The dreaded Bi-Pap Machine

I think I started on a C-Pap machine obout 1990. At first it felt a little wierd, I remember waking up from a dead sleep hurling my C-Pap accross the room while still on my face. It was a little freaky, but things settled down after that, I sometimes had issues with faulty masks, but the insurance provided new ones to me.
Over the years I have graduated to using a Bi-Pap machine, I am at 22 over 19 on the settings, " Not Good as these things Go " One doctor suggested a while back that I have a permanent Trache and it would solve my Sleep Apnea " I have a new Doctor" I also have bone damage in the nose from birth that I never knew of before talking to that Doctor. In fact if I was'nt prone to severe infections I might someday have to go that route. So you can see that even using a full face mask and the irritation from the headgear is aggrivating, It is much more preferable to a Trache with a tube stuck out my throat.
I wish all the best and I would recomend the use of these machines when a professional prescribes it. It is better to fuss about a uncomfortable machine than to be in the ground complaining about nothing, and your loved ones have to deal with your death, It's That IMPORTANT.
Love to all
Gale

Hi Gale,

Thanks for your thoughts, I have been fighting using a CPAP for several years. When they said I had sleep apnea, they called it a mild case. So I went the nasal surgery and then the palate surgery then went for another sleep test to see if the surgeries had done there job.. Well so much for that idea. What this test came back with is that I have 'central sleep apnea' (when your brain forgets to tell you to breath) during the sleep study I quit breathing 160 times an hour. What they try to do during the night is to get you NOT to have that happen,. They were not able to do that for me.. and here I am finding it out 6 months after the sleep test.. not thinking I had a problem.. so what if i was sleepy every day and fell asleep anytime I sit still long enough. Now I am trying to use the BPap but wake up during the night with a totally dry mouth.. and since the WLS I definitely drink a lot of water.. But I, like you, have come to the conclusion, it is worth living if I have to go through this no matter what.. since I am looking fairly good 'for my age'.. no sense in leaving this world now..

Hugs to you,
Sandy

Gayle and Sandy,

As you can see I am new to this site:)  I was just diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a bi-pap machine, so my case is apparently severe...I didn't even know that I had any sleep apnea...no wonder I am so darn tired all the time, at least I know that it isn't just because I am overweight!  I will be meeting with the people who are fitting me for the machine on Monday.  Thanks for all your widsom, it has made me feel as if I really should get the machine, because I was considering not getting (although I am pretty sure that since my boyfriend knows that I need it that he would strongly encourage me to get it).

When I was talking to the medical supply people they said somthing about an addition or option of the bi-pap machine being a humidifier.  So Sandy maybe you could look into that and see if your machine has that option.  It just might make it more comfortable for you...

Good luck!