I just started CPAP Therapy a few weeks ago and really do not feel any better as a result of it.
There has not been one night where I have been able to sleep with the mask on without taking it off, however. I usually get about 4-5 hours of sleep with the mask and then wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep without taking it off. I then sleep for a few more hours before getting up for good.
I started off with a nasal mask but was waking up in the middle of the night with dry mouth. I then switched to a full face mask and that helped with the dry mouth but I still can not get through an entire night without waking up and having to take it off. It also takes quite a bit of time for me to fall asleep. I don't look at the clock but I'm probably awake at least an hour before falling asleep on most nights.
Do I need a new mask? They only gave me two to try. My insurance company would not pay for a lab study so they were not able to fit me with masks at the sleep center. They simply gave me the nasal mask and the full face mask to try.
I've spent 700+ dollars out of pocket on this equipment so I don't want to give up on it yet. Did other people have similar issues when they started?
I think you are making good progress on it. You are wearing the mask every night before removing it. You followed up with your provider regarding a dry mouth issue and received another type of mask. I have known many people that it took them quite awhile to get used to wearing the mask all night. Can you comment more on what you think is bothering you? You don't really describe why it takes you so long to fall asleep and why you wake up in the middle of the night and take it off. Is it the mask itself, is it getting used to breathing against the pressure? Ramp or flex feature may help if you are having issues with the pressure itself. A ramp is a period of time where machine will slowly build up to your set pressure, the idea being that it is more comfortable to you to fall asleep to and by the time your pressure it to the prescribed setting you would be asleep. A flex feature will help lower the pressure slightly upon exhaling, which some find to be more comfortable.
It wouild also be helpful to know the pressure your CPAP is running. This has some effect on the type mask that is most suitable. And I second the comment by Sleep... you stated you were taking the mask off but not why. Also, why do YOU feel it takes you a long to time to nod off? Anyway, therapy is generally a process for most folks and not something that makes changes like turning a light switch on and off.
Thank you for the responses!
It's always taken me a long time to fall asleep. I don't blame the CPAP machine/mask for this. It's always been hard for me to fall asleep. This has just made it a little worse because it is very hard to get comfortable.
The reason why I have been taking the mask off is because I don't think I can get back to sleep quickly after I've woken up. I figure that I have had a few hours of sleep with the mask on and I just want to go back to sleep right away. It could also have to do with the high level of air pressure that I am getting after I have fallen asleep, as has been mentioned.
That being said last night was the first night where I managed to wear the mask throughout the night. I did wake up a few times but I decided to keep the mask on to see if I could make it through an entire night with it on and I did fall back to sleep. I hope I have more nights like last night.
I looked at the ramp feature and it is on auto. I could not find a flex feature, however. From what I can see, I could turn the auto feature off and then manually change it to minutes. This could be done after I've woken up in the middle of the night. It would lower the pressure for 30 or so minutes and it's something I might try.
I just started on my Cpap on March8. 2017. I use the nasal pillows. I tried three mask during the night of my 2nd sleep study. The full face mask was too bulky and air leaks like crazy. The mask that covered my nose, that was a bad experience, felt like I was not able to breath after an hour. The nasal pillows work well so far. I do wake up with a dry mouth but I find when ( only a few times) when my mouth opens I can hear the air coming out which I immediately closed my mouth. I still wake with a dry mouth.
