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Hi just started a nasal mask day14. Having trouble adjusting, last night was better had the mask on almost 2 hours, but not sure if I slept at all Right now I hate going to bed and that is causing anxiety with the mask. I know it takes time. The nasal mask seems to slip a bit when I try to go to my side. are the pillow masks any better?

Why are you not able to adjust? The effect is anxiety and poor sleep, got that but what is the specific issue that is making you not like wearing the nasal mask?

Hi Anniem, Is the mask is slipping perhaps your headgear is not adjusted correctly. Usually not too tight but not too loose works best. Is the mask leaking as a result of slipping? Some people with anxiety like nasal masks because they feel like there is less on their face.

I feel confined after a bit with feeling it under my nose and my anxiety level goes up making me not sleep. I don't like the feel of the rubber.

A full face mask takes the mask from directly under your nose. That might help. If you have anxiety, you will not be keen to put a mask on and even if you talk yourself into it, when you do get to sleep, will have a tendency to want to pull it off. Perhaps talking to your medical supply place and explaining your issue with the nasal mask would help and they could recommend alternatives.

Well I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea back in 01' but it was only listed as mild as I only slept for about 30 mins during the entire sleep study (to much stuff hooked up to me and it was like 80 degrees in the room). Anyway, over the years I've gained a few extra lbs (about 20 lbs over weight) and I noticed that I've become so tired over the last few years I just can't seem to stay awake whenever I sit for more than a few mins anywhere. So I went to my current doctor and she ordered a sleep study a few weeks ago. Finally got my results and my AHI level was 74.9. I asked is that bad and she said 30 and up is really bad so I'm guessing I'm in pretty bad shape as far as my breathing during my sleep. So fast forward to today, I just slept for my 3rd night in a row with my cpap machine, I have a Phillips Dreamstation with a Amara View mask and for what it is I really seem to be doing fairly well adjusting to it. The first night it was set to 4 and ramp up to 10. I didn't sleep to well that night as I kept waking up seeing if it was still sealed properly and it always was. My levels the first night dropped to 38.7 and the next night I did much better sleeping even though my level went up a point. Well last night I sleep all night and my level is now down to 27.5 so it seems to be working. I will be working with a "sleep coach" who my doctor said will be watching the levels and adjusting the pressure as needed. I hope I continue to do this well sleeping with it as I woke up this morning actually feeling like I had slept!!

Welcome to the site Austintsi! Glad to hear that you made it to a second study as the AHI is very high. Looks like initial therapy is moving your health in the right direction. You will get used to the Amara View mask. I am using one of these masks as well. You may feel some exhaust air as the exhaust holes are fairly close to your face and point upwards towards your eyes and my feel like leaks initially.

Sounds like your "sleep coach" will help a lot in getting the best out of your equipment. My suggestion would be to self-educate as best you can by reading and searching and asking questions so you can be best prepped to work with this person. The one thing that will help pinpoint the effectiveness or issues with your therapy is to get some feedback. On my ResMed machine, the machine sends some basic into via cell tower to ResMed and I can then look at the results via a web app every day and compare the results for a two week period. Don't know if the Dreamstation has a similar report facility. If it doesn't, look up the Sleepyhead software package so you can review your therapy by the numbers on your computer.

While your AHI has improved, there still seems to be room for improvement and I suspect that mask leaks are the reason the AHI number is even lower. The positive pressure from your machine is intended to keep your airway open mechanically. If it isn't doing this 100 percent, then the main cause is mask leaks which the software can monitor. Good luck and hang in there, these things generally get worked out after a period of adjustment.

Thanks wiredgeorge for the info and encouragement.

Hey you all, I am very new to sleep apnea forums. Tell me if I screw up. I joined to find out some tips that might benefit me in my quest to sleep all night. Damn it's hard to get your mind straight when you feel like hell. I slept better last night and my muscles are not as sore. I rolled over on my back and nobody slapped the $h!? Out of me 😀

Hello to everyone! I am new to the site and just recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I am a 34 y/o wifeand momma. I've had my machine for about five days now and I am still trying to get use to it. I'm glad I found this group and have somewhere to post with those that understand. I also have fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, and IBS.

