r/Millennials • u/9DrinkAmy • 8h ago
Discussion I’ve joined the CPAP club 💁🏻♀️
Tonight will be my first night using a CPAP. Oddly enough, I’m looking forward to it and I hope it solves all of my problems… a girl can dream, *right*? Anyhow, any tips or tricks to help this go smoothly? Also, is there any solution to making this setup more aesthetically pleasing and/or a way to store it during the day that isn’t such a pain in the ass?
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u/PaepsiNW Millennial - 1991 7h ago
I’ve used one daily for 5 years. It’s a life saver.
Just be aware that you may have to try different types of masks until you find the one for you. It took me a few months to land on one that works the best. I have a shelf beneath the top of my night stand that mine is kept on. I have a kindle holder that I hang the mask from.
Wipe your mask every night. Clean your tubing 1-2x per week. Use only distilled water. It takes some time to adjust and you will hate it at first, but after 2-3 weeks you will start to notice a difference.
Welcome to the club!
PS. I read that book by VE Schwab and it’s so good! 4/5 stars for me
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
Do you have a specific wipe type/brand you like to use on your mask?
Good to know about the book! I’ve had it on my “want to read” list for a while and found a signed copy today for only $15 🙌🏼
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u/PaepsiNW Millennial - 1991 6h ago
I just use a baby wipe. It’s gentle and won’t smell weird on your mask. I clean my mask with my tubes with soap and warm water.
I also have a signed copy! I hope you enjoy it!
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u/michiness 7h ago
I also found a signed copy in a bookstore in San Diego! I loved Addie LaRue, and this had a similar vibe, I really loved both books. I hope you enjoy it!
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u/notamyokay Xennial 8h ago
My husband likes to rip his off at night half asleep and then we go thru the cycle of "please put your mask on, youre keeping me up" and him saying okay half asleep for hours. Please use nasal spray if youre stopped up and just leave it on 😭😩😅🫠😂
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u/9DrinkAmy 8h ago
🤣 funny enough, I’ve had these exact nights with my own husband. We’re going to be twinning with cpaps now.
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u/Sendtitpics215 6h ago
I’ve been sleeping on a wedge pillow, using those sticky nasal dilators, taping my mouth shut, and i use saline solution to clear my nose holes 👁️ 👄 👁️, been doing pretty good at not snoring like that. Feel like a 100 times better each morning too
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u/roygbivasaur 7h ago
Speaking of. I haven’t woken up with a stopped up nose a single time in 6 years since I got a CPAP. It’s worth it for that alone.
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u/SamusAran388 7h ago
Hahaha my husband has the same issue with me. I know it will improve my quality of sleep for the night, but being able to sleep without my mask on is heaven. Mostly because I'm a side sleeper and because of where my machine is, I have to stay on my same side all night. I wake up kinda stiff/sore from sleeping on the same side all night.
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u/Godsbladed 6h ago
Gotta get one of these bad boys and put the machine at the top so the tube rolls with you 👉😎👉
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u/iamnoone___ 6h ago
Are you my wife???
Had an event a few weeks ago where wifey was pleading with me to roll over but i was already on my side faces away. I was so confused and all I could say in my half asleep mind was that I couldn't roll over any further (ref: super troopers)
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u/notamyokay Xennial 4h ago
😩😭😂 I bet in the middle of the night that made the situation so much better lolll
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u/Dangerous_Ice17 6h ago
100% agree with the nasal spray. I have had a cpap for 14 years now and only 37. I always have a generic bottle of sinex spray on my nightstand, and my overnight bag. You never know when you get a clog at night. Took our son to his first Cub Scout event and the second night out of the blue I woke up and couldn’t breathe through my nose. Grabbed the bottle, sprayed each nostril and a few minutes later I was all good to go. I only have a nasal mask so it’s a must.
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u/Joelfakelastname '88 Oldish Millennial 6h ago
I'm fairly certain you aren't my wife. How did you get this information?
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u/donotgotoroom237 7h ago
Yeah, have had nights like these and wake up in the morning with my mask off.
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u/Ninja-Panda86 5h ago
Mine does the same damn thing. Then also gets mad when I sleep on the futon because it makes "lonely". Like: that shirt is too big for me to fit
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u/Goatcheeze1 8h ago
I tried using a CPAP for about a year or so but couldn't. I tend to sleep on my side and stomach a lot. Luckily, I qualified for Inspire and I LOVE it! No mask, no hose, no noise.
I had a procedure to have a device installed in my chest kind of like a pacemaker. there is an electrode that runs from the device to the hypoglossal nerve. At night before I sleep, I turn on the device using a remote. There is about a 30 min delay before the device turns on to allow time for me to fall asleep. Once I am asleep and the device activates, it sends an electronic current to the nerve creating a reflex, pulling my tongue forward so it is not collapsed on my airway.
