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+--- Thread: First three weeks (/Thread-First-three-weeks)
RE: First three weeks - Big Guy - 06-20-2024
I started CPAP Therapy in Sept. of 2018. From the very 1st night, I had no issues or problems at all. Everything went as well as it should have.
I was in LE for 30 years and we had gas mask training a couple of times a year. I served in the military and we used gas masks as well.
I'm a life long motorcycle rider and have always worn a full-faced helmet, in the dirt and on the street. I have to assume that helped me to a great degree in regards to having some thing right in front of my face.
Give it some time, and if you can't do a full night with a mask on, then don't worry about it. Take it off, if it gets to the point of being bothersome. Those full nights will come eventually. It just takes some more time than others.
I took a good two year hiatus from CPAP Therapy. I just recently went back on it about a month or so ago, as I have some AFIB issues I'm working thru.
I only had my mask on last night for 4.5 hours and then I took it off. I had washed the headgear well and the straps shrunk, making the cushion fit too tight. I didn't feel like dealing with it in the middle of the night, so off came the mask. It felt okay when I first went to sleep, but it became an issue as the night wore on.
Anyways, I'm no expert on the matter, but from what I have seen since becoming a member on this fine forum, is that everyone takes to it a bit differently. Some struggle more than others. But......time seems to overcome most obstacles.
RE: First three weeks - daBee - 06-20-2024
Ya I've had full nights but it has become a real bother recently. I'm looking forward to tonight and the new elevated pressure. I chose 9 cm.
RE: First three weeks - Big Guy - 06-20-2024
The proper mask can make a huge difference. I started out with a ResMed AirFit F20 and was fine with it for the longest time. Once the AirFit F30 came out, I tried it and found it to be even better than the F20.
I've heard others talk positively about the F40 and I will order it the nest time I'm due for new supplies which will be in a couple of months.
RE: First three weeks - daBee - 06-21-2024
Fell asleep without it last night. Heh.
RE: First three weeks - daBee - 06-21-2024
Well, set to 9, I had a nap. Had to turn it down to 8 because my mouth was burping. I guess that's normal. Tonight should be the big test.
RE: First three weeks - daBee - 06-22-2024
And back to 7. It was leaking through my mouth today.
RE: First three weeks - daBee - 07-07-2024
Well, it's come to that time when I can rarely use this thing. It bothers me and keeps me awake. I have an assessment next week to the titration, but it doesn't seem like it will mean anything as I simply cannot sleep with this head vice. It looks like surgery might be in order.
RE: First three weeks - daBee - 07-09-2024
So had my second sleep study and waited this long to get results. He asked me what pressure I was currently using, and I said "8 cm now". He said "that's optimal for you". So it moved nowhere. I find it difficult to use this thing. I talk about it in forums and people keep telling me to get a different mask. It isn't the mask. The mask fits. My numbers are < 5 AHI. I get claustrophobic and I'm finding myself with my mouth open at times, with this machine blowing my brains out. Hugely frustrating. I don't get a good night's sleep. My schedule is now inverted, which isn't new. Frustrating.
I had my first coffee today at 12:30 in about 2 months. My sleep doctor didn't know how much it would affect me to be having coffee in my system, even at 7am. Half life of caffeine is 6 hours. I don't know what threshold I have after 6 hours, if it affects me or not. I was told to chase an APAP system, but I have the Resmed Airsense Elite, which has auto-pressure, but not APAP. Even the sales chat guy on cpapsupply.ca didn't know. Seems I need to purchase the Autoset for APAP.
Is healthcare this difficult/frustrating everywhere?
RE: First three weeks - HalfAsleep - 07-09-2024
I turned my humidifier temp down and it eased my claustrophobia. Worth a try?
It turns out, the cooler air feels a lot less like suffocation.
FWIW claustrophobia is common when an anaesthesiologist places the mask on the face, and there is a lot of anxiety ahead of surgery on this detail. So, yep, not unusual at all.
RE: First three weeks - daBee - 07-10-2024
I will indeed give that a try. Great point.
Cheers