Welcome! Being part of a group like this can help you get around some snags some of us figured out the ol' hard way hehe If you have any questions or comments or are looking for help of any sort, just holler... remember our best advice will be more towards apnea issues or the equipment and probably not the other things although my wife has fibromyalgia and she is a first rate amateur doctor!

Hi I have been on cpap for about 3 years and yes there was a "time it took to get used to it " but i did and use it plus 95% I also have stage 3 copd and just started using ox to walk 200 feet ok it helps but if I get a good 8 hours on my cpap I have no need for the supplemental oxygen for a large part of the day

That is super PPBC3995! By the way, you can change your somewhat cumbersome username by clicking the icon to the left of the search icon at the top of the page. If you learned to get used to the therapy, share with others as getting used to CPAP seems to be a pretty common issue!

New here also, I get very low quality sleep even with my CPAP machine. I recieved my machine from Apria who has never read the SD card in my machine. Should that be read? Hope to get a better nights sleep someday. Worry that it affects my work and life. Thanks for any input. JDL

Welcome... FRW1932... I received my machine from Apria and that was the last I have seen them. The Resmed machine I received sends back data daily and I can view it at myair.resmed.com. There is a modem that talks to a cell phone tower that sends the info in. I am not even sure where the SD card is located. If you want to self monitor using more in-depth software, you will need to get some "sleepyhead" software and download it to your computer and then learn how to use the SD card to transfer the info.

Hi, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in December 2016. I started using my machine on January 12, 2017. I am a newbie. My machine is a AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her made by ResMed and I am using the AirFit P10 for Her mask made by ResMed. I have been doing okay with it but haven't really seen a lot of improvement in my energy level/fatigue. How long does it take to see results? Just wondering...weeks, months....

Hello Everyone, I use my CPAP machine every night. But I still wake very exhausted and am not sure why? The provider that supplied me with the machine I have a RESMED 9 does not want to read the data on the SD card supplied with it. Not sure if that would give me info as to why I am still so tired and wake up shaky in the morning or at night. Thanks for any reply JD

JD, A Resmed machine sends data via cell tower link to Resmed and this data is displayed to those who sign up at myair.resmed.com. If you monitor this data, you can see AHI and leak rate info. If you AHI is still high and leaks rates as well (which may be causing the AHI) you can see this info and start correcting the problem yourself. I wouldn't rely too much on your equipment provider as they sometimes are not very responsive after handing over the equipement. Good luck and let us know how therapy goes.

Hi, I am a fist timer to this website. My machine is Resmed AirSense 10 Auo Set for Her and I have been using an AirFitf10 full face mask for 7 months after havin 2 sleep studies which indicated extreme shallow breathing when asleep. I have persistent afib which is controlled by medication and my Cardiologist requested the sleep study. My machine shows I am doing great every night, 7-8 hours usage, good seal, low AHI etc. I always felt good and still do. I use the machine humidifier but I have very dry lips which crack. Using Vaseline on lips and my nose. Is anyone else experiencing this? My pressure is at 9. Seeing my Sleep Doc in 2 weeks.

Welcome and glad to hear therapy is working for you. I experienced extreme dry mouth and treated the symptoms and not the cause. Had air leaks caused by my lower lip coming out of the bottom of the mask a bit and this caused my water tank to dry up, after filling, in only a few hours. I did all sorts of things like Biotene and such. Learned to keep my jaw from drooping as I slept which kept my mouth fully inside the mask and now have no dry mouth at all. Not saying this applies to you but it is my experience. I have a feeling your sleep doc will tell you to turn the humidity up, etc. and that just wasn't an answer for me. My leak rate was terrible (therapy worked great) and yours is OK so can't off much else but I will say that there is a good chance the sleep doc will not be helpful with this issue. Best figure it out yourself... How is your humidity adjusted? How long will a full tank of water last? Does your water heat any?