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How long will it take??? New CPAP user..needs advice/help.

topic posted Wed, March 19, 2008 - 6:49 PM by  Chelle 		Share/Save/Bookmark
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Hello everyone.

I'm new here, I've come here in search of some support and insite from those who've been in my shoe or are in my shoes.

I'm new to the Sleep Apnea world. Was diagnosed recently and last week got my CPAP machine, with the nasal pillows.


Well I've only slept one night all the way through with the mask on...only because I took an Ambien.

My issue is, I cannot sleep with the mask on and I don't understand why. I'm exhausted when I go to bed I put the mask on and after about 10 minutes I feel wide awake and cannot relax at all. I can't seem to keep the mask on any longer than about 2 to 2 1/2 hours before I take it off and then I fall asleep, but as you could probably guess wake up extremely exhausted because I dont' fall asleep until o'dark thirty and i'm not getting any substantial sleep.

I'm starting to lose hope here...I wanna hang in there but I'm so exhausted (even people at work are noticing).

Advice anyone? I feel alone (my fiance has no idea how to relate or help).
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Chelle
offline Chelle
Washington, D.C.
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  • Lee
    Lee
    offline 4

    Re: How long will it take??? New CPAP user..needs advice/help.

    Fri, March 21, 2008 - 7:22 AM
    Welcome to the tribe! I have been on a bipap for over 3-years. When I was first diagnosed, they placed me on a cpap w/ a nasal mask and as they increased my pressure, they moved me onto the bipap w/ full face mask.

    It took several weeks, before I adjusted sleep with a mask. However, you are starting out with one of the best masks out there. I tried many and from personal experience, there is nothing less obtrusive then the nasal pillow.

    Give it some time. It sucks having to wear the mask at all, but you have one of the best. I am sure you can adjust to it and when you do, you will feel much better.

    Lee
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  • Hero...
    Heroness
    offline 110

    Re: How long will it take??? New CPAP user..needs advice/help.

    Fri, March 21, 2008 - 4:10 PM
    patience Chelle..

    it really took me 6 months to really sleep all the way thru the night..

    and I still don't

    I rip the mask off halfway thru the night.. and usually have no memory of doing it

    but I do like sleeping with it now.. and try to keep it on...most of the night

    my doc said..minimum of 4 hours.. so try to use that as a goal

    the other thing.. if I get up to go the bathroom in the night..And I have taken it off..during the night

    I try to make myself..put it back on and sleep the remainder of the night with it

    play with it..till you find what is comfortable with you

    but most of all..just have patience...and do not give up..

    I really sleep much deeper ..with the cpap
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  • mc
    mc
    offline 63

    Re: How long will it take??? New CPAP user..needs advice/help.

    Sat, March 22, 2008 - 2:31 AM
    Welcome, Chelle!

    Some people here acclimated to cpap/bipap therapy rather quickly while others, like myself, took awhile (almost three years to where I am regularly complying).

    The one thing that remains consistent to success from what I sense, is that one does not give up. Keep pushing to where you become more comfortable and even look forwards to an evening with your mask on. Come here to vent and find empathy if it gets frustrating - I really think this is a good group of folks who are generous about sharing their experiences with others.

    More power to you.
    MC
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