Unable to Fall Asleep with CPAP

[johnnva]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone had issues with falling asleep with CPAP and how you overcame it? I was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea almost 20 years ago and tried using a CPAP without any luck. I tried using a full face mask (as I'm a mouth breather) but could never fall asleep with it on. The rare times I have fallen asleep, I was able to sleep throughout the night, but that is extremely rare. I believe the problem is in my head, some sort of mental block where I'll lay in bed and feel like I'm right on the edge of falling asleep but am never able to. I'll lay there for over an hour before I get frustrated and take the mask off, shortly after I can fall asleep.
I'm beyond exhausted, I've had to call out of work and will end up sleeping 16 hours but feeling worse, in some sort of brain fog. I've read and tried the suggestions of "take a bath, relax, wear the mask during the day, but none of these have helped.
I'm at the point now where I may look into using the Inspire sleep aid (the implantable device) but I would rather be able to use the CPAP.
Has anyone been able to overcome this mental block and fall asleep regularly?

[Melman]

Welcome to the forum. It may be that your settings need to be adjusted. It's impossible to make recommendations without seeing data. I suggest to download  free OSCAR software from the link at the top of the page and post data from a period when you are able to sleep with the mask. You will need an SD card in the machine to collect data and a USB SD card reader if your PC doesn't have a slot. What are your pressure settings and what machine do you have?

Some find it helpful to use the machine while awake and reading or watching TV to become comfortable with the therapy. I suggest you try that.