CPAP Maintenence:

Masks, tubing and headgeart do not last forever; they need to be replaced every 6 months – 1 year (many insurance companies will replace only once a year).  The CPAP machine on the other hand lasts many years, and in general, there is no need to do anything to it other than replace filters on time.  Remember that many companies sell the filters. 

Keep your equipment clean.  It is very important to wash your mask or nasal pillows at least every other day in soap and water.  Let it soak for 5-10 minutes, rinse it very well and then let it dry over a clean towel.  If you do it in the morning they will be ready to use at night; a clean mask will make the experience much more tolerable.  The tubing should be washed the same way once a week and hang to dry. 

Using CPAP:

So, now you have a CPAP machine at home and you have no idea what to do with it?  You hate to use it, the noise bothers you, the connecting tube is too short and you can not move at night?  Your throat is sore in the morning?  Etc. Etc.? … And, you ask yourself “How will I ever get used to this thing?”  Well, here are some very helpful and simple hints no one told you before (most likely…) and you will find that using CPAP is not so bad after all.

First of all:  It is not easy to get used to CPAP.  We were not born with a mask on our face (nor glasses!).  But, if the doctor has prescribed it for you, it can be a matter of life or death to use it.  It sounds very dramatic, but it is true.  In the majority of cases, the CPAP treatment improves the quality of life tremendously.  Your energy level improves significantly and, as a great bonus, it can save marriages eliminating the “elbow syndrome."  Your bed partner will prefer to hear a steady “white noise” rather than horrible gasping noises all night, and you will be able to sleep together and be happy again!

It may take up to 8 weeks to get used to it. Again, like glasses, the secret is PERSISTENCE.  You have to give the treatment a chance.  For sure, the CPAP will not choke, suffocate, or kill you.  It will only make your life better!

Be sure the equipment you are using fits comfortably on your face.  There should not be any pain, soreness or marks involved.  Different companies are creating new equipment practically every week, so you can find the one that is right for you.  Also, you can have more than one choice. If you want a rest from nasal pillows, for example, switch to a mask for a couple of days and vice versa.  It helps.  Your insurance may pay for a second mask if prescribed by your doctor.  If not, a small amount of money spent on it is worthwhile.

Be sure the tubing is long enough so you can move and turn freely at night.  If noise becomes a problem, place your machine away from the bed to decrease the noise.  You can obtain extra tubing and connectors from the company that provided your machine.  If the tube bothers you still, attach it to the headboard with a loose tie, so you can pull or move it at will.  If there is no headboard, you can buy a “state of the art” solution for this situation; RESMED Corp. created a Swing Arm, which will do the same thing.

These helpful hints are a result of many years of experience listening to patients, and we surely hope that they will help you with the CPAP treatment.  Perhaps the most important advice of all is to use the equipment every time you go to sleep.  That is the only way that the therapy will work. 

It will not work if the machine is turned off after you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night because you feel you have slept enough already.  This happens quite often.  There was a case of a 23-year-old man who was found dead at 8 a.m. with  his CPAP machine turned off at his bedside.  This sad episode is very dramatic and rare, but we feel you must know that it did happen.  Early morning is when we have the longest or the most REM sleep, and in general, sleep apnea is worst when we are in REM sleep.  Also, while scoring sleep studies, many sleep technologists have noticed that blood pressure tends to decrease after CPAP treatment, which could be another hidden benefit of the treatment, for your heart and general health. 

When traveling, take the CPAP with you.  “Don’t leave home without it!”  When camping or boating, use it.  There are adapters and small generators to make it easier, and the machines are able to compensate for altitude changes.  Do not hesitate to ask questions to the company that delivers your equipment.  Their phone number should be on the equipment!  

If you cannot sleep with your mouth closed, you will not be able to receive full benefits from nasal CPAP.  If this is a problem, there is a full face mask available that may suit you better.  There is a chin strap available as well.

Each CPAP system has a different kind of filter.  Depending on your environment, it may need to be washed weekly or monthly.  Make sure your filter is completely dry before you place it back in the machine.

