How long does it take to adjust?

[AThom10731]

OK, I'd imagine this question is pretty common - How long does it take to adjust to CPAP?

I am claustrophobic and a light sleeper. It must be quiet or I toss and turn all night and do not sleep. I have severe allergies, breathe through my mouth and have constant nasal congestion so I chose the Liberty Mask with nasal pillows.

Any ideas on how to deal with the claustrohobia? I have had my unit for one week.

I pull my mask off before the ramp setting has time to complete the 45 minutes. I called the RT today and she said it will take approx two weeks and to give it time.

I am distracted by the noise (maybe due to the mask leaking and the machine). I have the feeling I will suffocate.

HELP!!!!

Grateful for any suggestions you have to offer.
)
Ann

[TheDreamer]

It varies....

You might try not using ramp or asking the RT for a shorter ramp time. I found the long ramp time annoying, and it was easier to just start at full pressure and work on breathing with that. Some nights there's a lot of conscious work to breath and block out the noise before I can fall asleep...other nights it isn't as bad, but it was a lot better feeling that I have to fight my machine to get more air because it is taking 45 minutes to ramp up to the pressure I need.

Because of how ramp was set, I only used it the first couple of nights.... it was about 2 weeks when I woke up one morning and it didn't feel like I had the mask on anymore....but it was there. RT told me this is often when patients come in saying that their machine has stopped working....

The Dreamer.

[N6CRV]

Hello, I have only been at it for just over a month. Still not really used to it. My main trouble has been the sore nose bridge. Just got a Liberty Mask today so hope that will help. I have found like TheDreamer said you might try not using the ramp. I found it helps with the feeling of being able to get a full breath. It does get better just not as fast as we would like.
Don

[congahands]

It must be quiet or I toss and turn all night and do not sleep.

Have you tried some sort or white noise? I sleep with an air filter purifying the air. I also have my machine in my headboard in a drawer that is cracked open enough to let in plenty of air.

I have severe allergies, breathe through my mouth and have constant nasal congestion so I chose the Liberty Mask with nasal pillows.

Any ideas on how to deal with the claustrohobia? I have had my unit for one week.

I pull my mask off before the ramp setting has time to complete the 45 minutes. I called the RT today and she said it will take approx two weeks and to give it time.

I am distracted by the noise (maybe due to the mask leaking and the machine). I have the feeling I will suffocate.

I would shorten your ramp time to 15 minutes (20 at the max).

I promise that you will not suffocate. But that probably doesn't help a whole lot. The machine is giving you the air that you need to live. Maybe you can think of it that way.

[nobody]

Everyone is different. Some adjust to it right away, others take a couple weeks and others can take months. The nasal congestion definitely isn't going to help you. I'd strongly suggest getting a neilmed squeeze bottle and do sinus rinses at least once a day, twice a day at first. Also some nasal steroid spray. Both of those things have helped me a lot and I can use my favorite mask (a nasal) more often. Once you get used to wearing the mask and sleeping better, the light sleeping should resolve itself.

[carbonman]

Grateful for any suggestions you have to offer. Ann

It may be time to step outside your routines and comfort zones,
and maybe leave them behind, for good.
Without consciously and deliberately enduring various kinds of discomfort,
you have little chance of changing your situation.
Depending on how sever your OSA is, what you preceived as sleep,
was probably, just tossing and turning. Now you have the mask and
machine to blame for the tossing and turning and no sleep.

Over come the claustrophobia slowly.
With your congestion problems, I would suggest a full face mask.
Google in-vivo-desensitization techniques.
It is a gradual process of over coming conditioned responses and fears.
You can create the steps that will take you to where you need to be.

In addition, reference your congestion problems,
I suggest you begin a practice of jala neti, nasal irrigation.

Lastly, learn to embrace the sound of your machine.
It is not noise, it is the sound of your new life.

These suggestions I am offering you are not easily accomplished.
I know.

