03-16-2020, 05:25 PM
Not Able To Sleep At All
Hello, so I am a new CPAP user. I was told I have moderate sleep apnea and I have had my machine for almost 2 weeks.
In these 2 weeks, I have fallen asleep maybe once or twice for a very short time (I could only tell I fell asleep because of pressure changes.) Otherwise, I am not sleeping at all. I am really trying to give it a chance, but usually by 6-8am I take it off in order to get at least some sleep. I am lucky that I am doing this while I am unable to work.
Really struggling. Does anyone have suggestions?
RE: Not Able To Sleep At All
Can you be more specific about what is causing your discomfort? Pressure, leaks, claustrophobia, irritation from the mask......? We would like to help ypu but will need more information. The only suggestion I can make now is to wear the mask and run the machine while awake reading or watching TV to become more accustomed to it.
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RE: Not Able To Sleep At All
More details will help. It is likely to get better. I am new to this as well (3.5 weeks). 1st 3 nights were very strange and only short periods of sleep. As suggested, practice while awake. If tired during day, try it for a nap. Don't go to bed until you are really tired so perhaps easier to ignore the apparatus and fall asleep. Certainly seems fine to me to take things off within 2 hours if you have not fallen asleep so that you are not associating therapy and equipment with being sleepless, also important to get > 4 hours of sleep at night so you can function.
For me getting right humidity setting helped a lot so I didn't have such a dry mouth. Reading success stories here was motivating and none of them slept like a baby from the get go.
Hang in there, it will get better, and people on this forum are very knowledgeable and helpful so you are in good hands that will guide you through the process.
While I haven't done it, my son suggested that I consider a time release melatonin supplement to make getting to sleep and staying asleep easier.
For me, it is all starting to feel like 2nd nature, and more important is that I have alot more energy.