Finally, CPAP will help you feel more energetic during the daytime and your whole life will change (family, relationships, work, school, etc.)  You will feel encouraged to do more physical activity like walking, thus you might be able to lose weight, (the main factor of sleep apnea).  If the main reason why you have to use CPAP is that you are overweight, the compliance of the treatment plus weight loss could eliminate the need for CPAP completely.

CPAP Troubleshooting (also take a look at our quick tips page):

Do you tend to choke with the CPAP and pull the mask off in a panic?  This choking sensation is a result of trying to breathe through your nose and mouth at the same time.  Here is a little secret… if you say the word “tea” you will notice that your tongue presses against the roof of your palate.  As simple as that is, the problem will be eliminated.   When you place the mask on your face or pillow in your nose, as soon as the air starts flowing, close you mouth and place your tongue firmly against the roof of your palate and breathe only through your nose.  If you practice this little trick, you will have no problem getting used to the CPAP.  It will feel so easy that sometimes you will wonder if you have the mask on!  (Please try this a few times.) 

Heated humidifiers alleviate the cold sensation of air in the nose, and some people have reported having a less sore throat in the morning.  The best way to care for the humidifier is to use DISTILLED OR PURIFIED water (regular water will damage it) and to CHANGE THE WATER EVERY DAY, so it will not create bacteria.  Many insurance companies do not cover heated humidifiers.

So, now you have a CPAP machine at home and you have no idea what to do with it?  You hate to use it, the noise bothers you, the connecting tube is too short and you can not move at night?  Your throat is sore in the morning?  Etc. Etc.? … And, you ask yourself “How will I ever get used to this thing?”  Well, here are some very helpful and simple hints no one told you before (most likely…) and you will find that using CPAP is not so bad after all.

First of all:  It is NOT EASY to get used to CPAP.  We were not born with a mask on our face (nor glasses!).  But, if the doctor has prescribed it for you, it can be a matter of life or death to use it.  It sounds very dramatic, but it is true.  In the majority of cases, the CPAP treatment improves the QUALITY OF LIFE tremendously, your energy level improves significantly, and as a great bonus, it can save marriages, eliminating the “elbow syndrome”, as I call it.  Your bed partner will prefer to hear a steady, “white noise” rather than horrible gasping noises all night, and you will be able to sleep together and be happy again!

By my long experience with patients, it may take up to 8 weeks to get used to it (again, like glasses), the secret is:  PERSISTENCE.  You have to give the treatment a chance!  One thing for sure, the CPAP will not choke, suffocate or kill you!  It will only make your life better!

Be sure the equipment you are using fits comfortably on your face.  There should not be any pain, soreness or marks involved.  Different companies are creating new equipment practically every week, so you can find the one that is right for you.  Also, you can have more than one choice, so if you want a rest from nasal pillows, for example, switch to a mask for a couple of days and vice versa.  It helps.  Your insurance may pay for a second mask if prescribed by your doctor.  If not, a small amount of money spent on it is worthwhile.

Be sure the tubing is long enough so you can move and turn freely at night.  If noise becomes a problem, place your machine away from the bed to decrease the noise.  You can obtain extra tubing and connectors from the company that provided your machine.  If the tube bothers you still, attach it to the headboard with a loose tie, so you can pull or move it at will.  If there is no headboard, you can buy a “state of the art” solution for this situation; RESMED Corp. created a Swing Arm, which will do the same thing.

These helpful hints are a result of many years of experience listening to patients, and we surely hope that they will help you with the CPAP TREATMENT.  Perhaps the most important advice of all is to use the equipment EVERY TIME YOU GO TO SLEEP.  That is the only way that the therapy will work. 

It will not work if the machine is turned off after you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night because you feel you have slept enough already.  This happens quite often.  There was a case of a 23-year-old man who was found dead at 8 a.m. with  his CPAP machine turned off at his bedside.  This sad episode is very dramatic and is rare, but we feel you must know that it did happen.  Early morning is when we have the longest or the most REM sleep, and in general, sleep apnea is worst when we are in REM sleep.  Also, while scoring sleep studies, many sleep technologists have noticed that blood pressure tends to decrease after CPAP treatment, which could be another hidden benefit of the treatment, for your heart and general health.