If you have just been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may be a little bit anxious about CPAP. Or maybe you have just picked up your CPAP and are wondering what you got yourself into.  Have no fear! We are going to offer you some tips and tricks so you can adapt to your new routine and start reaping the benefits of CPAP therapy.

Tip 1: It takes time

Some patients experience better sleep from the moment they start using their CPAP machine. However, we want you to know that it’s also common for it to take some time to get used to CPAP therapy. You have been sleeping many years without using it, so you may experience a bit of a learning curve to get started. At Parkway, we recommend giving yourself 30 days to get acclimated. If at 30 days you are still having trouble, please call us!

Tip 2: Daytime practice helps

Patients sometimes find themselves feeling like the air is blowing too hard on their face or feeling claustrophobic when wearing their CPAP mask. With this in mind, we advise our patients to wear it around the house, watching tv, or reading a book. This can help to normalize wearing a CPAP mask. Ultimately, you’ll ease into therapy if you can find a way to make it a normal part of your routine, and wearing the mask when you’re awake is a good way to start.

Tip 3: Don’t skip nights

The only way CPAP is going to work is if you keep up with your therapy every night. You may be tempted to skip a night or two. Understand it’s going to prolong the adjustment period to the machine, and it will take even longer to get used to your new equipment.

Tip 4: Keep it clean

You are breathing into your CPAP machine and equipment every night, so make sure you keep it clean. If you don’t, you’re going to expose yourself to a lot of bacteria that will grow and fester in your CPAP, which just happens to be the ideal environment for germs. For cleaning instructions, click HERE.

Tip 5: You might feel different

How long were you suffering with sleep apnea before you got it treated?  By getting the treatment you need, you may find some positive and negative results.  You will likely feel much more rested and full of energy because you are actually beginning to get quality sleep.  With this new quality sleep, your sleep patterns might change, causing you to feel worse initially as your body adjusts to getting REM sleep.  You may find yourself dreaming more and you could potentially have dry mouth.  These side effects are all a normal part of the adjustment period. Don’t give up!

We know you’ll find that as you continue CPAP therapy, it will make a huge difference in your life and how you feel. Remember, you are treating a medical condition and have more than likely suffered through a lot of really bad nights to get to this point. That’s why you found us in the first place—and exactly what will motivate you to get through the initial adjustment period. Stick with it, and don’t forget we are just a phone call away.

For more information about adjusting to the first few weeks of CPAP, check out our podcast episode below.