Your story is my story.
My suggestions are my experiences.
I overcame all of these distractions through my desperation for some relief from the
chronic fatigue and pain I had lived w/for years.
It is pointed out here time and time again, that the discomfort of
the cpap is, infact, small compared to the affects of OSA.

Become your own best therapist.

All the best as your cpap journey to your new life begins.

[yorkiemum01]

For myself personally.......it took about 4 weeks to 'adjust', and 3-4 months to reach the point
of slipping the mask on (with the help of my 3 drops of Pursleep) and think nothing of it.
In the beginning there seems to be alot of sensitivity issues, as well as allowing your brain
time to just adapt. Lots of people have mask problems, and you must remain patient with yourself.
It will get better....hang in there.

Have you considered using earplugs to help you through the transitioning process.

[SleepyInIndy]

In addition to a shorter ramp, check your starting ramp pressure. Many people find that a beginning ramp pressure of less than 7 is very difficult to breathe with. In time, you will probably find you do not need the ramp at all, but a decent starting point and a short ramp time will help for the first few weeks. Myself, a pressure of 9, abandoned the ramp within two weeks as wasted time.

The longer you have the machine, the less you notice the noise. It will become part of the background. In the mean time, the white noise suggestion will help take you mind off of it.

Understand, with time, effort, and most of all, a sense of humor both for the situation and yourself, it works.

[Julie]

Also try lowering the humidity level - it often causes congestion in people and leaving at e.g. 1 might help (I never use mine at all).

[kteague]

Hello and welcome. Among other things, getting used to this treatment involves 1) make sure the treatment is right, 2) make sure the mask is right, and 3) make sure the mindset is right.

1) Too low and too long a ramp was a problem early on for me too. Sounds like from what you describe you have a ramp issue to resolve.
2) Make take more than one try.
3) If 1 & 2 are right, it won't be AS hard to get used to. It is a matter of using it long enough for it to not feel foreign. Ever had dental work like a crown or new filling? For a while you are very aware of it, always running your tongue over it because it feels so "new". Then one day you realize you haven't noticed it for hours, then days, then ever. When I was titrated, I had to fight panic when they put the mask on me. I lost. Snatched it off, and the tech was trying to talk me down. With prayer and determination, I made it thru the rest of the split night study. What has changed with me is that I don't see the mask as something to endure, but as my assurance of not suffocating in my sleep.

Best wishes in a speedy adjustment.

Kathy

[m1k2s3]

Your story sounds so familiar to me. I've been on CPAP for almost 2 years now and in the beginning, I had a hard time adjusting. I have a nasal mask and I hated the feeling of "covering" my nose , feeling like I was suffocating and like you, I needed the room quiet and dark. Also, I have allergies to dust and airborne mould so my nose is either stuffed up or running like a faucet. So here's my suggestions.

The majority of the problems your experiencing can be fixed with a little tweaking here and there. As I see it, your biggest obstacle is the claustraphobia. I went through several nights of ripping the mask off, feeling like I was suffocating. So I tried wearing the mask at other times, while sitting reading or watching tv. I know it may sound wierd but I found the more I got used to wearing the mask, the easier it got to put it on before bed. This really is mind over matter. Spend some time with your mask on, machine running, wide awake, just to reassure yourself you can breathe with the mask on.

I agree with other posts re the ramp. My ramp time is 20 minutes and set to start at 4.5 and max at 9. In the beginning, I found myself lying there waiting to fall asleep and realized when my machine maxed at 9, Bingo! I could fall asleep. So I stopped using the ramp and now, I only use the ramp when I feel like it's going to take me a little while to fall asleep.

For my allergies, I use either a decongestant allergy pill or a steroid nasal spray, depending on how severe my symptoms are.

One thing to remember is, your body is used to a very specific sleep routine, one that has taken years to develop. Given time, your body will adjust to your new sleep routine.

Good luck and remember, as long as you continue to work on it, your doing great!