, I am still getting the flutter. I am finding it VERY difficult to consistently use the Bipap machine I bought....do you think getting my leaky valves repaired would CUrE my sleep apnea (and yours too?). It seems to me that perhaps if the heart is a bit weak (leaky valves), it may not be able to oxygenate us properly when we sleep (especially taking propranalol, which can cause bradycardia).....what doyouthink?

Thanks I'm going to try the pillow mask and one is supposed to be sent to me.  Another problem is I've always rolled around at night which is another reason I'm not able to get used to it.  Things are getting a little better for me though.

I am sorry this is so far from your post date, but I just found the forum. I would suggest that you make sure to get a humidifing cpap and one that has a ramp feature.  I did not take 6 weeks to get adjusted  and see results. It was literally like a week. I could tell I felt better right away.
My sleep study tech told me to work up to a full night.  Like 1/2 hour and then an hour, then 2....whatever works. She also said even 5 hours with it on will give you noticable results. I have found that to be true.
I do get a headache if I do not wear it, and I am sleepy as well.

I wish you the best getting adjusted as you will feel soooooo much better when you get it on.
teach

Auto cpap is the way to go. Pressures adjust according to your needs. Low settings when you are breathing normal and higher setting during apnea episodes.

I had a somewhat difficult time getting used to my CPAP.  I used to ramp mine when I first put it on because I had a hard time getting used to the pressure at first (I have a pressure of 8).

I am a side and stomach sleeper so I've learned that a lot of it is about pillow manuevering!  Some nights I have a really hard time and sleep half the night with it off.  Other nights I'm asleep almost immediately.

I have the comfort gel mask that goes only over my nose.  The problem is that I have a petite sized mask but my nose is smaller than what fits a petite mask.  Sometimes I feel like my face is swallowed up by the stupid thing.  

Make sure you wash your mask every week.  I've found that if I don't wa**** every week the oils from my face make it not fit as well.