First night of CPAP
Thanks :) My unit does have a disc or "download" as the nurse called it. I talked to them this morning and said the mask wasn't a great fit and they made some suggestions to try for tonight - so we'll see how it goes. But I think I may need to switch to a more comfortable mask. I've been playing around with it all day, trying to adjust the straps for less leaks etc, but it just feels too big for my face. And it's annoying that I can't wear my glasses as part of my bedtime routine is to read for a bit until I feel sleepy, so it would be nice to be wearing the mask while I'm reading and just naturally fall asleep like normal. But I guess I'll have to adjust!
I was not wild about the original mask for the same reason as you. I love to read before I go to sleep. I am not trying to push the nasal pillows but they do allow me to wear my CPAP and my glasses and read at bed time.
Your machine was off in the morning because it has an auto off setting when it is not being used for a certain period of time.
Good luck with your adjustments tonight.
I asked about nasal pillows when I called the drug store this morning and was told they are great, but they have to order some for me. So I'm just waiting on that shipment :) In the meantime I will just read a bit and then put the mask on. You'd think it wouldn't matter to put the mask on just before falling asleep but it does make a difference - last night just that tiny bit of movement and I was wide awake again.
Ah, makes sense that the machine turns off automatically. We will see how tonight goes. Thanks :)
Hi Katie M,
I bought a RedMed Quattro FX full face mask because I thought I mouth breathed. I think I do because if I let the water level in the humidifier get to empty, I get a very, very dry mouth when I wake up. I learned to love the feeling of waking up being rested for the first time in an awfully long time the very first night I used the machine.
Apparently, I was an unusual case, because I got over 5 hours with the mask on the first night, and was sleeping about 7 hours with it on after 6 or 7 days. A few times in the 16 months I've had the machine I've woken up with the mask off beside my face, and once with it half undone. More often if I wake up without it on, it's because I didn't think I was tired enough to fall asleep - but I was and did, or I'd gotten up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and had been too tired to remember to put the mask back on.
My psychiatrist said that about 200 cases of incurable depression were improved or even cured after they got a CPAP (he sees many, many patients at the TGH), also it is a fact that if you don't get enough restful deep sleep, you may gain weight. Certainly, after you get used to your machine and find a suitable mask, you'll have more energy and actually sleep a lot less, so you can do much more with your day.
I had to pretend I was Neil Armstrong on the moon, or a scuba diver wearing one of those full face masks that permit talking for the first week to get to sleep. That sounds silly, but it did work for me.
I can actually wear my glasses with my full face mask, but I'd have to hold the book directly in front of the glasses to read anything, so it's not very useful for reading yourself to sleep.
Good luck & sweet dreams.
Jenn. :)
I'm also a new CPAP wearer - just hit the two week mark.
I have a nose&mouth mask as well, as I'm a mouth breather.
I just can't fall asleep on my back. That's what I'm trying to figure a way out in doing. Thankfully I am able to roll over (on my stomach) and actually sleep with the mask on. It's rather tight so it doesn't cause leaks.
So far so good. Feeling a lot better when I wake up in the morning and I am not waking up multiple times in the middle of the night either. Back next week to see the Doc for a follow up.
I ended up getting the machine from the sleep clinic - from one of the vendors that are there during the day.
I'm starting to thnk I should have had a sleep test many years ago, instead of now, during my WLS pre-op journey.
Last night was my first night with the CPAP. It is a trial autobilation (I think its called). I try it for a week then take it back and they have a print out that they send to the specialist. Then he writes me a script.
I had no problem wearing it. I thought I would tho. But I can't say I didn't feel well rested today like i was told i would. I hope tonight is better.