First night of CPAP

[Nyelaah 77]

Ahhhh wish me luck! Clearly I am still up trying to avoid sleeping with it lol

Night night!

[able2cope 193]

Hopefully you are in the land of Nod right now and managing fine. Wishing you luck

[Nyelaah 77]

Hopefully you are in the land of Nod right now and managing fine. Wishing you luck

Thank you so much! I actually had a horrible night with it. I get hot at night and was sweating around my nose ( I had the epson nasal mask). I am trying to see if the nasal pillow is better! Wish me luck...

[naturegirl 320]

My husband has been using a CPAP machine since 2006 and can't live without it. I on the other hand was first issued one in 2008 and have not had much success. I've attempted to use it multiple times, but with no luck. Two weeks ago I decided to give it another try as it's needed for the surgery. So far it's been going well in terms of keeping the mask on, but I do not feel well rested. If anything I feel worse because I spend time at night adjusting my mask for the best fit. The nasal pillows are too big (even small), and the triangle shaped nose mask in small is to big too. I have an appointment with my doctor next week, so I'm hoping to talk about my options and a possible new sleep study. But as long as I can keep the mask on then I feel like I've made positive strides.

Good luck with your cpap.

[Nyelaah 77]

Those are all of my concerns! Today I get the nose pillow hoping for a better rest. I been tossing, adjusting, etc. I get it on as early as possible to try to get 5 hrs then take it off as soon as the 5 hrs hit!

Good luck to you too!

[LisaPunkinHead 187]

I started out with a nasal mask and did great. Switched to nasal pillows and find myself tearing it off at night. Going back to the mask!! Whatever works for you, do it!

[Jb1176 79]

Have been on CPAP machine for a year with ResMed P-10 nasal pillow. The nasal pillow is very comfortable -much more comfortable than the mask I had on in the sleep study. I was sleeved on April 13, 2015 and used the pillow in the hospital without complication. I would recommend trying a nasal pillow if it is possible in your case.

[bobs3rd 0]

I've had a CPAP since 2010, I hated it at first and didn't use it like I should. For the past year I have been using the pillow mask, it took awhile but I used it every night. Last week my machine broke and it has been miserable, waking up all thru the night, tired all day, forgetful and crabby. Going to pick up my new cpap in an hour and I can't wait. Never thought I'd be saying that. Anyway use it every night, you will get use to it. Down the road after surgery hopefully you won't need it. Good luck!

[tacha22001 38]

I have been using a cpap for a little over a year now. I do like it because I am getting better rest I have the nasal mask. They started me with the nasal pillow and I hated them I was always awake readjusting those little buggers. My husband and Daughter also have machines My daughter has had hers the longest she has had some sort of sleep apnea machine since she was 3 and she is going on 13 they prefer the full masks. I was too claustrophobic to cover both my mouth and nose. Surgery is scheduled for 6/25/15 and my DR. said that it would be a great idea to have sleep testing redone at 9 months post surgery. I think it would be great not to have to use the machine anymore but since it does help me now I don't mind it.

[Nyelaah 77]

Thank you all for the encouragement! It's been tough and I am still not used to it. Hopefully I will get accustomed to it or the nasal pillow will work well for me!

My bday is 6/25!! Great day for surgery :-) good luck!

I have been using a cpap for a little over a year now. I do like it because I am getting better rest I have the nasal mask. They started me with the nasal pillow and I hated them I was always awake readjusting those little buggers. My husband and Daughter also have machines My daughter has had hers the longest she has had some sort of sleep apnea machine since she was 3 and she is going on 13 they prefer the full masks. I was too claustrophobic to cover both my mouth and nose. Surgery is scheduled for 6/25/15 and my DR. said that it would be a great idea to have sleep testing redone at 9 months post surgery. I think it would be great not to have to use the machine anymore but since it does help me now I don't mind it.

Yayy!!! My bday is 6/25!!!

[freelee 128]

Wow! Glad to know there are others out there who understand how hard the cpap can be. I've Had it almost two months, and have not made it through a full night yet. I've only NOT tried one night. I try with and without humidifier, and use the Small nose mask. My throat and the back of my mouth hurts from it, and my sinuses are horrible (yes' I clean it and use distiller water.) Any new insight appreciated.

[eclecticwingtips 130]

Wow! Glad to know there are others out there who understand how hard the cpap can be. I've Had it almost two months, and have not made it through a full night yet. I've only NOT tried one night. I try with and without humidifier, and use the Small nose mask. My throat and the back of my mouth hurts from it, and my sinuses are horrible (yes' I clean it and use distiller water.) Any new insight appreciated.

If you are getting a dry sore mouth in the morning when using a nasal mask then my bet is you are a mouth breather when you sleep. You should try a full face mask. They can be harder to adjust to but you will never get a good night's sleep if you are breathing through your mouth.

[RaginCajun 177]

As a 15+ year veteran of using CPAP, I would recommend Philips Respironics WISP >>> it is the newest and best out there. The problem with masks and cushions is that you can't really try them. You have to purchase it and try it. The WISP is very comfortable, using soft headgear, a frame for the face, and then the cushion itself. Make sure you get the FABRIC FRAME. My insurance plan allows for: New headgear every six months; New frame every three months, New cushion 2x every month. So, I am getting a new cushion for the nose every 2 weeks, and that means no weakening or leaks. Of course, as the insurance goes, YMMV.

As for the CPAP machine itself, newer models can be an AUTOSET machine, which will vary the CPAP pressure based upon what your actual breathing is during the night. It is set up with a small pressure at power on, and then adjusts the pressure as you need.

AUTOSET machines are a great CPAP solution for WLS patients, because over time the weight loss will certainly have a positive result in reducing (possibly eventually eliminating) the CPAP pressure need.

-RC-

Edited June 7, 2015 by RaginCajun

[lclemur 161]

It is not easy. The first time I tried it I gave up after about 2 weeks of use. I felt like my night's "rests" were worse. This year I gave it another try. Yes, the trick is to get the right mask/pillows. Also, having the straps adjusted correctly. Finally, make sure that your "ramp" is adjusted correctly. Switching mine from 30 minutes to 15 actually helped. Good luck, you need some perseverance on this one.

[lclemur 161]

BTW...my insurance wouldn't cover the type of machine RaginCagun describes. My respitory therapist recommended it, but no go. I can't be too bitter, as they didn't fight me on the surgery.