how does anyone sleep with these masks

[I_will_never_sleep_again]

I just started 5 days ago. I haven't been able to sleep more than 5 minutes with mask on. I think this will never work for me. I was looking forward to really sleeping, but now I have decided some bad sleep is better than no sleep.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Before I started I thought the same thing. I'm an extremely light sleeper who cannot tolerate things like lumps in pillows, etc. I also found a lot of advice online to be unhelpful, for example, to wear your mask as much as possible. For me the key was to not put the mask on until I am on the verge of sleep, and to start using it on a weekend.

To me, to only put the mask on when on the verge of sleep, associated the mask with sleep in my mind.

[AlanE]

I think just about everyone on this site has experienced the same thing. It is not natural to sleep with plastic covering half your face and all these things over and around your skull.. Please give it some time and you will get used to it. Some tips that others have done is to use the machine and wear the mask when you are awake watching TV or sitting up in bed reading a book. Not only will this help you to get used to the mask but will also count towards your compliance if you are currently under that condition.

[justMongo]

You may wish to try several masks. Setting Expiratory Pressure Relief (lowering of pressure during exhale) may help.
Set up your entire sleep environment for success.

BTW -- which model respironics do you have? Remove the water tank and look for a number on the bottom.
If it says 560, you have a "60 series machine." It would be useful to add that to your profile.

Kindest Regards,
Mongo

[I_will_never_sleep_again]

Before I started I thought the same thing. I'm an extremely light sleeper who cannot tolerate things like lumps in pillows, etc. I also found a lot of advice online to be unhelpful, for example, to wear your mask as much as possible. For me the key was to not put the mask on until I am on the verge of sleep, and to start using it on a weekend.

To me, to only put the mask on when on the verge of sleep, associated the mask with sleep in my mind.

Thanks, any info might help
If I happen to open my mouth, I feel like a dog riding in a car with it's head out the window. I am thinking my pressure is too high, but don't know enough yet to know the symptoms of too much pressure

[OpalRose]

I just started 5 days ago. I haven't been able to sleep more than 5 minutes with mask on. I think this will never work for me. I was looking forward to really sleeping, but now I have decided some bad sleep is better than no sleep.

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

How does one decide to give up after only 5 days???
It's just not acceptable to give up. You obviously haven't read many threads in this forum on the negative effects of untreated sleep apnea.

If your mask isn't working for you, try another. There are not many of us here that had instant results. You need to give it time. I think you are looking for help or you would not have joined this forum.

So, let's start over.....
Tonight, take your CPAP out to your living room, put on your mask, turn on CPAP, and either read or watch TV for awhile. Then try going back to bed with it.
This may help you to adapt sooner.

Note: If moving CPAP, empty water first!

Can you fill out your profile with the exact machine you are using? There are many Respiornics cpap's.
Are you using a straight CPAP, or an auto CPAP? Thanks.

[I_will_never_sleep_again]

I think just about everyone on this site has experienced the same thing. It is not natural to sleep with plastic covering half your face and all these things over and around your skull.. Please give it some time and you will get used to it. Some tips that others have done is to use the machine and wear the mask when you are awake watching TV or sitting up in bed reading a book. Not only will this help you to get used to the mask but will also count towards your compliance if you are currently under that condition.

Thanks, I am supposed to wear it at least 4 hours or insurance doesn't cover it, with a 5k deductible they never cover anything anyway.
The first night I had it on for 4 hours, never went to sleep. Next night I tried for 2 hours, same results. Last night 38 min before getting rid of it.

[otrpu]

Hope you can get used to it, I think it will be worth it. I've been on CPAP since 2006. Still remember how great sleep was my first night using CPAP. Back then far fewer selections with "Bricks". On, Off, Humidity or not. And sounded like a vacuum cleaner. I've destroyed a mask ripping it from my face dreaming I was suffocating. Trying not to do that anymore. . .can be an expensive dream. Personally, I think CPAP is a horrid solution to the problem, but it is a solution. Stick with it. It will be worth it.

Cheers,
otrpu

[OpalRose]

See, in the few minutes that you signed on here, there are several members ready and willing to help you.

[PaytonA]

When I started on CPAP, I was in denial. As a result, I took the mask off and went back to sleep without it due to any thing I could use as an excuse. One of the things that bothered me a lot was that as soon as I put anything on my face things on my face started to itch and of course with the mask on I couldn't scratch them. Another bother was things that tickled under the mask. I had to learn to calm myself and relax and wait it out and magically these bothers would go away but it took some time and forbearance.

Stick with it. Commit to being successful. The result is well worth it and may well extend your life.

Best Regards,

PaytonA