Every day we discuss adaptation strategies with our CPAP patients.  For patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP is the most effective, albeit somewhat inconvenient, treatment.  The best advice we give to patients in the first weeks of CPAP is "don't give up".  Just because you wake up to discover you've taken the mask off in your sleep, does not mean that your body is rejecting this treatment.  This is a common experience.  Simply pick it up the next night and put back on.  You will find with persistence you'll be able to spend more sleep time with the mask in place.  As you will see in our clinics, we never stop offering options to optimize comfort, such as mask changes adjustments, pressure adjustment, humidification adjustments and tips on equipment maintenance.

Remember: Success with CPAP means regular replacement of your interface (mask or nasal pillows).  See Mark's CPAP Corner for more information [Mark's Cpap Corner].  If you need replacements, contact Mark or LaQuana [mforester@sleepmed.com or landrews@sleepmed.com].

When you come to our office, we often ask you to complete a rating of daytime sleepiness.  The simplest scale to use is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).  Anything that reduces good sleep will cause you to feel sleepier during the day.  Sometimes medications can increase your sleepiness.  A change in your sleep disorder can also increase sleepiness.  If you have an Epworth sleepiness score of 11 or above, your doctor will want to explore reasons for this.  This Link on our website will take you to the ES S. [Click here to rate your daytime sleepiness] If your ES S rating is 11 or above it may be time for you to visit your doctor.