I recently became an APAP user after a sleep study found periods of obstructive sleep apnoea caused by my hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I expected the process of getting used to the machine would be long and awful, but with a few tips and the help of a charity, I’m sleeping SO much better than before. Here’s what I’ve learned:

APAP is the new CPAP

I didn’t realise until I spoke to my CPAP nurse that my CPAP machine is actually set to deliver APAP. What’s the difference? To put it simply, CPAP delivers a constant level of air pressure all night. There’s no variation in the pressure is provides once it’s ramped up, it stays at one level until it’s turned off in the morning. There’s nothing wrong with that, but newer technology allows for a more comfortable and responsive air delivery: APAP. APAP delivers air in response to your breathing. It will always be pumping air, but when it senses more resistance (because your airway is closing, because you have a cold or you’ve rolled onto your front, for example), it ramps up the pressure to keep it open. When it senses that resistance is low, it drops the pressure again to a low(er) level. This responsive method is said to help provide better airway support, and be more comfortable to sleep with – I’ve certainly got on well with it!

The hospital want to help you so ask for adjustments if you need them

When I had a check up with the CPAP team early on, I asked about the water collecting in the tube, and what I could do about needing to take my mask off to empty water out of the valve. They explained that water was condensing in the pipe because my room is cold, and that they could send me a heated tube to solve this issue. What struck me was the nurse telling me that their priority is my using the machine, and that they’ll send me heated tubes, different masks to try, whatever they can do to help me to get on well with the machine so that I use it. Because the worst case scenario for them is that I have a machine at home going unused, which is a lose-lose all round.

So if you’ve got a problem, tell them. They want to know and they want to help in any way they can.

Get yourself onto the Hope2Sleep facebook group

Facebook is always a great place to find support groups full of sufferers with years of experience who know all the hacks, tips and tricks that they are more than happy to pass along. The Hope2Sleep group is no different. Join it here to find a wealth of knowledge from lovely people who know seemingly all there is to know about CPAPs and living with sleep apnoea.

Mask liners and nasal moisturiser are worth the investment

I had seen that you could buy all sorts of things designed to make you more comfortable while using a CPAP machine but I held off until I had used my machine a few times before buying because I wasn’t sure any of it was worth it. Here’s what I absolutely think is worth it:

• Mask liners – plastic against my skin for hours and hours was sore and giving me a ring of spots. The cotton liners are SO much more comfortable and my skin has cleared right up. Some people make their own, I’m OK paying for the convenience because I do not have a crafting bone in me.
• Nasal moisturiser – not only will your nose get dry, but so will your lips, and you can’t put anything like vaseline near your mask as it damages the plastic. The moisturiser can be used anywhere and a little goes a LONG way, so it’s worth investing in something. I spent one night being really angry about how dry my lips were but not being able to do anything about it before I got the moisturiser, never again.
• Xylimelts – if you’ve got a mask that goes over your mouth, dry mouth may well be an issue. If you’re a sjogrens sufferer like me, you’ll definitely have an issue. I had an artificial saliva spray before the CPAP arrived but taking my mask off to spray it was incredibly disruptive, whereas xylimelts stick on and stay there working away for several hours (2 see me through a 12 hour night).

All of these products can be brought from Hope2Sleep and we recommend buying from them, as a charity they offer great prices, everything is tried, tested and reviewed before they sell it, and you know you’re not lining someone’s pocket when buying the products.

Everyone benefits from you using your machine

I was really unsure about getting the machine, it felt like another blow to my body confidence; how many times have we seen memes or jokes about how unattractive CPAP masks are?! But actually we both love it. I’m enjoying finally getting a good night’s sleep, and my husband is loving a quiet night’s sleep without my snoring. Where before he couldn’t stay up after me because I’d be snoring too much for him to sleep if I was asleep before him, now he can read for 10 minutes or stay up to watch a film if I need an early night without worrying about how much noise I’ll be making when he comes to bed. So both of us are sleeping better, and given we’re both asleep most of the time, we’ve both come to accept and even welcome it much quicker than I’d envisioned. Be patient and kind to yourself, it might take a little time, but getting a CPAP can be a really great thing not just for you but for those around you!