Newbie first week on Cpap

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
CurlyG
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:48 pm

Newbie first week on Cpap

Post by CurlyG » Fri Apr 13, 2018 4:11 pm

Mask: air fit P10 for her
Cpap: Resmed airsense autoset
Provider: Apria
Diagnosis: mild OSA with no significant desaturation
AHI 6.3
Arousal RES per hr: 4
Arousal SPONT per hour: 22

6 nights of CPAP use. It’s been ugly, I can’t make it more than 3 hours without waking up and staring at the ceiling. I take mask off and fall immediately back to sleep. Apria is mailing me a diff nasal pillow to try. I tried Ambien the first few nights and I still woke up. I tried watching TV for an hour each time so my actual sleep time was 2 hours.

How do I get used to the feeling on mask on face and hose attached? Given my mild diagnosis should I switch to oral device instead? My dr said it’s not as effective though. I’m at a loss.
P.s. my results from the Cpap app say for 2 hours on Cpap look good, little to no arousals. Seal is perfect.

Thanks for any support and guidance

User avatar
MrsRinPDX
Posts: 246
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2017 9:53 am
Location: Portland, OR USA

Re: Newbie first week on Cpap

Post by MrsRinPDX » Sat Apr 14, 2018 7:23 am

Hello CurlyG,

Welcome to the forum. Getting used to the mask is a common problem. Many folks recommend wearing it during the day to get used to the feel. It just takes time to desensitize yourself to the "alien" on your face.

I can't give you any advice on the oral appliance as I haven't tried it (I have severe sleep apnea and it wouldn't work in my case).

Keep trying!

All the best,
MrsRinPDX

_________________
Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Pressures: IPAP 18/ EPAP 14; Secondary mask - Nuance Pro Nasal Pillow

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: Newbie first week on Cpap

Post by Julie » Sat Apr 14, 2018 7:45 am

Don't confuse awake time while wearing the mask with sleep time as the machine only tracks sleeping pattern breaths properly... awake breathing is very different and you'll only get junk reported, not valid events. Just wear the mask alone though while awake/TV etc. to get used to it.

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63942
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Newbie first week on Cpap

Post by Pugsy » Sat Apr 14, 2018 7:49 am

Give yourself more time trying cpap before going down the oral device road.

Wear the mask with machine on while awake reading or watching TV and under no pressure to go to sleep...just get used to it.
I know you have been doing some of this already but do it during the day when not under any pressure to go to sleep.

When we are under pressure to fall asleep...that's when the insomnia monster likes to come for a visit.

I know 6 days seems like an eternity for you but it really isn't.

As to the dental device...it's not always so easy to sleep with stuff in your mouth either but your sleep apnea is mild and it might work...just make sure that if you use one that you have a follow up sleep study while using it to confirm that it is indeed working.
That's a choice that only you can make.
For some people they do work especially the milder cases.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

D.H.
Posts: 3467
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2016 7:07 pm

Re: Newbie first week on Cpap

Post by D.H. » Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:27 am

There is no "perfect" mask; only the mask that is good for you.

You need to try other masks as well as other mask types (such as a nasal mask or - if all else fails - a full face mask). Some like the nasal pillows and others find them irritating and prefer a nasal mask. Also, don't be overfly worried about a gender appropriate mask.

_________________
MachineMask
Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max

CurlyG
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:48 pm

Re: Newbie first week on Cpap

Post by CurlyG » Sat Apr 14, 2018 4:34 pm

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I’ll try to wear the mask during the day with no pressure to try to get more used to the feeling of the “alien”. Interestingly last night I made it over 4 hours with normal CPAP usage, but I credit the 6mg Ambien I took at 1pm after having insomnia. I didn’t wake until after 5am.