Welcome to the Forum Joanne, and I hope you find your time on here to be beneficial to you!

Kind regards

Kath Hope

Hi again Joanne, and so glad you've found us.  Just to know that you have other people on hand on this forum to help and support you is a real bonus that I wish I'd had at the beginning.  If you feel like introducing yourself properly to the others, this link would be a good place to do it http://hope2sleepguide.co.uk/forum/topics/welcome-from-kath-mike?id...

Have a look on my website too, and you'll see my own personal story there at this link 

http://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/page/my-story but unlike you, I didn't suspect that I had sleep apnoea.

 

Some people are very lucky in that they adapt really quickly to CPAP, but I can assure you that most of us aren't so lucky and have to work at it in the early days.  However, we are definitely the lucky ones, in that we've been diagnosed, bearing in mind what other conditions sleep apnoea can lead to if left untreated.

 

Regarding the full face mask, that's definitely a 'must' if you're aware that you breathe through your mouth, like me.  Your best bet would be to practise wearing the mask with and without the machine on whilst distracting yourself with watching tv., reading a book or listening to your favourite music.  Try not to panic and just relax into your breathing, and keep in mind that the air from the CPAP is actually keeping you safe in your sleep, rather than an enemy trying to take over LOL.

 

As for the masks, again some people are lucky in finding a suitable one straight away, whereas people like me have to try practically everyone that's ever been manufactured LOL.

 

I wish you all the best in these early days and should out for any help you need.

 

Kath x

.....I can fully understand how you're feeling with living alone, and sounds like a great plan going to stay with your family.  I can promise you that you won't suffocate though :)  Trying a full face mask might be the best way forward initially so that it doesn't matter whether you're breathing through your nose, mouth or both.  All sleep clinics are different, but see if yours will let you bring home a full face mask home, as well as a nasal one.  Tonight when you have more time to have a good look around the forum, you will probably find much more help too from others who've posted help and advice.

So pleased you've found us, and speak soon.

Best Wishes

Kath

Oh, another thing I meant to say, is that a lot of people find their diabetes and high blood pressure improves once they're being treated properly, so look forward to hearing good news from you as time goes on....

Hiya Sis, well it doesn't look like Honey needs a mask!