Taking home a new CPAP machine may seem intimidating, but there are a few things you can do to make the process a lot smoother. Here’s what you should do during your first few days as a new user.
Read the Documentation
Make sure you read all the documentation that came with your CPAP machine. You may be confused a bit by all the hoses and parts, but there’s not a lot to the machine. Reading all the materials will help you understand the CPAP a lot better.
I was confused at first until I dug into the manuals and read everything before using my new unit. I keep the manuals handy in my CPAP carry case if I need to refer to them in the future.
Relax Before Wearing the Mask
Wearing a CPAP mask may stress you out some, and this will probably happen during the first few days. I struggled a bit to wear my mask the first couple of days.
Try to relax as much as possible before you put the mask on during those first few days. Make sure the mask fits well and that there are no leaks. Refer to the CPAP display as a “green” face means a good fit while a “red” face means there’s a leak somewhere.
Consistent Use
The most important point is to use your mask consistently. You should try to use it every night during those first few days. It may be frustrating at first, but struggle through it, as you need to develop the mask-wearing habit.
What made me successful with my CPAP was trying to use the mask all the time. I’ve had some bad days, but for the most part, I use my mask all the time. Far too many people give up the first couple of days, and that’s the wrong approach.
Join a CPAP Community
Don’t struggle with CPAP alone. Joining a CPAP community was one of the best decisions I made. You need that support, and early on, this can make using a CPAP machine a lot easier.
Try reaching out and asking questions if you feel frustrated with your new machine. The community is a great way to solve any aggravating issues that you may have.
Talk to Your Sleep Provider About Any Issues
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your sleep provider if you have an issue with your machine or don’t know how something works. They are there to help you, so call them if you need help.
My sleep provider provides excellent service whenever I need it, and I call them when necessary about my machine. They recently sent me a new water tank when my old one broke. They were fast and very helpful.
Key Points
- Read the documentation.
- Relax before wearing the mask.
- Use it consistently.
- Join a CPAP community.
- Talk to your sleep provider about any issues.
It may seem intimidating to use a CPAP mask, but it doesn’t have to be. After a few days to a few weeks, using your CPAP will seem like old hat. The most important thing to remember is consistent use, as this is what will develop a habit and make your CPAP use a part of your daily life.
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