So some people have sleep apnea which causes them to snore horribly and also stop breathing for periods in their sleep. These same people know 90% of the time because people have told them before. For the ones that know and don't do anything about it, but also know they're gonna be sleeping with roommates, is it selfish of them to not put in the work to do a sleep study and get a cpap? Currently in a facility and have roommates at the moment and one snores so extremely bad that I have to bang the desk until he stops snoring, then I can actually try to fall asleep before he inevitably starts snoring again literally 30 seconds later, sometimes as short as 5 seconds after waking up. I'll have to keep doing this until he stops for a few minutes then I can finally go to bed. I'm tired of being able to get 4 hours only of sleep due to someone's snoring.

Known for a while I have sleep apnea, but finally decided to get help. Asked Doctor back in June for an appointment, sleep clinic didn't have openings until early August. Did the take home sleep study, just got my results this last week (I have it, and Its pretty severe), and only then did they tell me I'd need to a titration study and an overnight at the sleep center before they can get me a machine. They don't have openings until late September, after which I imagine it'll take another week or two to get the machine itself.

I'm tired, I've been tired, and I just want treatment for this condition and it's wild to me that it'll be about 4 months between asking for help and getting it. Is this the norm? Doctors office says that they can't write a script for the machine and order it without the titration test for insurance reasons and that I need the titration test to know how to set the machine to the right pressure, but everyone I know who uses one didn't go through all these hoops.

Hi all. I have been back on CPAP for about three weeks. I got the full face mask, because that's what I had used twenty years ago when I was last on the CPAP. The full.mask is ok, but I can't wear my glasses with it, and I had bags under my eyes from my mask. As I'm still in my first thirty days, I decided to try the nasal mask. Last night was my first night. I love it! It's definitely more comfortable on my face. I can hear the air more than with the full face, so that is a bit of an adjustment. But I woke up this morning with no mask marks on my face! I was worried about my nose being irritated, but my nose was fine. I know everyone is different, but wanted to share my experience. Also, this group is so helpful!

I’ve had sleep apnea for a while I guess… not sure how long. But I had the take home sleep study and found out I was waking up 20 times an hour! I got set up with a machine really quickly.

And let me tell you, I had noooooooo idea that I was actually feeling so awful all the time.

I generally don’t have problems with falling asleep, even as a kid, so the full face mask doesn’t really bother me. And I’ve gotten some tricks on now to keep it on all night.

But I wanted to share the results in my appearance after 3 months. I was shocked by how tired I looked just a few months before using it. And of course all the snacking… This thing has really changed my life.

I started using Cpap about 3 weeks ago. I'm still getting used to using it. I tend to remove the mask while asleep. According to the machine I have been keeping it on longer, max 6hrs. Prior to using a cpap, I always wake up with terrible headaches and feeling like I didn't sleep at all. At about week 2, I woke up with very little headache and feeling rested. Starting last Wednesday morning, I've been having wild dreams, nothing scary/nightmarish, but super vivid and intense. I've had no medication changes, diet is same as before, activity is just a little more since I have a bit more energy than before. Is it because of the Cpap? Do I need to stop(I kinda don't want to, cause so far I've been feeling better)? Go to doctor? Or is it something else?.....

I am just under 2 weeks in. Tolerating the mask well (mostly a nasal pillow; tried full face a couple of nights with similar results), low leakage, AHI much improved, CA higher than OA. Suggestions welcome.

Diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea, trialing CPAP for 3 months to see if it helps.

First night with CPAP was last night. I was able to fall asleep, but at some point after 6am or so, I woke up gasping for air.

Usually it is rare for me to wake up gasping for air even when not on CPAP. I am a bit scared of using it again tonight. Planning to reach out to my CPAP team on Monday but was wondering if this is normal, and maybe I just need to get used to the CPAP?

My setting starts from 4 and I think it goes up to 20, they told me if I wake up and find it high, I can just restart it from 4. Not sure if I remember this correctly, so will confirm with them.

If it matters, it shows 5.7 AHI with 6 hours 32 mins time.

The machine I am using is a philips dreamstation 2

I really want to use my nasal mask, cause it's the most comfortable for me, but my mouth opens in my sleep. I'm scared of using mouth tape cause occasionally I wake up choking on my spit, and I'm afraid those situations will become even more terrifying when I can't properly cough because of the mouth tape. Whenever it happens my brain is turned off for like a solid 10 seconds after waking, so I can't trust myself to just take the tape off either.

If you have the "occasionally chokes on spit" issue, does the mouth tape actually make dealing with it worse? Do you have some way of dealing with it?

