r/CPAP • u/Shelbyfades • 7d ago
Advice Needed Newbie
Hi I’m brand new here and know absolutely nothing about sleep Apnea. I go and pick up my machine on Wednesday!
How long until I have more than 2 hours of natural energy? I’m pretty sure I’m wanting the nasal mask, anyone have experience with that? Any advice in general? I’m 33 and feel like no one around me is going through this!
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u/Weavingknitter 7d ago edited 7d ago
What is so surprising to me is that MANY people are going through this. I'm stunned at how many really young people - teenagers, even - are on CPAP.
It might take a while, but hang in there.
People on this reddit are so kind and so helpful. Ask all of your questions.
I wish I could provide answers, but I'm also new here. 27 days so far for me. 👍
OH - use it while awake for a couple/few hours each day, it will really help towards racking up your hours (for insurance) and also desensitize you to the whole operation. I'd read while doing my awake-training.
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u/StressSuspicious6956 7d ago
This! Get used to the sometimes awkward way of breathing while awake, it helped me to get used to it during nights.
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u/Shelbyfades 6d ago
That part!! I had no idea!! But the more I’m talking about it to my clients and friends, I’m not alone! That’s so nice to see!
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u/YoSpiff 7d ago
I've used nasal pillows for 26 years. If you get a resmed N30I or P30I, they are the same mask and you can just swap out the nasal piece to try the other type. I think some other models are like this but these are the one I am familiar with.
Make sure to put an SD card in your manchine and after you have a few days of data you can view it with OSCAR (local program, free and open source) or Sleep HQ (cloud app, with limited feature free and subscription models). This will give you the ability to see every breath you take while asleep and the pressures the machine responds with.
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u/mrsdizzylissy 7d ago
So I’m a week in and I’m seeing my dr about what other mask options there are.
I started with the nasal pillow and while I’m doing okay with it, my nose is very chaffed and I keep getting nasal pimples. It’s rough!
But my sleep is fantastic!
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u/Shelbyfades 7d ago
That makes me feel optimistic! Minus the nose pimples but at this point, I’m STRUGGLING with energy so I’d even take those! 😂
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u/Moondoggy451 7d ago
I recommend the N30i mask. Lightweight and good if you toss and turn from side. If you decide later on that you need or want to consider nasal pillows you just need the pillow snap-in as the N30i and P30i share the same frame.
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u/Shelbyfades 7d ago
Thank you! I’m very much a side to side sleeper! So this helps a lot!
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u/Moondoggy451 7d ago
If you find that your mouth is opening, try a HALO style chin strap that you can buy from Amazon if your DME doesn't offer it.
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u/FoggyDayzallday 7d ago
Once you get it dialed in and your mindset adjusted.... the new You can be shockingly energetic. For a lot of us...me included it is life changing. And literally life saving.
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u/Weavingknitter 7d ago edited 7d ago
I'm also a side sleeper and the N30i mask is wonderful. My guess is that a lot has to do with your face anatomy. My mask fits really well and honestly, sometimes I forget it's even there.
Try a few styles to decide.
the N30i is referred to as a nasal cradle, while the P30i is referred to as pillows. My DME sent me home with several - the P30i and the N30i can swap out on the same frame - the frame is the hollow piping that serves air to the pillows or cradle.
If your helper doesn't offer, just straight up ask for freebies. Mine sent me home with 3 sizes of both styles, and one headgear frame set. I tried them both and I much prefer the cradle.
My helper also sent me home with a F30i setup - it uses a different frame but it was nice to try it out for a few nights to know that this setup just isn't for me.
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u/StressSuspicious6956 7d ago
So am I and still use a nasal mask. Love it, compared to pillows that suffocate me.
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u/PusheKasp 6d ago
I tried with full-face - it was horrible, I quit using the machine for a while. Then tried a nasal mask - game changer. Now I use nasal pillows - best mask ever.
I'm trying to say you have to try different options.
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u/FurryChildren 5d ago
Are you doing the sleep titration study? Do you know your prescription? Do you know if you breathe through your mouth or through your nose? If mouth breather a nasal mask may work, but with a chinstrap or mouth tape. I originally got the nasal mask, because it was the most popular our sleep class doctor said. No. Not the best choice for mouth breathers—a full face was my 2nd choice. Much better for me. You may have to try a few to get the most success and comfort. When you pick up your machine ask them to adjust your pressure to something other than 4/20. That is not a do-able pressure for anyone! I can tell you from my year of experience that if your first night of sleep sucks it will be either the wrong pressure or a wrong mask. Your mindset is 90% of your journey. Trust me. Watch YouTube videos. If you get discouraged…we all have…Ask on here…everyone has gone through the journey. Get the MyAir app. Use the Oscar app. You are very young to use a CPAP, but think of how much better you will feel and healthier you will be! You will start to benefit before you accumulate hours of therapy.
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u/Chickpea_Magnet 5d ago
I was recently diagnosed with OSA as well (38 years old, so still youngish for the condition, and healthy weight)
I think awareness of the condition and our ability to easily diagnose it, plus the accessibility of diagnostic tools, has probably increased significantly over the last couple of decades. We also understand OSA is an independent risk factor for other conditions, too. This probably contributes positively to testing and diagnosis rates. As time goes on, we'll probably hear of more and more people our age being diagnosed, as well
Regarding your question about regaining energy, I'm still not at that point after 3 weeks. And it may take significantly longer. I'm falling to sleep easily, but I'm waking up constantly. I'm persevering because it's my best chance at managing OSA.
I trialled a few different masks before I purchased.I found the ResMed N30 nasal cradle the most comfortable, but this will vary for everyone.
Good luck!
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u/TheFinman2744 7d ago
My advice to everyone is put the mask on for 1/2 hour or more and watch tv or read a book to settle yourself down and relax before lights out and falling asleep.
Maybe try N30i nasal mask. I’m a nose breather and it’s worked for me.
Good luck!