Trouble with comfort

Hi Linda, There are a lot of choices for the masks, but when I went in hospital for heart surgery a couple of years ago they fitted me with nasal pillows, They fit one little pillow over each nostril and a sort of Klingon shaped holder for them. It makes you look like a Klingon, but is very comfortable. I usually sleep on my side, but I can sleep on my back or stomach too. I was having 82 episodes an hour with blood oxygen levels down to 78% when I was tested in early 2002, so I really needed the mask. I also rigged a stand above my bed so that the hose is coming down from above to my gear. That has been very helpful. I sometimes cannot tell if I have it on, except for the fact that I can breathe! Hopefully, RnY on 5-10-04 will soon make wearing a cpap a thing of the past for me. Mike Haxton

Hey Linda! I have been wearing my Cpap now for almost 3 months. First, I was fitted with a full mask. No way could I sleep with that! Then the one that fits just your nose. Also a no go. I happened to mention that I sleep on my side, and they said they had just the thing for me. If fits just over my nose and the hose goes off to the back instead of down front. It has a swivel joint so it never gets tangled. I forget I have it one. I now have a love/hate relationship going with it. Can't live with it, can't live without it! I don't like having to wear it, but I sleep much better with it. I look forward to the day when I can sleep this peacefully without any help! I WANT MY SURGERY!

I am in a similar boat. Tried the CPAP months ago after being diagnosed, hated it so much I thre it off and returned it the next day. Now I'm told I have to wear it two months before surgery. That I may not wake up after the surgery unless my numbers are lower. I'm going to try the nasal prongs. Can anyone out there help me understand about the numbers. Does that mean the setting. I think mine was 9 which isn't too bad is it?

Hi Linda, I wear a CPAP too. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in February. I have 131 episodes an hour and my oxygen saturation drops down to below 50% (machine can only read to 50% anything below that number doesn't register). Anyway, I have had a difficult time with my machine and mask. I have the kind with humidity and I wear a mask that covers just my nose. I was struggling with being claustrophobic. Still am, not as bad though. I sleep on my tummy and it is not possible to do so with the mask on. I end up ripping it off in my sleep or I wake up wit a really sore neck from turning my head funny. My solution had been to just use it every other night to deal with the neck pain. Then I had a follow-up appointment with the sleep Dr. and told him about alternating every other night with my machine. He told me I must not do this because I could die or have permanant heart and brain damage from it. So for the past several months I have been sleeping sitting up in my recliner. This helps with the sore neck thing and is tolerable. This is the main reason I am seeking the WLS. I was told my alternative to losing the weight is a tracheostomy (where they make a hole in your throat to breathe through) Not a good option. Anyway, Maybe if you sleep i a different position it will help you too. My only concern about sleeping sitting up is that I might get blood clots in my legs from that position. A sleep aid helps. I take 50 mg of seroquel and that makes it possible for me to fall asleep. I wait until it kicks in, strap on the mask and its lala land for me. A good nights sleep and I'm ready to go. It is worth the energy to put up with the discomfort. Talk to your doctor and ask if these issues that you are struggling with can be addressed. A new mask might make all the difference for you. Good luck to you. If I can answer any questions or be of more help, please feel free to e-mail me. Have a day filled with sunshine! Hugs to you, --Jaimee

I posted awhile ago, and my nasal pillows are still fine. I do use 6 mg of melatonon to help me sleep. Before my RNY I needed 9 mg, but I have lost around 55 lbs, so don't need so much. We all have a favorite sleeping position, but you can definately make new habits. I can sleep on my side or stomach, but I do use more than one pillow on my stomach, one for my head and one for the mask lol. Mike

Hi Linda: I'm not much help because I'm having the same problem. I throw it off and shut it off. I have heard so many different stories. Some people say it really helps and they wake up refreshed. But I absolutely hate it. And I can't have surgery without it according to my doctor. But....I have also heard from many people that they never were able to wear it all night, had their surgery and are fine. And....the best news of all their sleep apnea disappeared about two weeks after the surgery. Actually, one man said his weight loss before surgery cured the apnea.