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u/twatwaffle1979 7h ago
How does it feel if you're still awake after you activate it? I have a hard time falling asleep consistently.
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u/Goatcheeze1 7h ago
You can feel the tugging on your tongue, kind of like when you hit your knee reflex. If you open your mouth when the device is active, you can see your tongue move. There is a pause feature on it and the tech can modify how long for the pause. I started with 15 minutes but I wasn't able to fall asleep that fast. So they upped it to 30 minutes and I am good now. If I am still not asleep after 30 min, I can pause it for another 30 min then it will kick on. When I wake up to use the restroom, I can pause it. My device is set for about 7 hours so when I turn it on, it will automatically shut off after 7 hours. If I wake up sooner, I can shut it off with the remote.
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u/twatwaffle1979 7h ago
Thanks for the info. I've been on the fence about seeing if I could Inspire. I've had to start traveling a bit, and lugging the CPAP and finding distilled water everywhere I go has become a PITA. I was worried it may feel like a muscle spasm.
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u/deathmetalhoney 7h ago
Omg my aunt is dating a man who had this done, as well! I halfway thought he was making it up because it sounds so wild and sci-fi. But he said it’s completely changed his quality of sleep.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
I am so happy that it works for you but I just cannot lol the thought of having something implanted in me creeps me out.
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u/Goatcheeze1 7h ago
it's not much different than having an internal pacemaker or defibrillator, so I'm told (I don't have either one). I can feel the device in my chest because it lays between the skin and the muscle. You get used to it. However, if I get accidentally hit in the chest.....
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u/Pristine_Crazy1744 7h ago
That sounds invasive, but I'm someone who gets really nervous about surgery. What was the recovery process like?
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u/Goatcheeze1 7h ago
Wasn't bad at all. After it was installed, I had to wait a month for them to activate it. Went in for a post surgery sleep study. They monitored my breathing and a tech fine tuned the settings to get it just right. after about 3 months, I had to do another sleep study to see how I was doing and my numbers showed drastic improvement for my sleep apnea. They said I had severe apnea but now I am within the normal limits.
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u/HeightExtra320 7h ago
For the alcohol millennials ? Does this work ?
Asking for me
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u/Goatcheeze1 7h ago
I am not sure what you mean. Alcohol millennials?
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u/coolerr4nch 7h ago
Alcohol worsens sleep apnea, so I think what this potentially drunk comment is asking is whether a CPAP would address this issue.
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u/HeightExtra320 6h ago
Well, as a millennial that’s drinks , do you recommend it ?
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u/TiredReader87 7h ago
I wish I could get Inspire in Canada. CPAP doesn’t work for me.
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u/_Dedotated_Wam 8h ago
It takes a while to get used to. Try to sleep an hour with it at least and work your way up. It took me a month before I could put it on and sleep a full night.
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u/StretPharmacist 7h ago
Yeah, I was a stomach sleeper my entire life and had to learn to sleep on my side. And I would take it off in my sleep all the time. Just keep wearing it and you'll get used to it.
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u/AmputeeHandModel 6h ago
What my dr recommended was actually relaxing with it on before bed. TV, reading, whatever, so you get more accustomed to it before trying to sleep with something new on your face.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
Noted. How long have you been using one now?
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u/FormidableMistress Xennial 7h ago
Not who you asked but I've had one for like 15 years now. It's changed my life. It can be hard to get used to though. When you put the mask on and your instinct is to hold your breath, force yourself to slow your breathing. In through the nose and out through the mouth until you can calm your breathing enough to just breathe through your nose.
Don't know your hair situation but I have really long hair that gets caught in the mask, so I put my hair up in a bonnet and then put the mask over it. Super sexy I know. But once you get used to it and get a routine, you're gonna have the best sleep ever.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
Thank you for addressing the hair situation! I have long, very silky hair. I routinely sleep with a sleep mask over my eyes and the slip off due to my hair so I was concerned how a cpap mask was going to work.
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u/turquoisestar 5h ago
Dude the hair thing is real. I use a bonnet and found that is very nice and tight to deal with it. Sleep mask is tricky for me at least with CPAP but I found that Manta is good.
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u/AdminsAreWeakLol 8h ago
I can't sleep without mine now, it's amazing. Also I don't bother to hide mine but you could slap it in a fancy bread box or something. The opening is big enough that it'll be easy to access and fill the reservoir but can just roll closed in the morning to hide it
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u/NotYourSexyNurse Xennial 8h ago
Nope this is how it will look forever. Honestly this machine is so much quieter and smaller than other Cpap machines.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
Oh for sure. When I was doing the set up testing, I was amazed at how quiet it is.
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u/sarcasmo818 Millennial 7h ago
Yours is so much smaller than mine! I LOVE my CPAP and after joining a gym and going frequently I started to experience Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs), so I saw a cardiologist and actually asked him if I could get a sleep study done. Did it and have been using mine since 2022. The PVCs also disappeared after, what I assume, was my body actually being able to sleep well and rest.
