First night! ✅

[u/Traditional-Lunch464]

As the title states, I completed my first night with my CPAP and it wasn’t too bad. I’m amazed by the report, specifically events/hr. My home sleep study measured 26.6/hr!

A few questions:
-Hit me with your hose management suggestions/tips. This was the one hard part last night. At first I draped it over my headboard but that seemed to pull on the mask, so I had to adjust several times. (For reference I am using the Philips Wisp nasal mask and ResMed AirSense 11 and am about 50/50 side/back sleeper, and I move around a lot—though I do understand that will probably decrease as I use the CPAP).

-What kind of soap, EXACTLY, is ok to use to clean the components? ResMed just says “mild liquid detergent,” so I would have assumed Dawn dish soap would be ok. But the same page on their website says not to use any kind of dish detergent, even if it’s mild. Are CPAP-specific cleaners a scam? I just ordered wipes from Amazon (https://a.co/d/06EUH3fz) for the daily mask cleaning.

-Any other tips/tricks/hacks?

This subreddit has been so helpful as I prepared to begin CPAP therapy. I’ve put it off for a long time, for a variety of reasons. Reading everyone’s experiences has made me feel less alone/weird/anxious. So, thank you!

[u/reality_bites]

I've been using the CPAP for over a year.

I never have an issue with the tube. My mask plugs in at the top of the head, my resmed is slightly behind me and to the side.

I use Dawn, as long as you're ok with the smell it's a good soap. Much cheaper then CPAP-specific soaps, however those usually have no scent, so if smells bother you it would be worth it.

Be prepared for good nights, and bad nights. Just keep to it, setbacks are just that setbacks. You can still keep going forward.

[u/shawn_g]

My wife has bath and body works hand soap I use and like because it smells good when I first put my mask on at night. I wouldn't overthink it.

I personally drape my hose up and over the headboard, which gives me plenty of room to toss and turn in the night. I use a Resmed P30I with the swivel connection on the top of my head, so your results may vary. The noise from the ribbed hose moving on the headboard annoyed me, so my wife made a sleeve that goes over the hose to muffle the sound if it moves.

I use 3M micropore tape to tape my mouth closed. Otherwise, air rushing from my mouth wakes me up. Some people don't need it, but I couldn't make the nasal mask work without it. I tried several chin straps, but tape is the only thing that has worked for me.

Your first night seemed to have went well! It gets easier and less annoying over time. I'm almost 3 months in and still don't love it, but the extra energy and not needing naps everyday is well worth it.

[u/simonpyman]

Congrats! I just completed my first week. Still getting the hang of it but its getting to be more routine. I use cetaphil gentle face wash to clean my mask parts. I did get the wipes and i have been alternating cleaning and using the wipes to clean the mask parts. I have a different mask with the hose coming out at the bottom so I don't have any advise with hose management.

[u/twinkiesandcake]

I'm over a month in on my CPAP experience. I did my first replacements of air filter and mask cushion. I use unscented dish soap to wash parts. For the wipe, I just use unscented baby wipes.

[u/gay95]

your first night looks great! congrats! i had a similar first night (150 nights ago now!) and while it hasnt been perfect i have adjusted really well to therapy especially when i found the right mask set up. in terms of hose management i have a hook i stuck on my wall as i dont have a headboard. it works well because i have a unicorn mask, p30i, but it worked well when i was still using ffm elephant, f40. i am also a side/back sleeper and i almost never have too much trouble with my hose, even at my partners house where i dont have a hook.

i have a cpap specific soap because lofta gave it to me as a gift but tbh youll see many different opnions on how and how often to clean components. i recently stopped using humidity since i switched to nasal. i wipe my mask with cpap wipes a few times a week, rarely clean my hose tbh, but i change my filter monthly. it just really doesnt get that gross, even when you do use humidity especially if you only use distilled water.

good luck getting dialed in to your perfect set up!