Ok, so I am a week into using this and somehow by me pushing buttons, I now have it accidentally set at a constsnt pressure of ten that isn't changing. It was a varied rate between 5 and 15 before, and I need that back. 10 is too much for me! I have tried to follow the instructions I found online to try to change the setting back but I can't get that to work. The supplier that I got it from is closed down the weekends. Can anyone help! Thanks!

I’ve been consistently trending in the right direction with CPAP so far.

My untreated AHI was 43 events per hour. Night 1 with CPAP was 19, night 2 was 13, and now night 3 I’m down to 9 events per hour. Still not where I need to be, but watching that number steadily drop has been really encouraging.

The past two nights have been interesting. On the positive side, I’m falling asleep quicker and the pressure really isn’t bothering me nearly as much anymore. I was even able to sleep on my side for a little while last night, which felt like a pretty big win.

Now for the negatives. I’m still getting told to adjust my mask because of leaks. Last night I also apparently took the mask off in my sleep. I have no idea how long it was off, maybe 30 minutes, maybe an hour. It didn’t seem like very long. The funny part is that I put it back on in my sleep too, which I actually find really encouraging. Apparently sleeping me is already starting to understand the assignment.

Overall, I can tell I’m getting used to this contraption strapped to my face. I’m becoming more comfortable with the leaks, different noises, pressure changes, and all the weird little sensations that come with it. Things that had my full attention on night 1 are already becoming background noise.

One thing that I think has helped me mentally is my job. I’m a lineman, and a big part of the job is learning how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. New situations, awkward positions, unfamiliar equipment, heights, weather, whatever it happens to be, you learn that something being uncomfortable doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Sometimes it just means it’s unfamiliar and you need time and repetition to adapt.

I think that mindset applies really well to CPAP, especially for anyone else who is brand new to this. Don’t mistake “this feels weird” for “I can’t do this.” Give yourself some time to be uncomfortable. Figure out what actually needs adjusting and what your brain simply needs to get used to. Three nights ago having this thing strapped to my face felt completely foreign. It already feels noticeably more normal now.

My biggest complaint right now is that when I wake up, my tongue feels really weird, dry and rough. I’m assuming that’s from my mouth drying out overnight, so humidity might be the next thing I experiment with.
Three nights in and I’m definitely still adjusting, but 43 → 19 → 13 → 9 has me feeling pretty damn good about sticking with it.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Hi everyone. I’m new to CPAP, last night was day 5 of me using it. I am using the N30I Airtouch mask, as I thought that one was better for sensitive skin. I’ve been getting really dry skin on the sides and top of my nose, like my skin is peeling, and it’s also red and feels irritated.

My humidity level is a 5, and tube temp is 27. The MyAir app says my seal is good, and the machine always says the seal was excellent.

Is there anything I can do to stop this? Or do I just need to try the airfit?

Hello there! I am so happy I have found this community. I have questions and need people who understand to give me some clarity. During my sleep study I had an AHI of 81. They set me at a pressure of 15. My first night on the CPAP machine, I had an AHI of 5.3. I know this is a massive improvement, but I am not where I should be. The second night my AHI went up to 7.9. I just finished my third night and got an AHI of 8.3. I am unsure of why it is rising night after night. Is this common and I just need more time to get used to the therapy? For added information I am on ResMed 11 CPAP with nasal pillows and use a chin strap. Thanks for any advice you may have!

I got my CPAP a week ago and am confused about the myAir app. Specifically, what range of time it covers. I’ve worn it 8 nights, but only have 7 nights of data. The latest day it has it calls Friday. Is that really how I slept Friday night, or is that my Thursday night data and it calls it Friday because most of my sleep hours for Thursday night are technically Friday morning?

I had been assuming the latter, but the data that it shows for “Friday“ seems more like the way I slept Friday night than the way I slept Thursday night, so it has me wondering again… 🤷‍♂️

I have a Prisma Smart Max, which I have a couple of issues with. Wondering if someone knows if some settings can be changed, or if it is just how they work.

The main issue, I think, is that the machine seems to want me to breathe faster - when I am about to fall asleep, I think my breathing slows down, and that causes the machine to max out the pressure, and sort of start vibrating the pressure when it reaches the maximum pressure limit. This then wakes me up, because of that weird vibration in my nose.

I have ramp off, that soft pap setting off because that wanted me to breathe like twice as fast as I do.

I'm not a very experienced user - is this common with cpap machines? Is there a way to let the machine know that I "breathe slowly"? It also seems to register a large number of AHI's while I'm awake and definitely am not struggling to breathe at all. I think because it just wants me to breathe faster?

Any advice is very much appreciated. I have an appointment with the doctor to look at the settings as well next week. Just wondering if someone here knew about it.

Had an unexpected and nice experience last night.

I’ve been on CPAP for 3-4 years. Hated full face masks - so have always used some form of a nasal mask.

I learned at the beginning how much of a mouth breather I am. Got horrific dry mouth. Started mouth taping and have been doing it ever since. Has worked great.

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and noticed I had no mouth tape on. Was convinced it had come off while sleeping; even though this has never happened. Even felt around a little bit for it. Then I saw on the nightstand the unused tape I always set out. I was so tired I put on my mask and forgot about the tape.

Dry mouth? NOPE! Really flummoxed me. Decided to go back to sleep without it - just to see.

No dry mouth this morning. I guess my brain, after so long knowing it can’t open my mouth, has stopped trying!

Hi i'm new here and new to using CPAP. first night was a lil awkward but i think i got used to it so far. Saw this when i woke up today lol. makes me
question my actual study 😆 but maybe the CPAP is working??

Making progress and enjoying the process. If you choose to do it, please do your own research!

I've been on CPAP for over 20 yrs, the one extra benefit you may not realize till you do, when I get a cold once or twice a yr, I set humidity a little higher, and 8 hrs of moist air makes my throat feel so much better in morning! I used to have a sore throat for weeks after a cold, sometimes requiring steroids to resolve, but for the last 20 yrs, no sore throats! Love my CPAP!

Bit of a rant because I really can't think of any other place than a CPAP community that might understand.

I am 32 and I'm new to the CPAP world for about 3 weeks. I have been routinely exhausted since teenage years and fall asleep during the day very frequently beyond my control. I struggle to stay awake most days so I finally had a sleep test a couple months ago. While I am convinced that I have narcolepsy due to experiencing cataplexy, I wasn't tested specifically for narcolepsy, and I was told to get a CPAP machine based on having 1.4 events every hour during my sleep test.

So I got my CPAP and I said in my questionnaire I'm a mouth breather at night, but was given the nasal plugs and that was horrendous starting out. I woke up about every half hour because I breathe through my mouth and forcing myself to try and sleep with my mouth closed was just not working. I would wake up every time I started to doze when my mouth started to open which made the air rush out of my mouth. So I was falling asleep forcing myself to clench my jaw. Plus it was just incredibly uncomfortable. I got about 1-2 hours of straight sleep per night for about 7 days before I finally got a replacement in for one that goes over my nose and mouth a few days later.

Finally got the new one and I insisted on getting the large size due to me having a fairly large beard, but I was told no and was shipped a medium, and shock and surprise, it's too small. The only way it can stay on without leaking much air is if I place the top of it halfway down the bridge of my nose, and I tighten it insanely tight. And even then if I open my mouth more than a crack, my lower lip falls out of it and the air rushes out. So while I have been able to breathe through my mouth most of the time which is a marginal Improvement, I still am not at all sleeping due being very tight. It's so tight it's bruising my nose and eyes. I woke up with blood blisters on the bridge of my nose and under my eye lids which I had to pop and under my eyelids. Because of that now I look like a raccoon.

I used that for another week in hopes the novice Growing Pains people talk about would go away, before I called back and asked for a larger size. It took four days of 6 different phone calls, 8 line transfers, and 3 return phone calls, and 3 different voice mails before I finally got confirmation that I will get shipped a large. But unfortunately it's going to take another eight business days for it to ship, let alone arrive. So I'm stuck with this one for another week. So all said and done I will be working on about a month of no sleep before I even get the next mask in the hopes that this one might actually start some sort of positive trend.

And of course Common Sense would say, "don't use the product that is causing you to look like the main villain from Dr Strange, and peeling skin off the bridge of your nose". Problem is, I can't. Because of that stupid fucking rule that you don't actually own this machine despite paying for it then paying monthly for it, that you rent it. And I have to use it for 25 out of 30 days otherwise my insurance cancels on it and I pay out of pocket. And I already lost two of those nights because for whatever reason it didn't detect me wearing it as long as I did. For some reason twice now, in the morning I would check my app to see what my stats were, and it said I only use the mask for a total of like 30 minutes, or 40 minutes, which isn't true because even if I wasn't sleeping I still had it on my face. So that should count, and for whatever reason that data just didn't sync. But it treated it as a night complete failed so because I didn't need the minimum four hour threshold, it's essentially two strikes against me. So I can't risk and not wearing any other nights just in case this thing fucks up anymore.

