Almost ready!

Well I'm almost ready for my March 20th date. I've been cleared by the psych and the cardiac doc. The Pulmonary doc sent me for a sleep study and I had about 50 episodes an hour. He said I have mild to moderate sleep apnea. So I go Monday for another test with the c-pap machine. Guess I'll be looking like an alien when I'm sleeping. (That's ok I always liked Star Wars and Star Trek.) Anyone got any advice about sleeping with one of these. Are they difficult to get used to? My day is getting closer and that's great. Now I'm getting excited.

The bad news is the mask are hard to get used to . My wife had sleep apena pretty bad and hated and fought with her mask all the time. The good news is that after your surgery you probably wont need the cpac anymore. My wife does not even snore anymore. Her diabestes said bye bye too. I had diabeste and mine went away too.

Jennifer, Try hard to just accept the mask. You will be surpised how rested you feel after you get used to the machine. Since it is likely to be temporary for you, it might be easier to accept. When I first got my CPAP machine, I wasn't even considering WLS; so I thought I was sentenced to CPAP for life. It made me feel so much better that I made friends with it. I even took it on a cruise to Alaska. Now that I have had WLS and am down 100+ pounds I don't need it any more. Good luck to you. CPAP isn't the worst thing that can happen. Linda

If you can possibly get by with the nasal pillows instead of full face mask, that's so much more comfortable. I started with the nasal, had to change after 2 1/2 years because of sinus problems, and I hate the full face mask. It works but takes more getting used to. On the bright side, I am much more rested and can't imagine sleeping without the cpap, although I am hoping I can get rid of it after my surgery. Good luck to you.

CPAP changed my life!! Actually, I have the nasal pillows which can work well. It's a get-used-to thing especially if you are a side sleeper like me. However, getting a good night's sleep with REM uninterrupted is like magic. Don't forget to take your CPAP with you to the hospital for your surgery - keeps that airway open. I can't wait for this thing to be not needed anymore but you can't wrestle it out of my fingers now.... One tip: we hammered a piece of cloth in a circle on the back of the headboard to handle "hose management" and it really works well...