Adjusting to CPAP

Sorry for all the separate posts. Sometimes I forget something, and the other reason is that I think it's better to have separate posts on diverse issues, so if someone is looking for information on muscle twitches related to Fibromyalgia or sleep issues in Fibromyalgia and so forth, they can find a post on it without having to ready multiple paragraphs in order to find what they are looking for. 

So, this post is about my CPAP machine and some tips that I hope will help you.

I am getting pretty used to it now, I think I've had it close to a year. At first, I would feel somewhat claustrophobic when I had it on. Then I had to learn how to deal with it when air would leak out from under the mask and hit my eyes. If you need one or are having trouble getting used to a CPAP, here is my advice. Just don't give up. The more you use it, the less you will even notice it. Trust me. Use it even for naps. Especially if you feel claustrophobic, using it for a 1 hour daytime nap will probably help you through that.

If the air is leaking toward your eyes, you may actually have the mask on too tight. Get yourself into your sleeping position, THEN adjust your straps. Don't adjust your straps while sitting up. It's not the same as the position you'll be sleeping in. Adjust it to your sleeping position. This has been a big help for me.

Over time, the hard part of the plastic mask will stretch or get a bit bent out of shape, even when you don't realize it. After awhile you will need a whole new mask. Of course the same goes for the silicone pad area.
Very important for it to not be too high on the bridge of your nose or to have it too tight. If you're a woman, making sure your face is clean of makeup will help the mask fit better too.

Lately, I've had a problem of my mouth drying out. And when I say dry, I mean...desert dry. Like my tongue feels like a starfish in a gift shop. THAT DRY. I cranked the humidifier option on my CPAP up to the highest position and I keep a bottle of water by my bed. It seems to be helping. A quick search online and I found information that a lot of people like some mints called ZyliMelts...they're little disks you can put in each cheek that gradually dissolve and keep your mouth moist. So that is an option if the dry mouth problem continues.