Hello;
New here and looking for help on my sleep study. I had it done three weeks ago. I really did not know what to expect, but here goes. I went in at 8:30 PM and after fitted to all the wires and gizmo's tried to go to sleep. Feeling rather aware of all that was going on, the nurse came in at 2:20 AM and said that I was having two many apneas and placed a mask on me. At 3:30 she came in and '"adjusted air pressure". I felt it was strong and my lips were "flapping". I am a mouth breather. At 4:30 she came back and asked if I wanted to continue having it on because I was still having many apneas and not reaching any form of deep sleep. At 5:30 she came back and took it off. I did not reach any level of REM all night. Got dressed at 6:30 and went home. The following week I went to the doctor for the results. I did not receive anything technical. He said I have mixed apnea, stated it was very severe and confirmed that I did not reach REM and my apneas averaged 62 per hour and something about 15 seconds. His large concern was that my blood oxygen level dropped to 61%. (no typo) So here I am on an APAP for 3 weeks, ending in 3 days. I have ripped the mask off repeatedly for over 2 weeks, pop up at night gasping for air and feeling that I am suffocating.  A couple days ago, I woke up with lower abdominal pain, like I had a sneezing attack. Many times, by chest hurts. I went back and got a nasal pillow mask, and it was worse. Can anyone suggest questions  I should be asking the doctor when I return this week?  Thank  you.

I should preface my comments with the fact that I am very new to this also.    If you scan the messages on the board, you will see that your experience is not so uncommon.  I am sure someone else can give better suggestions than I can, but here goes:  Trying other masks is a good idea (which you have done).   Trying to desensitize yourself to the CPAP will help some.  The common suggestion is to spend time using your CPAP while you are awake for an increasing amount of time until you no longer feel the desire to rip it off your face.    Even if you are taking the mask off at night, you are probably getting some sleep with it on.  It is possible that you need more time to get used to it.  It is also possible that while the APAP is changing pressure on you and it is waking you up enough to realize that you don't like the sensation.

You might ask your doctor to play with the adjustment range on the APAP.  

Good luck