There are many masks to choose from for one thing. But won't lie that it does take time to get used to. After all, its something on your face blowing air at you! If you try every night to use the mask, you will get used to it and it will be like second Nature. In fact, sleeping WITHOUT it will feel weird! I don't find it uncomfortable. There is a setting to change how much humidity you get, too. The pressure of the air is set by your doctor, though, based on your sleep study. I did ask for it to be lowered a bit, though, and they accomodated me. I think you need to go to the sleep study and then give the machine a solid "go", as it were. I take ativan to sleep sometimes and I'd think that the cpap would HELP if I'm having more apnea because I'm more sedated.