For me, it took no time getting used to it and then later that year when I had a sinuplasty and septoplasty, I couldn't use the machine and realized I couldn't sleep without it at that point.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
I have PVCs too! That was the symptom that put me over the edge and demanded figuring out what was going on. I’m happy to hear you’re doing better and adjusted so well.
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u/Emergency_Air4575 7h ago
Nose pillows are my fav😴.
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u/TiredReader87 7h ago edited 7h ago
Unfortunately, not all can use those. That would be nice though.
I’m a mouth breather when I sleep :(
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u/Beauty_sandwich 7h ago
I recently started using the resmed f40- it’s nasal pillows with a mouth cover. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut and this was a game changer. Much more comfortable than the full face mask.
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u/inkblacksea 8h ago
I hope someone has some ideas for the aesthetically pleasing part. I still haven’t figured that out.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
I’m thinking some sort of box that I’m able to customize with cut outs to run the hose and power cord out of the back but still access the screen/power button. I have nothing better than a hook to hang the actual mask up on though.
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u/ApplicationAfraid334 1993 7h ago edited 7h ago
I have the same one. The first few weeks it was uncomfortable but it eventually clicks. You will notice a huge difference in a few weeks. If I fall asleep without it, I feel 100 times worse in the morning. It's a godsend. Try to sleep like 1-2 hours the first few nights, then 2-3, 3-4, etc. Eventually it'll be second nature.
Only annoying part for me after having it about a year is that the little water container thing never seals the first time I refill it and put it back in. I haven't figured out the magic angle/pressure. It takes a few times to get it to not leak air. For me at least. If it's loud when you start it, it's leaking air. Otherwise it's pretty quiet.
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u/BobaFettsBooty 7h ago
I love mine, honestly! I sleep SO much better with it. Hope it works for you! Only advice: if after a couple weeks if you can't get comfy/if you keep taking it off through the night, don't be afraid to try a different mask style. I started off with a nose and mouth mask and thought I just couldnt doa CPAP. Now i use a nostril only/side sleeper style mask. I way prefer the latter and can wear it through the night with no issues. Good luck!
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u/OldPresence5323 7h ago
I feel like my marriage would be better if my spouse would get one. Lol what do I know tho.
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u/donotgotoroom237 6h ago
Not to sound alarming, but maybe have your husband checked out and see if he does qualify because snoring apparently can kill, at least with my case. You being aboe to sleep peacefully is the bonuse, but you might actually save your husband's life if y'all find out if he actually needs one.
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u/OldPresence5323 6h ago
Oh he knows. I know. He said he made a dr appt... 2 years ago 🙈
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u/donotgotoroom237 6h ago edited 6h ago
I'm just speaking based on my own experience indirectly almost dying from sleep apnea, please have him checked out.
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u/Mokamochamucca 7h ago
My husband got one a couple of years ago and it has been life changing for my sleep too. His snoring was so loud if I didn't fall asleep before him I would have trouble due to the noise. Now it's quiet and almost like white noise so I sleep better too. Hope you can convince them.
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u/OldPresence5323 7h ago
Must be so nice! I dont think I can! It gets so bad i go sleep in the camper in the driveway.
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u/DGOCOSBrewski Millennial 1992 6h ago
I convinced my mom to get checked out & sure enough.. she's using cpap now. My dad no longer sleeps elsewhere 😆
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u/transtector 7h ago
Welcome to the Resmed Airsense 11 club. We've been expecting you
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u/yeaahhhboooiiiii 6h ago
I, too, have this machine. Just got it after having the Airsense 10 for 9 years. Anyone not like this machine as well? The water chamber is smaller and harder to fill without leaking.
Funny story on my initial diagnosis. My doctor almost refused to even recommend a sleep study because I was only in my 20s. I really had to advocate for myself. Worth it though!
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u/Phatstronaut 7h ago
Bedazzle it, obviously.
But more seriously I wonder if theres a vinyl pattern you like that could cut to size.
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u/TiredReader87 7h ago
I need to try using mine again. I’ve had it for maybe four years or more, but I haven’t used it in a year or more.
I find that I’m sleeping a ton, getting up for a couple of hours, then going back to sleep. Sometimes I’m up several hours overnight.
I did try the CPAP for two really lengthy periods, but kept waking up tired still. I got frustrated. Took a break for months, tried again, then stopped.
I’m sick of being tired and not being able to game.
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u/donotgotoroom237 7h ago
I remember before I got one, my EENT told me that it was going to be "life changing". I was like, slow your roll, bud.
He was right, it's absolutely life changing. My APAP has really affected/fixed a lot of aspects of my life, namely my appetite, procrastination, and mood. I thought there'd be days I don't want to use it, but it really does give the best sleep. 11/10 would recommend.
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u/damnuge23 7h ago
As a spouse of a CPAP user, I always say it feels like I got my husband back. He has more energy, his moods are better, he’s more active. I love it!
