Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike on March 1, 2009 at 9:22pm

Michael, I think that many, many people have that problem. I can think right away of my friend's dad, who is trouble shooting that very issue now. It's good, in a way, because before he wasn't able to use it at all. With my friend's dad, the issue seems to be that the mask dislodges from his face after he sleeps for awhile in different positions, and then leaks, causing him to shoo it off entirely. If you can give us more color on what's happening when the mask comes off, we can help you trouble shoot. Do you feel it leaking? Is the pressure too high for you to tolerate?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on March 2, 2009 at 7:57am

How long have you been using it? If you are fairly new to treatment that is very common.

One thing I can suggest is that try to increase the length of time that you do leave the mask on. Tell yourself that you will not sleep without it. Try to increase the time 15, 20, 30 minutes a night. Try wearing it during the day some, like watching television, with the machine either on or off. If you do not have the machine on, disconnect the mask from the main hose so that it is easier to breathe with it on.

Is the mask irritating you somewhere -- if it is then address that issue -- let us know what or how is irritating you.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Freligh on March 2, 2009 at 5:11pm

That is a good idea....wear it during the day some. I will try that.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joseph Barnes on March 2, 2009 at 8:56pm

Sounds like what I'm dealing with. I get the mask just right 3 or 4 hours later I have the air blowing in my eyes..
I can't get the mask to adjust correctly and end of pulling the mask really, really tight for a leakless period of
time (if I'm lucky) or snatching it off and throwing it in the floor for the remainder of the night..
I wonder sometimes if I'm ever going to get use to this thing.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike on March 2, 2009 at 9:53pm

Jeffrey Donaldson over in the New User Group just posted something which i found kind of inspiring. i'll copy it below in the hopes it can help some of you guys out:

"Hi all. I am new to this site, but have had sleep apnea for about 15 years now. Here is my story. Hopefully, this will help someone that is in the process of, or have been recently diagnosed.
I've used C-Pap for since 1995. My "Journey" to getting C-Pap was a 5 year ordeal. It started with just being constantly tired. Then I had a depressive episode in the fall of 1991. It lasted until I couldn't get out of bed one day the next June. I had to go on andidepressants. That made me feel better, but I knew that there was something still wrong. My best friend who was already using C-Pap, suggested that I get a sleep study and suggested his Doctor. I went for my first sleep study in 1993. He told me that I should be on C-Pap, but that my blood oxygen level had only fallen to 87% instead of 85%. (Thanks to a lifetime of not smoking and just damn good lung power) The GD insurance company wouldn't cover a C-Pap machine. Over the next two years I was tried on medication (Didn't really work) and a dental device to hold my lower jaw out and down. (My jaw ached and my teeth ached). None of that really did any good.
Finally in May of 1995, I had a sleep study that my blood oxygen level dropped to 85% and I qualified for a C-Pap machine. I went in for another sleep study a month later where I was tried on C-Pap. When I walked out of that lab the next morning, I felt like a cloud had been lifted that had hanged over me for years. Everything looked so sharp and clear, it's hard to discribe.
Over the next few months, I went through the usual adjustment period. I used the ramp function at first. I would wake up and find the mask off and I didn't remember how it got taken off. All the usual stuff of having to adjust to something strapped on to my face and head. Over time, I made the adjustment and I very quickly found out that this must have been the problem all along. My depression quickly went away for good. I threw away the pills and I haven't been depressed since. My heart palpatations disappeared, my hearburn and reflux improved and I didn't fight to stay awake at work every afternoon anymore. C-Pap was a godsend. I can't imagine being without it now. If for some reason I can't use it,(power outage) I feel like crap the next day.
I know that some people have a real hard time adjusting to it, but trust me, you can do it. The benifits are truely amazing. The damage that you are doing to your body, both what you can feel and a lot more that you can't by not doing anything about sleep apnea is life shorening. Getting on C-Pap may make certain other problems that you may have that you think have no relation to sleep apnea, suddenly go away. It is truely amazing the health benifits by getting on C-Pap and improving your health and longevity.
One more thing. I believe that more people need to use a chin strap than are given one. If you have a very dry mouth, or wake up to the sound of rushing air, then ask for a chin strap. It really does make a big difference.
Good luck.
Jeff D. "

