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The new Medicare guidelines require patients to become compliant with their CPAP in 90 days or they will not pay for it.  This has some positives and negatives.  It now requires the doctors and homecare companies to become more actively involved.  The problem is that CPAP sometimes takes a while to get used to.  So what do you do when you need to get comfortable in a short period of time?

1.      Take your time choosing your mask.  If you can afford it get two different styles.  The reason being that they place pressure points on different parts of the face.  Also they feel different when you wear them.  Pillows make the pressure feel stronger where a nasal mask will feel more diffuse.  Full face masks are good because you can breathe through your mouth but they leak more.   

2.      Take advantage of the RAMP feature on most machines.  That allows you to decrease the pressure and slowly build while you are falling asleep.  This is for comfort and usually rises over 20 minutes to give you time to fall asleep.

3.      Humidity is your friend.  Many will not use the humidifier because of they do not like their nose to be warm.  Humidity will make it more comfortable.  Your nose is made to be humidified not dried out.  Turn it up so your nose is more comfortable.

4.      To follow the humidity, avoid rain out.  Put the machine in the draw of the night stand so it is lower then the bed.  You can also use some flannel and fabric glue to make a sleeve for the tube.  

5.      Talk to your doctor and homecare company.  If you find that you still can not get used to the machine after a week call the homecare company or your doctor and discuss the problem with them.  They should be able to help you find a solution to your problem.

CPAP is a long term therapy for sleep apnea.  It takes a little time to get used to.  Ninety days is not a lot of time to get used to it but taking advantage of  your family, homecare company and doctor will help you to adjust faster.

Amy Korn-Reavis, RRT, RPSGT has worked in all areas or respiratory care and is currently focusing on sleep and how to help the community feel better by sleeping better. She is the manager of a sleep lab in Maitland and Orlando, Florida and is the coordinator of A.W.A.K.E. Orlando. She works coaching technicians to get ready for their sleep board and patients who are looking to create a great sleep environment and get used to their CPAP. She can be contacted at amykorn@embarqmail.com