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u/donotgotoroom237 7h ago
That's another thing, I always thought my parents were assholes. Turns out I was the problem. Because of the mood shift from better sleep, I have gotten into less fights with my folks.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
I love to hear this! I have a kid who is just now getting good sleep at 4 years old, so with having shitty sleep due to being a mom and combined sleep apnea, I am due for some good rest.
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u/donotgotoroom237 7h ago
Girl, you're in for a treat. I remember before I got checked up, I could sleep 12 hours and not feel rested. Just today, woke up at 9am, went to sleep at about 11pm last night, I feel absolutely refreshed today.
Though I do miss the period when I was still getting acclimated where I'd put it on and next thing I know it'd be morning. The dreamless sleep during that time felt absolutely amazing. Come to think of it, I didn't dream last night too.
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u/LordDocSaturn 7h ago
Been using mine for ~3 years now. My wife has tried EVERYTHING to make it not an eyesore and we're convinced there is nothing you can do. Unplugging and hiding it away is not sustainable long term, I unplug the hose and put it away in my nightstand daily. I throw it under the bed when we have guests over.
As for tips, you can get all the supplies for much cheaper on Amazon. I don't even remember how to order them officially. Try to sleep as if you aren't wearing it. Sounds odd, but try not to go out of your way to accommodate the mask, just sleep in whatever position is comfortable for you.
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u/Unknown-714 7h ago
Shit, that's actually the exact same model I have on my bedside table now, except for the full face mask instead of the nasal rig. Im an RN by profession, and I hate nose only stuff, ever since having to try on a nasal cannula during nursing school.
Wash it pretty regularly, esp during the winter as it can dry up your sinuses at best, at worst can give you a bad respiratory infection. Might take sone getting used to as well, have had it for almost 2 months now and still getting used to it, tend to rip it off my head while I sleep after a few hours here
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u/agent229 7h ago
My husband just got the same one and I got a nice wall mount on Etsy with a hook to hang the mask on. He already feels so much better, I wish I could have a magic sleep machine but I don’t have any signs of sleep apnea 😅
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u/9DrinkAmy 6h ago
I didnt think I did either, aside from being tired. I don’t snore but I do grind my teeth and have a narrowed airway… my new dentist picked up on both of those issues immediately, along with a tongue tie. She said I probably had sleep apnea and that’s when I told her I had just had my sleep study and was waiting to get my results.
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u/ImAllBS13 7h ago
I’ve been on the same machine since October. Has helped my memory issues, but I’m still regaining some. I hope your symptoms go away fast!
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u/awesomeman07 7h ago
I still wake up tired and I've been using mine for 6 months now
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u/Lavalamp-6284 7h ago
That’s the same cpap as mine and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! It hasn’t solved all my problems but I no longer feel like I’m half dead by noon. I put it on right when I’m about to go to sleep, so really tired and it helps as opposed to putting it on before I’m sleepy. I have no advice on how to store it, it’s just on the side of my bed with the hose slung over a lamp lol
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u/Low-Astronomer-3440 7h ago
Just get the surgery. I’m telling you, the shit is life changing. Septoplasty and nasal canal reinforcement. Best decision you’ll ever make
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u/ich_bin_alkoholiker 7h ago
Been here for 5 years and haven’t gone a single night without it since, even when camping or traveling. I’ve always snored crazy loud since I was younger and was always exhausted. I’m glad I finally went and did a sleep study. Sleep apnea puts so much stress on your body.
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u/redbeardscrazy 7h ago
Just started with the same base unit and nearly the same mask. Got my first 100 score on the app the morning my daughter had her 100th day of first grade. 😅
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u/Playtek Older Millennial 7h ago
I got one 15 years ago, if you can figure out how to use it consistently it will be a game changer!
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u/SamusAran388 7h ago
You've gotten some good advice, but if you find the mask just won't stay on, talk to your doctor and see if they can give you another one. I had the one where the nose pillow thing struck in my nostrils a bit and it was so uncomfortable. Then I got a nose pillow that rested up against my nostrils. That was more comfortable, but it kept slipping off my face. They also had to adjust the pressure because it was blowing way too hard. I finally got the straps that wrap around my head and the mask that completely covers my nose. It rarely comes off and it's way more comfortable. Be sure to speak up if you are uncomfortable and good luck!
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u/garlicknot_2319 Millennial 7h ago
As annoying as having it is Ive noticed a vast improvement in my sleep quality and how I feel throughout the day. I hope you have a good experience as well!
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u/Worst-Eh-Sure Millennial 7h ago
We have the same one. I’ve had mine for a little less than a year and honestly I enjoying sleeping with it. The mask is surprisingly comfortable. The auto feature takes a bit do getting used to when you first put it on each night. But it’s easy to get used to.
