how to sleep with mask on.

[Linda Kay]

I go to bed with it on and lay there for hours without going to sleep. Anyone have any ideas so that I can sleep.

[qmx]

Are you going to bed too early. I am a new "user" (6 weeks) and sometimes lay for 1/2 hour, sort of assessing things, then I fall asleep. Did you just start cpap? DEAN

[Linda Kay]

Are you going to bed too early. I am a new "user" (6 weeks) and sometimes lay for 1/2 hour, sort of assessing things, then I fall asleep. Did you just start cpap? DEAN

I lay for hours at a time. I have never had any luck keeping in on so now I am trying nasal pillows, but I still can not sleep. I do not go to bed until 11 and then have to get up at 6. I laid awake until 2:30 and then finally took off the mask.

[BlackSpinner]

Please fill out your profile with the details of your equipment. There are hundreds of masks and dozens of types of machines.

One of the things that we recommend is to sit around the house and watch TV or read a book with your mask and machine on. Get your body/mind used to it and that you won't die wearing that alien on your face.

[hyperlexis]

What's the problem you that is keeping you up?

The noise? The air pressure? Does the mask hurt or have pressure points?

If you can pinpoint the concern, you can work on eliminating it. Some masks are just uncomfortable or have loud vents. For other people, its other issues. Definitely do practice with the mask before sleeping to get adjusted. There are some good videos with tips on the manufacturers' websites.

If you really have insomnia, ask your md for a tranquilizer prescrition to get you over the initial hump starting cpap. At the end of the day you need to sleep one way or another.

[chunkyfrog]

Many of us need to try several masks before we find one agreeable enough to wear all night.
If you register and fill out your equipment (text preferred), someone here may be able to give specific advice.
If anxiety is keeping you awake, it may help to wear the mask (with machine running)
while you are reading or watching TV. You want wearing your mask to feel "normal".
Give it a chance, it will happen.

[49er]

I go to bed with it on and lay there for hours without going to sleep. Anyone have any ideas so that I can sleep.

Hi Linda Kay,

As one who can fall asleep quickly but not be able to stay asleep, I greatly empathize. The problem as I have discovered is that sleep problems can be due to a million things and we are ones who are going to have figure it out.

I agree with Hyperlexis about trying to pinpoint the concern. As one who troubleshooted technical issues first (mine was finding the right pressure), I would start there and follow his advice.

Once that is taken care of, then I would try to come up with techniques for helping you not lay in bed for so long. For some, meds might be the answer and for others, it could be something like sleep restriction therapy that you might want to google.

Or you could try thinking outside the box and perhaps do some intensive exercise if you're in a position to do so. I know the experts say not to exercise right before bed but I have found in trying to troubleshoot my own issues, that sometimes, you have to go against the grain.

And you could also see if relaxing CDs might help.

Good luck.

49er