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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 18, 2009 at 5:28pm

I will try to help if you can provide some additional information on why you are having trouble adjusting.

How long have you been on the machine?

What is your pressure setting? Do you use the ramp feature?
Which nasal mask are you using? I need a name if you can find it.
Do you use the humidifier? What setting is it at?
Is your mask leaking?
Is you mask irritating you and if so where?
Have you tried other masks?
If so which ones?

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Permalink Reply by Judy on January 20, 2009 at 10:28pm

Comment by Barb on January 18, 2009 at 8:58am
Since September with my machine and mask I have not been able to keep it on the entire night. It drives me crazy, but I am crazy without it. YIKES what am I to do

SleepyCarol has asked you some questions we really do need the answers to if we are to provide any assistance at all.

However, I'm going to venture one suggestion that might help. Try putting your mask on, turning your CPAP on and sitting down to read a book or magazine, do a crossword or jigsaw puzzle, crochet or knit, or just watch TV during the day or early evening when you aren't thinking about or hung up on "I've got to get to sleep". Just get used to the feel and the experience of the mask and pressure while your mind is occupied w/other matters.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Smith on January 22, 2009 at 8:29am

I can't get used to my cpap either. I have tried the full mask, nose mask and now have nasal pillows. I think my maching is outdated and I need to update to a new machine. One that the pressure stops when breathing out. I also think my pressure is set too high.

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Permalink Reply by The SleepGuide Crew on January 22, 2009 at 12:18pm

one recommendation: the Respironics M-Series with A-Flex. It's an auto-adjusting CPAP with full data capability. Just as important, it offers a feature called A-Flex, which is essentially pressure relief on exhalation (and some on inspiration) --- if you crank up the A-Flex to its top setting (3), it should help you settle in and get used to cpap treatment. in terms of masks, you might look into the swift LT nasal pillows system, one of the newest around from ResMed. By the way, we at SleepGuide have no interest whatsoever in either of these companies. Just talking from experience. Keep us in the loop on what you decide and we'll help you as you encounter difficulties.

Jeff Smith said:

I can't get used to my cpap either. I have tried the full mask, nose mask and now have nasal pillows. I think my maching is outdated and I need to update to a new machine. One that the pressure stops when breathing out. I also think my pressure is set too high.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on January 22, 2009 at 3:18pm

The new Resmed S8 II AutoSet w/EPR also offers the expiration pressure relief in APAP or CPAP mode and can be used as a straight CPAP or as an at-home auto titration device.

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Permalink Reply by Cliff on January 22, 2009 at 5:58pm

I am relatively comfortable with my cpap in the mild parts of the year but in winter I have a problem. I sleep with the window open and in Wisconsin in January to March that can get pretty cold. My problem is that the air coming from the cpap is so bitterly cold that it freezes my nose. The only thing I have come up with is to put the cpap in a cardboard box and rest a heating pad over it to warm the air enough to make it tolerable. My concern is that this may not be good for the cpap device itself. I have checked the device several times and it seems to be no more than warm to the touch so I hope I am doing no damage.
Anyone have any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 22, 2009 at 6:43pm

Cliff you might want to check out the Aussie Heated Hose. It is expensive but many people rave about it.

http://www.sleepzone.com.au/showitems.asp?heading1='SleepZone%20Heated%20CPAP%20Tube'

It is suppose to help with the cold air.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Pegg on January 22, 2009 at 8:02pm

I may get chastized for this, but my recommendation would be to use something the first few nights to help you sleep deeper. Try something like benadryl, and if that doesnt work, move up the chain.

I found that with mine, it took about 3 days, and I was good to go. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!

Jason

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Permalink Reply by Mike on January 23, 2009 at 4:05pm

Jason, not to encourage people to medicate themselves unnecessarily, but i think that conceptually, this is a good idea --- the first few days with CPAP are critical, and anything you can do to be kind to yourself and sort of ease your way in is going to make likelihood of success higher.

Jason Pegg said:

I may get chastized for this, but my recommendation would be to use something the first few nights to help you sleep deeper. Try something like benadryl, and if that doesnt work, move up the chain.

I found that with mine, it took about 3 days, and I was good to go. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!

Jason

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