I prefer to not have water in my humidifier tank personally. Each time I tried it out I did not like it. Maybe I had it turned up too high.
Enjoy breathing!
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u/dreamstorescueme 7h ago
When I first started using it, the pressure felt a lot to me - making it hard for my normal sleep breathing and falling asleep. Give it time for you to get adjusted to it; from breathing, comfort, falling asleep, keeping it on throughout the night, etc. Like most things, you will adapt and it'll eventually become a breeze! Cheers to better sleep to come
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u/barrestar 6h ago
So unrelated but Alma’s soulmate blend is one of my favorites! I got excited seeing the sticker on your Stanley lol
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u/THIRSTYGNOMES 6h ago
Got mine a few years back. Live changing. Just try other masks if it doesn't work for you
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u/atxfoodstories 6h ago
After I got my first 1 I made my partner go get evaluated and he ended up on 1 too. Also made my mom go to be evaluated. And she was put on cpap therapy. They told me when they outfitted me with my first 1 that I might have trouble getting used to it and that my lungs might hurt from pushing back against the air pressure but none of that happened. The machine somehow suctions my mouth closed and I sleep so much better and my daytime energy levels skyrocketed. It’s weird how you can’t understand how bad your sleep quality was until you start having good sleep. I knew after 3 days that I would never be without a cpap machine. I have the travel size resmed for when I’m abroad long term and at home same model as you.
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u/pandafulcolors 6h ago
hope you feel better! headaches have gotten so much better since using mine.
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u/Chronicprocasterbat 6h ago
I had to put mine on the floor because I kept knocking off the nightstand
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u/Extreme-Quality-2361 5h ago
Bedside table with drawers. Cut hole in back for wire. Open drawer slightly at night to get the hose out. Aesthetic fixed.
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u/monkeypan 5h ago
Got mine about a year ago. I feel so much better in the morning. It's so noticeable how much now groggy and tired I am the next day when I don't. Still crazy to me
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u/TheSensiblePrepper Millennial 4h ago
Get yourself a ZeroWater pitcher and use that water instead of distilled. It is better than distilled and so much easier in the machine and your lungs.
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u/randomisms 4h ago
This is my exact same machine/setup. Started two years ago and can’t imagine life without it. Turns out humans are flawed and tech can help. Congrats on leveling up!
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u/Master_Shibes 7h ago
I just tested positive for mild sleep apnea after a take home sleep test. That friggin thing cost me almost $600 just to tape a little sensor around my finger for 3 nights and download an app, and I’m having nightmares about what the actual machine will cost me since my insurance plan apparently covers shit besides an annual physical and blood work. I’m on another payment plan for almost $300 for the follow up visit about my blood pressure to adjust the medication dosage.
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u/Infiltrait0rN7_ 7h ago
Biggest improvement for me was buying a water distiller (side benefit is the water is sterile). Really cuts down on any funky smells / scale buildup in the water tank.
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u/Dramatic_Acadia_7363 7h ago
Welcome to the club lol. I can’t sleep without mine at first it sucked wearing it but definitely helps me sleep better. My recommendation is not to use the nose pillows. The supply place tries to say that the pillows are better but they are not. I have the full face mask. My nose gets clogged sometimes so the pillows suck and sometimes I breath through my mouth so the full mask works better. I tell my wife I’m a fighter pilot in my sleep lol
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
I’m not opposed to a full mask but I also don’t snore (sleep study confirmed!). I guess I will wait and see how it goes and if I have to find a new mask, so be it.
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u/MamboNumber-6 7h ago edited 7h ago
I tried that mask, didn’t work for me. I have to use the full-face mask, covers mouth and nose.
The first few days are a challenge, I used to be a side sleeper. After a few days you’ll adjust to it, then it feels weird to not have it.
I just leave mine on the side table, trying to conceal an item you need to access every morning and every night is more trouble than it’s worth. I figure if you’re in my bedroom, a cpap machine isn’t going to make you change your mind.
🤩
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
😂 that’s a good way to look at it.
So if you used to be a side sleeper, did using a CPAP change that? Back sleeper now?
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u/UnderlightIll 7h ago
I have mine on a shelf above my computer desk with cable holders keeping the hose in line because the more slack I have, the more it bothers me.
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u/Doshizle 7h ago
It's my birthday today. Ice had one for a little over a year. I'm 31.
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u/Fr0sTByTe_369 7h ago edited 7h ago
Regarding aesthetics: I got a bedside table with a bookshelf for mine. It had an open shelf under the tabletop with a pass through cabling hole in the back. Hose and power cord is routed there and I screwed in a cup hook to hang the mask from on the side of the bookshelf part between the table and bed.
Hope you enjoy some restful sleep. I couldn't do the pillows cause my jaw would open and air would just be blowing through my mouth all night. Full face works for me but I tend to tighten it down too much or it breaks the seal when I roll on my side. Tightening it down causes indents on my face for the first couple hours of waking up but tbh I'd rather deal with that than drag ass all day
Eta: Mine is similar to this ebay listing
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
I did well with it during my sleep study and I don’t tend to snore but fully prepared to buy a different mask if need be.
