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I can't get used to my CPAP mask

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I can't get used to my CPAP mask

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31 comments

Allinitsleep

10/02/2020 at 2:34 PM

It's hard living with sleep apnea especially when it's going to be with you for the rest of your life. Knowing that every night you have to out that mask on your face and it's suppose to help but to me it only suffacates me .I wear it but I hate it there is a chance that if I don't wear it I'll forget to breath and die which scares me alot. I still wear it .my life depends on it. I get reminded all the time from my family mom don't forget to use your machine .they are scared for my life.unfortubately thats the price of having something you can't control.ive give up my machine 2 or 3 times cause of the mask and I'm not qualified for anything else so I keep getting the mask .I will never get use to it and hate it no matter what sleep apnea really sucks

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Joebryanjr

Edited on 10/02/2020 at 4:45 PM

My CPAP has made a huge difference in my life. From AIH of 72.5 in my sleep study to < 5 with the CPAP.

The issue I have is stopping mask leakage. I am going to try the new Dreamwear full face mask. It fits below

the nose, not over the bridge of the nose but also covers the mouth. I'll let you know how it works out?

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Joe Bryan

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-02 16:44:27

Courtney_J

Community manager

10/05/2020 at 6:42 PM

@Allinitsleep @Joebryanjr Hi Allinitsleep and Joebryanjr, thank you for starting and participating in this discussion. It sounds like CPAP masks can take some getting used to. Let me tag some other members who may be interested in this topic.

Hi everyone, did it take you a while to get used to your CPAP? If so, how did you do it? Is it still uncomfortable? Is there anything @Allinitsleep‍ can do to make it a bit more comfortable?
@Ajllord‍ @Westend4325‍ @mohincb‍ @Maddie2018‍ @Pine729‍ @Nancykopp‍ @Mako9152‍ @Wisedoc‍ @jdstyre‍ @Bbwgirl‍ @Pops70‍ @Spiderswebs399‍ @Rustyroth‍ @TeletubbieD73!‍ @orlandonative‍ @Donnadouthitt‍

Feel free to share here!

Take care,
Courtney

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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity US

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-05 18:42:23

Mako9152

10/05/2020 at 7:01 PM

@Allinitsleep yes I totally get it, I have the same type of sleep apnea, and at first had high hopes that just losing some weight would fix it until my Dr informed I will have to deal with it the rest of my life of I could fall asleep and never wake up. It’s no fun, I don’t wear a complete just the nasal cushion that covers my nose I don’t think if I didn’t take Melatonin to sleep i would have a tendency to fight the mask over my nose.

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-05 19:01:11

Ktackel

10/06/2020 at 1:21 AM

I didn’t have a problem getting used to the mask. But lately for some reason I have been kind of freaking out when I put it on. Might be the mask I have to wear at work which kinda causes asthma attacks.

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-06 01:21:16

Moses123

10/06/2020 at 1:46 AM

My name is moses I was diagnosed with chronic sleep apnea 2years ago . It took me a while to get used to the nasal pillows but I still have my bad days allso i suffer allso with a anxiety disorder .so sometimes my mind plays tricks on me .when I go to bed with a lot on my mind I struggle with the sleep apnea machine. I am scared not to use because I don't want to stop breathing in my sleep.with the virus in all I'm trying not to get it.the only thing helps me is when read gods word and have a little talk with him.

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-06 01:46:17

Joebryanjr

10/07/2020 at 5:17 PM

I switched to an Airfit F30i. It is the wrong size and they're sending a new mask. It was better than the other full face masks at first, but apparently it leaked while I was sleeping. I'll keep you informed.

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Joe Bryan

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-07 17:17:09

Unregistered member

10/07/2020 at 7:05 PM

@Ktackel Does your jaw drop down, letting air swoosh in when you wear this particular type of mask? That's the problem I'm having. I wear the nasal pillows mask, but almost as soon as I'm about to fall asleep, my jaw drops and air swooshes in, I've tried both the Somnifix strips and a chin strap to keep my jaw from dropping but neither has worked. Any thoughts?

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-07 19:05:27

Ktackel

10/07/2020 at 8:03 PM

@helsal I wear a full face mask. I’m sure my jaw drops a little. I’m not sure how to fix it unless you get a jaw strap. Amazon sells them.

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-07 20:03:58

Unregistered member

10/08/2020 at 5:16 AM

@Moses123 I understand your anxiety. I wonder if the pillow might not be the right thing for you. When I tried it, I had trouble breathing, air was going all over my face and into my throat. I got so anxious, I threw it off.

I now have a full mask which works so well. When it is on, you have no idea that there is air pressure being pumped into it! With your level of anxiety, it wouldn't hurt to try another CPAP method. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I can't get used to my CPAP mask https://www.carenity.us/forum/sleep-apnea/living-with-osteoarthritis/sleeping-well-2597 2020-10-08 05:16:49

Unregistered member

10/08/2020 at 5:30 AM

@Allinitsleep I am so sorry to hear your sad story. A CPAP shouldn't make you feel like you're suffocating. Sounds like you might need a different mask. I started out with a pillow, but now, like you, have a full mask. I hated it for a while.

But, someone said I should try to think positively about it . . . I wear it because I get better sleep, which gives me more energy the next day; because I have a-fib and it helps keep my heart from failing; it keeps me from my breathing stopping 50 times an hour, so I stay alive! . Another option, paid for by Medicare, is an oral appliance; but it's a bulky thing you wear in your mouth (larger than those appliances kids with teeth-straightening orthodontics have!) The smaller, non-Medicare appliance costs over $3000 . . . so is beyond the reach of most of us.

Try to focus on what good things it does for you; not that you will hate it for life. That could be a very long time. You CAN do it!