CPAP Machine

After recently having a sleep study done I was told that I do indeed have sleep apnea and that a CPAP machine is recommended to help me breathe better while I'm sleeping. Does anyone here have any experience with one, good or bad? I'm just looking for an idea of what it's like to use one. I really have no choice, I have to do it. Now I just have to wait for my Dr.'s office to find a medical supply place that accepts Medicaid/Americhoice here in NJ. Not an easy task, but supposedly not impossible. I'd just like to hear from others who have used/are using a CPAP machine. I'm still trying to locate a Dr. that does gastric bypass surgery that takes my insurance. I've only found 2 in the state of NJ and the closer one is at least 2 hours away (and I don't drive). And you don't just pick any Dr. just because they do the surgery, you have to be comfortable with them and their abilities as a Dr. first. But that is another story.... So many times I wonder how it all came to this....morbidly obese, medical problems caused by it, and now sleep apnea....this isn't the life I was supposed to have. (I'm sure a lot/all of us feel/felt that way at some point) Thanks in advance for your help and advice! I appreciate it. And I appreciate knowing I'm not alone.

Hi Lisa, I too went through the sleep study. CPAP was recommended. Two days after the Dr. ordered it a tech. came to my house to show me how to use it. It is not difficult what so ever. Although it is not the most attractive thing to sleep in, I really don't mind it! You kind of look like a cross between Freddy Krugger and the Elephant Man. I've only been on it for about a month and I can certainly feel a possitive difference. It takes a little bit of getting used to, but it's really not that bad. Good luck. Melita

Hey Lisa -- prior to surgery I had sleep apnea and had to use a CPAP -- not horrendous, but definately takes some getting used to. Like Melita, the tech found thru my insurance company came to my house and set it up and showed me how to use it. I no longer need it and have been prounonced cured after losing 180 pounds! However, mine is like new - pre-set at a setting of "9" -- if you can use it, you are welcome to it. I have a brand new mask also -- never opened. E-mail me if you would like the machine. The setting would have to be changed by a tech, so make sure that the setting is right for you!

congrats on getting cured on the apnea, Bet there are many desparate people in need of a mach in the gulf, maybe you can get help from the katrina aid post, a mach is a medical device and must go thru a licensed therapist and on doctors orders.

Thank you both for replying, knowing others have been through the same makes me feel a bit better about it. And thank you Nannette for offering to give me your machine. What a generous thing to do! I just spoke to the Dr.'s office and the medical supply place and they are just waiting for the insurance to approve it, which they said should take only a few days, and hopefully should go through without a problem. I should be able to get one then, but thank you so much for such a generous offer. I'll keep it in mind if, god forbid, the insurance won't approve it. I'm nervous about using the machine, but even more nervous about NOT using it. -Lisa