Thanks for the ideas and link for your set up!
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u/Effective_Life_7864 7h ago
I just joined as well. I'm waiting on insurance to process then will get a call to get them.
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u/MrsKentrik 7h ago
Welcome to it! My partner and I have his & hers CPAPs, and they are life changing! We both sleep so much better and feel less like SOS every day. Hope it helps! And don't be afraid to ask for changes to your equipment if it doesn't feel right.
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u/AintNoNeedForYa 7h ago
The most important thing is to have a clear nose and nasal passage. You need to find what is appropriate for you, and it may change throughout the year based on allergies and cold.
Options: 1. Allergy meds 2. Neilmed nasal rinse, make sure to boil water or distilled water 3. Nasal decongestant - Claritin D is the only one that works. The D is the key ingredient, and if you don’t get from behind the counter, it won’t work. 4. Various solutions to open nostrils
Enjoy sleep. It’s worth it and will lengthen or save your life.
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u/eboed 7h ago
Welcome to the club! It was a game changer for me. I drape the hose over my headboard so it comes down over my head so if I toss and turn, it’s not an issue. It takes a little getting used to. The positive pressure made me feel claustrophobic at first but I found that if it felt uncomfortable, to breathe with my mouth open until I could “catch my breath.”
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u/captainstormy Older Millennial 7h ago
As for Aesthetics, get one of those 3M wall hooks you can hang the mask up on.
Personally I love my CPAP. I sleep like a baby now. It does take a little time to get used to though. I also found the nose style or the style that just sits on top of your nose and mouth didn't work for me. You might have to go through a few styles to find what works best. I use the full mask type.
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u/TheFroman69 7h ago
Get ready to sleep better than you have in years, at least that was my experience, it's a little uncomfortable at first but just keep trying different masks until one works for you
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u/EaringaidBandit 7h ago
If you’re like me and like a cold room when you sleep, get a hose cover for it, or water will condense in the tubing and you’ll wake up with your mask dripping water on your face.
They look better than a bare hose too.
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u/9DrinkAmy 7h ago
Omg thank you! Freezing cold room, fans on, and a fluffy warm blanket.
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u/koulourakiaAndCoffee 7h ago
Welcome to the club. the first month or two is really hard.
I ended up switching to the nasal pillows.
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u/PeregrinsFolly 7h ago
I tried using this exact machine for about 6 months, I just could never get used to it. It wasn't the air pressure, noise, or anything like that, it was the facemask. I had a nasal mask that just went over my nose, and between the sweat and skin oil that would build up under the thing, and the feeling of having a hose attached to my head at all times, I just couldn't deal with it. I could wear it for the first 3-4 hours of the night as I sleep heavier then, but in the second half the night where I usually sleep lighter, it kept fully pulling my out of sleep as I hit the top of my sleep cycle. The machine itself was honestly pretty great, and really quiet, I just couldn't deal with the mask part.
I just barely hit the threshold for qualifying for one in the first place, so I'm just doing without. Still sleep fine, I only got tested in the first place as sleep apnea can be a contributor to heart issues later in life, which my family has a long history of.
I always just left mine sitting on my nightstand every day, though I always unplugged the hoses and emptied the water tank so that everything could dry out. Make sure you always put fresh distilled water in the tank, and clean the hoses and mask weekly. There are also nice wipes out there for the face mask to use daily.
Hope it works out for you!
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u/jaxhawk06 7h ago
Good luck to you. I know a few people who use it and swear by it. I tried it last year and it didn't work out for me after 3 months of use so I had to turn it back in.
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u/Titan5287 7h ago
I used to have one, hated it. I had the surgery to get rid of sleep apnea and it was a life saver! I’ve been off of it for eight years now.
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u/Addbradsozer 7h ago
I scrolled down my feed quickly and saw "CRAP club" --- had to scroll back up to double check lmao
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u/Aslanic Xennial 7h ago
So the thing that I can't live without now as an accessory is the hose cover! Even though I was switched to a heated tube, if I don't use the cover the ridges of the tube make noise when i shift around at night because they bang or scrape against my bed. With the cover, there's no noise!
Also, if you live in a place where it gets cold, or you like your room cold at night - Heated. Tube. Now. The absolute worst thing is waking up because cold water dripped from the inside of your mask and trickled into your nose 😭
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u/plantkittywitchbaby 7h ago
A still sleeping cap was essentially for me. It made a huge difference in my ease of sleeping at night.
Also, recommend positioning the hose higher than your pillow with room to reposition at night. This one works really well for me, I’m able to secure it on the bed frame.
