It’s common for some people to resist or stop using their CPAP machine even though it offers a wide range of benefits that include improved daytime wakefulness and reduced risk of developing serious conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and high blood pressure. After a year, around half of patients stop using their device. It can be difficult to watch your loved one give up on a treatment that will increase their physical and mental health.
You can encourage your loved one to use their CPAP machine, but you should approach the conversation carefully. Here are ways you can help if your loved one is resistant to using a CPAP machine.
Ask questions
When you discover that your loved one isn’t using their CPAP machine, it can be tempting to dive right into how important it is that they use their machine, but you should refrain from sharing facts or your feelings. Instead, ask questions about their situation and feelings. Approaching the conversation with curiosity will encourage your loved one to share their feelings instead of getting angry or shutting down.
A few questions you can ask include:
- How many times have you used your CPAP machine for the entire night?
- What bothers you about using your CPAP machine?
- Do you still try to use your CPAP machine, or have you quit using it altogether?
- Have you talked to your doctor about the trouble you’re having using your machine?
- Is there anything that doesn’t bother you or that you like about your CPAP machine?
Outside of asking specific questions about your loved one’s CPAP usage, one of the best questions you can ask is “What does support from me look like to you?” This allows your loved one to tell you exactly how you can help, which can reduce frustration and bring you closer as you troubleshoot problems together.
Highlight the positives
Above, we recommended asking your loved one if there is anything they like about their CPAP machine. In doing so, you can highlight the positives instead of focusing only on the negatives.
Do they sleep more soundly while using it? Does their partner also sleep better with the reduced snoring? Do they notice a difference in their mood when they use it? Did their blood pressure improve? Highlighting the positives of using a CPAP machine can make your loved one more open to exploring possible solutions to the problems they’re facing.
Address specific complaints with possible solutions
It helps to highlight the positives first, but eventually, the conversation will turn to the things your loved one doesn’t like about their CPAP machine. Give them a chance to vent, and validate their feelings. For example, you might say that you can understand how wearing a mask at night would be uncomfortable or that the sound can make it difficult to relax. You can ask them if they have already tried using different tools and accessories that can make sleeping with a CPAP machine more comfortable. Then you can ask if they are open to your suggestions.
A few common complaints of CPAP users and some solutions you can offer include the following:
| Complaint | Solution |
| The mask is uncomfortable or falls off while they sleep. | Try a different mask style. You can choose between full-face masks, nasal masks, nasal pillows, and oral masks with different-sized face pillows and strap styles. |
| The mask rubs on their skin, or they can’t get a good seal. | They can try a liner if their skin is irritated or if the seal is compromised. Some examples of liners include disposable mask liners, cloth mask liners, gel nose pads, and nose pad liners. |
| Breathing in forced air is uncomfortable. | The SleepRes V-Com is a tool that reduces the air pressure from the CPAP machine. It is a small accessory that is placed between the mask and hose. Check with your loved one’s health care provider to make sure it’s OK to use this tool. |
| They wake up with a dry, stuffy nose or dry mouth. | Heated tubing warms the humidified air that travels through the tube to reduce feelings of dryness. Just make sure you order tubing that is compatible with your particular machine. |
| It’s too loud. | Make sure the air filter is clean and unblocked. If that doesn’t work, have the machine serviced to make sure it’s working properly. Wearing earplugs, listening to music, or moving the machine away from the bed can also reduce noise. |
| The tubing is hard to manage at night. | A hose holder can prevent tangling and make it easier to roll over at night without pulling on the tubing. Special pillows can also keep tubing out of the way. |
| The straps leave marks on their face. | Use soft strap pads like Pad a Cheek or Snuggle Skins Cheeks or the CPAP pillow mentioned above. |
| Cleaning the machine and tubing is inconvenient and time-consuming. | Buy a set of tube cleaning brushes that are long enough to clean the entire length of the tubing quickly and easily. You can also offer to help them clean their equipment. |
Explore possible alternatives to CPAP machines
There are things you can do to help your loved one use their CPAP machine more consistently, but you don’t have any control over whether they will actually use it or not. If they really can’t manage to use their CPAP machine, consider helping them explore other treatments for sleep apnea.
Alternatives include:
- Sleep apnea oral appliances that adjust the position of the tongue and/or jaw.
- Adjusting their sleeping position by elevating the head or sleeping on their side.
- Physical therapy to strengthen the tongue and throat muscles.
- Surgery, if big tonsils, a floppy soft palate, a deviated septum, or another physical issue is causing their sleep apnea.
- An Inspire nerve stimulator that is surgically implanted to keep the airway open by stimulating specific muscles.
Final thoughts on encouraging your loved one to use their CPAP machine
Regardless of why your loved one is resistant to using a CPAP machine, it’s important to remain open-minded and realize that the problem may not be fixed overnight. Continue to look for solutions together, and you can help your loved one get the restful sleep they need.
