Trouble Using CPAP?
Are you new to CPAP and struggling to adjust to it?
Don't give up! You are not alone. There are many people who have trouble getting used to the pressure and sleeping with a mask on their face. Each person is different in how their body responds to treatment. The important thing is to try everything possible to make it work before you and your doctor decide to call it quits.
We realize that trying everything possible to make it work also requires the help of a qualified professional who understands and cares about what you are going through. And, unfortunately that kind of help is in short supply.
Our usual suggestion for "desensitizing" yourself to CPAP therapy is the following: Use the mask and CPAP for 10 minutes at a time 2 to 3 times a day. Focus on relaxing and telling yourself that you can breathe. You will not suffocate, no matter how uncomfortable it feels! Once you start to feel more comfortable with 10 minute sessions, try increasing the amount of time to 15 or 20 minutes. Another suggestion is to wear the mask while doing something else like watching TV or reading. Often you will forget you are even using it. When you are ready, try using the CPAP at bedtime. If you are unable to fall asleep with it on within 30 minutes, take it off, go to sleep, and try again the next night.
There can be a multitude of things happening that prevent you from falling asleep with the CPAP mask on. One common cause is not having the right pressure setting. Unfortunately, the sleep study is only one night with a very limited amount of time available to determine your ideal pressure setting. As a result, the physician makes the best choice for you based on your test results; but in reality, your nightly experience with therapy tells us more about what you need.
Many physicians do not have enough experience with CPAP therapy to work with you on finding the right setting. If it is at all possible, ask your equipment provider and/or physician for a CPAP model that records specific data, such as your apnea/hypopnea index, average pressure range and amount of leak occurring with your mask. The information we download from these types of machines helps physicians troubleshoot the problems that are specific to you. We recommend that you look for a sleep specialist who can help before you give up completely.
Please feel free to call us with any questions or specific issues you have. Our experienced staff enjoys troubleshooting problems and helping people find the solution that makes CPAP therapy a good experience.