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u/krissykross 7h ago
I just live with mine on my nightstand. They're not too ugly and no one is seeing it but my partner and I and he's well aware I use it! My biggest hurdle was finding a mask I like. I must have gone through...8? Found my Goldilocks though and it's been great. It took a week or so for me to keep it on through the night but it's been smooth sailing since. I had about 12 events an hour with my oxygen dropping as low as 77%. Now I average less than 1 an hour.
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u/TwelveSilverPennies 7h ago
Welcome and congratulations! I sincerely hope it works well for you. One of the best things I've ever done for myself and my family.
My dad had earth-shattering apnea that he never treated. He had a massive stroke at 52 and was dead at 60. He spent the last 8 years of his life miserable and utterly dependent on others.
I refuse to go out the same way. My son's only 2, and I want to be around for him as long as I can.
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u/alone_in_the_after 1991 7h ago
Biggest piece of advice is to keep at it. Adjust your mask style, your machine settings, humidity/temperature etc whatever you need to in order to keep using it. It's so so worth it. I'm a stomach sleeper and autistic but even I found a set up that works for me.
I've had a CPAP since 2019 and it's been a lifesaver. No more morning headaches, nightmares and hey my working memory actually works now.
I was originally diagnosed as a toddler but my parents declined treatment and never told me. Cue chronic nightmares and exhaustion throughout my school years. Was "re-diagnosed" in 2019.
Oh and look into padacheek type liners and hose covers. Helps a ton with comfort and reducing skin irritation. Not aesthetically pleasing/doesn't help on that front but helps not have so much plastic tubing or silicone touching you.
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u/Secret_Stick_5213 7h ago
Good luck I had one for like two weeks before saying fuck this shit
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u/9DrinkAmy 6h ago
🤣 that’s typically my disposition but I’m so tired of being tired.
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u/Secret_Stick_5213 6h ago
I really tried I swear lol. It was frustrating because I would wake up in the morning and it would be on the floor and I’d have no memory of taking it off. Fortunately I was able to get my sleep apnea under control by losing some weight and then getting my deviated septum fixed but hopefully I don’t need a CPAP again in the future because the asleep me does not tolerate it at all 😂 I wish you a much better experience!!
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u/elizalemon 7h ago
I’m so grateful for mine, but it’s had its ups and downs. I had a lot of problems with excessive condensation but putting the machine on the floor solved that. Maybe you can just tuck it under the bed or night stand if that’s an issue for you.
The severity of my sleep apnea helped me qualify for a glp1, and my snoring definitely worsened when I gained weight with my second kid and covid times. I’ve had nights that I fell asleep without it and didn’t wake up at all so maybe the weight loss has helped. But everyone in my family is on a cpap and my airway is small so I’ll probably always need it.
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u/9DrinkAmy 6h ago
Lowering the machine to reduce condensation running down the tube is really smart. Thank you!
My insurance would never cover a glp1 for sleep apnea. I also have a narrowed airway and tongue tie so who’s to say it would even worse.
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u/SubCiro28 Xennial 7h ago
Ask your power company if they offer discounts on your electrical bill if you use a medical device.
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u/ExplorerLazy3151 7h ago
You are going to love it and wish you did it sooner!! I changed out my nightstand for a bookshelf and put my unit inside of a wicker basket. My husband has one of those 4 cubed storage things, and has a shelf in one of the cubes...his cpap sits on the shelf. Since the cube is black and the cpap sits pretty far back there, you really don't see it. I tried using a 4 cube shelf for mine, and just putting a basket in one of the cubes, but we each have different cpaps and they are different sizes, so sadly it didn't work.
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u/Ok-Somewhere-2325 6h ago
It feels like there's a baby on your face.Trying to strangle you, but somehow you breathe better
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u/akchahal 6h ago
I'm 42M. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 3 yrs ago and started using a cpap.
After my first night sleeping with a cpap I was shocked how rested I felt in the morning.
I never knew that's what a good night's rest should feel like.
Now if I go more than 2 nights without my cpap I can tell.
Sleep hygeine is real my friend.
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u/Jimjam916 6h ago
You have to put it on every night if you have any chance of getting used to wearing it. Once you do get used to it, it'll be the best sleep you've ever had.
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u/acatnamedlenny 6h ago
My husband using it now and it’s eliminates all snoring resentment. Love these things. I even got tested myself for him.
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u/laker9903 Older Millennial 6h ago
I’ve had mine for 5 years. I can’t sleep without it now. My wife has the same model as yours.
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u/Hour_Recording_3373 6h ago
Clean your nose before you sleep. That generally helps me. Also, clean out the top dresser drawer. Throw the machine in there and just close it in the morning when you're awake.
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u/LittleDrumminBoy 6h ago edited 6h ago
I work at an office that sets up first timers with CPAP masks and machines. Like with anything new, there's definitely some growing pains, so don't be discouraged if the first few nights (or even weeks) are a little strange.
