Anyone sleeping with a CPAP?

Is anyone out there sleeping with a CPAP machine? I'm having a hard time with it. So far I can only sleep with it for about 2 hours at a time. It wakes me up when my mouth gets dry and my throat hurts. Then I take it out and leave it out until about 4 am and I wake up again and put it back on. I can't over with that thing. I was told that I would have to keep it even after surgery. Cindy

Cindy, I have had a CPAP since the end of May. It took me about a month to get used to it but the last few weeks have been great and I feel well rested when I get up. There are some times I wake up and my mouth is extremely dry but I tell myself to relax and swallow and it usually goes away. I know people who once they start losing weight get off the machine but I know at first I will be needing it. Best of luck to you and I hope your sleep gets better!! Ginny 8/4/04

I have used a cpap over a year. At first, I could not adjust the face mask. I felt as if I could not breath. I learn to keep my mouth shut real fast! The suction of the air would take my breath away. I have had 3 different face masks. The one I have now is great. No problems. It is the kind that fits in the nose. Took a few days to adjust, but now, no problems. I also have a humidifier on mine. Helps with the dry mouth. Marla

Ginny, Thanks for the support!!!! Cindy

Hello Cindy I have had my cpap for a little over a week now. The longest I have slept with mine on is 6 hours...only twice though most of the time its around 4 hours. I usually wake up around 4am and then I cant get back to sleep so I just take it off. I am finding myself prolonging going to bed at night just so I dont have to wear it so long.... If that makes sense ? Anyway, I have been told that it takes a week or longer to get used to the darn thing. Im just hoping I wont need it after I loose some pounds... Im thinking I will try for a month and then if I cant get used to the nose piece I will look into getting another style. Good Luck to you and sweet dreams Michele Open RNY 8-26-04

Michele, I have only been able to use mine a total of 4 hours a night. I am using the oracle mouth piece. It forces you to breath through your mouth and it wakes me upi when i relaxe enough that I breath through my nose. What a awful sound. We can try to gat through this together. Good Luck and sweet dreams Cindy

Cindy-I have severe OSA and have been using my CPAP for 5 years religiously. I was waking up 80 times per hour and I guess I was lucky because I adjusted very quickly. I don't ramp my machine up or anything (start it at a lower pressure and build up). Anyway, if you are having a problem with your throat hurting you might want to get a humidifier. It really helps especially if you have a high pressure. Your hose hooks to it and then your mask hose runs from it. It really helps with dryness. I actually don't use mine, but they said I needed one when they upped my pressure. The only time I have trouble with my CPAP is if I'm congested. I have an Ultra Mirage mask and I'm really bad...I don't replace it/clean it like they say, etc.... and I still have great luck with it. They tried to give me a chin strap that would make sure my mouth stayed shut but I told them to forget it I wouldn't use that. Anyway, the CPAP corrected problems I had no idea were related and it is VERY important that you use it as much as you can. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to talk more about your Sleep Apnea. I'm wondering if I have to take it to my surgery.

i have had my cpap machine for about a month now...some nite r good but others i can't sleep with it on...so i take it off...and about havin to take it to the hospital...my dr is requirin me to brin it...so they can put it on me as soon as i get back to recovery...good luck all...hugzzzz Cora surgery date is aug.24,2004

Cora, I have to carry mine to the hospital too. Last night I was able to use it for 4 hours. I went to the sleep lab yesterday for a follow up and Renee wasn't too happy that I haven't made it past 4 hours yet. Good Luck on your surgery!!! Cindy