Beginning better sleep with your CPAP

The steps talked about here can be done in sequence or you can skip around to what works for you. Some of us take to using CPAP like a fish to water.  Others of us have to work at it.  If you had no problems using the CPAP at the Sleep lab then I would skip right to steps 4 or 5.

1) Wear the CPAP Mask at home while awake for one hour each day.  Do this for a few days until the mask no longer feels uncomfortable to wear.  If you’re very claustrophobic, and you’re unable to have something on your face CPAP Shack sells Nasal pillows or the Nasal Aire products. You should give them a try.

It’s very important that you have a very comfortable mask that fits you well.  You should talk to others to see what brands work for them.  But what it comes down to is that what works for others may not work for you.  Each person finds what works best for them mostly by getting good advice and using a small amount of trial and error. You can always get another mask by calling CPAP Shack at our toll free number.

2) The next thing you want to do is to switch the machine on. Start out by using the Ramp mode. Almost all machines have this feature.  By hitting the ramp mode you are starting out on a low pressure for a 20 minute time period. It will then automatically rise to the prescribed pressure set by the doctor.  Hit the ramp as many times as you need to while wearing the CPAP mask.  Hitting the ramp switch several times allows you the opportunity to practice and become comfortable with your CPAP. While you’re wearing the CPAP mask go ahead and do something else like watch TV, listen to the Radio or perform some other sedentary activity.

3)  Ok, its time to extend the time of your use!  Try lying down with CPAP on during scheduled one hour naps at home.  Get yourself a nice place to take a nap and try falling asleep with the CPAP machine on.  The great thing about having untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea is that you should not have a problem wanting to take a nap.  Once you’re able to initiate sleep, move on to steps 4 or 5.

4) Ok, we are ready now for the first night.  For some people it may be a little rough but you will get through it and feel great the next morning.  The technique is to use the CPAP during the initial 3-4 hours of nocturnal sleep.  When you can no longer stand using the CPAP at about the 3rd hour, take the mask off and sleep the rest of the night without it.  On subsequent nights, try to build on that time until you sleep through the entire night.

5)  Number 4 is a step where many users have trouble.  The problem is breaking through the 3rd hour.  Many find themselves wanting to pull that mask off at the same time of night.  At one point you will need to just push yourself through an entire night.  The next day you will feel an incredible difference.  But, you must force yourself to use it the entire night.  If you wake up at 2 or 3 am, take a short 5 or 10 minute break.  This is the time to go to the bathroom or have a glass of water.  When you come back, start the CPAP again with the Ramp mode.  This is the same thing you did before when you were in training.  It is as if you were just starting the night out.  Keep using the ramp mode if you need to all night or until the time when you normally get up.  If you lay there relaxed with the CPAP on, you will fall back asleep.  Feeling great after that first full night will be your incentive to put that mask back on, every night.

Note:  It’s very important that you eventually sleep through the entire night on the machine. You will not get the full effect or feel any better by taking the CPAP off at 2- 3 am.  It is the deepest, longest stage of REM that you need in order to feel good.  This deep stage of REM is at its longest between 3-6 am.  And it’s in the deeper sleep stages that you have the greatest chance of experiencing more obstructive Apneas and Hypopneas.  This is when you need your CPAP most!

Keep in mind that it takes most people an average of about 2 weeks of use before they can make it thorough an entire night.  But it will not take long after that, maybe about a month, before you can’t sleep without it.  For some people it may even take as long as 6 months before they are truly comfortable and sleeping with their CPAP.  Once you start this process of re-learning to sleep, DO NOT take even one night off.  One day can turn into a week, and a week could turn into not doing it at all.  

CPAP will change your Life.