Over a century ago, Emmert Wolf wrote that “a man is only as good as his tools”, and while this is a bit outdated and only refers to males, I think it remains true for everyone to this very day. When starting with your new CPAP machine, you need the right supplies to help you control your sleep apnea. And I believe you need 2 types: physical CPAP supplies and mental CPAP supplies.
Physical CPAP Supplies
Your sleep apnea specialist and equipment provider will work with you find the right CPAP machine for you.
Many people feel the most important of the CPAP supplies is the right mask with the right fit. If your mask leaks or is not comfortable, it can be more challenging for you to tolerate your mask and machine. There are different types of masks:
- Full face masks cover both the nose and the mouth.
- Nasal pillow masks fit right under the nose and supply air pressure through your nostrils.
- Nasal masks go over the nose.
- Oral masks are for people who breath through their mouths.
You may have to experiment with different masks and machines till you find the right one for you. One hint that I learned from my sleep apnea clinician: If you’re lying on your right side and your mask is leaking, slide your mask over a little bit more to your right side. I find that when I do this, it’s also better if I rotate the straps behind my head a little to the left, to make the seal stronger.
Other physical CPAP supplies include tubing and filters. Tubing comes in different lengths, 6 feet or 10 feet. Depending on your bedroom sleeping arrangement, you may choose one over the other. Filters for the machine are supposed to be replaced every 2 weeks. Your insurance may cover filter replacement.
Mental CPAP Supplies
Did you know that 50% of adults stop using their devices within one year?!?!
If you are reading this article, I imagine you may be struggling a bit using your new CPAP supplies. You may have the proper mask and machine and still not be able to tolerate it.
Obviously, this can be quite frustrating! And I feel hopeful. I have created a program to help you develop your mental CPAP supplies. Adapting to CPAP™ is a comprehensive online home video program to help you be able to wear your mask and use your machine comfortably and confidently.
Adapting to CPAP™ program incorporates:
- Medical Hypnosis
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies
- Powerful motivational tools
- Downloadable homework to enhance your experience.
I developed this program after treating a patient in his forties who was struggling with his CPAP machine. We met only one time, on a Thursday, over Zoom, and I made a recording for him to use.
The following night, I listened to his recording to help me with my CPAP machine! It worked great, and I called him a couple weeks later to see how he was doing. He was doing very well! I asked him what he thought about my making a home program for patients with this problem. He was quite enthusiastic about this, and that is how Adapting to CPAP™ was born.
If you already have your physical CPAP supplies, I encourage you to add to your mental CPAP supplies and start with Adapting to CPAP™ today!
Click here to learn more about Adapting to CPAP™.