Need Advice for Getting Used to Mask Use

son1 · Post by **son1** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:28 pm

A relative was diagnosed with sleep apnea recently. He's in his mid 60's. He was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (over 40 events per hour) and REM related apnea (over 60 events per hour). At its worst, his oxygen sat level dropped to around 80%. He doesn't want to use a cpap mask.

How long does it usually take to get used to the mask? How long does it take to get used to the pressure? Do the masks that only go over the nose work as well as the ones that cover the nose and mouth? Is there such a thing as a comfortable mask? Any advice for getting through the initial stages of using the CPAP?

Thanks.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): Titration, CPAP

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:06 pm

How long does it usually take to get used to the mask?

It depends. For me, it was about 60 nights.

How long does it take to get used to the pressure?

It depends. For me, it was about 2 weeks. The pressure didn't bother me, but the mask did.

Do the masks that only go over the nose work as well as the ones that cover the nose and mouth?

It depends. If he's mouth breathing with a mask that only goes over his nose (a nasal mask or nasal pillows), then he has to use the one that covers both the nose and mouth (a full face mask) or the air will be leaking out his mouth and not keeping his airway open.

Is there such a thing as a comfortable mask?

It's all relative. For me, the Puritan Bennett Breeze is the most comfortable. He'll likely have to try several to learn which one he likes the best.

Any advice for getting through the initial stages of using the CPAP?

Perseverance. Never give up. Tell him to put it on every night even if he finds he takes it off after a couple hours. Refer him to this forum to read as much as he can and to ask questions and to seek encouragement.

Sleep apnea is serious stuff. The increased incidence of heart attack and stroke for untreated OSA is well-documented. Does he have a wife and children? Would he like to increase his odds of being around for them in the future? In case he's a hard core kind of person who says, "So what. I'd rather die of a heart attack than wear this thing every night," point out that heart attacks and strokes don't necessarily kill you, but can leave you debilitated for the rest of your life. When I was having bad nights (and in the beginning I had a lot of bad nights) I thought of my responsibility as a parent and scared myself into sticking with it when I considered the alternative was living with permanent damage caused by a stroke I could have prevented.

MandoJohnny · Post by **MandoJohnny** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:26 pm

I can only agree wholeheartedly with the post above. There are a few feature that the help with the initial adjustment, such as ramp and EPR, but perseverance is the key. Also, there are people on this forum and others who are here to help with specific problems. He just has to decide he's gonna beat it and it's not gonna beat him.

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:26 pm

Many doctors agree that cpap is the best way to treat sleep apnea so my first attempt would be to try to talk him into it.

If he is not going to do it maybe he should think about surgery.

Video tape him sleeping, I forgot who on this board taped themselves but they said it was quite disturbing to watch.
maybe you can shock him into it.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:37 pm

Again comfort is relative. I have woken up and thought I had taken off my mask but when I reach up to my face-it is still there. There are nasal pillows that are less confinging. People can get used to the masks. Could the man in question have claustrophobia he hasn't admitted to-that would make it much harder. Wearing it for short periods while awake and watching TV can help.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:44 pm

As with, the refusal to see the forrest for the trees, If he thinks he's having fun now, wait until the by-pass, a little mask discomfort first would be a better option , and cheaper too.

It's like quiting smoking or drinking, if you don't want to clean up your act, you don't stand much of a chance. The first thing you have to overcome is your own mind, you have to set your own rules. Jim

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:12 pm

Accepting this lifestyle change can definitely require an attitude adjustment. Some may need to be provoked by fear of the alternatives while others may be motivated by love of family members. Unfortunately, there is not much else one can do to compel a stubborn person who is too proud to get hosed up to a breathing machine with a silly mask.

Best wishes and I hope you are able to convince him to choose the xPAP way ...

- roberto

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:10 pm

son1 wrote:He was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (over 40 events per hour) and REM related apnea (over 60 events per hour). At its worst, his oxygen sat level dropped to around 80%.

He scheduled a time to go in for the titration. However, when he got to the center, he put a mask on, then immediately took it off and walked out and said there's no way he would do it.

It sounds like he already made the decision not to use CPAP. If he's got family, maybe they can talk to him about the consequences of not treating his severe OSA and desats.

This man's poor brain is starving for oxygen. Couple that with cessation of breath 40-60 times an hour and the stress on the blood vessels and heart------ I'm surprised his doctor isn't hounding him about the importance of getting titrated and starting CPAP (and possibly oxygen) therapy A.S.A.P.

MD727 · Post by **MD727** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:33 am

Once he's rushed to the hospital while having a stroke - guess what they are going to put on him - you guessed it an oxygen mask....he can either get comfortable at home with it or can do it at the hospital. Either way he's going to be wearing one at some point. I know it sounds harsh - but given that option I'd rather be proactive than reactive...If things get worse he may not even get the chance to wear it at the hospital. Good luck, sounds like you may have to try a little "tough love"....

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:37 am

Any advice for getting through the initial stages of using the CPAP?

Lunesta...

jum001 · Post by **jum001** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:43 am

I am 62 years old and was diagnosed 6 months ago. My 85 year old mother was just diagnosed recently. You could challenge him to match the performance of two old ladies

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:14 am

son1,

Since your user name is "son1", would this relative happen to be your father?
Have you been able to talk to him about the experience since he walked out?
If you could get him on this website/forum, we'd be very glad to talk to him. I agree with all of the suggestions the others have mentioned.
Strapping on this equipment every night is not the end of the world.....it's a beginning or renewal to better health. It's that simple.

For me, finding out what was wrong was a relief. At least I knew I could deal with the therapy. I really wanted my life and my health back. A person gets used to the bad sleep, but it's what OSA does to your body that's devastating. We're all going to end up in the same place someday.....but there's no reason to hurry the process.
It does make a person a little apprehensive the first few times the mask goes on, but if this relative of yours is as hard-headed as I am, he can deal with it, too.

Please let us know what happens.

Best wishes,

Den

KansasRT · Post by **KansasRT** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:40 am

I have worked with many patients that have the same problems with CPAP and their titration study. The sleep lab can do a CPAP desensitization, where they let him come in and use CPAP for a few hours during the day. He can start off slow just holding the mask up to his face without the straps, then putting it on with the straps. Most patients end up asleep during this because they are so exhausted. Or his local DME could loan him a machine to mess with for a few weeks. It could be claustrophobia, or on reason people take the mask off like that is because they can't breath through their nose and need a full face mask.

Need Advice for Getting Used to Mask Use

Need Advice for Getting Used to Mask Use

Re: Need Advice for Getting Used to Mask Use