First Night with CPAP...please tell me it gets better - Sleep Disorders Message Board

RedMan1972 · 07-10-2008, 06:43 AM

Ok...after my sleep study I found I have on average 69 episodes per hour so I needed a CPAP machine. Got it yesterday (insurance doesn't pay but that's another story). Last night was horrible. I laid down, sleepy at 10 PM and didn't fall asleep to well after 2AM. Does it get any better? Here were my issues...if it helps I have a Respironices REMstar Pro M Series DS200HS

1. The noise of the machine...will I get use to the noise of the machine? Granted it's not terribly loud but I'm used to silence when I sleep. You know how it is when you pick up and notice something. All of a sudden it's magnified more than you think.
2. The humidifier....it guess it's condensation but I every once in a while I would feel a drip or something splash.

I don't know what to think. Just please tell me it gets better. My body feels fine but my eyes are about to shut for an additional five hours.

bethsheba · 07-10-2008, 01:50 PM

Redman,

It does get better. For some of us it gets better and better and better. For others, there are other options than a cpap.

For those of you have have read my posts, please forgive me for repeating myself...but the first time I slept with my cpap, I slept with my mask on upside down. Needless to say, it took me several months to get the right masks, and the right fit. But those were my issues. It sounds like noise is an issue with you.

It make take some time to get used to the noise of the machine...but if you don't, you can get a different model, use a longer hose, use some "white noise" to cover the sound of your little machine. Perhaps others have some ideas as well.

If you've got condensation,your machine may be positioned higher than your hose, your humidfier setting may need adjustment, or the air in your immediate environment is cold and your hose needs a "cozy"....but check with your Durable Equipment Supplier as they should be able to help with these things...alas, some are better than others like everything else.

It may take some tweaking, redman...but chances are you didn't develop apnea overnight...so give the "cure" a chance.

Bethsheba

slipperyslope · 07-11-2008, 05:36 AM

LOL. I remember my first night with my mask. It was DREADFULL. First of all I did not no it but I am a mouth and nose breather and the original mask I bought was a nasal pillow that only went into my nostrils. I felt like I was suffocating b/c I don't breath through my nose all the time, I CRIED, I threw the thing across the room and eventaully took it off and the next day I exchanged it for a full face mask. It than took at least a few weeks for me to get used to that, I had to find that " sweet spot " that is just right and that took me a few months. I hate the water that would drip into my eyes and it was constant so I turned off my humidiefier. i really didn't feel I needed it so i stopped using it for a few months. Now that I am using it again, I just keep it turned down low and I no longer have that dripping into my face, that was awful so try turning it down to a lower level.

It takes awhile to ger used to the sound of the machine and the mask. It is not an easy time and you just have to be patient. here I am 8 months later and I love my mask and I sleep like a baby and am as quite as a church mouse. I don't snore at all and I sleep beautifully now. and I also require only 5-6 hours of sleep vs 8-10 hours a night. I am a new person and my husband is so grateful to not have to listen to my snoring all night long. He used to role me all night long and that would wake me up and bug the heck out of me, I also was gasping for air all night long and not sleeping well at all. Once you get dialed in with your mask and your equipment you will sleep great, it just takes a long time to adjust to it. I also tried 3 mask's before I found the right one for my face. make sure you buy insurance so you can return it and get a different type. I ordered mine online and the web site has a measurment feature and you measure your face and nose and it reccomends mask's for you, it also was not very expensive. I AM SO glad my Dr reccomended this site b/c this company I use is top notch and they have helped me a lot.

good luck and hang in there, its a big adjustment and you have to give it time. In the beginning I didn't use my mask all night, i would use it a few hours at a time. I went through pressure sores on my face from it being to tight and I had weird marks on my face from it, now I have it set just right and don't have any more sores or soreness on my face. but in the beginning that is normal to have soreness.

bethsheba · 07-11-2008, 11:50 AM

Slippery,

Thoroughly enjoyed your post as it brought back many memories, some not so good lol.

I, too, have found a wonderful site where I order my equipment at a CONSIDERABLE savings ($9.99 versys $75.00 for an identical piece of new equipment)....but I might add that until one finds equipment that is tolerable and effective, it may be worthwhile to use the resources/expertise of a local durable equipment provider.

Bethsheba

The Roadrunner · 05-24-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethsheba

Slippery,

Thoroughly enjoyed your post as it brought back many memories, some not so good lol.

I, too, have found a wonderful site where I order my equipment at a CONSIDERABLE savings ($9.99 versys $75.00 for an identical piece of new equipment)....but I might add that until one finds equipment that is tolerable and effective, it may be worthwhile to use the resources/expertise of a local durable equipment provider.

Bethsheba

Can you please give me the name of that website where you ordered your equipment, I don't need to buy anything at the moment because I'm on a trial, but when that's over, I'll have to get a machine, and mask.