I DON'T WANT A CPAP MACHINE!!!!

I am 38 yrs old and I took my second sleep apnea test last night.  Four years ago it came back negative...now it' seem that I have SA.  I have got such a hardened heart about this one.  I've gained some weight over the last four years and I just don't think that I should be put on a CPAP automatically...and I will tell my doc this with passion.  My surgery is scheduled for 3/29.  I had a higher level of cholesterol and my cardiac dr. said he'd hold off on any meds until after surgery to see if my levels drop to normal.  I think the same thing should be done with the SA.

Have any of you delayed getting/using your CPAP??

I couldn't see how I'd be able to sleep with that thing and how can my husband sleep with the noise versus the snoring (which may be more bearable)?

Help me.

I am sorry for your news... ugh... Well I have SA and found out in 2007 and I was sooooo upset... Just the thought of me having to be on a machine at night... ugh.. I was just 25 years old!!!  How embarrassing.. right?!?  I tried it out and only used it every so often.. But for well over a year now I use it all the time because reality hit me...  I started hearing of people who have SA and not using there machines dying in their sleep!!!  That was enough to scare me into using it... It is really important for you to get that machine and use it..  You may not like it and you may be embarrassed but its worth it.. And now that you have been diagnosed with SA you are required to bring your CPAP machine to the hospital with you for your surgery... Our surgeons at CHRIAS will not do the surgery unless you bring your CPAP machine.. I wish you the best and I am truly sorry for your bad news... I am now 27 years old and I am hoping not too long after my surgery I will not have to use that machine anymore!

Liz

You may not have a choice about using the machine.     I found out I had sleep apnea through the pre-surgery testing.     I was pretty grumpy pants about the whole thing.   My surgeon insisted that I use the machine and checked that I was being compliant for 30 days before the surgery (via the little card in the machine).

Having SA means the hospital will take special precautions during recovery - I had to be in ICU the first 24 hours - standard procedure for those with sleep apnea, and they monitored my breathing on the machine during the rest of my stay.

Getting enough oxygen will be important to your healing (another good reason to be compliant) after surgery.
 
It does take some time to get used to the machine.   As far as your husband is concerned - mine much preferred the machine to the snoring and snorting.   He slept SO much better after I got the machine.

Now that I'm down 135 pounds - my apnea has been reduced, but not resolved.   I did a follow up study - and they said I could sleep without the machine, only if I tape a tennis ball to my back to force myself to sleep on my side.   (low tech solutions).  

Try to be open minded on this --- it's not the same thing as holding off on the medicines.

Jody

Wear the CPAP! I can't sleep without mine, I even take it with me when I travel, and when I camp! We just put attach an extension cord to it. (I camp in a campground with electricity).

FYI - I have lost 105 pounds and am nearly at goal, and my sleep apnea has not resolved. Do not believe that losing weight will automatically resolve your sleep apnea.

I feel so much better when I sleep with my CPAP. I am also in a new relationship, and he is fine with the CPAP. He loves me, and having a CPAP is part of the package that comes with me. We joke about it, because in addition to my mask, I have to wear a chin strap to keep my mouth shut when I sleep. He calls me Hannibal Lector!

Seriously, once you get used to it, it just becomes part of your routine. And you will feel a million times better.

Yea. I can really relate, I delayed using my Apnea machine for ages. Until I really can't stand the fatique and depression. All alternative methods failed.

I have been using CPAP for almost a year now and it has changed my life drastically.  I used to have to leave work and go out to my car during the day and take a nap to get through the day.  I was exhausted all the time.  Not to mention waking up with a pounding headache everyday and during the night my mouth would dry out so bad I couldn't swallow. 

But, when I found out I had SA I had only been married for three years.  I still considered myself a newlywed.  I was so embarrassed to wear it.  But, I did.  My husband was very supportive and glad to not listen to me all night.  He gets a better night's sleep now as well.

I encourage you to look at it as a possible temporary solution.  And, SA can be life threatening so treating it shouldn't really be an option for you.

Good luck and best wishes.

~Connie

A few  years ago after my sleep study, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I did try the CPAP machine but I hated it immensely... so I decided to send it back and tough it out.

I had my surgery in the end of 08 and my sleep has gotten much better! I personally don't regret not using the CPAP machine....however, I do have a hard time staying asleep so I use a prescribed sleep aid.

I am getting ready to schedule a surgery and I have been using a CPAP for over 3 years.  I want you to understand something about the CPAP before you decide NOT to use it.  First of all, when a person is diagnosed with SA its because you stop breathing during the night.  I would wake up at all hours of the night completely out of air and start coughing....I decided I had to use the machine. Make sure you only put it on when you are ready to fall to sleep.  It can be a little weird at first but you know what...when you actually get a full nights rest and wake up refreshed, there is no better way to start the day.

I was told once I have the surgery and lose some weight (currently at 275) then I can be retested for SA. 

I hope this helps. Please don't shy away from it because it looks weird or might first start off as uncomfortable. 

 before I got my cpap machine I was worried about the same things you are.

To be completely honest, I have no idea how I slept without it.

The truth is, I didnt. I was waking up every 3-4 min gasping for air. i was not concious of it, but the study proved it.

on average i was getting 1-2 hours of sleep total out of 8 -10 hours.

the first weeks will suck, I wont try to tell you they wont. its an adjustment that is so worth making.
you will have much more energy. if you lose fast, you wont need it for long.

if the insurance will cover it I would say do it. 

It does take a while to get used to it. And the thought of cuddling up against someone who is using it seems like an awkward thing.
But use it. It will make a huge difference in your sleep and overall health.