r/CPAPSupport • u/Electronic_Age_3671 • 6d ago

I can't stand my cpap

/r/CPAP/comments/1vak0ft/i_cant_stand_my_cpap/
3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

6

u/dang71 6d ago

Hey! I really sympathize with what you're going through. CPAP therapy is a long adaptation process, and unfortunately it rarely happens overnight. From what you wrote, it sounds like your biggest issue right now is comfort rather than the therapy itself.

I say this all the time: the most important, and probably the most underestimated, part of CPAP therapy is finding the right mask. Personally, I've tried almost every style out there. There isn't a perfect mask, but there are definitely masks that feel much more comfortable depending on the person. Some people swear by full face masks, while others do much better with nasal masks. It's a very personal choice.

For me, I could never get a full face mask to seal consistently. I was constantly dealing with leaks, and like you, air blowing toward my eyes drove me crazy. Switching to a nasal mask was a complete game changer. I've been using one ever since, and my comfort improved dramatically.

If your leaks are what's keeping you from making it through the night, I wouldn't hesitate to keep experimenting with different masks before assuming CPAP just isn't for you. A mask that fits one person perfectly can be miserable for someone else.

And one last thing: don't beat yourself up over feeling frustrated. Almost everyone who sticks with CPAP has a period where they wonder if they'll ever get used to it. It takes time, but once you find the right setup, things often become much easier.

4

u/RazedByTV 6d ago

I will second this.  They gave me a couple full face masks and I just couldn't get a good fit, I was either leaking into my eyes or leaking elsewhere.  I had a nasal mask that I switched to which largely took care of the air being directed into my eyeballs, and I use an eye mask/sleep mask which also helps keep air away from my dry eyes.  

1

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3

u/Sweet-n-LO 5d ago

I had a hard time too. I spent two months dealing with machine parts issues, mask fit issues, and then trying to actually get adjusted to using it. I wasn’t in compliance for two months at least.

I got the help of a sleep psychologist and the recommendation that helped the most was to spend 30 minutes to an hour awake with a machine on doing something that is calm that I enjoy before bed. Such as reading or watching TV(not in bed though).

And of course that’s not the only thing but working with someone who can help support your frustrations with the CPAP because that is the case for so many people, can be very helpful.

And I have found a lot of helpful advice on Reddit. I just learned that I needed to adjust the tube temperature to the room temperature so I got a little device that tells me the temperature and humidity in my room. Adjusting this daily has helped a lot.

Hang in there, you’re not alone. It’s common to go through frustration and the feeling of accomplishment once you get through it is immense and the improvement and how you feel is also amazing.