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Re: My first night on CPAP - advice needed!

Posted by Brian in Columbus, GA on October 31, 2001 at 15:10:54:

In Reply to: My first night on CPAP - advice needed! posted by gseab on October 31, 2001 at 11:21:58:

The Ultra Mirage is one of the "best" masks on the market. By "best" I mean that it is designed and built well so that it works for most people. It is one of the most popular masks among users of this forum, including myself. Having said that, it does not work well for everyone. But before giving up on it, try to make it work for you. The tips by JB below are good. The trick to the UM is to not overtighten the straps. You want the straps just tight enough so that the mask will stay in place when you move your head and not cause leaks. Any tighter than that will be uncomfortable and will actually lead to more leaks. I would recommend that you put the mask on well before bedtime with the room light on. Try adjusting the straps in different ways. For each adjustment, see how it works in each position that you normally sleep in. Once you get the straps set, you should not have to readjust them ever again (at least in theory). Find the strap tension that works for you and leave it alone. I can go for several nights in a row without adjusting the straps in any way. If the mask slips a little and creates a leak, you may be able to stop the leak simply by lifting the mask slightly and reseating it on your face. This almost always works for small leaks. Also, make sure you wash face before going to bed to remove any oil that might be on your face. Skin oil causes the mask not form a good seal.

Another problem is getting used to having a mask (any mask) on your face. I would encourage you to "suck it up" and try to stick with the CPAP the whole night. My first night was awful, but I stubbornly refused to remove the mask. I didn't get much sleep. The second night was a lot better, partly because I was so tired that it was easier to get to sleep with the mask on. Over time, you will learn tricks to get the system to work. Some nights you will encounter new problems that require new tricks. You can always get tips from folks on the forum. You will also develop your own tricks that you can share with the rest of us. The point is to stick with it and you will begin to feel better (hopefully very soon).

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