Joseph Barnes said:

Sounds like what I'm dealing with. I get the mask just right 3 or 4 hours later I have the air blowing in my eyes..
I can't get the mask to adjust correctly and end of pulling the mask really, really tight for a leakless period of
time (if I'm lucky) or snatching it off and throwing it in the floor for the remainder of the night..
I wonder sometimes if I'm ever going to get use to this thing.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike on March 3, 2009 at 4:26pm

let us know if you've made any progress since before...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by rob on March 5, 2009 at 12:03am

i did at 1st im on # 7 on the mishine i can hit a buten on it and it take it doewn too a 4 then it brings it up slowle tho the nite .. i only had mine for a month

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by rob on March 5, 2009 at 12:09am

have u reyed a nother mack that same think happen 2 me and i got a nother one and it help a lot

Mike said:

Jeffrey Donaldson over in the New User Group just posted something which i found kind of inspiring. i'll copy it below in the hopes it can help some of you guys out:

"Hi all. I am new to this site, but have had sleep apnea for about 15 years now. Here is my story. Hopefully, this will help someone that is in the process of, or have been recently diagnosed.
I've used C-Pap for since 1995. My "Journey" to getting C-Pap was a 5 year ordeal. It started with just being constantly tired. Then I had a depressive episode in the fall of 1991. It lasted until I couldn't get out of bed one day the next June. I had to go on andidepressants. That made me feel better, but I knew that there was something still wrong. My best friend who was already using C-Pap, suggested that I get a sleep study and suggested his Doctor. I went for my first sleep study in 1993. He told me that I should be on C-Pap, but that my blood oxygen level had only fallen to 87% instead of 85%. (Thanks to a lifetime of not smoking and just damn good lung power) The GD insurance company wouldn't cover a C-Pap machine. Over the next two years I was tried on medication (Didn't really work) and a dental device to hold my lower jaw out and down. (My jaw ached and my teeth ached). None of that really did any good.
Finally in May of 1995, I had a sleep study that my blood oxygen level dropped to 85% and I qualified for a C-Pap machine. I went in for another sleep study a month later where I was tried on C-Pap. When I walked out of that lab the next morning, I felt like a cloud had been lifted that had hanged over me for years. Everything looked so sharp and clear, it's hard to discribe.
Over the next few months, I went through the usual adjustment period. I used the ramp function at first. I would wake up and find the mask off and I didn't remember how it got taken off. All the usual stuff of having to adjust to something strapped on to my face and head. Over time, I made the adjustment and I very quickly found out that this must have been the problem all along. My depression quickly went away for good. I threw away the pills and I haven't been depressed since. My heart palpatations disappeared, my hearburn and reflux improved and I didn't fight to stay awake at work every afternoon anymore. C-Pap was a godsend. I can't imagine being without it now. If for some reason I can't use it,(power outage) I feel like crap the next day.
I know that some people have a real hard time adjusting to it, but trust me, you can do it. The benifits are truely amazing. The damage that you are doing to your body, both what you can feel and a lot more that you can't by not doing anything about sleep apnea is life shorening. Getting on C-Pap may make certain other problems that you may have that you think have no relation to sleep apnea, suddenly go away. It is truely amazing the health benifits by getting on C-Pap and improving your health and longevity.
One more thing. I believe that more people need to use a chin strap than are given one. If you have a very dry mouth, or wake up to the sound of rushing air, then ask for a chin strap. It really does make a big difference.
Good luck.
Jeff D. "

Joseph Barnes said:

Sounds like what I'm dealing with. I get the mask just right 3 or 4 hours later I have the air blowing in my eyes..
I can't get the mask to adjust correctly and end of pulling the mask really, really tight for a leakless period of
time (if I'm lucky) or snatching it off and throwing it in the floor for the remainder of the night..
I wonder sometimes if I'm ever going to get use to this thing.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion