My problem so far seems minor compared to what I've read here, but it is frustrating. I have had my CPAP for a week (since last Friday night). It was set on 7 and I was told I had 32 AHI from my sleep study. I was also told by my doctor that I have narrow nasal passages. I got the ResMed Mirage LT nasal pillow mask (I think that's correct) and at first was uncomfortable with it. I would not fall asleep for what seemed like forever, then sleep for about two or three hours, then not be able to go back to sleep again. I had the mask switched early this week for one that has a gel insert and goes over my nose. I asked for that one because it'd been used during my sleep study and I slept ok with it for that. It really seemed heavy and uncomfortable and the second night with it, I took it off when I woke up (in the middle of the night again) and put the first mask back on. Now, I really like that first mask much better. It's light and comfortable. Anyhow, I am falling asleep better now but I still wake up after maybe three or four hours. I am going back to sleep better, but I worry that this really messes up the usefulness of my treatment. Maybe things will improve more but I'd like to sleep through the night once. I don't feel tired or foggy when I get up, though (I never really did). I always did wake up a time or two or three in the night before and would fall right back to sleep. My wife thinks I should take one of her Ambien CR. Any thoughts or help or suggestions?


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Jim Ball
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP
ResMed Mirage LT nasal pillow mask

You are doing OK, it takes time to get used to CPAP.  It can be difficult to find a mask that you really like, especially when you have only tried two masks.  Things will get better over time.  

I personally do not think that sleeping pills are good things and that they should only be used if lack of sleep is interfering with your day, and in this case, it doesn't sound like it is.  It is better if you get used to CPAP; if you take sleeping pills, it is you on sleeping pills that is getting used to CPAP.

I have been using mine for a few weeks now. At first I simply could not fall asleep. I changed masks after about a week and it still took a little while with the new mask. But now I am able to fall asleep relatively quickly, about as fast as I used to before the machine. I typically wake up a few times during the night to use the restroom and the last few days to get a drink because my mouth is very dried out. But I am certainly sleeping better now that I was in the beginning. It just takes some time to adjust. But I think once you do adjust everything goes to normal.

Thanks. I've always woken up a time or two during the night and always fell right back asleep. I am getting more back to that the last night or two. I was hoping it'd help me sleep straight through. I just worry about my interrupted sleep. I have to hope I am sleeping much better for the hours I AM asleep now. I am sure I am.


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Jim Ball
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP
ResMed Mirage LT nasal pillow mask

I've been sleeping better but now when I wake up early in the morning, my mouth is open a bit and my wife says I was snoring early in the morning. It also seems like the CPAP machine is not pumping much air at all. I can easily open my mouth with no feeling of air escaping like when I first put it on at night. Does the machine adjust during the night?


_________________
Jim Ball
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP
ResMed Mirage LT nasal pillow mask