CPAP? Crap!!

I was told that I have moderate sleep apnea (17 episodes per hour), even though my oxygen levels are 89%. Nonetheless, I was told I need to go on the CPAP. I thought, I can do this. Shouldn't be too bad. NOT! What TORTURE! The nasal mask was so tight I thought my sinuses were going to crack. The rubber around the mask also irritated my skin and made me sweat profusely around my face. The tech kept adjusting the mask to make it more comfortable for me, but I ended up crying silently for an hour, tears streaming down my face, because it was so painful. She finally switched me to the nasal pillows, and I was able to sleep a little bit, but it was still uncomfortable and really dried out my nasal passages. (I also had the creepiest dreams, which now I find are side effects with the cpap.) How does anyone possibly get used to this thing? I am so stressed out about it. I don't understand why I need one. I have no daytime tiredness. From my perspective, I sleep fine other than light snoring because of huge tonsils. I guess I feel like I am being tortured for no reason. What if I end up not using the machine? Will the pulmonologist tell me I can't have surgery? I am about ready to give up on having surgery at this point. Any tips out there?

my pulmonologist would not clear me for surgery if I was not using my machine an average of 4 hours per night. So I had to suck it up and deal with it. Which I did. I did feel better once I got used to it. Be patient and keep trying.

Thanks, Lisa. How do they know if you're using it? Is there some kind of meter on the machine? How does the doctor get this information?

My machine has a card in it that looks like a credit card. It has a micro chip in it that stores all the data, it's just like big brother. They can tell everything from ths card!

I tried for 6 months to get used to wearing mine. I would pull it off in my sleep. I even tied it to my hair, pinned it etc and I still pulled it off.. I was only to get 5 hours of sleep with it ONCE in 6 months! I finally gave it up and put it in my closet. I just had another sleep study but I do not know the results yet..I thought they would tell me.. You know it was almost 4,000.00 for that over night study? I about fell off my chair.. Thank god it's covered!

Sounds like you need a lightweight mask, I have the Swift Mirage...omg so compact and light! I love it! Not outta breath anymore, ankles not swollen! My kids call me Scuba Steve, but I don't care (I'll get even...lol) look into the Swift Mirage...ResMed.com I think. Good luck!!

I just picked up a Hybrid for testing. The few minutes I had it on in the office were wonderful. I am a mouth breather and side sleeper, so getting a good fit wasn't easy. I like the mirage full mask, but if this works I will be ecstatic. As for how do you do it? Simple, I'm afraid of dying. That puts all sorts of things into perspective.

Patricia, I use a unit from Respironics. Very small mask, just nasal. I also have oxygen with it. Did not take long to get used to it. I was so afraid I'd have a problem 'cause I'm a mouth breather at night, but it has just not been a big deal. The mask itself is pretty darned comfy. I also have a humidifier with it. I still tend to get nosebleeds (I live in Colorado and it's awfully dry here) but they don't seem as bad as they were. This is the website that shows what it looks like: http://comfortgel.respironics.com/ You might have to try several before you find one that works well for you. Liz