I read the "newbie post" but didn't see anything on there about this. I am 2 days into wearing my CPAP. Please tell me it gets better!!!! I toss a lot and the mask seems like it doesn't get a good suction and then makes vibrating noises on my face. When I get up finally in the morning.....I feel like I have had someone blow into my chest and mouth for hours like my breath is taken away....its a weird sensation to feel and hard to explain other than that. Honestly, I feel more exhausted right now than ever before! I keep it on but am definitely not comfortable all night.....
This is the mask I have which I wore on the 2nd sleep study to be fitted. http://www.thecpapshop.com/fisher-paykel-simplus-full-face-mask-with-headgear.
Jessica
The elephant on your chest is the result of the positive air pressure making your muscles work a bit harder. Believe it or not, you will get used to it. The good suction and vibration issue is common with a full face mask. The fitter seldom gets the mask cushion size right and your mask is LEAKING. I bet the rude noises it makes and the air in your eyes make getting used to the CPAP therapy a tad difficult. I personally never had any chest muscle soreness as i had an extensive athletic background but it is a common complaint. As far as the mask, you are now about to begin your journey into the exciting game of "find the right mask size and type". You haven't yet. If you want to make that Simplus more comfy, start using mask pads. Here is an example:
Once you see one of these mask pads you will realize that they are cut out roughly in the shape of your mask cushion and STOP the air leaks and noises. This will be a major improvement. I started with a Simplus mask several years ago and can use this mask (once I figured out I didn't need a Large cushion but a medium) and used the pads. I would use the same pad for about a week and then toss it in a pile and my missus would put the used pads in a cloth sack and run them through the washer/drier... I then found that other masks just work better and are not so cumbersome and after some experimentation found the Amara View. It is vastly more comfortable than the Simplus and didn't require pads to make it work. The right size cushion here is also the key.
Keep your head up and ask questions and learn from the blunders of others so you don't have to go the CPAP trip blind! You are the best captain of your own therapy! Good luck.
I have been at this for 2 months now and I can tell you that while I still have my "moments" of difficulty, it has gotten easier to deal with overall. I started out with a full face mask but am currently using just the nasal pillows, which for me, made a world of difference. I could not tolerate having a mask over my face at all. You might find that something less cumbersome might work better for you, but I think no matter what you use, in the beginning it is a struggle to try and sleep with any sort of apparatus on your face because it just isn't natural. In my situation, my insurance requires a minimum usage of 4 hours per day in order for them to keep paying my machine, so, for several weeks I spent about half of that time wearing it while watching TV or reading because I could not yet get thru 4 hours of actual sleep using it. That has almost resolved itself now though as I find I can wear it for a much longer time when I am in bed now. I average a good 7 hours per night now with maybe 5 1/2 to 6 hours of that time where I am actually sleeping. I totally get where you are now, I never thought I'd ever get even to where I am now when I first started...... Persevere Jessica, you will get through this......
Thank you so very much for feedback. 3 days into it now and finally last night I slept (maybe from pure exhaustion) about 5 hours without issues. I am a mouth breather so they said no nose pillow masks for me. However, I am allowed 2 try to more masks within 30 days per my insurance. I think I am definitely going to look into the mask pads to see if they work. My face tends to be oily and I rarely (i know this is so bad) take my makeup off at night.
You are definitely going to need to get in the habit of cleaning your skin before going to bed. I've found the easiest thing for me is to use the makeup remover wipes. I just keep them on the table next to my CPAP and use them right before going to bed. I'm also a mouth breather and have very oily skin as well. I could never get a good seal with a full face mask so I use a nasal mask and a chin strap. I still have random nights with more leakage and notice that I have to clean my face during the night to stop it (I just take a tissue and wipe off the excess oil). I did just ask my doctor to add liners to my prescription, so we'll see how much they help.
But as for the rest of it, yes you will get used to it.
i started developing a pressure sore at top of my nose so i cut a piece of a soft cloth and put in on the bridge - that seems to help.
HOWEVER...... the past 2 days I have been in incredible pain from trying to burp an expel gas in anyway possible. Its 2am here and I should be asleep but im trying to walk or move to alleviate this gas that I feel inside. HELP!! i dont know all the lingo but my setting is 10 with a 5 ramp?
And lastly, i feel like my fingers are also bloated and somewhat stiff in the morning. Never had anything like that before and no other health issues.
I thought folks were nuts when they reported a belly full of air. Until it happened to me once.... Pain woke me and when I sat up there was a mighty volcano of air from my gut that came out. It is from air going down the wrong pipe and I have no idea why it happened or what can be done to mitigate this but it is for real. I didn't have any problem "alleviating the gas" as you put it so can't help with that. Don't think your machine settings are a cause and the finger bloating and nose sore need to be dealt with. I wear an Amara View full face that covers my mouth and fits up against the bottom of my nose so no bridge of nose soreness. You might want to look for this type mask. Let you in on a secret; a mouth breather isn't fixed by wearing a full face mask. You will have your jaw sag when it relaxes and your chin will go downwards and the lower edge of the mask will end up in your mouth. I correct his by using a boil and bit mouth guard which prevents the jaw from sagging and others use a chin strap and some tape their mouth. With a pressure of 10, you might be candidate for a nasal or nasal pillows mask if you can get the mouth closed all night.
Amazon sells chin straps. There are different types (tension and width) and they work for some and not some much for others. Therapy is a game of discovery for what works for you! I have found a combo that works well for me but if you tried the same things, they may not work. Just don't feel afraid to experiment.
I am also a mouth breather and they told me I need a full face mask. I found that I did fine with a nasal pillow mask with chin strap. I use a CareFusion PureSom ruby adjustable chin strap. It works great for me. I found full face masks tended to spring leaks when turning from side to side while I sleep.
