CPAP Adjustment Help


Need help adjusting to your CPAP machine?

Just like any other skill, learning how to use your machine & feel comfortable every night takes consistent practice.

Your first few nights with your new Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine may feel overwhelming. It’s not always as easy as turning it on and sleeping great through the night.

CPAP adjustment through a holistic lens may include:

  • CPAP desensitization: Incremental steps to slowly get used to wearing your mask/headgear and acclimating to your air pressure settings

  • Increasing regular use of your CPAP machine to improve compliance

  • Enhancing your motivation to use your machine during every sleep episode

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) if insomnia symptoms are also present

This approach may be right for you if you are:

  • Newly diagnosed with sleep apnea or new to using CPAP therapy

  • Feeling worried, anxious, panicky, and/or claustrophobic when you try to use your machine

  • Only able to use your machine for a short period of time and not long enough to meet minimum insurance requirements

  • Having trouble finding the motivation to use your CPAP machine on a regular basis

  • Experiencing consistent mask discomfort/mask fit issues

Still have questions? Reach out to Dr. Sarah.