Listen to this post read by AI voice Maxine from Revoicer.
I got a CPAP machine in July of this year. I started off my CPAP journey with positive results and better sleep. It was great! I felt so well-rested and energetic, even with an average of only 6 hours of sleep. It was good, high-quality sleep.
The honeymoon period lasted for about 3 months. Then the trouble began. The mask I loved suddenly decided to cause burning pain on my face, leaving angry-looking red marks. So the search began for a different mask.
There are SO many options available. There are full face masks that cover the mouth and nose. There are hybrid masks that cover the mouth and just the bottom of the nose. (My first mask was a hybrid.) And, there are many varieties of nasal masks. I tried, and hated, them all.
Each mask had something unbearable about it. Burning pain and redness was a common problem with the silicone masks. The nasal masks blew air into my nose so hard, I felt like my head was going to explode. And then I’d get stuffed up and couldn’t breathe at all. Other masks leaked air into my eyes, making them painfully dry by morning. And others blew forceful streams of air out of relief valves situated in various places, many of them directly at my husband.
Then there’s the noise! When a mask loses its seal, it’s loud. Sometimes it flaps against my cheeks, sounding like a huge fart. Other times it squeaks, or even squeals. Does it lose its seal often? Only every time I roll over.
Oh, and speaking of rolling over, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve woken up with the air hose wrapped around my neck. The hose has ridges in it, which has left welts on my neck and arms.
I’m still trying to find a mask I can tolerate. So far, it’s a full face mask that has a memory foam seal. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best I can find. Of course, it’s also the most expensive one that needs to be replaced every 30 days.
And my sleep is abysmal. I generally sleep with the mask for 4 to 5 hours. Then I wake up, and like my blogging friend Stephany, I throw the mask on the floor. Then I get up and spend about an hour massaging the mask’s impressions out of my face. I usually go back to bed without the mask for another 1 or 2 hours. It’s not enough sleep.
Well, thank you for listening to me rant about this! Every once in a while, I accidentally do get a good night of sleep, and that’s pure bliss.
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Oh NO. No no no. I am so sorry, Michelle. I had hoped that your machine would solve all your sleep issues, the end. I am so sorry that you’re having such trouble with it all. Boo to that. I hope there’s a solution soon. xo
Thank you for your sweet sympathy, Gnicole! I’m sure someone will invent the perfect mask soon and all will be well!
Big phat phooey. . . so sorry you are going through this. It is shocking to me how many people struggle with sleep, and there probably as many reasons for the struggle as there are strugglers. There are so many things to try, pills, special sheets, special pillows, supplements, tea, breathing exercises, meditation, routines, machines. . .
I’ve gone from sleeping solidly through the night to having at least one night a week that I am just not tired. I finally concluded that I don’t need as much sleep as I used to, because I am still functional during the day after those nights which consist of only a nap or two.
I ordered a book called “The Sleep Solution”, it wouldn’t download, and the author/blogger does NOT reply to any emails. She owes me $15, dang it! I was SURE this book would contain the answer.
Thank you for your Big Phat Phooey, Jana! That made my day! I hope you get the book sorted out and that it contains the magic answer!
I’m so sorry- this sounds a lot like my husband’s experience with his CPAP. He doesn’t wear it anymore, and he’s actually having a surgical procedure to help with his snoring the first week of December.
Sending you a hug. I know how bad sleep affects my body-it’s so hard. 😘💜
Kari, that’s so interesting about your husband! I’d be very interested to hear if it works well and helps him. I sure hope it does! Thank you for the hug. Not sleeping well is hard!
I’ll let you know!
I know it is. I hope you’re able to find a solution soon. 😘💜
Ugh! I am so sorry to hear about the issues you’ve had. I know Stephany had a really hard time finding a mask that wouldn’t irritate her skin. It sounds very frustrating! I hope you find something tolerable!
Thank you, Lisa! I wish there was a better solution. Maybe someone will invent a perfect mask someday!
Oh no. My parents and husband all use a CPAP my parents don’t mind theirs, but my husband is forever having issues with the hose, etc. I think it helps his sleep in some ways…and also hinders his sleep in others. He doesn’t take it when he travels.
I hope you find something suitable that works and is actually comfortable. You poor thing. It sounds positively horrid 🙁
Thank you, Elisabeth! We’re both on the poor sleepers team! Along with many other bloggers, I think.
Oh noooooo. This sounds so awful Michelle. I think you may know that I am a new CPAP user — and it’s SO HARD. That’s even with a mask that seems to fit/work fairly well. (Although I know exactly what you mean about getting air blown in your eyes — if I don’t have the mask positioned exactly perfectly correctly, I get a stream of air into my eyeballs and it is very unpleasant.
I really hope your new pricey mask does the trick!!!
Thank you, Suzanne! A stream of air in the eyes is so unpleasant! I’m sorry you sometimes deal with it too. I tried some eye ointment to make a seal, and it did help, but it was really gross in the morning! I hope your CPAP is helping you sleep better!
Eek – I hate that you were so close to feeling better and now the equipment is getting in your way. I hope you find the right mask soon. This sounds so challenging. Good luck!
Thank you, Ernie! I appreciate your kindness! ♥️
Dang, I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble with your CPAP. I have a nasal mask that works well for me, and I haven’t had any issues with the seal. I also haven’t had any issues with the hose – maybe where it’s positioned in the headgear helps with that? IDK! I was using a CPAP specific lotion on my face before and after wearing the mask and that seemed to help with irritation. Not sure if you’ve tried it, but I swear by it: https://www.amazon.com/Mars-Wellness-CPAP-Skin-Protectant/dp/B0BSMJRNHH/.
I wish I had a better solution for you! 🙁
Stephany, thank you for the link! I’ll give it a try. I’m willing to try about anything!
I am so sorry, Michelle, that you have to deal with this. It sounds very frustrating, especially when the CPAP initially got you to sleep so well. I hope you find a solution.
Thank you, San, that’s super sweet of you to say. ♥️
I feel you!!!!!
I had a good starting period too. Not as rosy eyed as you and Stephany but I felt I had deeper sleep. But only for the first 4 hours. Then I woke up…. 2, 3, 4 hours awake…. if I fell asleep again usually without the mask.
And I did wake up because of the noises. I never knew air can be so loud. My mask has its hose on the top of my head so there is a valve there. I f I get too close to the headboard it makes a sound. So annoying. Also my machine has a very very high wheezing sound most people can’t hear. I do. Thanks migraine brain. So I can only sleep with ear plugs.
I haven’t worn my mask for weeks… months. Last week I had to sleep with some recording devices and I have a doctors appointment next week. I am not sure if I want to keep it or give it all back. Right now it’s not doing anything for my sleep if I am honest.
Tobia, I was rather rosy-eyed, wasn’t I? I wish it could have stayed that way. I’m sorry it’s not working great for you either.