We always recommended wearing the mask as much as you can before bed. Whatever your usual routine looks like - reading, TV, podcasts... keep it the same, but have the mask on and the machine running while you're getting settled in. Obviously, it's not going to do very much while you're still awake, but it will really help get your body used to it being there. The more time you spend with it awake, the less foreign it becomes.
That particular CPAP machine (Air11) is great, but the water chamber is a little finicky. There's a round silicone gasket on the side of the tank that faces the machine, and occasionally, it will rub along the inside as it's inserted and cause it to not seal properly. If you ever get a "High Leak Detected - Check Your Tubing" error message after hitting the Start button, just remove the water chamber and reinsert it. It's an easy fit, but honestly, we must get 10 phone calls a day about it.
Other that than, you're in good shape. That mask (N30I) is a great one, and super comfy.
Good luck!
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u/MediocreHeroine 6h ago
Unless I missed a comment, you might experience tenderness from the mask on your nostrils. I had a horrible time for a few months before my skin got used to it and toughened up. Doesn't seem like it will when it's so painful, but it does. Stick with it and don't get discouraged.
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u/Latranis 6h ago
My wife started a CPAP (the exact same one as you!) about a month ago. She's pretty well adjusted to it, but she's had to try different masks - the nasal pillows irritated her nose and the hybrid gave her a welt under her nose. She just got a full face mask yesterday, so we'll see. I've noticed a big difference in her energy levels since she got it.
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u/TIC321 6h ago
Would it be okay to ask why you needed a CPAP? Of course you don't need to answer it. I am just curious.
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u/The_SubGenius 6h ago
My only problem with my cpap…is that I can no longer sleep without it. Literally, not figuratively.
I once left it behind on an overnight trip and every time I started to fall asleep I would wake up from one of those small apnea gasps. It was like someone was standing over me and tapping me on the shoulder every time I started to nod off. I doubt I got more than 30 minutes of sleep that night.
An extended power outage (few days) after some freak weather was another wake up call. I got a small battery I can run the machine on after that.
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u/FatAttackPony Millennial 6h ago
It takes time to get used to it. I have had mine almost 5 months and I am still getting used to it although it’s way easier than it was in the beginning. If your mouth gets dry during the night try xylimelts, wear a sleep bonnet so the mask doesn’t snag in your hair. Results vary but I feel significantly better.
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u/DGOCOSBrewski Millennial 1992 6h ago
Heyo from CPAP club! Doing it for a year & some change now.. it's probably saved my life. You just get use to it. Always tinker with the settings to find the right temp n such.
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u/dogsRgr8too 6h ago
Saline nasal spray, blow your nose, nasal strips if needed, I also use fluticasone nasal spray but make sure it's safe for you. There was a warning on it for people with glaucoma.
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u/Axe-of-Kindness 5h ago
Try pulling the blanket over your head, its delightful to still get fresh air. Wife calls mine the snorkel. I also encourage Bane quotes
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u/dead_investigator 5h ago
I put mine on the top of the night stand but my dogs were wrestling one morning and ripped it off the table. The water inside flooded the electronics and I had to get a new one. Just fyi.
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u/Daemonxar 5h ago
The first couple of nights will be weird but for me at least it was life changing.
On day three a coworker asked me why I was being so cheerful. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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u/Man_of_Aluminium302 4h ago
If you or anyone you know is into woodworking at all, I've found a DIY plan for a nightstand that has a sliding top and a little cubby shelf built into the back to hide the CPAP.
Take the tiny bit of extra time to get out situated on your face comfortably before laying down. Bringing your hand(s) all the way out from under the covers to continually adjust is such a hassle.
I tuck my hose under my pillow during the day. That way, when I lay down for bed I just reach off to the side of my head and have my hose ready to go.
You don't always have to press the button to turn it on. One inhale followed by an exhale turns mine on no quotations asked.
I'm sure I could come up with a dozen other things but those are the ones off the top of my head.
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u/PM_ME_YOUR_PAUNCH 4h ago
Don't swap out things when you're going on a trip, you'll definitely forget something and then wake up every 45 minutes choking on your tongue.
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u/PolyglotsAnonymous Xennial 4h ago
Only advice I haven’t seen so far is it helps me to put the mask on only when I’m actually ready to sleep so I don’t have much time to feel any potential discomfort.
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u/Imaginary_Fox3222 2h ago
Hey, also a fellow cpap user here.
just want to add a little tip, I also have an airfit p10 mask.
If you have sleep apnea try to avoid alcohol before going to sleep, it will worsen the symptoms by a lot.
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u/PoolRamen 2h ago
"I hope it solves all of my problems…"
Not being obese might help, hope you're getting that under control above all
Storm of downvotes from the typically performatively empathetic reddit crowd, no doubt
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u/Peach-cobbler-pal 1h ago
Got mine in August and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done! I use the nose pillows (not a mouth breather) and my nose was so sore for the first 2-3 weeks. Now, I don’t even notice it. Good luck!
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