Newbie questions about my first night (Just got my ResMed Air Sense 10)

10 years ago I was diagnosed as a 12 and last month I was put in the mild group as a 5-15. Yesterday after an hour of instruction I took home my new machine. Honestly I was looking forward to it. The lady told me that I was "one of the rare ones who actually want the machine".

Even though I'm not a severe case I still wake up at times with a feeling like my blood pressure is through the roof, my heart rate is up and my stomach is tight. So since I don't like those feelings, I want whatever can make those feelings go away. (I do take BP meds in the mornings and my BP is 118/69)

So I get the fancy new AirSense 10. I've already watched a dozen video's on Youtube. I get home and put the mask on (AirFit20) and watch tv. My system is set for 5-15 with delayed ramp up. I made it 39 minutes with my mask on and I could see my system would hit 9. I can't imagine 15. The force of air from 9 felt like it was shoving my tongue down my throat.

So I wore the mask going to bed but only last 45 minutes ( I was awake and afraid to fall asleep). Why? Because it felt like with the mask on after a few minutes I was becoming a chest breather. I couldn't relax and let my stomach/diaphragm do my breathing. I tensed up and just laid there. If I had a small leak and adjusted the mask WHOOSH came in the air from the hose. It felt like it was choking me with air. I got slightly panicked and tried to let it go, but I eventually took off the mask and slept without my new machine.

How do I NOT feel afraid of the air and relax? Someone said wear it in the evening watching tv and try to get used to it. I want this to work and I know my numbers are low compared to a lot of others I see in forums. Any ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Quick update after using my machine. The first night I couldn’t wear it more than an hour before taking it off. Now the second night I had it on all night and my score from ResMed MyAir was an 86. Which is good. However I felt like crap upon waking. I wear a FitBit watch that also keeps track of my sleep and I was lower in my light sleep and REM sleep WITH the CPAP on all night than when I don’t wear it. So I wore it again the next night. I woke up without my mask face down in my bed about 4:30am. I got up for 30 minutes before returning to bed and put the mask back on. Both morning I feel MORE tired after wearing the mask. I also have some discomfort. I guess I can only hope it gets better, because after a couple of days I’m not feeling better after waking.

What you describe, feeling more tired in the morning when first using CPAP, is common. Without going into great technical detail, it happens because your sleep cycles are adjusting to the change. It should pass with time. Hang in there.