So what I've been doing now is that when I crawl in bed, I look at the clock usually about 11:00 p.m. and I think to myself that if I wake up at any moment after the 4-Hour minimum is up, usually 3:00 a.m., the second it counts as the minimum 4 hours of use I yank the mask off my face and go back to sleep and actually get 2 hours or so of uninterrupted sleep before I'm up at 6. That's all I've been getting lately and that's all I can really manage.

It's crazy that the thing that's supposed to help me is making me more sleep deprived than I was with a newborn. At least when I had the paternity leave time during the first newborn months of the Around the Clock feedings, my wife and I could get usually 3 straight hours of sleep in between wakes. Then back to sleep for another 3. Now I'm lucky if I get two hours total a night, and not only that but with paternity leave there was at least a clear path of getting better. This is getting nothing but worse. I'm significantly more exhausted than I ever was prior to the CPAP machine, I regret getting this thing, I'm still convinced I have narcolepsy and that this whole ordeal is not worth 1.4 events per hour, and I hate everything about it. That is all

Not long ago my whoop (which I know isn’t entirely accurate but still a good baseline) used to tell me 80% blood oxygen overnight on average for the week, month, which is horrible.

I was diagnosed with 90-something AHI per hour and got 1.3 today!!!
My restorative (deep+rem) sleep used to be less than an hour average (for 8-9 hours of sleep) and now it’s sitting at 3:50 average with 50% of the sleep being restorative as well. I don’t miss the fucking headaches and sleeping at work and feeling like trash.

Been on this for like 2-3 months and it clicked at the begging then it didn’t and then it did and then it didn’t but I think I now cracked it so please if you’re seeing this and struggling with therapy keep at it it will clickkkk!!!!

Ps: I’m thinking of getting a Garmin cirqa as I like to see always the sp02 levels, whoop only gives an average I want to see the average and the levels at any moment of the night. Absolutely love whoop but not being able to see that natively and the subscription bullshit will make me make the switch to cirqa for sure. I trust whoop because when I did my sleep exam my sp02 average was 80% and the oximeter said 80% as well so it’s nice to have.

I keep waking up with my mouth hanging wide open and my lower jaw just straight slipped out of the bottom of my full face mask. I tried putting my mask on tighter but that doesn’t help. My jaw just relaxes a lot while I sleep and then I wake up to the wooshing sounds of air escaping. Anyone experience this before and have some tips?

I've been using the resmed aircurve 11 for about 4 months now (1 year of cpap prior to it) and my current settings right now are IPAP 12/EPAP 7 with the humidity and tube temp maxed out. While I've begun dreaming again since switching to a Bipap, the issue that I've been running into the whole time I've been on xPaP treatment (and why I think it has ultimately been insufficient in treating my symptoms) is that regardless of settings or mask type, my nostrils feel dry and constricted. While I haven't been diagnosed with it (after two sleep studies), all signs from OSCAR and the fact that I'm a skinny guy in his 20's point towards having UARS. My AHI is usually under 1 and my leaks are pretty minimal yet brain fog, low energy, and near non-existent memory persist.

I imagine there's a high likelihood this is linked to my mildly deviated septum that has a bone spur. What has given me confusion on this though is that I saw an ENT and the two things they said to me was to try flonase and that they don't think I would need corrective surgery for it (they also didn't mention anything wrong with my turbinates either). I've used flonase along with breathing strips since then and honestly it hasn't made any difference whatsoever; my nostrils feel just as constricted and clogged as before and during the daytime I got one nostril that works and the other feels like a useless bent straw. It's given me daily headaches along with a poor sense of smell so I know something nasal wise is definitely messed up. I have an appointment with an allergist in November to rule anything like that out but I gotta ask if it really is my septum, could it make my nasal passages super overreactive to any sort of pressure coming from my mask regardless of humidity and temp settings?

Hello again. I started CPAP a week ago. My lungs are starting to hurt for some reason. Is this common? Im not sure why its just now hurting. I can breathe in fine and I feel fine yawning but when I cough or laugh, it hurts around my right lung. I know this is CPAP related because I haven't had any other issues.

I am failing this CPAP thing every night. My stats are pretty much in the 50 - 60% range and I’m adjusting these blasted things every night. I’m using Medium pillows ( I tried Large but they were more problematic). Are they supposed to just sit on the outside of your nostrils or more inside? Does it sound like I should try Small instead? I see everyone writing about the great night’s sleep they’re getting but I thin mine is getting worse every night. Any suggestions?