just got cpap machine

so my first night with the cpap machine went ok I guess...got my mandatory 4 hours in, but man...for a machine that's supposed to help you sleep it sure has left me tired today. I think I just need to get used to the sleep positions I need to be in to keep the mask on and not leaking. any tips?

also my pressure is 15...just wondering what everyone else's is/was.

I've been using my CPAP for 9 months and I can tell you that it does take a little time to get used to the mask, air pressure, noise, etc. I have the IntelliPap with a humidifier and my pressure setting is 12.

The sleeping position I've found best (for me) is on my back with a pillow under my knees. Before I had the CPAP I was a side sleeper so this was the biggest thing to overcome.

As far as your mask leaking, make sure you have it on tight enough and if you machine has the ramp up feature definitely use it!!! I start out at 5 and then ramp up to 12 within 10 minutes.

I hope this helps you better!

Good Luck,
Jean

thanks for the tips. I have noticed that the mask might not be tight enough...it is when I lay on my back, but feels loose when I lay on my side. I'll try to keep adjusting it tonight.

I'm a side sleeper so it was rough. we'll see how tonight goes.

Hang in there it will get to the point where you wont want to sleep without it.  Had mine since 2006

I'm hoping I get to that point soon! I feel less rested than before! lol.

I have had my cpap for 4 years now and if i dont use it i am up all night  and i fall asleep faster with it on.  I have a setting of 12 now i have had settings of 9 and 11 also.   I find the bes**** to sleep is on my side with the pillow bunched up or off the the side so the mask does not get pused by the pillow.
Nikki

I'm going to try everything possible to sleep on my side lol. I hope I get used to the machine like you have because it would be so nice to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up not tired.

It took me several nights of playing with my pillow to find a good way to sleep on my side.    Same suggestion as the last ..  fix the pillow so your face is still on it, but the mask is off the side.   Worked for me for 5 years.