Sleep Apnea

Hi, Guys. Well, I went to my appt today and yes, I have sleep apnea. I really didn't think I had it, but oh, I do! Now, I am going to have to sleep with that contraption on me. Any helpful suggestions on getting use to it? Thanks, Michelle

Michelle, Sorry to hear that. I was never diagnosed with apnea, but am sure that probably had breathing difficulties at night. Good luck getting use to it. God bless, Andrea

Hi there, I was diagnosed with apnea about 2 years ago, and since have worn a C-pap every night. Trust me, it is a pain to fidget with in the night at first, but the difference in QUALITY and QUANITIY of restfull sleep you will get is unbelievable. I noticed the difference the first morning. The mask is the worse. Make sure to get one that fits well, and take the time to adjust the straps properly. I have alot of trouble with my nose blistering where it rubs, and had my forehead breakout into dime sized zit like things at first. I switched masks to a full face mask, and it helped, but still have the breakouts on my nose. This is the only drawback I have. Sometimes it will whistle at night if you leak, but you get used to adjusting that qwuickly. Also, if your a mouth breather, get a chin strap, otherwise you wake up feeling like you are drowning when the air rushes past your open mouth. Besides those few things, it takes about 2 weeks and then you forget it is on. I found sitting it even with my head on a stand works best, and gives you most use of the hose.

Hi Michelle, I am currently on my 10th night with the CPAP machine. The first night, I threw it off and slept for a couple hours without it. Then I decided that I HAD to just do it, so I put it back on and really didn't sleep much the first night. The second night was better. I had to get the chin strap because I found myself breathing thru my mouth a lot and the noise woke me up. I have finally gotten to the point when I can sleep in all the positions I did before CPAP. I don't have any problems with the nose mask or the chin strap. Make sure that you adjust the straps on the nose and head straps evenly or the nose mask won't stay on correctly. The machine has made a huge difference in my sleep. I am no longer tired during the day as I used to be. My surgeon requires you to be on the CPAP for 4 weeks before you can have surgery. I should have done this a long time ago. They say that when I get down to around 200 pounds, they will test me again and see if I need to continue with the machine. Just think of the machine as your friend and it will be just fine. I have friends that I go on trips with and will absolutely LOVE the machine because they won't have to listen to me snore anymore. You will end up loving this machine because it will give you what you need the most, oxygen and a good nights sleep.

Michelle, I have had my CPAP for a year and a half now. What a diffference it makes. Yes at first it was hard to get used to, my hubby kept waking me up at night because I would take it off during the night and the air would wake him up. I can tell if I haven't worn it through the night I get very irritable and barely make it through the next day. I think after about a week I was used to it. IT makes all the difference in the world, I felt like I could run a marathon when I wear it correctly at night. YOU NEED IT to keep your brain functioning. I even had it at the hospital with me. It's your bedtime buddy. Good luck with this.

Michelle- I have just started using the CPAP machine also. I have been using it a little over two weeks and I must admit that I feel much better. I ended up having 3 different spleep studies over the past 3 years. I also had two surgeries in the past to try to help the apena (neither one helped!). I had tried CPAP in the past and just could not stand the mask-woke up very clostrophobic and would take the mask off and could not get it back on. But when my WL surgeon said I really needed to use CPAP for 4 weeks prior to having WLS, I tried again. And, this time I am having success. It is very important to find the right mask. And, it does take a few nights to adjust. The first few nights I didn't sleep very well. But, now that I am over 2 weeks into it, I have adjusted and sleep in all postions and don't have any trouble. My surgery is scheduled for September 2 and I am having more trouble on my 2 weeks of clear liquids now prior to surgery than with my CPAP machine . But, at this point I don't care- my new moto is "Nothing can taste as good as thin and healthy will feel!!!" Best of luck to you with your CPAP and surgery. Chris

I dont really have a comment, just thought it was funny to see CPAP I always think it is saying CRAP. lol sorry, I Had sleep apnea as well, but I refused to wear a cpap ever. now I dont have any troubles sleeping at all just falling asleep.. is all Judi

I have had sleep apnea for over seven years. When I was first told I had it I refused the CPAP and had surgery. Boy do I wish now that I had taking the CPAP. The surgery did not help and actually caused more problems. I have had a CPAP now for over a year and I love it. I still sometimes have problems with the mask but usually I just have to adjust the strapes. Sue