Learning To Sleep With Tons Of Stuff On Your Head

[stevesleep]

First night I fell asleep for a few hours with the cpap machine however my jaw/mouth opens.

Second night trying a CPAP machine ever.

I tested trying to sleep with: nasal pillows, caldera releaf neck rest, mouth tape.

I couldn't fall asleep for like 4 hours with all of that on so I gave up, took off everything, and slept normally as I needed to get some sleep in.

The neck thing in particular was uncomfortable because it makes your neck position be very 90 degrees which is not how I naturally sleep with my head position.

Being able to sleep with all of this stuff on, is it just a case of you keep trying each night and eventually you will get used to it?

[cdplatt]

I'd forego the neck rest for now since you're using tape. Just use your comfy pillow - hopefully not too lofty.  Your brain has a lot to adjust to - introduce as few changes as possible.  Wear your gear during some daylight periods - napping.  Relax. 

Try taking .25 to 1 mg of melatonin when you bed down for the night to assist falling asleep while your brain adjusts.

And - take the stuff off to catch up on sleep.  It takes time.

[stevesleep]

Gotcha yeah so maybe it was a bit much adding at once, no wonder my brain was like what the hells going on lol

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

It takes time to adapt to it. If you try it and need to take something off, or even take a night off from using CPAP, that is fine. You have spent a good portion of your life sleeping with apnoea. Expecting a cure overnight is unrealistic and guaranteed to fail. 

Another important point is that CPAP does not miraculously solve all sleep problems. It may solve sleep apnoea problems, but that is only one piece of a very complex subject. For many of us our sleep hygiene is poor and needs to be addressed at the same time.

[Big Guy]

Yes, it takes most people some time to adapt. For whatever reason, I wasn't one of them. From the very 1st night of CPAP Therapy, I was able to sleep with my mask on all night long. For that, I'm grateful.

The therapy itself can take quite a while to show any positive results. I received my machine in Sept. of 2018. I used it for a few years, then took a good 2 years hiatus from it. 

I'm dealing with some AFIB issues and my doctor told me he wanted me back on CPAP. I've been back on it now for a few months. For the most part, I'm having good nights and #'s. But, like last night, I was on it for about 2 hrs. or so, and took my mask off and went back to sleep. My mask was irritating my face. I'm thinking that I might have shaved too close prior to going to bed. 

Anyways, it's an on-going process and it tends to be different for everyone. What I have found, is that the longer you keep at it, the easier it becomes. 

[Deborah K.]

You only need a neck collar if you have positional apnea.  If you post an Oscar chart we will be able to see whether you even need it.  We can also help you adjust settings to help you attain your best therapy and comfort.

And yes, it takes most people some time to adjust to having a foreign object stuck to their face, straps on their head, and air blowing up their nose.  It's a big change, but it will eventually all feel normal. Good luck!